This article is one of a series considering the changes that might occur within the field of meteorology in the next 25 years. Whilst other opinion pieces are focusing on science, education and the profession more broadly, this one considers professional accreditation. In 2024, the Society celebrated the 30th Anniversary of its flagship accreditation scheme for Chartered Meteorologists and the 10th Anniversary of the Registered Meteorologist scheme. It is therefore fitting that in 2025, as the Society reaches its 175th year, we look forwards and imagine how things might be in 2050. For anyone unfamiliar with how the schemes work in 2025, an overview is provided at the Annex.

Professional accreditation in 2050 – emerging trends, risks and opportunities

Professionals working in the field of meteorology, are more than aware of the uncertainties involved in forecasting a future state and also know that the past may not be a reliable predictor of what is to come. However, there are trends that are already affecting the profession, and which will inevitably affect professional accreditation, especially technological innovations, developments in meteorological science and its application, together with increasing demand for reliable weather and climate services.

Technology

Technology is changing our lives and our profession – from hand-plotted charts to on-screen analysis and from traditional observations to virtual ones. Indeed, for forecasters, the data challenge has changed from an issue of scarcity to one of abundance. The most transformational change relates to Artificial Intelligence (AI) including Deep Learning (DL) and Machine Learning (ML). Whilst the use – and potential abuse – of AI has only made it into general conversations in recent years, the foundational concepts and ideas behind AI have been around since the 1950s and AI has been used in meteorology for some time. With respect to accreditation, we need to acknowledge how AI is being used within the field of meteorology and consider updating our list of ‘specialisms’ to accommodate these developments – both now and in the future. However, AI is also having an impact on the process of accreditation – from the drafting of an application, through assessment, to award and maintenance of accreditation through continuous professional development.

In terms of applications for accreditation, ‘AI-powered assistants’ are commonplace in the software that we use on a daily basis and almost unavoidable, for example in relation to checks of spelling and grammar. Internet searches now often include an ‘AI Overview’ providing a summary and key points, whilst tools such as ChatGPT can produce an essay on a topic within a matter of seconds. These tools can all save time – whether in finessing a piece of text or researching a subject – yet there is a danger in over-reliance, especially for specialist knowledge, so we need to exercise professional judgement when they are used. Today, it may be easy to identify an AI-generated piece of work over something that has been produced by a subject matter expert but as these AI models learn and evolve in the coming months and years, their (at times amusing) errors will disappear making it more difficult to discern between the outputs of people and computers. This presents a credible threat to any institution looking to assess an individual’s knowledge and expertise, as evidenced by the policies that learning institutions have already put in place and are continuously updating. For professional accreditation in meteorology, the prevalence of AI means a greater reliance on other means of assessment to validate an applicant’s knowledge. The Society’s accreditation process has several elements to it – the application form, proof of meteorological knowledge (for example, academic qualifications), evidence of meeting the core competencies and professional references. Whilst this information is provided in written form, its validity is checked through either an RMet Workplace Assessment (WPA) or a CMet Panel Interview (PI). These assessments are a crucial part of the process and if an applicant is unable to demonstrate sufficient knowledge, skills or experience at the assessment, accreditation may be refused or delayed pending further investigation. To address the issue of AI, at the next update, the accreditation forms and guidance will include a declaration of whether – and to what extent – AI has been used in the preparation of the application form and/or supporting evidence. Awareness of where it may have been used extensively may prompt more in depth discussions at the WPA/ PI to check that the applicant’s level of expertise matches, or exceeds, that evidenced in their written submission.

Whilst there are risks associated with the use of AI, there are also clear benefits. Large language models (LLMs) powered by AI mean that it is possible to quickly translate text. The scheme’s assessors are almost all based in the UK and to date, English has been the operating language for the accreditation scheme. However, there is a demand to extend the scheme geographically and increasingly, the Society is receiving applications from individuals based outside of the UK and for whom English may be neither their first language nor their main working language. Neural machine translation (NMT) tools have already been used by assessors to translate the supplied material into English without the Society incurring any translation costs. Given the demand and the Society’s strategic ambition to extend the geographic coverage of the accreditation scheme, the Society will need to consider if and how it might assess applicants in languages other than English. Today, the solution might be to find assessors who can speak other languages but in the future, AI will be able to fulfil this function with instantaneous translation which extends to technical jargon – for meteorology and other fields – and all with the benefit of low cost, 24/7 availability and guaranteed objectivity.

