Getting started

Trading Standards is an exciting career choice, offering true diversity and the ability to make a real difference to the lives of individuals, communities and businesses. There are many opportunities to progress your career, both through professional qualifications* and through the Trading Standards continuous professional and personal development scheme (CPPD).

You can also become a member of the Trading Standards Institute, the professional association created to represent trading standards professionals in the UK and overseas. Membership is available at all levels of your career and brings many benefits - click here to find out more.

So, what are the entry points to this vibrant career and what do you need to do? Click on the categories to the right to find out.

If after reading this section, you have any outstanding questions concerning routes into the profession, please refer to our common questions section