Chartered Quality Institute (CQI)

Overview

The Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) is the professional membership body for quality management professionals and practitioners across all sectors globally. Based in London, the CQI is the only chartered body authorised to award Chartered Quality Professional (CQP) status, a prestigious professional designation recognising excellence and proven expertise in quality management. The institute operates internationally, serving individuals and organisations seeking professional recognition, development and advancement in quality management, quality assurance, continuous improvement, operational excellence and related disciplines.

For quality professionals—including quality managers, quality engineers, auditors, continuous improvement specialists, operational excellence practitioners and those working in quality assurance, compliance or quality control—the CQI represents the leading professional authority. It provides a focused community of practice through which to gain qualifications, enhance professional standing, access specialist knowledge, and engage with peers and employers who value professional standards.

Who Should Join?

The CQI serves quality professionals at all career stages, from those entering the field through to senior leaders and experts. Membership is relevant to:

• Quality managers and quality engineers working in manufacturing, service industries, healthcare, technology, construction, pharmaceuticals and all sectors where quality management is central to operations
• Quality assurance and quality control professionals responsible for testing, inspection, compliance and standards management
• Continuous improvement and operational excellence specialists using methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen and other process improvement approaches
• Internal and external auditors, particularly those seeking formal recognition through the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA), which the CQI owns and manages
• Process improvement consultants and business improvement professionals
• Compliance, risk and governance professionals with responsibility for quality systems and standards
• Students and early-career professionals building expertise in quality management and seeking formal recognition and structured development
• Employers and organisations seeking to recognise, develop and retain quality expertise within their teams, or to benchmark their quality capability

The CQI offers multiple membership pathways, including individual membership at various levels reflecting different stages of professional experience and expertise. Membership categories typically include student members, full members, senior professionals and those pursuing chartered status. The institute also engages with employers and organisations through group membership and partnership arrangements. Specific eligibility criteria and the full range of membership options are available on the CQI website.

Why Join?

Membership of the CQI delivers professional recognition, structured development and competitive advantage in a field where employers and clients increasingly value formal qualifications and professional standing. Key reasons to join include:

• Chartered Professional Status: The CQI is the only body able to award Chartered Quality Professional (CQP) designation. Achieving this credential demonstrates recognised excellence, proven competence and professional standing that is respected globally. For quality professionals, chartered status signals significant expertise and can enhance career prospects, credibility with employers and clients, and earning potential.
• Formal Qualifications and Certification: The CQI provides qualifications, training and certification pathways that develop and formally recognise quality management expertise, from foundation level through to advanced professional and chartered levels.
• Auditor Registration: For auditors, the CQI operates the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA), which provides formal, internationally recognised certification. IRCA registration is widely required or valued by employers, clients, regulators and organisations seeking assured audit capability.
• Professional Development and Learning: Access to specialist training, guidance and resources that help quality professionals stay current with evolving practices, standards and methodologies in quality management and continuous improvement.
• Peer Community and Networking: Connection to a professional community of quality practitioners, allowing members to share knowledge, learn from peers, exchange ideas and build professional relationships across sectors and geographies.
• Credibility and Professional Standing: Membership provides recognition within the profession and wider business community. For individuals, it signals professional commitment and competence. For employers, it allows them to demonstrate that they employ quality professionals who meet professional standards.
• Career Advancement: Professional membership, recognised qualifications and chartered status can support career progression, open pathways to senior roles and enhance marketability within quality management and related fields.
• Access to Specialist Knowledge: Members gain access to the institute's resources, publications, technical guidance, best practice and insights into developments in quality management and their sector.

Member Benefits & Opportunities

The CQI provides a range of practical services and opportunities designed to support professional development, recognition and career progression:

• Qualifications and Professional Recognition: Pathways to recognised qualifications and professional credentials, including the Chartered Quality Professional designation, which is the highest professional recognition available in the field.
• Auditor Certification and IRCA Registration: Access to auditor training, certification and the International Register of Certificated Auditors, enabling quality and system auditors to achieve formal, internationally recognised qualification and registration.
• Professional Development and Training: Specialist learning programmes, technical guidance and continuing professional development resources helping members develop expertise, stay current and advance their careers.
• Networking and Events: Conferences, seminars, webinars, local group meetings and other events providing opportunity to connect with quality professionals, hear from sector experts, learn about best practice and discuss emerging issues affecting the profession.
• Technical Resources and Publications: Access to specialist knowledge, guidance, research and best-practice resources on quality management, standards, auditing, continuous improvement and related topics.
• Community and Peer Support: Membership of an established professional community providing peer support, mentoring opportunities, forums for discussion and the ability to share and learn from other quality professionals.
• Professional Visibility: For many members, listing in professional directories and the ability to use professional designations and credentials, enhancing professional visibility and credibility.
• Access to Standards and Guidance: Information and guidance on quality management standards, compliance frameworks, auditing best practice and other professional resources.

Industry Role & Professional Standing

The CQI holds a significant position within quality management, standards and professional practice globally. As a chartered body—a status granted by Royal Charter—the institute is authorised to set and uphold professional standards, award chartered professional credentials and represent the quality management profession to government, regulators, employers and the public.

The CQI's distinctive authority includes:

• Chartered Professional Standards: The CQI is the sole organisation authorised to award Chartered Quality Professional status, making it the highest professional authority for quality management credentials. This role ensures that chartered professionals meet rigorous standards of knowledge, competence and professional conduct.
• International Auditor Register: Through its ownership and management of the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA), the CQI maintains formal certification and registration of quality and systems auditors. IRCA registration is widely recognised and often required by employers, clients, regulators and organisations seeking assured auditor competence.
• Professional Standards and Guidance: The institute develops and promotes professional standards, best practice guidance and codes of conduct that shape quality management practice within organisations and sectors globally.
• Sector Advocacy and Influence: The CQI engages with government, regulators, standards bodies and industry on policy, standards development and issues affecting quality management and the professions it serves. Membership connects individuals and organisations to this wider influence and professional voice.
• Professional Community: The CQI convenes and represents a global community of quality professionals, facilitating knowledge exchange, collaboration and collective development of the profession.

For individual quality professionals, joining the CQI provides connection to this established professional authority, opportunity to gain recognised credentials, and participation in a professional community that shapes quality management standards and practice. For employers, supporting employee membership signals commitment to quality excellence and helps attract and retain quality talent. For organisations across all sectors, engaging with CQI members and standards supports quality improvement and operational excellence.

More information is available at https://www.quality.org. The CQI is based in London and operates internationally, serving quality professionals and organisations globally.