Frequently Asked Questions - Marine Technology Credential (registration)What does the term Registration mean? What is the Marine Technology Register? What are the benefits of Credential? What is the cost to apply for Credential? What level of Education is required to apply for Credential? What areas of competence are assessed? What is the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement? What is the application process? How do I prepare for my Professional Review Interview (PRI)? Are credentials recognized by any professional body? Are credentials required by any professional body? Where can I find more information about the Marine Technology Credential Program?
What does the term Registration mean?Registration is a credential. The Chartered Marine Technologist, Registered Marine Technologist, and Marine Technician programs are from the United Kingdom and the language used to designate professional certification in the UK is registration. Your registration gives you a credential that is respected throughout the globe. MTS uses the terms registration and credential interchangeably. What is the Marine Technology Register?The Chartered Marine Technologist (CMarTech), Registered Marine Technologist (RMarTech), and Marine Technician (MarTech) are registered by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science, and Technology (IMarEST), which has a Royal Charter from the United Kingdom, to award suitably qualified and experienced applicants Marine Technologist Registries. CMarTech, RMarTech, and MarTech are professionals, who harness, exploit, manage, use or apply marine technology in the pursuit of wealth creation and/or the provision of services in the marine sector. They are characterized by their ability to deal with complex issues, both systematically and creatively and can make sound judgments in the absence of complete data to develop solutions to problems and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. The application process requires candidates to demonstrate competency in sixteen core areas, including:
Candidates’ credentials and experience are scrutinized by at least three experts in Marine Technology in a rigorous vetting process. Only the most highly qualified and experienced candidates are invited to join the elite group of Marine Technologists. Typically, Marine Technologists will be professionals from disciplines such as: Fleet Managers, Hydrographers, Marine Superintendents (Deck), Meteorologists, Pilots, Marine Logisticians, Deck Officers and Ratings, Marine Surveyors, Shipping Professionals, Harbormasters, University faculty, Navigators, Radar/Sonar Maintenance Experts, ROV Developers and Pilots, Warfare Officers and Ratings and Naval Officers and Ratings, Instrumentation and Platform Designers and Developers. Applicants seeking professional credentials will need to demonstrate through their professional education/training and experience in roles directly related to the use or management of marine technology that they are eligible for certificatoin. What are the benefits of Credentials?Credentials have many benefits for individuals, employers and the public as a whole. Credentials ensure high and improving standards across all technological disciplines; it reflects best practice and is set at an internationally recognized benchmark level. Credentials encompasses high-caliber professionals in the practice, research, application and teaching of technology, and recognizes the increasing focus on trans-disciplinarity for the future of science, engineering and technology. Furthermore, certification provides employers with additional assurance of the quality of their workforce. It is of benefit to: Society, which will be more confident in the competence of an individual and need no longer be confused by a platform of letters and descriptions. Individual practitioners, by identification as a professional that sets them at the forefront of their profession and offers a passport to job mobility. Employers, with confirmation, through the designation, of the quality of a job applicant’s qualifications. Government offices, seeking to hire or appoint permanent staff, advisers, or consultants would have an assurance about the level of an individual’s expertise. Professional societies and organizations, by providing - through the new designation - additional opportunities to benchmark their qualifications. Higher education, which will be better able to set and monitor benchmarks for their technology courses, and to promote programs of study to meet the high standards required of Registration. Regulatory Authorities, who could be confident in specifying the designation in legislation and regulations. Legal credibility, enabling expert witness participation at a defined standard. Professional standing, recognizing equality of excellence across the technology professions. What is the cost to apply for Credentials?Fees are set by IMarEST, are published on the MTS website, and are subject to change. Fees are payable in US dollars and may be submitted by credit card at the time of application, or you may request an invoice. Note that all fees submitted via the MTS website are collected in US Dollars. Currency exchange fees may apply. Applicants may not receive a scheduling request for the PRI and may not receive a final determination from the Professional Review Interview until membership status has been verified all fees have been paid. Note that successful applicants must remain a member in good standing with the Marine Technology Society and pay an annual registration fee to remain certified. In addition to the annual membership fee, the application fees are as follows: Application Fee - The application fee is $250 / £180 and is not refundable. Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with a Registrar in advance of application to gauge whether or not their application will likely be successful. Registration Entrance Fees - The Registration entrance fee must also be paid at the time of application, but is refunded if the application is not successful.
*note that exchange rates may vary Annual Fees - Members of the Professional Register will be billed annually to remain on the Register. Annual fees are listed below. The program year runs from 1 October to 30 September. We will collect the annual fee each year prior to 30 September.
What level of Education is required to apply for Credentials?Chartered Marine TechnologistNormally, a formal education is an essential pre-requisite for registration as it demonstrates the underpinning knowledge and understanding for professional competence. The following qualifications exemplify the required knowledge and understanding for Chartered Marine Technologist Credential: An accredited Master’s degree
or
An accredited Bachelor’s degree, plus either an appropriate accredited Master’s degree, or appropriate further learning to Master's level.
If an accredited Master's level qualification is not presented, it is possible to demonstrate Master's level achievement through a combination of academic awards and/or appropriate experiential learning. Candidates applying through this route must clearly demonstrate that they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding, as those with the accredited qualifications. For example, a Bachelor's qualification supported by appropriate professional experience may be sufficient to demonstrate a Master's level knowledge. Registered Marine TechnologistNormally, formal education is an essential pre-requisite for registration, as it demonstrates the underpinning knowledge and understanding for professional competence. The following qualifications exemplify the required knowledge and understanding for Registered Marine Technologist Credential. An accredited Bachelor’s degree
Or
A Higher National Certificate or Diploma or Foundation Degree, plus appropriate further learning to degree level.
