Unsure about how Icon Accreditation works? Accreditation and Skills Manager Heather Doyle explains the key steps, criteria, and support to help you prepare with confidence.
Icon Accreditation is awarded by the Institute of Conservation and aligned to Icon's Professional Standards. It’s a peer-reviewed framework that recognises the experience, competence, and judgement of conservation professionals.
Accreditation is open to all conservator-restorers, regardless of their area of practice or material specialism. Becoming an Accredited Conservator-Restorer (ACR) demonstrates to clients, employers, and peers that you possess in-depth conservation knowledge, high professional competence, sound judgement, and a strong understanding of the principles that underpin conservation practice.
Heather Doyle, Accreditation and Skills Manager
With many aspects to consider, it’s natural to have questions about the accreditation process. Below, Heather Doyle answers some of the most frequently asked questions.
How much experience do I need to become accredited?
The short answer is it can depend on your training route. For conservation graduates, you’ll generally need 5 years of full-time experience, working in a conservation role, to have a decent chance of success. If you have no academic qualification in conservation, but have trained on-the-job, you’ll probably need 8-10 years of experience. You should note, accreditation is a mid-career award, not an entry level one. So it does take time to get your knowledge and experience to the required standard.
What am I being assessed on?
To become an ACR, Candidates need to show they can meet our professional standards at proficient level - as outlined in our ACR Assesment Criteria. To do this, candidates provide evidence from conservation projects they have completed. This evidence can be written, visual or emerge during discussion with assessors.
Assessment decisions are made purely on the candidate’s ability to meet the criteria and not on any other factor (such as job title, length of service, professional connections etc.)
To meet the standards at the right level, you will need to show you can successfully grapple with complex conservation projects, making effective, autonomous decisions.
ACR Assessment Criteria
How am I assessed?
There are two stages to the assessment process. First, you create an e-portfolio that contains write-ups from your selected projects and supporting documentary, photographic or recorded evidence. You will need to specify how your work aligns with Icon’s professional standards. Once your portfolio is complete, you’ll have a half-day discussion with assessors who will ask detailed questions about your projects.
I have a disability – do you offer reasonable adjustments?
Absolutely! Any candidate likely to be disadvantage due to a disability or long-term, chronic health condition can request reasonable adjustments. We encourage candidates to inform Icon of this at the outset, so we can ensure we put in place helpful accommodations. Since not all disabilities are visible, we may require some evidence of your condition for this to happen. For more details, we recommend looking at our Fair Access Policy, which outlines the types of support we can provide. Icon Accreditation Fair Access Policy Any disclosure of a disability will be treated with the strictest confidence.
What happens if I don’t pass?
Firstly, don’t worry! About 15-20% of candidates fail one or more standards at the first attempt, so you’re not alone. Any standards you have passed will be considered complete and you will only be required to re-sit the standards you have failed. This is called a partial reassessment and it tends to be a much swifter process than the original assessment. Your original assessors will provide you feedback, so you have a clear understanding of what you need to do to succeed, and your mentor can continue to provide support. When you’re ready to try again, just let Icon know and we’ll get things set up for you.
Can I still be assessed if I live abroad?
Yes, approximately 20% of Icon’s membership live outside the Uk, so we are used to working with overseas candidates. The assessment discussion can be carried out online, with the timing adjusted to help candidates in different time zones. Just let us know your location, and we’ll arrange an assessment that works for you.
Want to learn more?
If you want to know more, we’re happy to help. Our monthly Pathway Drop-Ins are for any Associate or Pathway member who has questions about accreditation. You can find details of the next one on the Events section of the Icon website. Alternately, you can contact [email protected] and we’ll do our best to assist you.
If you're interested in pursuing Icon Accreditation, click here to learn more and begin your journey.