Here you can apply online for
- new or to upgrade professional accreditation (PCIfA, ACIfA, MCIfA)
- accredited degree application for Practitioner (PCIfA)
Need help?
Our Join CIfA FAQs may have the answers you are looking for. For information about subscription fees, see our Subscription and renewal page.
CIfA is committed to promoting equality and diversity for all its members and seeks to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. You can read more in our equal opportunities policy under Policy statements section here.
While our online application is designed to improve accessibility, other formats are available on request. Please contact us at membership@archaeologists.net for this and with any application queries.
Please ensure that you have read the 'Prepare your application' section and guidance on the relevant accreditation page before you begin your application:
To apply from Germany please see the Deutschland Group page.
Accredited degree applications
If you have a CIfA accredited degree, you can apply for a new accreditation (or upgrade your student membership, if you have one) in the same way as a Practitioner (PCIfA), but using the guidance and competence matrix below. This will help you identify what information to give to the Validation committee to demonstrate competence at PCIfA level.
Check the current list of accredited degrees here. You need to submit a copy of your degree certificate when you apply. You can only apply this way for up to two years after graduation.
Deadlines to submit applications
These deadlines allow time to request and receive references and any additional information we need.
We will email confirmation that we have received your application within one week.
- Practitioner (PCIfA) applications
- Apply anytime, as these will be assessed regularly approximately every month, when both references are received (excluding March and September 2025).
- Associate (ACIfA) applications
- 4 August for 2 September meeting
- 17 November for 9 December meeting
- Member (MCIfA) applications only (including a professional review interview)
- Apply anytime from 4 June 2025 to 4 August 2025 for the professional review interview window from 8 September 2025 to 19 September 2025. Applications will then be considered at the 28 October 2025 committee meeting. Please note this is on a first-come basis because of the availability of the volunteers who undertake the interviews.
- Apply anytime from 27 November 2025 to 26 January 2026 for the professional review interview window from 9 March 2026 to 20 March 2026. Applications will then be considered at the 12 May 2026 committee meeting. Please note this is on a first-come basis because of the availability of the volunteers who undertake the interviews.