Levels of IOBM Membership

Student Member

Available to all individuals employed within the merchant industry, having at least one year employment experience, including;

  • 2 product knowledge syllabuses on BMF Campus or;
  • 2 foundation BMF Building Blocks including 1 of Health & Safety or Customer Care or;
  • 2 practical skills qualifications or;
  • Other similar approved courses as verified by the Management Committee

No designatory letters are available for this grade
Price: Annual fee £30 (reduced to £20 for BMF Member employees)

Associate Member (AIBM)

Available to individuals employed within the merchant industry having two years employment experience including

  • Completion of an apprenticeship scheme (Level 2 of 3 and/or Team Leader Level 3) or;
  • 5 product knowledge syllabuses on BMF Campus or;
  • 5 BMF Building Blocks (including the 2 foundation modules) or;
  • Other similar approved courses as verified by the Management Committee;
  • Associates must attend at least one BMF Forum event each year;
Designatory letters for use after your name are AIBM (Associate of The Institute of Builders Merchants)
Price: Annual fee £40 (reduced to £30 for BMF Member employees)

Full Member (MIBM)

Available to individuals employed within the Builders Merchant industry having 5 years employment experience including;

  • BMF Diploma in Merchanting or;
  • Level 5 Management Standard or;
  • BMF Foundation Degree in Merchant Management or;
  • Other similar approved courses as verified by the Management Committee
  • Members must attend two BMF Forum events per annum

Designatory letters for use after your name are MIBM (Member of The Institute of Builders Merchants)
Price: Annual fee £75 (reduced to £50 for BMF Member employees)

Fellow Member (FIBM)

This grade of membership is by invitation only from the Management Committee and reserved for Full Members who have made an exceptional contribution to the Institute over many years by actively promoting, endorsing and utilising lifetime learning during their personal career.

  • Fellows must attend four BMF Forum events per annum

Designatory letters for use after your name are FIBM (Fellow of The Institute of Builders Merchants)
Price: Annual fee £90 (reduced to £65 for BMF Member employees)

Honorary Lifetime Fellow Member (Hon.Lifetime FIBM)

Both the Management Committee and the BMF Board recognise and invite a limited number of individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime of training and learning throughout their personal career and company ethos.
Those who have regularly promoted the need to continually develop their employees through qualification

This award will be presented to individuals at either the BMF Annual Conference and Awards each September, or the Bi-Annual IoBM Conference in October. 
Price: Free of Charge

Corporate Member

This grade is primarily for Manufacturers and Suppliers to the industry, offering companies the opportunity to support The Institute ethos of promoting training and recognising qualifications.
Merchants can also apply for this grade of membership to indicate their support for the Institute too.

  • 2 nominated employees will receive Associate Member status for the duration of the Corporate Supporter package
  • No designatory letters are available for this grade as a company, but the 2 nominated individuals can use the designatory letters of AIBM (Associate of The Institute of Builders Merchants).

Price: Annual fee £400 per annum (reduced to £300 per annum for BMF Member Companies)


Join the IoBM in 3 simple steps

1. Select the membership level that’s most appropriate for your experience.

2. Complete the application form and click submit.
       • Merchant Application
       • Supplier/Manufacturer Application

3. We’ll process your application – usually within a few days – and email you when your membership is activated.