Post-nominals: what do they mean?
Post-nominal initials or titles or are letters placed after the name of a person to indicate that the individual holds a particular position, qualification, accreditation, office or honour.
03 October 2023
What are post-nominals?
Post-nominals are letters or abbreviations that appear after your name to show your qualifications, honours, memberships or other awards. They are a concise way to show your achievements and make it easy for potential employers, course tutors or service users to understand your background and credentials.
Your BPS post-nominals
- AMBPsS - Showcasing your commitment to your profession as part of the wider psychological workforce.
- GMBPsS - Demonstrating your undergraduate qualifications. It also sets you on the road to becoming a chartered psychologist by giving you the graduate basis for chartered membership (GBC).
- FMBPsS - Displaying the advanced psychological experience you've gained through postgraduate study or at work.
- CPsychol - Showing you've reached the highest standard of psychological knowledge and expertise, with the right to use a BPS Chartered logo
Why are post-nominals important?
- Clarity and recognition: Post-nominals are a quick and clear way to show your qualifications and achievements. When people see letters after your name, they can recognise your educational or professional background. For instance, when you become a graduate member of the BPS you can use the title GMBPsS. This shows potential employers or postgraduate course leads that you've successfully completed your undergraduate qualifications to the necessary standards.
- Credibility and trust: Post-nominals also help establish credibility and trust. They reassure others that you have met specific standards, giving service users and employers peace of mind. Achieving your post-nominals often requires significant effort and dedication, that's why they are associated with prestige and respect, both within the profession and the wider community.
- Career advancement: In psychology, having relevant post-nominals can sometimes be a prerequisite for career advancement. Being able to show you have a Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) through your BPS graduate membership and post-nominals GMBPsS is a requirement for some BPS-accredited postgraduate courses. So, if you're considering postgraduate study, having your post-nominals is a key first step. GBC is an important step towards becoming a chartered psychologist. It shows that you have studied psychology in sufficient depth that gives you a sound basis to progress. Using these letters can also help you to stand out from the crowd when you add them to your CV or LinkedIn profile.
"Post nominals are a great way to make your CV or job application stand out from the rest. Recruiters may look for these specific letters after your name, that demonstrate an achievement, a certain skill level, knowledge within your discipline or sometimes an ongoing commitment to a way of working." – Natalie Billing GMBPsS, British Psychological Society Careers Manager
- Commitment to professional development: Earning certain post-nominals reflects that you have reached certain standards and, by being a member of a professional body, you want to keep learning and building your skills. This shows prospective employers your commitment to your own professional development and the industry.
- Networking and community: Post-nominals can also connect you with like-minded people. For example, your BPS membership connects you to thousands of professionals and students who are all passionate about and dedicated to psychology.
Six places you can use your post-nominals
- Your CV
- LinkedIn profile
- Email signature
- Business cards
- Letterhead
- Job applications
Display your post-nominals with pride
Post-nominals are not just letters. They represent years of hard work, dedication and a commitment to excellence in your respective field, making them a valuable and important aspect of your BPS membership.