# How to Create a PROSPERO Account: Every Field Explained

Source: https://upmed.net/prospero-account/  
Published: 2026-10-30 · Updated: 2026-10-30  
Category: Research  
Publisher: UPMED (https://upmed.net/)

> A field-by-field guide to creating a PROSPERO account: getting a free ORCID iD, what to enter in each field, password rules, and what to do after you join.

To register a systematic review on PROSPERO you first need a PROSPERO account, and to create review records you also need an **ORCID iD**. Both are free. This guide explains every field of the PROSPERO “Join” form.

## Where to apply

- **PROSPERO website:** [crd.york.ac.uk/prospero](https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/). Click **Join us** to open the account form.
- **Free ORCID iD:** [orcid.org/register](https://orcid.org/register)

## Step 1: Get your ORCID iD first

An ORCID iD is a free, permanent number that identifies you as a researcher. PROSPERO lists it as optional on the Join form, but **you cannot create review records without it**, so get it before you start.

1. Go to [orcid.org/register](https://orcid.org/register).
2. Enter your name and email, set a password and confirm your email.
3. Copy your 16-character ORCID iD (it looks like 0000-0000-0000-0000; the last character can be X).
4. Add your current hospital or university under Employment. Journals and PROSPERO see this profile.

## Step 2: Fill the PROSPERO Join form

These details may appear in your published PROSPERO records, so enter them exactly as you want readers to see them.

| Field | What to enter |
| --- | --- |
| Title \* | **Dr** (or Prof, Mr, Ms as applicable) |
| First name \* | Your first name, as on your ORCID profile and papers |
| Last name \* | Your family name, as on your ORCID profile and papers |
| Email \* | PROSPERO asks for an institutional email if possible (e.g. name@kemu.edu.pk). If you do not have one, use a personal email you will keep for years. All PROSPERO messages come here. |
| 16 character ORCID | Your ORCID iD from Step 1. If the form does not accept the hyphens, type the 16 characters without them. |
| Institution/Organisation \* | Your current hospital, medical college or university, e.g. *King Edward Medical University, Lahore* |
| Country \* | **Pakistan** |
| Password \* | 8 to 16 characters, with upper-case and lower-case letters, at least one number and at least one special character (e.g. @, #,!) |
| Retype password \* | The same password again |
| Terms and Conditions \* | Tick the box after reading the terms |

## Step 3: After you join

1. If PROSPERO sends a confirmation email, open it and click the link. Check your spam folder too.
2. Log in at [crd.york.ac.uk/prospero](https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) with your email and password.
3. Open your user details and check that your ORCID iD is saved. Without it you cannot start a record.
4. Start a new review record and follow our guide: [How to Register Your Systematic Review on PROSPERO](https://upmed.net/prospero-registration/).

## Common problems

| Problem | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| Password not accepted | Keep it between 8 and 16 characters and include an upper-case letter, a lower-case letter, a number and a special character. |
| Cannot create a review record | Add your ORCID iD in your user details. |
| No email from PROSPERO | Check spam, and add the PROSPERO address to your contacts. |
| Name looks different on the record | Correct it in your user details. Use the same spelling as your ORCID profile and papers. |

## Related guides

- [How to Register Your Systematic Review on PROSPERO](https://upmed.net/prospero-registration/)
- [How to Register Your Clinical Trial on ClinicalTrials.gov from Pakistan](https://upmed.net/clinicaltrials-gov-registration-pakistan/) (for trials and quasi-experimental studies)

## Contact UPMED

UPMED can help in registering systematic reviews and meta-analyses on PROSPERO, from account setup to the CRD number:

- WhatsApp: [0304 2397393](https://wa.me/923042397393) (save the number as “UPMED”)
- Email: [coordination@upmed.net](mailto:coordination@upmed.net)