Hi Darren,

As a new forum user, take a bit of advice now.
When you ask a question, ask the whole question. Be clear that you have included all the information required in order to obtain the response you need.
For what purpose is the counter-signature required?

I'm surprise you haven't had several sarcastic responses yet.

Not offended in the slightest, Darren.

It was just a heads up for you, as some on here would jump on you straight away for not asking the question fully so they can respond in lots of fancy words that mean jack to most people.

Don't know about Tech-IOSH, so I'd suggest you get your local pub landlord to counter-sign; I know they are eligible.

Perfectly reasonable and straightforward question.

I doubt HMPO would be the slightest bit interested or impressed with IOSH membership. It's simply irrelevant.

You're signing as an honest, full passport holding and full citizen of the UK, that you know the applicant, and that you can meet the requirements of the declaration beneath which you append your signature.

IOSH membership in this context is surely a waste of ink.

I don't know why some people get all high and mighty when a simple question get put on here? Are they on something ?

To answer the question you can either give it a try or log on to the government passport web and ask the people that will know the answer.

It depends to what depth the IPS is required to scrutinise the "professional standing" of the passport application counter-signatory and the prescribed criteria they use. I feel that the criteria IPS uses is fairly generic therefore you should not be overly concerned. If in doubt, contact the IPS for clarification

In context of specific reference to what I would regard as a "regulated profession" i.e recognition under Directive 2005/36/EC:General system of recognition - primary application, then for IOSH membership, it would be Chartered Safety & Health Practitioners. Obviously a Safety Professional may have other "qualifications" that are listed as regulated professions under the same Directive.

http://ec.europa.eu/inte...rof=7589&tab=general

Regulated professional titles and designatory letters in UK:-
https://www.naric.org.uk...signatory%20letters.aspx

I signed someones passport photos off the other day and used my title Health and Safety Manager. If that's no good I also have a ltd company I worked through when I was a contractor so I can sign as a company director.

TechIOSH seems respectable enough to me. Or you could always sign as a Health and Safety Professional

I have countersigned a number of passport applications and renewals. My IOSH membership never came into or even entered my mind that it should.

Not really - anyone can witness a will except the beneficiaries of it.

From the list in the link provided by Grizzly. Perhaps we should ask IOSH to get us added:

Countersignatories must work in a recognised profession or be ‘a person of good standing in their community’, eg:
accountant
airline pilot
articled clerk of a limited company
assurance agent of recognised company
bank/building society official
barrister
chairman/director of limited company
chiropodist
commissioner of oaths
councillor (local or county)
civil servant (permanent), but not someone who works for IPS
dentist
director/manager of a VAT-registered charity
director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
engineer (with professional qualifications)
financial services intermediary (eg a stockbroker or insurance broker)
fire service official
funeral director
insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
journalist
Justice of the Peace
legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
licensee of public house
local government officer
manager/personnel officer (of a limited company)
member, associate or fellow of a professional body
Member of Parliament
Merchant Navy officer
minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
nurse (RGN and RMN)
officer of the armed services (active or retired)
optician
paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
person with honours (an OBE or MBE, for example)
pharmacist
photographer (professional)
police officer
Post Office official
president/secretary of a recognised organisation
Salvation Army officer
social worker
solicitor
surveyor
teacher, lecturer
trade union officer
travel agent (qualified)
valuer or auctioneer (fellows and associate members of the incorporated society)
Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers

Your countersignatory’s occupation won’t on its own mean your application will be successful. But you should always try to get a countersignatory who’s in ‘good standing’ in your community.