Or
An NVQ4 or SVQ4
Marine TechnicianNormally, formal education is a pre-requisite for registration, as it demonstrates the underpinning knowledge and understanding for professional competence. The following qualifications exemplify the required knowledge and understanding for Marine Technician Credential. Standard RouteIntegrated training and experience such as is provided by many Advanced Apprenticeships can provide most, or all, of the knowledge and experience necessary, and may lead directly to Marine Technician registration. Other qualifications can provide a straightforward way of demonstrating that part of the necessary competence has been acquired. The following are examples of qualifications which an applicant for Marine Technician Credential might hold:
Qualifications at this level are subject to change as a result of policy developments. Please consult MTS for details of any changes or additions to this list. Individual RouteMany potential professional Marine Technicians will not have had the advantage of formal training and will need to demonstrate they have acquired the necessary competencies through extended experience, some of this supervised. Experienced, practicing professional Marine Technicians are often found to have gained the necessary knowledge and skills for their job through working closely with other skilled colleagues over a number of years. Thus, individuals without the types of qualifications listed above may apply for an Individual Route assessment. This separate procedure involves an in-depth appraisal of the applicant’s competence. Evidence of employer recognition of competencies and relevant skills will assist in achieving registration. MTS may be able to provide a mentor to help applicants to address any gaps in their training and experience portfolio. If one of these approved qualifications is not offered, it is possible to demonstrate the appropriate level of achievement through a combination of academic awards and/or appropriate experiential learning. Candidates applying through this route must clearly demonstrate that they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding as those with the accredited qualifications. Candidates must respond to each of the Competency Standards with specific examples of how they have met each standard through experiential learning. Candidates should be careful to explain what was learned from each experience. Education Equivalency / Career Appraisal RouteIf you do not possess the requisite academic credentials, but you believe your career or professional experience will merit consideration, please fill out and submit the Career Appraisal Route Form with your application. What areas of competence are assessed?Credentials are open to everyone, who can demonstrate the required high-level knowledge, understanding, and professional competence. There are many routes that can be measured to meet this standard, including a combination of academic awards, vocational qualifications, and experiential learning through work. Competence includes the knowledge, understanding, and skills that underpin performance. Certified Marine Technologists are required to maintain their professional competence, working within professional codes of conduct, and participate actively within their profession. There is also a requirement for continuing professional development (CPD). Areas of competence are available online here.What is the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement?Professional development is a key part of developing the competence required to achieve the standard for credentials. Once the credential has been earned, you will have an obligation to maintain professional competence. Review guidance on CPD requirements. What is the application process?Candidates submit applications via the MTS online portal. Applications are forwarded for documentary review to the Registrar, who verifies the application meets the minimum requirements for credentials. If the application is successful, the Candidate is forwarded for a Professional Review Interview (PRI). Only some candidates for the MarTech registry will be required to participate in the PRI; it is at the discretion of the Registrar to determine which candidates require further evaluation beyond documentary review. Candidates who pass the PRI are then reviewed by the Registration Panel, which makes the final determination on applications for credentials. Note that applications require a Referee Form and signature on all credentials. How do I prepare for my Professional Review Interview (PRI)?The assessors will have been sent your application form, CV/professional report, and any other relevant documentation in advance. There is no need to bring these documents to the interview. However, applicants are welcome to bring further evidence of their recent work output if they wish to aid discussion of responsibilities and competencies during the interview. Candidates will be expected to give a brief presentation offering an overview of their formative career experience, development, and current role at the start of the interview and supporting material for this is welcome. Any documentation brought on the day should not be too extensive, but instead should support the points made in the presentation. This can either be through a brief report, a set of key slides or PowerPoint presentation slides, or a set of bullet points which draw attention to key facts and figures. When making your presentation you will be expected to highlight key aspects of the activities in which you have been involved and identify the responsibilities that you have had, and competencies you have demonstrated as you have progressed through your career. Visual aids equipment may be provided in some circumstances. If you intend to use visual aids, please check with the assessors in advance to ensure that the appropriate equipment is available. The assessors will occasionally request clarification during the presentation; however, they will try not to interrupt too frequently. Following the presentation (which should last 10-15 minutes) the assessors will move on from your presentation to wider issues, especially if you have not addressed all the areas of competence and commitment in your written report. The assessors must be satisfied that evidence for all competency areas has been provided, so when preparing for the interview it is prudent to consider which examples you can offer for each competency area. You will be asked both objective and subjective questions and be challenged to defend points of view. This provides direct evidence of communication skills and the ability to work with others as well as eliciting technical and scientific knowledge and reflection upon professional ethics. At the end of the interview, you will be invited to ask any questions and make any further relevant comments. The recommendation of your Assessors will be forwarded to the Registry Panel, which will make the final decision on the disposition of your application. Are Credentials recognized by any professional body?Credentials offer international recognition for your skills, qualifications, and experience by identifying that you possess key competencies that employers value and that you meet the core standards for marine professionals worldwide. Credentials are recognized by IMarEST and MTS. Are Credentials required by any professional body?Currently, no professional body requires Credentials. Where can I find more information about the Marine Technology Registration Program?To learn more, review the Candidate Handbook online. Return to the Application Page |
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