Registration Frequently Asked Questions
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Registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated version February 2026
What does it mean to register with CIISA?
Organisations that register with CIISA are demonstrating their commitment to meeting industry-endorsed standards to keep the creative workforce safe. CIISA Registration sends a powerful signal to workforce, partners and funders that you will not tolerate harmful behaviour.
CIISA offers a suite of materials to help everyone understand and implement the CIISA Standards.
CIISA Registration unlocks additional practical tools and resources to support good practice – and to develop the skills and knowledge needed should problems arise.
What do I get when I register?
The CIISA Registration Mark to display where you think it will have most impact – whether that’s on your website or in your creative workplace, or both.
Inclusion on the publicly available CIISA Register of organisations committed to the CIISA Standards.
A range of e-learning materials, introductory training[1], sector-specific guidance and checklists to help meet the CIISA Standards.
Exclusive access to:
- ‘How To’ guidance on specialist topics and themes aimed at helping your organisation embed the CIISA Standards
- Self-assessment tools for your organisation to assess progress in meeting the CIISA Standards
- A library of key documents, such as template codes of conduct or forms for reporting concerns.
- CIISA-facilitated peer learning sessions aimed at staff who want to build their capacity to implement the CIISA Standards in your organisation.
- CIISA-supported assessments: access to expert support for your organisation to better understand your progress in embedding the standards and how to continuously strengthen.
- Advanced training modules focusing in on each Standard area and how organisations can practically achieve best practice.
- Peer connecting service – helping to broaden your professional network with leaders from across the creative sector
- Access to formal engagement with CIISA through sector committees and industry forum to engage with CIISA on its work and help develop future products and services.
More exclusive, tailored products will become available to Registered organisations as CIISA develops.
[1] E-Learning and Training will become available during 2026/27 onwards.
How much does CIISA Registration cost?
Fees are offered on a sliding scale according to UK turnover, in reflection of complex and diverse nature of creative industry organisations operating in the UK.
For organisations turning over £100k or less, CIISA fees are just £100 per year. There is a 20% discount for not-for-profits and we are exploring additional support for smaller companies. The full fee structure is outlined below.
| Band | Annual UK Turnover | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | £500m+ | £50,000 |
| 2 | £200m-£500m | £35,000 |
| 3 | £100m-£200m | £23,500 |
| 4 | £75m-£100m | £15,700 |
| 5 | £50m-£75m | £10,500 |
| 6 | £35m-£50m | £7,000 |
| 7 | £25m-£35m | £4,650 |
| 8 | £15m-£25m | £3,100 |
| 9 | £10m-£15m | £2,050 |
| 10 | £6m-£10m | £1,400 |
| 11 | £3m-£6m | £900 |
| 12 | £1.5m-£3m | £600 |
| 13 | £750k-£1.5m | £400 |
| 14 | £350k-£750k | £275 |
| 15 | £100k-£350k | £175 |
| 16 | Up to £100k | £100 |
Why is CIISA moving to a registration model?
From 2026 CIISA will begin the launch of its services, which require consistent and stable funding.
CIISA has engaged with industry-backed Standards Authorities in other sectors to explore the best models for ongoing funding. Our key aims are to ensure stable funding for CIISA’s services, provide maximum value to the creative sector, and clarity around the organisations committed to supporting CIISA and upholding the CIISA Standards.
CIISA Registration celebrates the organisations committed to the CIISA Standards, sending a clear message to their partners, funders, suppliers and workforce that harmful behaviour will not be tolerated. It additionally unlocks key tools and support to help them meet and exceed the CIISA Standards.
When does Registration begin?
The first registration period runs from 1 April 2026, mirroring the CIISA 2026/27 financial year.
What does an organisation get for paying the Registration Fee?
Registered organisations receive the CIISA Registration Mark to demonstrate their commitment to the CIISA Standards.
They will be included alongside their unique registration number in the searchable online CIISA Register (available later in 2026).
Registered organisations will also have access to key tools and resources to help them meet and exceed the CIISA Standards. This includes guidance, organisational and professional development resources, and access to peer learning networks.