Technology has also transformed how we interact with people on a daily basis. Enabled by technology, the global pandemic brought about a shift in ways of working, with people working from home and virtual participation in meetings and conferences. Whilst many organisations have since encouraged a return to ‘in-person’ interactions, the benefits of virtual meetings – enabling participation without the time, financial and environmental costs of travel – remain. Indeed, so long as the supporting infrastructure is there – power and connectivity – options to participate virtually has addressed some issues of inequity. In the context of accreditation, video conferencing means that the Society can draw from a bigger pool for its committees – including the Accreditation Board – as it is not constrained by geography. It also means that assessments can be undertaken virtually, significantly reducing the logistical challenges of scheduling these events.

These trends in technology – amongst others that have not been considered in this short piece – present both opportunities and threats. AI-enabled tools and platforms are enabling more people to apply for accreditation – especially those based outside of the UK and for whom English is not their first language. However, we will need to continuously monitor the situation and where necessary, adjust our processes to mitigate emerging risks. One form of mitigation is to further strengthen other aspects of the accreditation schemes to ensure their integrity.

For example, through the enforcement of the Society’s Code of Conduct and by further emphasising the importance of probity and the less technical competencies that our scheme already includes, such as interpersonal skills.

Specialisms

Since the launch of the CMet scheme in 1994, the number of specialisms has increased to more than fifty. This growth represents an increase in the uptake of accreditation beyond a core base of operational meteorology as well as changes across the profession, with new areas of research and operations (for example, climate attribution), new disciplines (for example, sociometeorology) and new themes (for example, multi-hazard early warning systems). In terms of operational meteorology, there is an increasing focus on the impact of the weather, water and climate, with products and services being tailored to meet specific user needs alongside a demand for ever higher spatial and temporal resolution. To remain relevant to the profession as it evolves over the coming years, the professional accreditation schemes will need to adapt and respond to the needs of the profession with respect to the specialisms that we recognise.

Academia

In addition to changes within the profession, the accreditation scheme will need to monitor and respond to changes in academia. A pre-requisite for accreditation is a scientific background, which many applicants evidence through the achievement of academic qualifications in meteorology or related sciences. The level of scientific knowledge of meteorology required for accreditation is aligned with the latest edition of the WMO’s BIP-M/ MT. However, as universities respond to the needs of future employers, it could be that future courses focus more on applications than fundamentals. In itself, this does not necessarily pose an immediate threat to the integrity of the accreditation scheme, as the Society already offers three routes for accreditation – ‘qualified’ (for those with a degree-level meteorological qualification); ‘exemption’ (for those with a post-graduate or non-degree level certificate that fulfils BIP-M/ MT) and ‘experiential’ for those who have acquired meteorological knowledge through experience. However, changes in academia – and in the profession more widely – may result in more applicants following the ‘exemption’ and ‘experiential’ routes and we will need to keep our guidance on these options – and how they are evidenced – in line with the latest trends in academia.

Demand

In the context of a changing climate and the increasing frequency and intensity of high-impact hydrometeorologial events, the demand for weather, water and climate services is set to rise. Weather, water and climate services are now provided by a range of actors, including data- focused institutions with little meteorological expertise within their ranks. As a result, there are growing concerns over the accuracy, reliability and provenance of the information supplied and the credibility of those who provide it. This is driving a demand for the development of a set of standards for weather, water and climate services. Whilst some standards have already been developed for climate services¹, these have focused on the ‘provider’ organisations and whilst they may require a ‘provider’ to confirm that the staff delivering the products/ service are ‘competent’, the standard itself does not cover individual competence. The Society’s accreditation scheme fills this gap and in recent years, the Society has seen an increased demand for accreditation, some of which has been driven by a customer demand for services produced by competent meteorologists. The expectation is that the demand for accredited meteorologists will continue to rise. Clearly, this is an opportunity for the Society but it brings with it the challenge of scaling up and sustaining the scheme whilst ensuring its integrity.

Today, the scheme is reliant on volunteers – including a number of CMets – but a significant increase in demand may need a different approach to be taken. One option is to expand the scheme through a ‘franchise’ model where the Society is the custodian of the overall framework and supports the implementation of the scheme outside of the UK, possibly through the growing network of meteorological societies worldwide.

