A pathway to professional distinction in leadership and governance — from student to chartered fellow
The CILG Membership Framework provides a structured, transparent, and professionally credible pathway for individuals to progress through levels of recognized professional standing in the field of leadership and governance. Each membership grade reflects a distinct stage of professional development and carries with it specific rights, responsibilities, and expectations.
Membership of CILG is a mark of professional distinction. It signals to employers, colleagues, clients, and the public that the holder adheres to the highest standards of leadership and governance practice, is committed to continuous professional development, and operates within the CILG Code of Professional Conduct.
| Grade | Designation | Post-nominal | Entry Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student | Student Member | SCILG | Enrollment in CILG Level 1 or 2 |
| Affiliate | Affiliate Member | AffCILG | Completion of Level 2 or qualifying experience |
| Associate | Associate Member | ACILG | Completion of Level 3 Advanced Diploma |
| Full Member | Member | MCILG | Completion of Level 4 Executive Diploma |
| Fellow | Fellow | FCILG | Completion of Level 5 or Chartered Professional |
| Honorary Fellow | Honorary Fellow | Hon. FCILG | By award of the CILG Board |
| Corporate Member | Corporate Member | CCILG | Organizational application |
All CILG members at every grade are bound by the CILG Code of Professional Conduct, built upon seven foundational principles.
The Code sets out the professional obligations, ethical standards, and behavioral expectations of members. Compliance with the Code is not merely an aspiration — it is a condition of membership.
Members found in breach of the Code may be subject to investigation by the CILG Professional Standards Committee, with sanctions up to and including removal from the CILG Register. Full Code of Conduct →
Student Membership is the entry-level membership grade of CILG. It is designed for individuals who have formally enrolled in the CILG qualification framework and are actively pursuing their professional development in leadership and governance. Student membership is a gateway to the CILG community, providing access to study resources, student events, and the CILG mentor network.
Student Membership is maintained through active module enrollment. Student Membership automatically upgrades upon completion of the relevant qualification level; an upgrade fee of USD 200 applies for transition to Affiliate.
Affiliate Membership recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a foundational level of professional knowledge in leadership and governance. Affiliates are emerging professionals who have completed the CILG Certificate qualification or who bring relevant professional experience that aligns with CILG's competency standards.
Route A — Qualification:
Route B — Professional Experience:
Both Routes Require:
Associate Membership is the first fully qualified grade of CILG and represents a significant professional achievement. The ACILG designation is awarded to candidates who have completed the CILG Diploma in Leadership and Governance (Skills Level) and demonstrated the ability to apply professional knowledge in real organizational settings.
Route A — Standard Qualification Route:
Route B — Experience and Prior Learning Route:
Both Routes Require:
Full Membership is the senior professional grade of CILG below Fellowship. The MCILG designation is awarded to professionals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in leadership and governance practice at an advanced level. Members are recognized as experienced senior professionals whose judgment, expertise, and leadership command respect within the profession.
Route A — Standard Qualification Route:
Route B — Senior Experience Route:
Both Routes Require:
Fellowship is the pinnacle of CILG membership and the most prestigious recognition the Institute confers upon individual members. The Fellow designation (FCILG) is awarded to those who have demonstrated exceptional mastery across the full breadth of leadership and governance practice, who have made a meaningful contribution to the advancement of the profession, and who exemplify the values and standards of CILG.
The conferral of FCILG carries with it the Chartered Professional title, placing FCILG holders in the same standing as other internationally recognized chartered professionals.
Route A — Standard Professional Qualification Route:
Route B — Exceptional Professional Achievement Route:
The Honorary Fellowship of CILG is the highest honor the Institute bestows. It is awarded exclusively by the CILG Board of Governors, without application, to individuals of exceptional distinction who have made extraordinary contributions to the fields of leadership, governance, public service, or organizational development.
CILG Corporate Membership is designed for organizations that wish to formally align their governance practices, professional development programs, and organizational culture with CILG standards.
| Tier | Designation | Organization Size | Registration | Annual Sub. | Individual Memberships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Corporate | ACCorp-CILG | Up to 50 staff | USD 1,000 | USD 700/yr | Up to 10 (25% discount) |
| Full Corporate | FCorp-CILG | 51–500 staff | USD 1,000 | USD 700/yr | Up to 50 (25% discount) |
| Premier Corporate | PCorp-CILG | 500+ staff | USD 1,000 | USD 700/yr | Unlimited (preferential rates) |
Procedures, requirements, evidence standards, timelines, and conditions governing progression through CILG membership grades.
