What are post-nominals ?
Contents |
[edit] What are they ?
Post-nominals are also sometimes known as post-nominal initials, designatory letters, or post-nominal titles. They are letters placed after a person's name to represent a qualification or award they have achieved. They can be received from an award such as Academic Degrees (BS, MBA, PhD), professional licences and certifications (MCIOB, FCIOB, CEnv), etc.
[edit] What are the benefits of using post-nominals?
Post-nominals represent an achievement, skill level, experience or sometimes an ongoing commitment to a way of working. They are a valuable signpost for the individual and those who choose to work with them.
The benefits of using your CIOB post-nominal are it:
- Showcases your credentials and strengthens your reputation
- Demonstrates your commitment to professionalism, integrity and excellence
- Displays your skill and experience level
- Indicates your dedication to continuous professional development
- Gives you recognition as a part of the international CIOB community
Using your post-nominal also positively impacts the CIOB and the industry. Showing your CIOB post-nominal increases our profile. It also heightens recognition and the desirability of certifications and, as a result, raises standards across the industry.
[edit] How do you use them?
We actively promote using your post-nominals to showcase your achievements.
You can use your post-nominals on your email signature, business cards, letterhead, business/corporate websites, publications, your LinkedIn profile, event speaking profile and, on your CV.
Post-nominals should be in the following order* :
- Civil honours (e.g. OBE)
- Military honours
- Appointments (e.g. MP)
- Higher Education awards (e.g. MBA, BSc)
- Membership in academic or professional bodies (FCIOB, MCIOB, CEnv)
If you have a lot of post-nominals, you can tailor the post-nominals you include, only showing the two or three most relevant to your current role and industry.
[edit] Terms and conditions for CIOB's post-nominal us
Designations can only be used by active members. Members whose registration has lapsed or who have resigned their registration are not eligible to use the CIOBs post-nominals.
Find out more information about becoming a Chartered Member on our Become a Member page.
This article appears on the CIOB blog page as "What are post-nominals, their benefits, and how should you use them?" written by Lyndsey Montgomery, Head of Qualifications, dated November 8 2022.
--CIOB
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Architects Registration Board ARB.
- Architect.
- Architectural education.
- Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists CIAT.
- CIAT responds to the architects' regulation review.
- National Infrastructure Plan for Skills.
- Page about me.
- Perkins review of engineering skills.
- Professional Qualifications Bill.
- Qualifying as a professional electrician.
- The Architects Act.
- UK Points-Based Immigration System 2020.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.