Registered organisations will also have the opportunity for formal engagement with CIISA and their peers through Industry Forums.
Does CIISA Registration show that my organisation is meeting the CIISA Standards?
No. Registration demonstrates that your organisation is committed to meeting the CIISA Standards and provides the tools and guidance to help you do that. It is not an assurance review or guarantee.
What happens if I don’t register?
Non-Registered organisations will not be entitled to use the CIISA Registration Mark and will not be included in the online CIISA Register. They will not have access to some of CIISA’s support services or the opportunity to join CIISA Industry Forums.
Can I still report to CIISA if my organisation is not registered?
CIISA’s Reporting Portal is open to everyone, regardless of whether they’re registered with CIISA.
Can I report a concern relating to an organisation not registered with CIISA?
Yes. CIISA’s remit is industry-wide.
When does the CIISA Register go live?
We will publish the CIISA Register in the last quarter of 2026 to ensure adequate time for engagement with the sector and socialisation of the registration model.
How does CIISA intend to spend the registration fees it collects?
CIISA is a not-for-profit organisation and all registration fees will be invested into service-delivery for the benefit of the creative industries.
Our first priority in 2026/27 is launching the CIISA Reporting service, where everyone in the sector can speak to CIISA (anonymously if needed).
Our 2026-2029 Corporate Strategy sets out our plans and costings for the next three years.
How will CIISA demonstrate value for money?
CIISA is committed to demonstrating value for money. Value is a core principle of our 2026-29 strategy – both demonstrating our value to the sector, and our value for money in delivering services.
Our Governance structure ensure rigorous oversight and scrutiny of CIISA’s strategic and financial activities. We publish our costed business plans, annual report and accounts and we have voluntarily committed to annual audits.
Will fees go up every year?
Fees are frozen for 2026-29. CIISA is committed to keeping registration fees as consistent as possible. We know the creative sector requires financial stability in this period of volatility.
Is this a membership model?
No. Membership organisations typically operate on behalf of their members, with particular rights (such as voting rights) or the expectation that the membership body will represent the interests of its members (such as championing specific trade interests with Government).
Registering with CIISA does not come with membership rights or representation.
CIISA is an independent standards authority whose purpose is to uphold accountability across the creative sector as a whole. The Registration funding model ensures CIISA operates independently, sustainably, and equitably to meet its goals without commercial imperatives that could compromise its impartiality.
Has the banding structure changed?
Yes, we have doubled the number of fee bands in response to feedback over the last two years that the large differences in the lower bands have proved challenging for some, particularly in the theatre sector. Acting on this feedback, we have introduced more access points and a fixed fee of just £100 for the lowest band.
For existing funders, the fee remains the same or is lower through the registration model.
My organisation is an existing funder. How will it be transitioned across to Registration?
We will talk directly to all our existing funders and issue guidance.
How often will CIISA review the banding structure?
The current banding structure will remain in place for the 2026-29 strategy period.
We will undertake a review in the final year of the strategy as we look ahead to what services and support are required for the next strategic period.
If my organisation chooses not to register, will it be publicly listed as a non-payer?
The CIISA Register will only include organisations that are registered with CIISA.
How will CIISA ensure independence?
Registration is not membership, and no registered organisation will gain control or undue influence in return for their fee.
As an industry-funded standards authority CIISA will ensure there are forums for industry consultation and feedback from registered organisations. We have committed resource from 2026/27 onwards for this from 1 April 2026.
We will also be introducing similar forums for creative industry professionals to ensure CIISA engages with everybody who may use our service.
Our Governance structures also ensure that CIISA is scrutinised across its operational, strategic and financial activities.
I have a question that hasn’t been answered here. Who should I contact at CIISA?
In the first instance, please e-mail registration@ciisa.org.uk and we will aim to respond within 5 working days.
Finance
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated version April 2026
What period does the Registration cover?
CIISA’s financial year runs April to March. Registration is annual and covers the April to March period. The first Registration period is 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
What accounting period should be used to establish UK turnover?
