From the Accreditation Board
Hands up if you’re a member of the impostor syndrome club. And hands up if you’d like to not be a member anymore.
Good. Now you should consider becoming one of IPEd’s Accredited Editor (AE) members. The first benefit of being accredited by our own industry body is that you’ll gain increased confidence – not just in yourself, but in your professional judgement. Second, you’ll feel more confident in the decisions you make and the advice you give authors. Third, you’ll be recognised by others in the industry, and this could lead to a higher profile and more work opportunities.
Sitting the IPEd accreditation exam is one of the best professional development opportunities you’ll have. Not only will you reassess and refine your skills, but you’ll also probably pick up a few more along the way. And besides being good for your own development, becoming an AE signals to others that you possess the knowledge and skills necessary for an editor. After all, the standards laid out in IPEd standards for editing practice are comprehensive and show employers and potential clients that we are capable and competent.
Of course, the biggest hurdle is sitting (and passing!) the accreditation exam – all 3.5 hours of it (including reading time). You may have struggled through exams at school or university, but with this one, you can just regard it as another afternoon in the office. Actually, it’ll probably be easier, as you won’t have emails, phone calls, colleagues or family members disrupting your work.
To reach the exam, you can take advantage of the training opportunities and workshops offered by IPEd. You might cement your knowledge in a particular area, or learn more about something in which you haven’t had much experience – and any learning opportunity is never wasted, is it? As a bonus, you’ll also have the opportunity to network with others who are upskilling or sitting the exam. You may also like to join IPEd’s mentoring program, which will help in your exam preparation and overall work situation.
Becoming an AE will not only benefit you but also raise the profile of the industry and of IPEd. It’s a win-win proposition, isn’t it?
The next exam is on Monday 24 August 2026.