Membership upgrade is not automatic. Completion of a qualification creates eligibility to apply — it does not confer the grade. Members must formally apply, submit evidence, pay the upgrade fee, and receive written confirmation from the CILG Registrar before the new designation may be used.
| From Grade | To Grade | Qualification Required | Min. Experience | Referees | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student (SCILG) | Affiliate (AffCILG) | Level 2 Certificate | None formally required | 1 professional | CPD not yet mandatory |
| Affiliate (AffCILG) | Associate (ACILG) | Level 3 Diploma | 2 years relevant | 2 (1 must be ACILG+) | CPD compliance; Professional Reflection |
| Associate (ACILG) | Full Member (MCILG) | Level 4 Adv. Diploma | 5 years (3 senior) | 2 (MCILG or FCILG) | Viva Voce; Advanced Portfolio; CPD 2 yrs |
| Full Member (MCILG) | Fellow (FCILG) | Level 5 Chartered Prof. | 8 years (5 senior) | 2 FCILG Fellows | Fellowship Interview; Capstone Defense; CPD 3 yrs |
Consult the CILG Membership Upgrade Checklist (available on the CILG Members' Portal) to confirm eligibility for the target grade. Contact Membership Services for a free pre-application eligibility consultation where uncertain.
Submit to the CILG Registrar's Office:
The CILG Membership Committee reviews all upgrade applications within thirty (30) working days of receipt of a complete application. For Full Member and Fellowship upgrades, the Viva Voce and Professional Entry Interview are scheduled during this review period.
The Registrar communicates the Committee's decision in writing within five (5) working days. Outcomes: Approved (new designation effective immediately), Deferred (gaps identified; one free resubmission within 12 months), or Declined (full written reasons; 30-day appeal right).
Upon approval, the CILG Registrar updates the Official Membership Register. New Membership Certificate issued within fifteen (15) working days. Fellowship conferral is announced at the CILG Annual Conferment Ceremony unless postal conferral is requested.
| Application Type | Standard Processing | Assessment Component | Certificate Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student → Affiliate | 10 working days | None | Within 15 working days of approval |
| Affiliate → Associate | 10 working days | None | Within 15 working days of approval |
| Associate → Full Member | 10 working days | Viva Voce (45 min) | Within 15 working days of approval |
| Full Member → Fellow | 10 working days | Fellowship Interview (60–90 min) | Conferment at Annual Ceremony or postal |
Backdating Policy: Membership upgrades take effect from the date of formal written approval by the Registrar. Backdating of a membership grade or post-nominal designation is not permitted under any circumstances.
| Lapsed Period | Reinstatement Condition | Upgrade Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 12 months | Pay all outstanding subscriptions + USD 50 administration fee | Eligible immediately on reinstatement |
| 12–24 months | Outstanding subscriptions + USD 75 fee + CPD catch-up plan | Eligible after CPD catch-up plan approved |
| Over 24 months | Full re-application at current grade; all arrears + USD 100 fee; CPD portfolio review | Eligible after full reinstatement review |
Upgrade fees, annual subscriptions, corporate structures, concessions, and payment policies. Fee schedule for the 2024 financial year.
Upgrade Fee Policy: Fees are non-refundable once formally submitted. A deferred application (not declined) includes one free resubmission within 12 months. A new fee is payable upon re-application after decline. Fees must be paid in full before processing begins.
| Membership Grade | Designation | Upgrade / Application Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Member | SCILG | USD 50 | Initial enrollment/registration fee; paid once on first enrollment. Covers LMS access and Student Certificate. |
| Affiliate Member | AffCILG | USD 200 | Payable on upgrade from Student to Affiliate |
| Associate Member | ACILG | USD 300 | Payable on upgrade from Affiliate to Associate |
| Full Member | MCILG | USD 500 | Includes Viva Voce administration |
| Fellow | FCILG | USD 700 | Includes Fellowship Interview administration and Conferment |
| Honorary Fellow | Hon. FCILG | Waived | Conferred by the Board; no fee applies |
| Corporate Membership | CCILG | USD 1,000 | Corporate registration/onboarding fee; all corporate tiers |
Subscription Policy: Subscriptions fall due on 1 January each year (or anniversary for mid-year joiners). Thirty (30) day grace period applies. Membership is placed in 'Lapsed' status after 44 days of non-payment. Lapsed members may not use CILG post-nominals. Monthly/quarterly installment options available for Associate and above — apply to Membership Services.
