Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)

Technicians are essential to chemical science practice and teaching. Their mastery of highly specialised equipment contributes to research outputs. Their chemical analyses keep us safe and healthy. They enable students to fall in love with science and to gain the practical skills they need for a science career.

RSciTech is awarded to technicians, those in technical support roles, and assistant scientists.

As skilled problem solvers, Registered Science Technicians use the most appropriate scientific techniques, procedures and methods to achieve solutions. They work with minimal supervision and play a pivotal role in supporting high quality science, teaching and research in a variety of settings, including laboratories, hospitals, universities and schools.

Why should I apply?

By becoming RSciTech you will:

receive professional validation of your highly developed technical competence
be entitled to use the designatory letters RSciTech after your name
elevate your credibility and confidence as a skilled technician
demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high professional standards
demonstrate that you have transferrable skills and are committed to improving them
increase your appeal to potential employers – RSciTech is a mark of excellence
show personal and professional integrity

Who can apply?

You can apply for RSciTech if you work in a technical role in the chemical sciences and you're a member (in any category) of the 91AV.

You'll also need:

a RQF level 3 qualification (for example, A-level, T-level, Applied General, BTEC, NVQ Level 3,) or higher. However, equivalence may be demonstrated through a combination of other qualifications, work-based training and professional experience
sufficient professional experience to meet the Science Council's competence standards and typically at least one year’s experience working within an appropriate role
an up-to-date CV and evidence of your qualifications

If you're not already a member, it's easy to join.

Shortened application routes are available to those who have completed a mapped apprenticeship standard. Go to the ‘how to apply’ section to find out more.

What does it cost?

In addition to your membership fee there is:

a £25.00 registration fee
an annual retention fee of £25.00, paid with your membership renewal

We offer reduced membership fees for those who earn less than £31,000 per annum.

If you're not already a member, it's easy to join.

How to apply

Please read An applicant's guide to becoming a Registered Science Technician, which sets out all of the eligibility requirements, before applying.

You must be a member of the 91AV (in any category) and also have a supporter, usually your line manager or a senior colleague who is familiar with your role.

Your supporter will answer a question about your qualifications (or equivalent knowledge and skills) and provide a statement that validates your evidence against the five competency areas:

application of knowledge and understanding
personal responsibility
interpersonal skills
professional practice
professional standards

If you're not already a member, it's easy to join.

Some apprenticeship standards in England have been mapped against the requirements for RSciTech and RSci. This means that if you have completed one of these apprenticeships within the past 2 years, you will be eligible to apply through a shortened application. Check this to see if your apprenticeship has been mapped or get in touch for more information.

Most applicants choose to apply via a written assessment. However, there is the option of assessment via interview. Please contact us to find out more.

In your application, you'll need to give a specific example of how you demonstrate each of the Science Council's competence standards in your professional work. Consider what you did, why and how – this usually provides the length and depth that's required.

You can find more information on how to structure your examples and ideas of the types of things you could write about in An applicant's guide to becoming a Registered Science Technician.

If you have completed an that has been mapped against the requirements for RSciTech within the past 2 years, please contact us to request your shortened application form and specific guidance document.

Download an application form

Help with your application & application timescales

Help with your application

An applicant's guide to becoming a Registered Science Technician – for eligibility information and examples of evidence accepted
Science Council's competence standards
How to write examples in competency based application forms
Registered Science Technician application form

The application process and estimated timescales

Send your application and CV and evidence of your highest qualification to the RSC via email.
We review your application, requesting further information from you if necessary (allow up to two weeks).
We send your application to external assessors. Assessors may, via us, request further information (allow eight weeks).
If necessary, you will be asked to update your application in line with assessors’ comments.
Assessors do a final review to ensure you have met the required standards (allow two weeks).
You will be advised of the outcome together with any feedback from the assessors.

Renewing your registered status

You'll be asked if you want to renew your RSciTech status when you receive your 91AV membership renewal. The retention fee for RSciTech is £25.00, paid annually with your membership fee.

All Registered Science Technicians commit to continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain their registered status – it's a mandatory requirement. To make this easier, we offer our members a free CPD recording tool.

CPD enables you to take charge of your career. By keeping track of your professional development you can identify gaps in your knowledge and opportunities to learn new skills. And in a fast-changing world, keeping your skills up to date is essential.

Every year, we also select a random sample of members for revalidation. If you're selected, we'll contact you to explain the process. Please make sure you provide all the information required and return to us by the deadline given. You'll be asked to describe your relevant learning activities in three of the following five areas:

work-based learning (eg, supervising staff/students, reflective practice)
professional activity (involvement in a professional body, mentoring)
formal/educational (writing articles/papers, further education)
self-directed learning (reading journals, reviewing books/articles)
other (voluntary work, public service)

Please read our revalidation guidance – it'll help you to complete the revalidation process.

What happens if I drop off the register?

Sometimes, an individual may be removed from the professional register because:

their 91AV membership has lapsed
they haven't paid the retention fee
they are involved in a disciplinary hearing

If you drop off the Science Council register, you can be reinstated at any time within three years. You'll need to complete the revalidation process and confirm that you still meet the eligibility requirements. After three years, you'll need to do a new application.

Become an assessor

Did you know that, as a Registered Science Technician, you can contribute to your CPD by becoming a volunteer RSciTech application assessor? If you are interested in becoming an RSciTech assessor please contact us.

91AV