Recruiter Accreditation Scheme (RAS)

The Recruiter Accreditation Scheme (RAS) was jointly developed by the Market Research Society (MRS) and the Association for Qualitative Research (AQR) to raise the profile and status of recruiters, by devising a training and accreditation scheme that recognises the knowledge, skills and competence of professional recruiters.

To access the RAS Assessment and to maintain RAS Accreditation recruiters must be a member of MRS – membership must be renewed annually for the 3-year period of accreditation.

The Recruiter Training Programme launched in April 2025 to run alongside the Recruiter Accreditation Scheme. The Recruiter Training Programme is a valuable resource which can be used by companies to train new recruiters and as a refresher for more experienced recruiters. There is no fee to undertake the Recruiter Training Programme or requirement to be an MRS Member.

It is no longer a mandatory obligation for MRS Company Partners and RAS Accredited Companies, to use RAS Accredited Recruiters when buying qualitative research recruitment services. Although, it is recommended that best practice is to use RAS Accredited Recruiters where possible, to ensure the highest levels of recruitment excellence, or as a minimum those recruiters who have completed the RAS Recruiter Training Programme.

For more information about the Recruiter Accreditation Scheme and Recruiter Training Programme, please see the RAS website: ras.mrs.org.uk