Society for Radiological Protection
A UK professional society that advances education, competence and public understanding in radiological protection.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Society for Radiological Protection (SRP) is a United Kingdom professional body for people working in, studying, or otherwise engaged with radiological protection. Its field covers the protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation, including work associated with medicine, industry, research, nuclear operations, environmental monitoring, emergency preparedness and regulation. The society’s central purpose is to improve knowledge, competence and professional standards while contributing to informed public understanding of radiation risks. The organisation began in 1963 as the UK branch of the United States Health Physics Society. That formal relationship ended in 1965, after which the organisation adopted the name Society for Radiological Protection and developed as an independent UK professional society. During its early years it established a constitution and began recognising contributions to the profession through honorary fellowships and related awards. SRP’s activities have included professional education, conferences, technical meetings, publications, networking and the development of competency standards. In 1979 it introduced a Certificate of Professional Competence in Operational Health Physics. Responsibility for certification was later transferred to RPA2000, a separate body created in 2000 with SRP and several partner organisations. RPA2000 became the principal UK certifying organisation for competence in radiation-protection practice, with SRP remaining a major stakeholder. The society has also contributed to professional education and vocational standards. It helped develop national vocational qualification standards in radiation protection during the 1990s, with accreditation taking place in 1997. Its professional role was further formalised when it received a Royal Charter in 2007. The charter recognised radiation protection as a profession and supported the creation of the designation Chartered Radiation Protection Professional, whose eligible members may use the post-nominal letters CRadP. SRP subsequently registered as an English and Welsh charity in 2008 under charity number 1122804. Publication and information exchange are important parts of the society’s work. SRP is a joint publisher of the Journal of Radiological Protection, a specialist periodical that began in 1981 and is published by IOP Publishing. The journal provides a channel for research and professional discussion across radiation protection, dosimetry, health physics, radiobiology, environmental protection, radiation safety and related policy questions. SRP works with professional and clinical organisations including the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers, British Institute of Radiology, British Nuclear Medicine Society, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, Royal College of Radiologists, and Society and College of Radiographers. It is affiliated with the International Radiation Protection Association as the UK Associate Society, a relationship recorded from 1998. The society describes itself as the largest organisation of its kind in Europe and among the largest globally. Its membership community spans established practitioners and newer entrants. The Rising Generations Group, established in the early 2010s, was designed to support less experienced professionals, career development and the needs of newer members. Through its membership structure, qualifications, publications, events and partnerships, SRP functions less like a consumer brand and more like a professional institution that maintains identity and standards within a specialised technical field.
History
The Society for Radiological Protection was established in the United Kingdom in 1963. It originally operated as the UK branch of the United States Health Physics Society, reflecting the close historical relationship between the emerging UK radiation-protection profession and the broader international health-physics community. In 1965 the formal connection with the US organisation ended, and the UK body adopted the name Society for Radiological Protection. It subsequently developed its own constitution, professional activities and recognition programmes. The society’s early development coincided with the growing use of ionising radiation in medicine, nuclear technology, industrial processes and scientific research. Its role was to bring together specialists concerned with controlling radiation hazards, improving technical practice and communicating the principles of radiation safety. During the latter part of the 1960s it began awarding honorary fellowships, creating a continuing mechanism for recognising notable contributions to the field. Professional competence became a major part of SRP’s work. In 1979 the society began issuing a Certificate of Professional Competence in Operational Health Physics. The certificate reflected the need for formally assessed expertise among people responsible for monitoring exposure, advising employers, managing sources and interpreting radiation-protection requirements. Certification responsibilities were later separated from the society and transferred to RPA2000. SRP also expanded its publishing and knowledge-sharing activities. The Journal of Radiological Protection was launched in 1981. The journal became a significant professional and scientific outlet covering radiation protection and associated technical disciplines. It is jointly published by SRP and is issued by IOP Publishing. Through the journal, conferences and other events, the society supports exchange between practitioners, researchers, regulators and users of radiation technologies. During the 1990s SRP became more involved in structured vocational and professional standards. It developed the first National Vocational Qualification standards in radiation protection, which were accredited in April 1997. In 1998 the organisation became affiliated with the International Radiation Protection Association as the UK Associate Society, strengthening its links with international professional networks. In 2000 SRP helped establish RPA2000 with the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, the Institute of Radiation Protection and the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers. RPA2000 was created as a separate legal entity and became the sole certifier of competence in radiation-protection practice in the United Kingdom. SRP remained a major stakeholder, allowing certification to operate independently while preserving the society’s influence over professional standards. A major institutional milestone came in 2007, when the Society for Radiological Protection received a Royal Charter. The charter formally recognised radiation protection as a profession and supported the creation of the title Chartered Radiation Protection Professional. Qualified members may use the post-nominal letters CRadP, subject to the relevant professional requirements. In 2008 the society registered as a charity in England and Wales under number 1122804, reinforcing its public-benefit and educational purposes. The society has continued to build links with organisations across medical imaging, nuclear medicine, physics, engineering and clinical practice. Its partner societies include the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers, British Institute of Radiology, British Nuclear Medicine Society, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, Royal College of Radiologists, and Society and College of Radiographers. These relationships reflect the fact that radiation protection is a cross-disciplinary activity rather than a single-sector occupation. In the early 2010s SRP established the Rising Generations Group. The group was designed to give less experienced members a forum for networking, professional development and discussion of early-career needs. It broadened the society’s engagement beyond senior practitioners and helped position membership as a continuing professional community. Today SRP remains an active UK professional society and registered charity. It promotes learning, competence, professional standards and public knowledge in radiological protection through membership, education, events, publications, fellowships and collaboration. The organisation is described as the largest society of its type in Europe and the second largest in the world, although it is not a commercial corporation and has no publicly traded shares.