CIISA’s financial year runs April to March. We recognise that many Registrants will not have financial years that align with this.
Please use your last set of published accounts.
How does CIISA define ‘annual UK turnover’?
If you/your organisation operates in the UK only, you should use the turnover figure as given in your financial statements to assess what band you come under.
If you/your organisation operates in the UK and other geographical areas, please use the UK turnover figure as given in your financial statements, if this is a requirement for your statutory accounting.
If you are not required to give your UK turnover figure in your statutory accounting (for example, because you report on a worldwide turnover and not separate UK turnover), please use the information that you/your organisation has available that gives this figure. This could include sourcing from internal sales reporting, information held in the accounting system, figures provided on VAT returns etc. However, if it is too time consuming to produce this information, please use a reasonable estimate for UK turnover instead.
For organisations that are part of a larger corporate group: where your group prepares consolidated financial statements in the UK, assessments of UK turnover should be based on the disclosed group UK turnover in these financial statements.
If multiple entities prepare consolidated financial statements, take these from the highest UK-based entity preparing these (subject to the issue regarding multiple brands as below).
Where your group does not prepare consolidated financial statements in the UK, you should aggregate the UK turnover from the separate financial statements of your UK subsidiaries and use this as your annual UK turnover. You may ‘net off’ intra-group turnover in this process.
For organisations that receive them, grants and donations should be included as part of turnover.
What if we have an accounting period that is greater or less than one year?
If the accounting period is greater than one year (assuming this is a one-off situation for your organisation) please use a ‘pro-rata’ turnover approach that proportionately assesses how much your UK turnover was for 12 months based on the number of months in your accounting period.
For example, if your UK turnover is £1.5m for 15 months, divide £1.5m by 15 months (which is £100,000). Then multiply £100,000 by 12 months, which means your pro-rated turnover is £1.2m.
If the accounting period is less than one year (again assuming this is a one-off situation for your organisation), please ‘annualise’ by dividing your turnover by the number of relevant months, before then multiplying that by 12 months.
For example, if your UK turnover is £9m for 8 months, divide that figure by 8 (to get £1.125m) and then multiply that figure by 12 months to get your ‘annualised’ income of £13.5m.
Please complete the form and note under ‘Please enter any other relevant information’ that it is a short accounting period. We will pro-rata your Registration Fee accordingly.
If it is not a one-off situation for your organisation, please contact registration@ciisa.org.uk for further guidance. We will aim to respond within three working days.
What are the Registration Fee bands?
The Registration Fee you pay is based on your UK Turnover. The bands are as follows:
| Band | Annual UK Turnover | Annual Registration Fee* | ||||
| 1 | £ 500,000,000 | >£500m | £50,000 | |||
| 2 | £ 200,000,000 | £ 499,999,999 | £35,000 | |||
| 3 | £ 100,000,000 | £ 199,999,999 | £23,500 | |||
| 4 | £ 75,000,000 | £ 99,999,999 | £15,700 | |||
| 5 | £ 50,000,000 | £ 74,999,999 | £10,500 | |||
| 6 | £ 35,000,000 | £ 49,999,999 | £7,000 | |||
| 7 | £ 25,000,000 | £ 34,999,999 | £4,650 | |||
| 8 | £ 15,000,000 | £ 24,999,999 | £3,100 | |||
| 9 | £ 10,000,000 | £ 14,999,999 | £2,050 | |||
| 10 | £ 6,000,000 | £ 9,999,999 | £1,400 | |||
| 11 | £ 3,000,000 | £ 5,999,999 | £900 | |||
| 12 | £ 1,500,000 | £ 2,999,999 | £600 | |||
| 13 | £ 750,000 | £ 1,499,999 | £400 | |||
| 14 | £ 350,000 | £ 749,999 | £275 | |||
| 15 | £ 100,000 | £ 349,999 | £175 | |||
| 16 | £ – | £ 99,999 | £100 | |||
| * plus VAT | ||||||
How has CIISA calculated the banding for Registration?
