Questions for translators please - CIOL membership

[marsh-chris]

Hello,

I have been accepted as a full member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists which means I am recognized as a professional in the field of languages.  I initially did this to legitimize myself as a translator starting out.

The annual membership fee is quite dear and I am still on the fence as to whether a customer puts any stock into a translator belonging to the CIOL.

The profession of translator being unregulated in the UK, I wonder even more if such a membership will open any doors at all.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks,