Chartered institute
A chartered institute, or a chartered body, is an organisation or institution which has been granted a Royal Charter. A Royal Charter is an instrument of incorporation which confers independent ‘legal personality’, reflecting the prestigious high status of that organisation. The terms of each Charter differ according to the specific organisation.
The authority for the granting of a Charter is derived from Royal Prerogative, i.e. by the Sovereign, on the advice of the Privy Council.
Pre-19th century, the Charter of Incorporation was the optimal means of creating separate legal personalities, and these were conferred on many different universities, schools, municipalities, joint stock companies, and so on. As benevolent institutions and charities became more prominent, and as legislation was passed that incorporated commercial enterprises, the granting of Royal Charters became more common.
In the construction industry, the most prominent chartered institutes include:
- Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
- Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).
- Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
- Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
- Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH)
- Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group (CIMCIG).
- Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).
- Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).
- Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
- Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES)
- Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT).
- Chartered Quality Institute (CQI).
- Chartered Society of Designers.
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
- Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
- Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
- Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
Chartered institutes have the authority to provide individuals who meet certain educational and skills-related criteria to use a Chartered title. This recognises professional competence and conformity with an established set of career standards.
In the construction industry, the most prominent chartered professional statuses include:
- Chartered Architect (RIBA/RIAS/FRIAS)
- Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT)
- Chartered Builder (MCIOB/FCIOB)
- Chartered Building Engineer (CBuildE)
- Chartered Building Services Engineer (MCIBSE)
- Chartered Civil Engineer (MICE)
- Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB/FCIOB)
- Chartered Electrical Engineer (MIET/FIET)
- Chartered Engineer (CEng)
- Chartered Landscape Architect (FLI/CMLI)
- Chartered Mechanical Engineer (MIMechE/FIMechE)
- Chartered Structural Engineer (AIStructE/MIStructE/FIStructE)
- Chartered Surveyor (MRICS/FRICS)
- Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Architectural practice.
- Best practice.
- Chartered builders and chartered construction managers receive official recognition in Northern Ireland public procurement.
- Chartered surveyor.
- Continuing professional development.
- Construction professional.
- Institute.
- Practice.
- Professional.
- Professional body.
- Professional practice.
- Trade body.
- Types of construction organisation.
- What is a Chartered Practice?
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.