Events, deadlines and support tools – everything you need to apply for HPAS.
COUNTDOWN TO NEXT HPAS SUBMISSION DEADLINE – 31 OCTOBER 2026
NOTE: THERE ARE 2 ANNUAL DEADLINES FOR HPAS SUBMISSIONS:
30 APRIL AND 31 OCTOBER (MIDNIGHT)
HPAS APPLICATION SUPPORT TOOLS:
INTERACTIVE APPLICATION TOOL
Guides you to assess your education, experience and discover the correct HPAS
level you should apply for. LINK
HPAS WEBINAR ‘BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION’ WITH Q&A – RECORDING.
LINK
READ ‘LESSONS LEARNED’ WHILE APPLYING FOR HPAS – FROM A SUCCESSFUL HPAS CANDIDATE. LINK
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HPAS FOR INDIVIDUALS?
- Providing improved recognition of skills & experience
- Promoting the highest levels of professionalism
- Providing additional routes for those with non-accredited courses
- Providing access to roles requiring a set standard or capability
- Providing a system for mentoring
- Providing a clear professional development route
HPAS ‘INSIGHT’ SERIES – SHORT VIDEOS
Our Panel members share short, practical tips on the parts of the application people ask about most. Each video takes about two minutes. Watch them before you start, or while you’re working on your documents.
- Tips to complete your Qualification Mapping, Koen Vanstaen (2 min). How to map your qualifications against the HPAS standard clearly, so the assessors can see where you meet it. LINK
- Tips to complete your Log Book, Koen Vanstaen (2 min). How to record your experience in your logbook so it’s easy to assess and backs up your application. LINK
- Tips to develop your Critique, Denis Hains (2 min). How to approach the critique, one of the assessment stages, and what the Panel looks for. LINK
- Tips to write your Survey Report, Koen Vanstaen (2 min). How to put together your survey report so it shows your skills and experience. LINK
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HPAS FOR ORGANISATIONS?
As for individuals, plus:
- Categorising professionals against an agreed and transparent standard
- Apply to roles requiring a set standard of capability
- For contracting organisations, set minimum standards
- Providing a framework for staff to develop within their profession
HOW DO I APPLY AND WHAT SUPPORT CAN I RECEIVE DURING THIS PROCESS?
- Before you apply, we strongly recommend you access the HPAS Application Kit (below). This includes an Application Guide with useful templates. Once you have reviewed the guidelines carefully and gathered your documents, you can navigate to the application form online (below) to submit and pay.
- Our dedicated HPAS Co-ordinator will be happy to help with your queries.
Contact Yvonne Liversidge, at hpas@hydrographicsociety.org I + 44 7951 127 035 - We have also just started delivering Support Webinars to help you build a successful application (see above). Full details are published here once the next date in October is confirmed.
GATHERING YOUR DOCUMENTS
DOWNLOAD THE: HPAS APPLICATION KIT
This is a handy full set of all the documents below, including Guides, templates, samples to proceed with your application in one go.
- HPAS framework document, an extensive overview on all HPAS structure, procedures and delivery process.
- HPAS Applicant Guide
- HPAS Logbook
- HPAS Experience Matrix
- HPAS Qualification Mapping
- HPAS CPD Activity Log
- HPAS Critique Guide, a comprehensive guide to help you provide such overview on your work
- HPAS Interview Guide, that provides guidance regarding the interview step in the assessment process.
- *HPAS Logbook EXAMPLE
- *HPAS Experience Matrix EXAMPLE
*Please note the Logbook and Experience Matrix forms included are for guidance purposes only.
ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
ACCESS THE: APPLICATION FORM LINK
Note: This form can be used for first-time applications, if you are re-applying or or if you are applying to transition up a level. Once you have completed and gathered all the required documents (as above), navigate to the application form (link above) to finalise your application.
APPLICATION FEES
- Your application fee payment will be required in order to complete your online application.
- The appropriate fees are dependent upon the level chosen by the applicant and the fees shown below applies for first-time applicants, re-applications and transitions.
- A discounted rate applies for individual members of IFHS societies (shown below in green).
More details about IFHS societies can be found here.
| HPAS Fees | Accreditation Fee (non-member/member) | Annual Renewal Fee (non-member/member) |
| Level Ø | €200.00 / €100.00 | €100.00 / €50.00 |
| Level 1 | €200.00 / €100.00 | €100.00 / €50.00 |
| Level 2 | €140.00 / €70.00 | €60.00 / €30.00 |
| Affiliate | €20.00 / Free | €20.00 / Free |
If you have experiencing any issues accessing the documents or having questions about completing them, don’t hesitate to use the contact form here, or contact the HPAS Co-ordinator (details above)
ANNUAL RENEWAL FEE & MAINTAINING CPD RECORDS
LINK TO: HPAS CPD DECLARATION AND RENEWAL FEE GUIDANCE
LINK TO: CPD DECLARATION AND ACCREDITATION RENEWAL FEE FORM
- Once you have HPAS accreditation, to maintain this, accredited professionals are expected to proactively undertake CPD and update their CPD profile annually, and be ready to provide their CPD records if requested.
- The HPAS Coordinator will send reminders to Accredited professionals during the year about their renewal date. The date can also be found on the Accreditation Certificate.
- Submit the CPD declaration form (link above) to ‘declare’ you have undertaken annual CPD activities and have maintained records, you will be prompted to pay your renewal fee at the same time.
- The HPAS Panel audits 10% of all CPD records annually and the Co-ordinator will contact individuals selected at random to undertake this process.