Membership Requirements

Membership of RINA is open to everyone who is involved or interested in the design, construction, maintenance and operation of all kinds of marine structures.

There are classes of RINA membership for those who are seeking professional recognition (Corporate membership) or for those studying or at the start of their careers, or who are otherwise involved or simply have an interest in the design, construction, maintenance and operation of marine structures (non-Corporate membership).

Corporate Membership

Achieving Corporate membership of RINA is a significant achievement that brings with it international recognition of your professional status as a qualified, experienced, competent and committed professional.

There are four classes of Corporate members (Fellow, Member, Associate-Member and Associate), reflecting different levels of academic achievement and professional experience.

Fellow (FRINA)
A Member, Associate-member or Associate, or a person qualified for election as a Member, Associate-Member or Associate, and who has held a position of senior professional responsibility in the maritime industry for at least five years may apply to be elected as Fellow.

Member (MRINA)
Persons who are primarily concerned with the progress of maritime technology through innovation, creativity and change, the development and use of new technologies, the use of advanced design and production methods, and the pioneering of new engineering services and management techniques in the field of naval architecture and maritime technology may apply be elected as a Member.

Education: A person applying for election as a Member will be required to have completed a minimum 4-year course of study leading to the award of a degree or diploma. However, persons without the required full formal academic qualification may offer experience in lieu of academic qualification and apply for election through the Mature Candidate Route.
Initial Professional Development (Training and Experience): Applicants should have undergone a period of 2 years of approved training or a sufficient period of experience in lieu of training, and have had not less than 2 years' responsible experience. Candidates will be required to submit a Professional Review Report, demonstrating that they have achieved the required level of professional competence, as defined for Members in the Professional Development Manual. Candidates offering experience in lieu of formal academic qualification and/or training will be required to submit an extended Professional Review Report, demonstrating that they have achieved the same level of professional competence. ...More about Initial Professional Development

Associate-Member (AMRINA)
Persons who are primarily concerned with the management of existing technology at peak efficiency, in the fields of naval architecture and maritime technology, with managerial responsibility as leaders of teams or with individual responsibility at a high level may apply for election as an Associate-Member (AMRINA).

Education: A person applying for election the as an Associate-Member will be required to have completed a minimum 3-year course of study leading to the award of a degree or diploma. However, persons without the required full formal academic qualification may offer experience in lieu of academic qualification and apply for election through the Mature Candidate Route.
Initial Professional Development (Training and Experience): Applicants should have undergone a period of 2 years of approved training or a sufficient period of experience in lieu of training, and have had not less than 2 years' responsible experience. Candidates will be required to submit a Professional Review Report, demonstrating that they have achieved the required level of professional competence, as defined for Members in the Professional Development Manual. Candidates offering experience in lieu of formal academic qualification and/or training will be required to submit an extended Professional Review Report, demonstrating that they have achieved the same level of professional competence. ...More about Initial Professional Development

Associate (ARINA)
Persons who are primarily concerned with the application of proven engineering techniques to the solution of practical problems in the fields of naval architecture and maritime technology may apply to be elected as an Associate (ARINA)

Education: A person applying for election the as an Associate will be required to have completed a minimum 2-year course of study leading to the award of a diploma or certificate. However, persons without the required full formal academic qualification may offer experience in lieu of academic qualification and apply for election through the Mature Candidate Route.
Initial Professional Development (Training and Experience): Applicants should have four years' experience. Candidates will be required to submit a Professional Review Report, demonstrating that they have achieved the required level of professional competence, as defined for Members in the Professional Development Manual. Candidates offering experience in lieu of formal academic qualification and/or training will be required to submit an extended Professional Review Report, demonstrating that they have achieved the same level of professional competence. ...More about Initial Professional Development

Non-Corporate members

Companion (CpRINA)
Any person whose professional qualification or experience is not in naval architecture or engineering, but who is involved or interested in the design, construction, maintenance of marine structures and wishes to be involved in the activities of the Institution, may apply for election as a Companion member.

Graduate Member (GMRINA)
Any person who has obtained the academic qualification for any class of Corporate member and is in the process of gaining the required professional competence and experience required for that class of membership may apply for election as a Graduate Member.

Student Member
Any person who is studying for the academic qualification required for any class of Corporate membership may apply to be elected as a Student Member.

Junior Member
Any person who is still at school but is interested in a career in the maritime industry may apply to become a Junior Member.

Application for Corporate Membership

Applications for election or transfer to one of the Corporate membership classes should be accompanied by a Professional Review Report summarising your professional training and experience since graduation (since election as Member, Associate-Member or Associate for applications for election/transfer to Fellow) and demonstrating your professional competence. You should also outline your plans to maintain that competence. ...More about the Professional Review Report

Applications should be proposed by two persons in responsible positions who are able to verify to the best of their ability that the information contained in the application is correct.

Copies (not originals) of degree or diploma certificates and other achievements should also be forwarded (except for transfer from Graduate Member to Corporate member).

Corporate Member Application Form (PDF) Corporate Member Application Form (MS Word)

Applications for non-Corporate membership

Applications for election to one of the non-Corporate membership classes should be forwarded using the appropriate application form.

Companion Member Application Form (PDF) Companion Member Application Form (MS Word)

Graduate Member Application Form (PDF) Graduate Member Application Form (MS Word)

Student Member Application Form (PDF) Student Member Application Form (MS Word)

[Junior Member Application Form (PDF) [Junior Member Application Form (MS Word)

Registration with the Engineering Council (UK)

Persons who have met the Institution's requirements for Corporate membership may also apply to be placed on the Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Engineering Technician (EngTech) registers maintained by the Engineering Council (UK).

Members who do not fully meet the academic requirements for membership and have been elected through the Mature Candidate Route may apply for registration through the Technical Report Route [More about the Technical Report Route]

All members applying for registration will also be required to undertake a Professional Review Interview ...More about the Professional Review Interview