Frequently Asked Questions

CIMS is a professional chartered body focused on management education and practice. It gives working professionals a structured way to build their skills, connect with peers across the field, and keep pace with current management thinking through recognised qualifications and membership grades.

Yes. CIMS is registered with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA, under the Office of the Secretary of State. For a fuller picture of our legal standing and governance, see our Legal Standing page.

General questions can be sent to admin@charteredims.com. For department-specific contacts, visit our Contact Us page.

Yes — we welcome partnerships with organisations, employers and training providers. Reach our Partnerships team directly at partnership@charteredims.com.

Visit our Membership page for the application process, membership grades, and what each one requires. Our Membership team is also on hand at membership@charteredims.com if you'd like guidance before applying.

CIMS offers both Specialist and Practitioner qualification pathways, alongside chartered and doctoral membership routes, to suit professionals at different career stages.

Members gain access to professional recognition, a network of peers across the field, and ongoing learning opportunities. See the full breakdown on our Membership Benefits page.

Our registered office is at 821 N ST STE 102, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA. Office hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

No. CIMS is an independent professional management body, not an academic institution. Membership grades, professional certifications and designations should not be represented as university academic degrees.

No. CIMS Chartered, Specialist and Practitioner certifications are professional credentials, awarded through the Institute's own assessment framework rather than a degree-granting programme.

No. The standard Specialist and Practitioner pathway is delivered through professional assessment rather than conventional classroom instruction — there are no scheduled classes or lectures. See our Specialist Qualifications and Practitioner Qualifications pages for the full pathway.

The standard assessment period for applicable Specialist and Practitioner certifications is normally around 8–12 weeks, subject to timely submission of assessment requirements and verification documentation.

RPL is a structured way of evaluating relevant knowledge and competence built through professional experience, prior education and workplace practice. It doesn't mean automatic certification based on years worked — applicants still need to provide satisfactory evidence and complete the prescribed assessment.

For applicable Chartered, Specialist and Practitioner certifications, the standard framework comprises Professional Credential Verification (20%), an RPL Portfolio Assessment (40%), and an Applied Professional Case Study (40%).

Yes. CIMS receives applications from professionals internationally, subject to the applicable eligibility, assessment and verification requirements.

Credentials issued digitally can be checked instantly through their own QR code or Credential ID. Older certificates can be verified manually by the Institute — see our Certificate Verification page for exactly what's needed.

No. CIMS only verifies credentials it issued directly — memberships, chartered designations, and CPD or competency-based awards. Academic degrees and statutory licences should be verified with the awarding university or regulator.

Yes. Eligible successful candidates and members may receive a digital certificate and/or professional badge, depending on the credential awarded. Depending on the award, these may include a unique Credential ID, QR-code verification and blockchain-secured authentication, and can be shared on LinkedIn and other professional platforms.

Where physical certification is available, international delivery can be arranged through our approved courier process, subject to the applicable courier charge. Candidates who choose to receive a digital certificate and badge only are not required to pay this charge unless physical documentation is later requested.

Eligible organisations may apply to become a CIMS Accredited Training Partner, subject to institutional review, professional accreditation evaluation and approval. Start on our Accredited Training Partners page, or go straight to Become an Accredited Training Partner to see the pathway.

No. Corporate Membership establishes an organisational professional affiliation with CIMS. Accredited Training Partner status is a separate institutional assessment that may authorise an approved organisation to deliver specified CIMS programmes. See Corporate Membership and Accredited Training Partners for the distinction.

Corporate Membership is intended for eligible registered organisations rather than individuals. Independent professionals should apply through the appropriate individual membership or professional certification pathway.

CIMS accepts payment through authorised channels only — secure card payment and international bank transfer. Official bank-transfer instructions should only ever be obtained directly from CIMS through an authorised communication, never from a third party.

No. Where assessment or verification is required, payment does not override those requirements. Admission, membership or certification remains subject to satisfactory completion of the prescribed process. For payment queries, contact the Accounts Department via our Contact Us page.

No. Professional designations may only be used after formal approval and conferment of the applicable membership or certification.

No professional body can guarantee acceptance for every purpose or jurisdiction — requirements vary between employers, institutions, regulators and countries. If you intend to use a CIMS credential for a specific academic, immigration, licensing, regulatory or employment purpose, we'd recommend confirming the relevant requirements with the receiving organisation first.