Final thoughts

Like all areas of the meteorology, for professional accreditation to remain relevant through to 2050 and beyond, it will be crucial to monitor and respond to the changes that are taking place within and beyond meteorological science and its application – a form of the continuous professional development for the scheme to ensure its continued relevance. Some changes may be incremental (such as the addition of new specialisms) whilst other developments may have broader impacts – just as innovations in technology to date have changed the profession and how we work. However, the competency framework that is the foundation of both schemes, has remained a relative constant. Indeed, it seems likely as technology changes and demand increases, the importance of the breadth of the competency framework – and complementary documents such as the Code of Conduct – will be reinforced. All accredited meteorologists are required to maintain a high standard of integrity and probity – and this is a key mechanism for mitigating some of the risks raised in this paper, especially in relation to the use of AI. In this vein, and in the interests of full transparency, I can declare that the only AI used in the production of this paper has been that which is embedded in Microsoft Word; others can judge if it might have been better informed – or more entertaining – if it had been written by ChatGPT.

Prepared for the Royal Meteorological Society by Becky Venton, Chair of the RMetS Professional Accreditation Board.
 

Annex. A note on accreditation in 2025

The Society’s professional accreditation schemes for Registered and Chartered Meteorologists (RMet and CMet respectively) have been developed with the aim of providing “professional qualifications in meteorology which satisfy clients, employers and the public at large that individuals have reached and continue to maintain a specified level of professional knowledge and experience”.²

The two schemes “are hierarchical and recognise the different levels of competence and experience”.³ Accreditation to RMet signifies that “the holder is a competent professional meteorologist with accredited scientific knowledge and expertise”.⁴ Meanwhile, CMet is the highest level of professional recognition and there is an expectation that, in addition to providing “a high-quality output or service based on their experience and expertise”, CMets will “provide professional leadership”. This may take on many different forms, for example, “developing the science and/or application of meteorology, helping to shape and contribute to the meteorological profession and community, or contributing to public education and outreach”.⁵

The carefully designed competency framework draws on national and international frameworks (including the Basic Instruction Packages for Meteorologists (BIP-M) and Meteorological Technicians (BIP-MT)) and professional accreditation schemes of other learned societies, for example, the Chartered and Registered Scientist. To qualify for accreditation, applicants must satisfy the Society of their scientific background, knowledge of meteorological science and practice, as well as their experience and judgement. They must also demonstrate probity and abide by the Society’s Code of Conduct, commit to maintaining professional currency, and provide evidence of meeting the core competencies.

The competencies are:

A: Application of knowledge and expertise – Identify and use relevant scientific understanding, methods and skills to address broadly defined, complex problems.

B: Personal responsibility – Exercise personal responsibility in planning and implementing tasks. 

C: Interpersonal skills – Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.

D: Professional practice – Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods. E: Professional standards – Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods.

As a learned society which is independent of the public, private and academic institutions that work in meteorology, RMetS is uniquely placed to implement these accreditation schemes. Indeed, the Society is “the Statutory Body and Regulating Authority for Meteorology in the UK under the provisions of the European Union’s Directives on Profession Recognition and associated Statutory Instruments”.

1 For example work on a set of standards for climate services commissioned by the UK’s Climate Resilience Programme which was delivered in 2022: https://www.ukclimateresilience.org/projects/climate-services-standards-and-value

2 RMetS. Professional Accreditation in Meteorology. Accessed April 2025: https://www.rmets.org/professional-development

3 RMetS (2024). Guidance Notes for Applicants Chartered Meteorologist (CMet). Page 3. Accessed April 2025: https://www.rmets.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/cmet_guidance_v2_updated_december_2024_new_accsys.pdf

4 RMetS (2024). Guidance Notes for Applicants Registered Meteorologist (RMet). Page 2. Accessed April 2025: https://www.rmets.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/guidance_notes_for_rmet_rev_4.1_updated_december_2024_for_new_accsys.pdf

5 RMetS (2024). Guidance Notes for Applicants Chartered Meteorologist (CMet). Page 3. Accessed April 2025: https://www.rmets.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/cmet_guidance_v2_updated_december_2024_new_accsys.pdf