Join STEP

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Join STEP
Why Join?

Connect: Join over 23,000 lawyers, accountants, trustees and other practitioners to share knowledge, grow your client base and raise your profile locally and globally.

Learn: Stay on top of industry changes and develop your skills. As a member, you will be the first to get the latest trust and estate planning insights and developments.

Achieve: STEP membership is an international passport to new business opportunities, demonstrating specialist knowledge and a dedication to the highest professional standards.

Find out more about the benefits of STEP membership

Join the leading global network of trust and estate professionals

How to join STEP

There are four levels of STEP membership: Full Member (TEP) – our highest level of membership for experienced practitioners; Associate; Affiliate; and Student – entry-level membership for those just starting out.

Depending on your experience and qualifications/credentials you can join STEP as a Student, Affiliate or Full Member (TEP). Practitioners who join at Student or Affiliate level can work their way up to TEP status via our Exam or Essay Route, or through acquiring the necessary level of experience. You may also be eligible to apply directly for Full STEP Membership and TEP status through our Accredited Education Partner Route if you have successfully completed any of the accredited routes, in addition to having two years relevant work experience.

In joining STEP, you are demonstrating your commitment to high professional standards. All members must adhere to STEP’s Codes of Professional Conduct, which set out the ethical and professional standards a member should uphold.

All applicants admitted must meet our fit and proper criteria, and applications must be accompanied by appropriate references.

Select your amount of professional experience to find out how you can start your membership journey.

 

Less than 1 year

You can join today as a Student. You will then need to enrol on to one of STEP’s entry-level Certificates to maintain your membership.

To progress your membership:

Apply to become an Affiliate Member once you have one year's industry experience or when you have completed one STEP Certificate (if you have a relevant qualification/credentials) or two STEP Certificates (if you don't have a relevant qualification/credentials).

1 year or more

Our recommended route to Full (TEP) Membership is the Exam Route

If you have at least one year's experience and a relevant qualification/credentials, you can join as an Affiliate Member. Apply now

Once approved for membership you can then apply to study via the Exam Route. Progress through our membership categories to Full (TEP) Membership by completing the STEP Diploma, comprising four Advanced Certificates (chosen from the three Diploma sets). Find out more about the Exam Route

If you don't currently intend to progress to Full (TEP) Membership, you can simply apply to join today as an Affiliate Member and remain in that category without following the Exam Route.

NB: If you have one year's experience, but no relevant qualification/credentials, you must complete an entry-level STEP Certificate before enrolling on the STEP Diploma. Browse STEP Certificates.

2 years or more, plus accredited course

If you are based in Australia, Austria, Italy, Monaco, South Africa or the US, you may be able to apply to join as a Full Member (TEP) today via our Accredited Education Partner Route. Check our list of Accredited Courses and apply to become a Full Member (TEP) if you qualify.

If your course is not listed as a STEP Accredited Course

You can join as an Affiliate Member. Apply now

Once approved for membership you can then apply to study via the Exam Route. Progress through our membership categories to Full (TEP) Membership by completing the STEP Diploma, comprising four Advanced Certificates (chosen from the three Diploma sets). Find out more about the Exam Route

If you don't currently intend to progress to Full (TEP) Membership, you can simply apply to join today as an Affiliate Member and remain in that category without following the Exam Route.

5 years or more

Our recommended route is the Essay Route

If you have at least five years' experience and a relevant qualification/credentials (link to essay route page) you can apply today to join via the Essay Route to Full Member (TEP). On enrolment, you would be an Affiliate Member and on passing three essays, you can upgrade to Full (TEP) Membership. Apply now

Alternatively, the following joining options are also available:

  • You can join as an Affiliate Member. Apply now

Once approved for membership you can then apply to study via the Exam Route. Progress through our membership categories to Full (TEP) Membership by completing the STEP Diploma, comprising four Advanced Certificates (chosen from the three Diploma sets). Find out more about the Exam Route

If you don't currently intend to progress to Full (TEP) Membership, you can simply apply to join today as an Affiliate Member and remain in that category without following the Exam Route.

  • If you are based in Australia, Austria, Italy, South Africa or the US, you may be able to use a previous Accredited Course to achieve Full (TEP) Membership. Check our Accredited Courses
10 years or more (senior level)

Our recommended route is the Expertise Route

If you have at least ten years' (senior level) experience and a relevant qualification/credentials you can apply to join today as a Full Member (TEP) via the Expertise Route. Apply now

Alternatively, the following joining options are also available:

  • If you are based in Australia, Austria, Italy, South Africa or the US, you may be able to use a previous Accredited Course to achieve Full (TEP) Membership. Check our Accredited Courses
  • You can apply today to join via the Essay Route. On enrolment, you would be an Affiliate Member and on passing three essays, you can upgrade to Full (TEP) Membership. Apply now
  • You can join as an Affiliate Member. Apply now

Once approved for membership you can then apply to study via the Exam Route. Progress through our membership categories to Full (TEP) Membership by completing the STEP Diploma, comprising four Advanced Certificates (chosen from the three Diploma sets). Find out more about the Exam Route

If you don't currently intend to progress to Full (TEP) Membership, you can simply apply to join today as an Affiliate Member and remain in that category without following the Exam Route.

  • If you are joining in Canada please visit our Canadian site for further information.
  • If you are joining in the USA, please visit the USA site for further information.
Talk to us

Do you need help deciding on the best joining route for you? We're happy to help!

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STEP Membership Benefits

STEP members enjoy cutting edge learning, a huge network to share knowledge among other benefits. Find out more about the benefits of STEP membership.

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Friends of STEP

If you can't join STEP as a Student, Affiliate or Full Member (TEP) but have a keen interest in trust and estates, you can become a Friend of STEP.

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