Professional development in acoustics

by Helen Davies / ShahramTaherzadeh

If you are interested in continuing your professional development in acoustics, the Institute of Acoustics offers a variety of courses to help you grow your expertise, from specialist short courses to the prestigious IOA Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control. Associated potential benefits include: gaining industry-recognised qualifications, expanding your knowledge and unlocking new career opportunities. Your next step in professional development starts today; don’t miss out!

Registration for IOA’s Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control is still open. The course provides sufficient academic training and specialism to satisfy the educational requirements for Membership of the Institute of Acoustics. The course start dates vary across different centres and range from mid to late September 2026.

Forthcoming IOA Certificate Courses in 2026

Subject to recruitment, the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) will be offering the following Certificate courses in Autumn 2026.

Details about each of the existing courses are given in the following sections. Unless indicated otherwise each certificate course lasts for 5 days and examinations take place on the last day.

Certificate of Competence in Workplace Noise Risk Assessment (CCWNRA):
The course aims to provide the education and training needed to carry out workplace noise assessments in a competent manner, as required by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Demand for competent noise exposure assessments is increasing and this course provides those registering with the latest information and training to meet the demands of the legislation. It is designed to provide a background of basic acoustics combined with `hands on' practical experience of industrial noise measurements and associated assessment of workplace noise exposure.

Please refer to the “Developing Competence” article on page 43 the Acoustics Bulletin Volume 52 No 1 January/February 2026 issue, regarding the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE’s) enforcement outcomes and the importance of genuine risk reduction.

Note while not all centres are running in the Spring, there is still some availability at the following centres: KP Acoustics, Make UK and the University of Derby.

Exam date: 25 September 2026

Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement (CCENM):

This 5-day course, which is the most popular of the certificate courses, seeks to provide delegates with a basic knowledge of the methodology of environmental noise measurement, including the use and accuracy requirements of sound level meters and analysers and to enable them be aware of the significance of measurement data against the framework of standards and legislation for environmental noise.

Examination date: 9 October 2026

Certificate Course in the Management of Occupational Exposure to Hand-Arm Vibration (CCMOEHAV)

The course seeks to enable course delegates to appreciate the nature of Hand-Arm Vibration hazards in the workplace and the need to protect employees from hand-arm vibration syndrome and to advise and assist employers to meet their legal duties under relevant health and safety law, in accordance with current guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. After completing the course delegates should be able to explain the requirements of current legislation, identify situations where hazards exist and assess the risk, discuss basic techniques for control of vibration exposure and identify areas where vibration reduction is required, assess the effectiveness of vibration control measures, evaluate the daily vibration exposures of employees from information about measured vibration magnitudes and work patterns and explain the uses and limitations of personal protective equipment.

Note: The 2026 course will be transitioning to a new location, please refer to the website.

Exam date: 30 October 2026

Certificate of Competence in Building Acoustics Measurement (CCBAM):
The course provides a basic knowledge of the methodology for measuring and reporting sound insulation and room acoustics, together with relevant provisions of key standards and current practice. It features hands-on practical sessions with acoustic instrumentation and includes a comprehensive review of building regulations and compliance requirements.

Examination date: 6 November 2026

Advanced Certificate Course in Report Evaluation (ACCRE):
This 3-day course provides the skills required to critically read and evaluate technical reports in acoustics. While the course is appropriate to a wide audience it is

aimed primarily at those people responsible for signing off on reports for quality control as well as those reviewing reports for compliance purposes such as senior positions in pollution control, environmental health practice or planning, and anywhere else that technical reporting is important.

Exam date: 11 November 2026
 

Certificate Course in Environmental Vibration Measurement (CCEVM):
Prediction and assessment of environmental vibration is often required in the UK, for example when proposing to build new residential developments in the vicinity of transportation infrastructure, or where vibration from construction, industrial or commercial activities could impact on nearby sensitive receptors.

Effectively obtaining and interpreting environmental vibration data is an important step in the assessment process.

However, not all of us have the knowledge, skills or experience to select appropriate equipment, transducer mounting methods, measurement parameters and operating conditions to successfully undertake these types of measurements.

To address this challenge, the Institute of Acoustics is introducing the Certificate of Proficiency in Environmental Vibration Measurement, a 4-day course (plus written examination) that will cover all the theory, skills, and practice you need to start making environmental vibration measurements with confidence. 

Exam date: 13 November 2026

Certificate Course in Soundscape Assessment (CCSA):
This five-day course provides delegates with a foundational knowledge of soundscape assessment methodology, including soundscape theory, human perception of sound, data collection methods, and analytical techniques. The course follows the framework of ISO 12913 standards and emphasizes the role of soundscapes in health, wellbeing, and environmental design and will enable attendees to understand the concepts of soundscape and undertake the assessment and data analysis required for a soundscape assessment.

Examination dates: 14 May 2027 (UCL) 28 May 2027 in Dublin

Information on accredited centres and the IOA certificate courses they are delivering in 2026 is available on the IOA Training page https://www.ioa.org.uk/education-training Please contact your preferred centre directly for information on course dates, delivery methods, course fees and to register for the course. For any other enquiries contact education@ioa.org.uk