| Grade | Designation | Annual Subscription | Payment Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Member | SCILG | No annual subscription | N/A | Maintained by active module enrollment; USD 50 one-time enrollment fee |
| Affiliate Member | AffCILG | USD 40/year | Quarterly: USD 10 | First year due upon upgrade confirmation |
| Associate Member | ACILG | USD 50/year | Quarterly: USD 12.50 | Includes digital Journal of Leadership & Governance |
| Full Member | MCILG | USD 60/year | Monthly: USD 5.00 | Includes full Members' Portal and research library access |
| Fellow | FCILG | USD 80/year | Monthly: USD 6.67 | Includes Fellows' Council participation rights |
| Honorary Fellow | Hon. FCILG | Waived | N/A | All benefits provided at no charge |
| Corporate Membership | CCILG | USD 700/year | Annually | Covers all enrolled individual staff; tiered benefits apply |
| Service / Item | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement Membership Certificate | USD 25 | Digital reissue free; physical replacement fee |
| Membership Verification Letter | USD 15 | Official letter confirming grade; issued within 5 working days |
| Expedited Application Processing | USD 75 | Processing within 5 working days instead of standard timelines |
| Exemption Assessment Fee | USD 50 per module | Non-refundable; charged per application, not per approved exemption |
| CPD Audit Fee | USD 30 | Charged when CPD return is selected for formal audit |
| Reinstatement Fee (up to 12 months) | USD 50 | Administrative fee; arrears also payable |
| Reinstatement Fee (12–24 months) | USD 75 | Administrative fee; arrears also payable |
| Reinstatement Fee (over 24 months) | USD 100 | Full re-application process; arrears also payable |
| Appeals Administration Fee | USD 40 | Refunded if appeal is successful |
| Duplicate Transcript | USD 20 | Official CILG academic/professional transcript |
| Change of Name / Details on Register | USD 10 | Requires supporting documentation |
For current CILG members facing genuine financial hardship. Maximum award: 100% of annual subscription or 50% of an upgrade fee for one year. Application is confidential, via the CILG Secretary-General. Maximum of two (2) grants per member in any five-year period.
Members resident in World Bank-classified low- or middle-income countries receive a 50% reduction on both upgrade fees and annual subscriptions. Applied automatically on application. Qualifying countries reviewed annually in line with World Bank classifications.
Members in professional employment for fewer than three (3) years at time of application for Affiliate or Associate Membership receive a 25% reduction on the applicable upgrade fee. Evidence of employment start date required.
Members in active military service, full-time public sector government, or full-time employment at registered non-profit organizations receive a 20% reduction on annual subscriptions at all grades. Verification required annually at renewal.
CPD is a professional obligation and a condition of continued membership at all grades above Student. Annual deadline: 31 January for the preceding calendar year.
| Grade | Annual CPD Hours | Evidence Format | Submission Deadline | Audit Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student (SCILG) | Not mandatory | Voluntary CPD log (portal) | N/A | N/A |
| Affiliate (AffCILG) | Min. 20 hrs/year | CPD Log + brief annual reflection statement (200–400 words) | 31 January | Random 10% audit |
| Associate (ACILG) | Min. 30 hrs/year | CPD Log + Annual Reflection (400–600 words) + 3 evidence items + Personal Development Plan | 31 January | Random 20% audit |
| Full Member (MCILG) | Min. 40 hrs/year | Full CPD Portfolio: log, structured reflection (600–1,000 words), 5 evidence items, PDP, Statement of Professional Contribution | 31 January | Random 30% audit |
| Fellow (FCILG) | Min. 40 hrs/year | Full CPD Portfolio + Extended Reflection (1,000–1,500 words) + peer review by one FCILG Fellow + mentoring log + contribution statement | 31 January | Mandatory audit every 3 years |
CPD Hour Counting Rule: Passive attendance = 1 CPD hour. Active facilitation or speaking = 1.5x the hours. Teaching, writing, and mentoring have specific counting rules (see below). CPD hours are measured as verifiable professional learning hours — not calendar time.
CILG-approved courses, seminars, masterclasses; professional qualifications; university or executive education programs; structured e-learning with verified completion; in-house training with demonstrable outcomes.
1 hour = 1 CPD hour | Evidence: completion certificateCILG Annual Conference, Regional Chapter Events; IoD, NACD, ICSA, ACFE conferences; board governance seminars, executive roundtables, leadership summits; industry governance events.
Max. 10 CPD hrs/year from conferences | Evidence: registration confirmationSignificant new professional projects outside existing expertise; board or trustee service in a new context; managing major organizational change; research assignments; shadowing or secondment in a new context.
