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The accreditation scheme offers Australian and New Zealand editors a mechanism for demonstrating their competence.

Accreditation scheme

The accreditation scheme offers Australian and New Zealand editors a mechanism for demonstrating their competence. At the same time, it provides potential employers with confidence in the skills of the editors they hire.

IPEd provides an accreditation scheme for professional editors in Australia and New Zealand. The scheme, administered by the Accreditation Board, was previously open to IPEd members and non-members, but since 2021 has been open only to IPEd members or members of approved affiliate editing organisations (e.g. Canberra Society of Editors, CIEP, Editors Canada).

The accreditation scheme has 2 elements:

  1. An examination to test professional skills and knowledge – candidates who pass the exam become Accredited Editors (AEs).
  2. Ongoing professional development – AEs must renew their accreditation every 5 years to demonstrate their continuing commitment to professional editing.

For an overview of the accreditation scheme as a whole, see the transcript of the open forum held on 15 March 2020 [PDF 293KB].

For a quick introduction to the accreditation exam, download the accreditation exam fact sheet [PDF 189KB].

 

Benefits of accreditation

A professional accreditation scheme benefits editors, their clients and employers, and the editing profession.

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Benefits for editors

  • Recognition and certification of your skills as a professional editor
  • Peer validation of your competence in applying the standards set out in IPEd standards for editing practice (3rd edn) – these standards generally apply to professional editors in any country, not just Australia or New Zealand
  • Right to use the words “IPEd Accredited Editor” in your professional profile, resume and marketing material (IPEd members may also use the IPEd logo)
  • Right to use the postnominal “AE”
  • Opportunity to be included in the search criteria for “AE/DE only” if you have a listing in the Editors Directory
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Benefits for clients and employers

  • Confidence that an AE can competently apply the standards set out in IPEd standards for editing practice (3rd edn)
  • Confidence that an AE is engaged in the wider profession and is committed to ongoing professional development
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Benefits for the editing profession

  • Maintenance of high standards of competence in the editing profession
  • Contribution to raising the profile of professional editors
Institute of Professional Editors

Accreditation: an overview

An Editors NSW meeting held on 3 March 2020 discussed the accreditation exam, including what to expect and the benefits of being accredited for anyone contemplating sitting the exam. Download the transcript for an overview of the exam [PDF 968KB].

More information

See the IPEd accreditation exam and Renewal of accreditation pages for more information about the 2 elements of the accreditation scheme. See  the Governance of accreditation page to find out how the scheme has developed into its current form. You may also browse the lists of Accredited Editors and Distinguished Editors.

If you don’t find what you need on these pages, contact the Accreditation Board chair or your branch delegate.