- 2010
Rising Generations Group created
[1]SRP created an early-career group to support less experienced professionals and career development.
- 2008
Registered charity status obtained
[1]The society registered as charity number 1122804 in England and Wales.
- 2007
Royal Charter granted
[1]The Royal Charter formally recognised radiation protection as a profession and enabled the Chartered Radiation Protection Professional designation.
- 2000
RPA2000 established
[1]SRP joined partner organisations in setting up RPA2000 as a separate body for professional competence certification.
- 1998
Affiliation with IRPA
[1]SRP became the UK Associate Society of the International Radiation Protection Association.
- 1997
Radiation-protection vocational standards accredited
[1]National vocational qualification standards developed by the society were accredited.
- 1981
Journal of Radiological Protection launched
[1]The society began publishing the Journal of Radiological Protection jointly with its publishing partners.
- 1979
Operational health physics certificate introduced
[1]SRP began issuing a Certificate of Professional Competence in Operational Health Physics.
- 1965
Independent society name adopted
[1]The formal relationship with the Health Physics Society ended and the organisation became known as the Society for Radiological Protection.
- 1963
Society founded
[1]The organisation was founded as the UK branch of the US Health Physics Society.
Products and positioning
A specialist UK professional institution focused on technical competence, education, ethical practice and public understanding in radiological protection.
Professional association membership · 1963
Professional membership
SRP membership provides access to a professional community concerned with radiological protection. Its value is centred on knowledge exchange, technical events, professional networking, education, recognition and participation in the development of standards. Members may work across healthcare, nuclear operations, research, industry, environmental protection, regulation or related fields.
Scientific and professional journal · 1981
Journal of Radiological Protection
The Journal of Radiological Protection is a specialist publication covering research and practice in radiation protection. It addresses topics such as dosimetry, biological effects, environmental exposure, safety management, regulatory practice and protection in medical, industrial and research settings. SRP is a joint publisher, while IOP Publishing handles publication.
Professional designation · 2007
Chartered Radiation Protection Professional
The Chartered Radiation Protection Professional designation was enabled by the society’s Royal Charter. It provides a formal professional identity for suitably qualified practitioners and allows eligible members to use the CRadP post-nominal letters. The designation reflects competence, professional standing and commitment to standards in radiation protection.
Career-development programme · 2010
Rising Generations Group
The Rising Generations Group is an SRP initiative for newer and less experienced radiation-protection professionals. It is intended to address the needs of members establishing or advancing their careers, encourage peer contact and provide a route into wider participation in the society.
Brand decisions
2007
Formalise professional status through a Royal CharterStrategyBackground
Radiological protection required a formal professional framework supporting recognised standards and qualifications.
Action taken
SRP obtained a Royal Charter and introduced the Chartered Radiation Protection Professional title for suitably qualified members.
Aftermath
The charter strengthened the profession’s institutional recognition and created the CRadP post-nominal designation.
2000
Establish RPA2000 for competence certificationStrategyBackground
The society had developed professional competence certification, but a separate certification structure was needed for radiation-protection practice.
Action taken
SRP joined the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, the Institute of Radiation Protection and the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers to establish RPA2000 as a separate legal entity.
Aftermath
RPA2000 became the sole certifier of competence in UK radiation-protection practice, while SRP remained a major stakeholder.
1965
Operate as an independent professional societyStrategyBackground
The organisation began as the UK branch of the US Health Physics Society, but the formal connection was later dissolved.
Action taken
The UK organisation adopted the Society for Radiological Protection name and continued as an independent society.
Aftermath
The decision established the independent institutional identity that SRP retains.
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