The bands are guided by the following principles:
- Proportionality and accessibility to make fees are as fair and accessible as possible, recognising the diverse sizes and structures of organisations across the creative industries
- Smooth progression between bands: no large, abrupt ‘cliff edge’ increases and a graduated structure that accommodates potential year-on-year changes in UK turnover for Registered organisations
- An increased number of entry points, particularly for small-to-mid-sized organisations, through a wider range of bandings
What if my organisation has UK turnover that fluctuates year on year?
Your UK turnover should be assessed each year and therefore may move between bands each year.
I am registering part way through CIISA’s registration year. Will my Registration Fee be reduced?
If you are registering for the first time and register part way through the year we will pro-rata your Registration Fee according to the financial quarter of your start date.
Is there a reduced rate available for charities and other not-for-profit organisations?
Yes. We offer a reduced rate to charities and other not-for-profit organisations. Please enter further information into the ‘Please enter any other relevant information’ box on our Registration form, such as your charity registration number, funding arrangements etc. We will bill at the reduced rate if you meet our eligibility criteria.
Further guidance can be found here .
I am still not sure what band we might come under, can I get help?
Yes. Please contact registration@ciisa.org.uk for further assistance. We will aim to respond within three working days.
Will there be an annual increase on the Registration Fee, and if so, how will this be calculated and when will my organisation be notified?
The Bandings and Registration Fees will remain fixed for the duration of CIISA’s 2026-2029 Strategic Period.
We will undertake a review of Bandings and Registration Fees in the final year of the Strategy Period (2028/29) as we look ahead to what services and support are required for the next Strategic Period. We will engage with creative industry organisations during this process.
My organisation is part of a Corporate Group. Do we pay separately, or does our parent company pay one Registration Fee for all its subsidiaries?
Corporate Groups may apply for a group Registration that includes its subsidiaries.
They can be included when:
- each one is listed on CIISA’s Registration Form during the application process
- each one meets CIISA’s Eligibility Criteria
- CIISA does not require it to register separately (see below)
Unless CIISA agrees otherwise, CIISA will normally require a separate Registration where the Annual UK Turnover is £200m or more (and would therefore place it in Fee Band 2 or higher). In practice, organisations of this size are expected to contribute in their own right, reflecting the scale at which they operate, the role they play, and the impact and presence they have within the industry.
If my organisation pays one Registration Fee with the intention of it covering a number of group companies, why do I need to submit the names of all of the companies it covers?
All Registered organisations will be listed on the CIISA Directory of Registered organisations to ensure maximum transparency. We require this information to ensure the Directory is reflecting the correct information, that all organisations listed are eligible to register and that CIISA’s Registration Mark is used correctly and appropriately.
Can my organisation pay more than the stated Registration Fee?
Yes, this is possible. Please express your interest in the ‘Please enter any other relevant information’ box in the Registration Form and we will contact you to discuss further. Alternatively, you can email registration@ciisa.org.uk.
Can my organisation register for the full 2026-29 strategic period upfront?
Yes. We ask that you commit to Register for the next three years. By confirming your commitment, it helps provide the certainty and stability needed to plan effectively, invest in long-term delivery and focus on sustained impact.. You can confirm your commitment at the required point on the Registration Form. You will be billed annually for each upcoming Registration period.
Does my organisation have to commit to three years?
No, this is not mandatory. However, and as stated above, by committing to three years of Registration, this helps us have greater certainty over funding levels and planning.
What happens after the Registration Form is submitted?
We will review your Registration submission and contact your named persons regarding onboarding and purchase order requirements. Once we have the information we need, we will issue a VAT invoice with 14-day payment terms.
On receipt of payment, we will give access to the Registration mark and other Registration materials. Your organisation will be listed on the CIISA Directory of Registered Organisations (available in the last quarter of 2026).
What happens at renewal time?
We will contact you nearer to the time and invite you to renew your Registration, including asking you to confirm your latest UK turnover.
I have a question that hasn’t been answered here. Who should I contact at CIISA?
In the first instance, please e-mail registration@ciisa.org.uk with your request and contact details and we will aim to respond within 3 working days.