IPPVA Qualifications

LIPPVA

Licentiateship is the first level of qualification within the IPPVA and shows the photographer or videographer to be a qualified professional person.

It shows a good level of skill and competence.

Judging of Licentiateship photography panels is by IPPVA Members that hold an Associate or Fellow Qualification.

Application process

The application process and requirements for the Licentiateship Qualification can be found on our Join Now page.

EP

European Photographer – Once a candidate has their Licentiateship, they may then apply to FEP (The Federation of European Photographers) for the EP qualification. This qualification is an entry-level European qualification aimed at recognising competence and a professional standard in photography.

Application process
An EP Panel consists of 12 images submitted online here. The panel should demonstrate a consistent standard of professional work, showing technical control, visual awareness, and a clear understanding of the chosen discipline.
The EP Qualification is an excellent first step for photographers wishing to benchmark their work at a European level.

AIPPVA

Associateship is the 2nd level of qualification within the IPPVA and shows the member to have a high level of technical ability and a strong photographic style.

A candidate for Associateship MUST hold a Licentiateship of the IPPVA.

Your First Step Towards Professional Accreditation

Images must reflect strong, saleable work that meets the standards of professional photography. The judges are looking for consistently above-average skill and technique across 20 images in your panel, which can be divided in two different panels with each 10 images.

At this stage, we’re looking for a cohesive body of work — images that not only show technical ability but also represent your unique style, creativity, and professional approach, a high standard of craftsmanship across the use of light, composition, print framing and cropping. You should also demonstrate a consistent post-production style and the ability to prepare files for print, including output knowledge and the correct choice of printing material.

The panel should hang together as a cohesive piece of work. The qualification panel can only be submitted in print (mounted prints, a paper choice that suits your work best).

Application process

Find the full application document here.

1. Book a Mentoring Session
Request a 40-minute Qualification Mentoring Session by contacting Carmel at info@ippva.com.
2. Submit Your Application
Send in your digital application here, and post your printed & mounted panel to the Qualification Manager. Panels must arrive before the submission deadline to be considered. 100 Euro assessment charge.
3. What to Expect
Judging takes place in private, and all results are shared confidentially with each candidate. Some applications will be successful some are not, if your application is unsuccessful, you’ll have access to a one-to-one mentoring session to review your submission and prepare for your next attempt.

4. Entry Deadlines

•⁠ ⁠ Submission deadline: 13 August 2025
•⁠ ⁠Judging Day: 13 September 2025

⁠ ⁠⁠•Submission deadline: 28 February 2026
•⁠ ⁠Judging: 29 March 2026

QEP QUALIFIED EUROPEAN PHOTOGRAPHER

Once a candidate has their Associateship, they may then apply to FEP (The Federation of European Photographers) for the QEP qualification through the IPPVA.

Qualified European Photographer (QEP) is a recognised Pan-European Qualification.

Application process

A QEP Panel consists of 12 images. The over-riding concern of QEP (apart from a very high level of technical ability) is whether the photographer shows a particular style and flair in his / her work.

Please submit your panel here. We do not offer a mentor for this qualification.

FIPPVA

Fellowship is the highest level of qualification within the IPPVA. A candidate for fellowship must show that he/she has achieved an extremely high standard of technical expertise, with the creative element of the work being of major importance indicating individuality and flair.

A candidate for Fellowship must hold Associateship of the IPPVA.

Show exceptional level of professionalism in their work and all-round technical ability, preparation and production of flawless mounted prints clearly showing personalised style and creativity.

Application process

A submission for Fellowship must consist of 20 prints mounted in a single discipline or on a single theme.

The candidate is encouraged to submit written evidence to support their panel.

Find the full application document here.

1. Book a Mentoring Session
Request a 40-minute Qualification Mentoring Session by contacting Carmel at info@ippva.com.
2. Submit Your Application
Send in your digital application here, and post your printed panel to the Qualification Manager. Panels must arrive before the submission deadline to be considered. 150 Euro assessment charge.

3. What to Expect
Judging takes place in private, and all results are shared confidentially with each candidate. Some applications will be successful some are not, if your application is unsuccessful, you’ll have access to a one-to-one mentoring session to review your submission and prepare for your next attempt.

4. Entry Deadlines

•⁠ ⁠ Submission deadline: 13 August 2025
•⁠ ⁠Judging Day: 13 September 2025

⁠ ⁠⁠•Submission deadline: 28 February 2026
•⁠ ⁠Judging: 29 March 2026

MQEP – Master QEP

To be eligible to apply for the Master QEP (MQEP) qualification, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a QEP Certificate for a minimum of one year.
• Have achieved Fellowship status through the IPPVA.
• Demonstrate outstanding personality, distinctive style, and originality in their work.

For full entry details, please visit the FEP website.

Currently, the IPPVA is proud to have six members who hold this prestigious title:

• Vincent O’Byrne FIPPVA MQEP
• Gerry O’Leary FIPPVA MQEP
• Neil Warner FIPPVA MQEP
• Donal Murphy FIPPVA MQEP
• Henk van Kooten FIPPVA MQEP
• Roger O’Sullivan MQEP