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Trading standards officers (TSOs) protect consumers and businesses by promoting a safe and fair trading environment.
You could work: evenings / weekends; attending events or appointments
There will be
2.9% more Trading standards officer jobs in 2027.
In your local area
In this role you could:
You may need to wear protective clothing.
You could work in an office, at a client's business or in a court.
Your working environment may be at height, outdoors some of the time, cramped, dirty and noisy.
You can get into this job through:
You can become a trading standards officer with any degree subject.
If you get a degree in law or consumer protection you won't need to do some of the professional examinations. Find out more from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Some local authorities may sponsor you for the consumer protection degree. This means that you'll get work experience whilst you study. It could also lead to a job after you graduate.
You'll usually need:
You could start as an enforcement officer with a local authority and apply to join a trading standards training programme. Your employer would support you through training to qualify.
You can apply for work as a trainee trading standards officer with a local authority. You'll then study towards professional qualifications on the job, and work your way up to trading standards officer.
You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths. Some authorities may also want you to have 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.
You'll need to:
You'll find it useful to have experience of legal, retail or advice work.
Some [local councils | https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council] may offer work experience or internships in trading standards in departments like environmental health.
You can find out more about working and training in trading standards through the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
With experience, you could become a senior TSO or manager.
You could also move into private consultancy work.
You can find out more about working and training in trading standards through the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.