Professional Registration
BITS administers the registration of ICT professionals in Botswana — formally recognising qualified practitioners through a graded membership system.
What Is Professional Registration?
Professional registration is the formal recognition by a professional body that an individual has met the required standards of education, experience and ethics to practise in a given field. In professions such as medicine, law and engineering, registration is often a legal requirement. BITS is working toward a similar framework for ICT practitioners in Botswana.
Currently, BITS operates a graded membership registration system (Constitution Article 4) that recognises ICT professionals at different levels of qualification and experience. This membership system forms the foundation of a future formal registration regime.
Current Registration System
All membership grades are awarded by the BITS Membership Committee and ratified by the Executive Council. The registration process ensures that:
- Applications are submitted on official BITS application forms
- The Membership Committee screens applications and makes grade recommendations
- The Executive Council approves both the membership and the grade applied for
- Upon approval, the member receives an official certificate of registration stating their grade, duly signed and sealed by the Society
- Qualified members (Fellow, Member, Associate Member) are entitled to use designatory letters (FBITS, MBITS, ABITS) after their names
Registration Grades
| Grade | Designation | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Fellow | FBITS | 10+ years ICT experience; significant contribution to the advancement of IT — by invitation |
| Member | MBITS | 8+ years relevant ICT experience |
| Associate Member | ABITS | 3+ years relevant ICT experience |
| Graduate Member | GM | ICT qualification conforming to BITS education standards; no experience yet |
| Student Member | SM | Active student in a relevant ICT field |
How to Register
Determine your grade
Review the membership grades and identify the grade that matches your qualifications and experience.
Complete your application
Complete the online individual membership application, providing your personal details, qualifications, employment history and professional references.
Pay the registration fee
Pay the applicable annual subscription and administration (registration) fee by EFT or bank deposit into the BITS FNB account.
Membership Committee review
The BITS Membership Committee reviews your application, determines the appropriate grade, and makes a recommendation to the Executive Council.
Receive your certificate
Upon approval, you will receive your official BITS certificate of registration and become a paid-up member entitled to use your designatory letters.