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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, has been open to IPEd members and non-members, but as of 2021 is open only to IPEd members.

The accreditation scheme has two 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 [PDF 293KB] of the open forum held on 15 March 2020.

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 Australian standards for editing practice (2nd ed) – these standards generally apply to professional editors in any country, not just Australia
  • 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 field for ‘Accredited Editors’, 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 Australian standards for editing practice (2nd ed)
  • 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

A transcript of an EdNSW meeting on 3 March 2020, which featured an overview of the accreditation exam, including what to expect, and the benefits of being accredited for anyone contemplating sitting the exam, is now available. Download the PDF here [PDF 968KB].

More information

See the exam and renewal pages for more information about the two elements of the accreditation scheme. See the history 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.