What’s the easiest way to become a member?
We endeavour to make the process of becoming a member as straight-forward as possible, however, you will be required to satisfy the requirements of the Admissions Panel and there is no 'easy' route.
The two routes into membership are:
- Joining by Examination
Register as an ICB Student, complete the examinations in order and then upgrade to membership
- Joining by Exemption
Apply for Membership without taking ICB examinations by demonstrating you have existing qualifications and/or experience
You can take examinations, and apply for exemptions, in any week of the year. Examination results can take up to 28 days to be processed and exemptions can take up to three months to be processed.
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How do I apply?
If you are planning to gain membership by completing ICB examinations, the first step is to Register as a Student. Once you have completed sufficient qualifications to be eligible for membership, you will receive a membership offer by post. At that stage you can choose to take up membership, or continue your qualifications as a Registered Student.
> Join by Examination
If you are planning to gain membership by exemptions based on your previous qualifications or experience, please visit the Membership by Exemptions page to find out more about the minimum requirements. If you think you can satisfy the minimum requirements you can start your application online today.
> Join by Exemption
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Will my experience count?
ICB may consider an Application for Exemption based on bookkeeping experience gained within the last two years providing you can nominate accepted referees to support your application.
All Applications for Exemption involve a skills appraisal test.
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Will my qualifications count?
ICB may consider an Application for Exemption based on qualifications gained within the last two years providing you can submit accepted supporting documentation and the qualifications correspond to the ICB syllabus.
All Applications for Exemption involve a skills appraisal test.
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Is there reciprocal membership?
ICB does not currently offer membership based solely on membership of another body.
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When will I know if I’m accepted?
Applying for Membership by Exemption can take up to three months from the point your application is received.
Your application will be passed to the Admissions Panel for a decision once all necessary documentation has been gathered, including your skills appraisal test and responses from reference requests if applicable.
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Why can’t you tell me over the phone?
ICB does not consider any exemptions until a formal application has been received together with the non-refundable application fee.
To avoid any misunderstanding or undue disappointment, ICB staff are unable to confirm over the telephone if your qualifications or experience are acceptable and any offer of membership will be sent formally by post.
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Why haven’t I heard anything?
You should receive an email confirmation when your membership application is received. Once you have submitted your supporting documents you should hear from us again regarding your skills appraisal test. Once you have successfully completed the appraisal, we will notify you that your application has been passed to the Admissions Panel and, at that stage, you can expect to receive a decision in one month.
Please contact us by telephone or email if you do not hear anything for more than one month following the Admissions Panel stage.
0818 303 068
info@icbireland.ie
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Where can I find my reference number/application number?
Your reference number/application number is also referred to as your ICB Number. You will be assigned an ICB Number as soon as you create an account online.
You can log in to MyICB at any point throughout the application to find your ICB Number in Account Settings.
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How do I log in?
You can log in using the email address and password you set up when you submitted your online application. Just click Log in in the top right corner of the website. By clicking MyICB you can log in straight to your account page.
If you need a new password to log in, please click the Forgotten Password link in the login box. We will then email a new password to your registered email address.
If you do not know what email address you registered with, or no longer have access to those emails, you will need to contact ICB customer support to request your email address and login details to be reset. Please quote your ICB Number and contact details by email to info@icbireland.ie or by telephone to 0818 303 068.
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How do I submit supporting documents?
You can submit your supporting documents by uploading them via the internet during your online application. If you do not have all the necessary documents at that stage, you can submit them later. Please note your application will not be processed until all the necessary documents are received.
If you are submitting documents after you have completed your online application, please use the link sent to you by email. If you cannot find this link please contact ICB on 0818 303 068, or submit your documents by attaching them to an email that quotes your ICB Number and full details to info@icbireland.ie
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