Max. 15 CPD hrs/year | Evidence: reflective account requiredProfessional journals, governance reports, policy papers, academic research; regulatory updates and governance code revisions; case studies; professional podcasts or webinars.
Max. 10 CPD hrs/year | Evidence: reading/reflection log with dates and sourcesWriting for CILG's Journal of Leadership and Governance or peer-reviewed publications; authoring books or governance guides; delivering training; presenting at conferences; contributing to CILG technical committees.
1.5x preparation + delivery time | Evidence: publication record or program confirmationFormal mentoring of a CILG Student, Affiliate, or Associate member (minimum 12-month structured relationship); formal executive coaching sessions as coach. Participation in CILG's Mentoring Programme is auto-verified in the CPD portal.
Up to 8 CPD hrs/year per mentee | Up to 6 hrs/year as coachDoes NOT count as CPD: Routine day-to-day work tasks and normal job duties; social or networking activities without a structured learning component; entertainment or hospitality events; volunteer activities with no professional learning dimension; unverified or unrecorded learning.
All members record CPD activities using the CILG CPD Online Portal (via the Members' Portal). The portal supports: real-time activity logging by type; uploading evidence documents; progress tracking toward annual targets; generating CPD Returns; and automated reminders for CPD deadlines.
Members selected for audit receive written notification and must submit their complete CPD Portfolio within 21 days. Two CILG CPD Auditors (MCILG/FCILG) assess genuineness and verifiability. Outcomes: Pass / Pass with Recommendations / Refer (additional evidence required within 21 days) / Fail (referred to Professional Standards Committee for investigation).
Members facing exceptional circumstances (serious illness, bereavement, maternity/paternity leave, or significant personal crisis) may apply for a CPD Deferral, which suspends the requirement for up to twelve (12) months. Applications must be submitted before or within sixty (60) days of the CPD Return deadline, with supporting documentation.
CILG maintains an Approved CPD Provider Register. Members attending events or completing programs from CILG-Approved Providers have their CPD automatically verified without requiring individual evidence submission. Organizations may apply to the CILG CPD Committee; approved status is reviewed annually.
The ethical standards, professional obligations, and behavioral expectations governing all CILG members at every grade, in all professional and public contexts.
Membership of CILG is a voluntary choice. In accepting membership, every member makes a solemn commitment to uphold and be bound by this Code. Compliance is not merely an aspiration — it is a condition of membership.
When a conflict arises: Identify → Disclose in writing → Seek guidance → Recuse if necessary → Document.
For members facing ethical dilemmas, wishing to report a concern about a colleague's conduct, or requiring guidance on the application of the Code.
Email: ethics@cilgglobal.org | Online form available via the CILG Members' Portal under 'Ethics and Conduct'
All communications are treated in strict confidence. Members seeking guidance (not reporting a breach) may contact anonymously. Formal reports require identification; CILG will not disclose the reporting member's identity without consent except as required by law. Response within five (5) working days.
The CILG Professional Standards Committee may open a formal investigation upon receipt of a complaint from any member, employer, client, or member of the public; information arising from CILG's regulatory functions; a self-referral; or information from a criminal prosecution or regulatory finding.
| Sanction | Description | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|
| Formal Warning | Written warning recorded on the member's file; no impact on designation | Minor or first-time breaches |
| Reprimand | Formal reprimand recorded on file; made known to the member's employer where required by public interest | Moderate breaches |
| Conditions of Practice | Member required to undertake specified CPD, training, supervision, or remedial action | Competence-related breaches |
| Suspension | Membership suspended for a defined period (3–24 months); member may not use CILG designations during suspension | Serious breaches |
| Demotion | Grade reduced to a lower grade; original grade may not be reapplied for minimum two years | Serious misrepresentation or misconduct |
| Removal | Permanently removed from the CILG Register; all designations forfeited; cannot reapply | Most serious or repeated breaches |
Right of Appeal: Sanctioned members may appeal the Finding and/or Sanction to the CILG Appeals Committee within thirty (30) working days of written notification. The Appeals Committee operates independently of the Professional Standards Committee. Its decision is final and binding.
By accepting membership of the Chartered Institute of Leadership and Governance (CILG) at any grade, every member makes the following declaration:
© Chartered Institute of Leadership and Governance (CILG). All Rights Reserved. Supplementary Professional Standards Framework — Edition 1.0, 2024 | www.cilg.org
Apply now to become a member and take the next step in your governance career.