Your professional membership. Greater recognition.
We're introducing clearer ETF membership grades and new letters after your name, helping you demonstrate your professional membership with confidence.
Alongside this, we're launching digital credentials that make your membership and achievements easier to share, understand and verify. We're also reintroducing the Professional Register, making it easier for employers and others to confirm current professional recognition.
These developments are part of our continued investment in ETF membership, supporting your practice, recognising your professionalism, and connecting you to the FE and skills community.
What does this mean for you?
We're simplifying our membership structure to three grades: Associate, Member and Fellow.
Associate
Your professional home
Associate membership provides a professional home for those working in or supporting the FE and skills sector, recognising the value contribution made by a wide range of roles.
Member (METF)
Professional recognition of your practice
Member grade recognises practitioners who meet defined professional criteria and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to high-quality professional practice.
Fellow (FETF)
Recognition of your experience and contribution
Fellow grade recognises professionals who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the FE and skills sector through their expertise, influence and impact.
These grades provide clearer recognition of your membership and professional standing within the FE and skills sector.
Your current membership will automatically move to the corresponding grade shown below. You will not need to reappy or demonstrate historic eligibility solely because of these changes.
Your current grade |
Your new grade |
Letters after your name |
| Student | Associate* | None |
| Affiliate | Associate | None |
| Associate | Associate | None |
| Member | Member | METF |
| Fellow | Fellow | FETF |
*Free while you study, subject to eligibility
Your updated post nominals for Members and Fellows
From November 2026, Members can use METF and Fellows can use FETF after their names. These new post-nominals identify your current ETF membership grade and replace MSET and FSET.
Associate membership will not carry a post-nominal under the new structure.
If you hold an ETF Professional Status (QTLS and/or ATS), your membership grade should appear first, followed by your status:
Alex Morgan METF QTLS
We encourage you to use your post-nominals across your professional profiles, including your email signature, LinkedIn profile, CV and biography.
Read our guide on post-nominals
Your new digital credential
From November 2026, we'll begin issuing digital credentials to eligible existing members and current QTLS and ATS holders.
Your membership credential will confirm your current ETF membership grade. Separate credentials will recognise professional statuses such as QTLS or ATS.
Each credential links to a live online record explaining what it recognises and whether it remains current. This can be shared on LinkedIn, in your email signature, on your CV, or across other professional platforms.
Where a downloadable certificate is provided, a unique credential ID and QR code will connect the certificate to its live online record.
Credentials will be issued in phases, and we'll notify you when yours is available.
Already hold QTLS or ATS?
Your ETF membership grade and Professional Status recognise different aspects of your professional standing, but active membership remains a requirement for maintaining Professional Status.
QTLS
QTLS is only valid while you hold active ETF membership. If your membership lapses, you are no longer entitled to use QTLS as a current professional designation.
ATS
ATS also requires active ETF membership to remain current and to continue using the ATS post-nominal.
You no not need to undertake QTLS or ATS again solely because ETF is introducing digital credentials.
The Professional Register will soon provide a way to check current status and explain how ETF recognition connects with Teacher Reference Number (TRNs) and Teaching Regulation Agency records.
Get ready through MyETF
MyETF is your single account for managing your membership, accessing your credentials, and making the most of your member benefits.
If you haven't yet activated your account, please use the email address already associated with your ETF membership. If you previously held SET membership, use the email address linked to that record.
If you already have an account, we recommend signing in and checking that your contact details are up to date.
Need support?
If your membership details appear incorrect, you're having difficulty accessing your account, or you're unsure how the changes affect you, our friendly team is here to help.
Contact us by email membership@etfoundation.co.uk or call 0800 083 1830.