British Photographic Exhibitions encompasses about 15 national open exhibitions eg Solihull, Southport, Clay Cross and Rushden. Points are awarded for acceptances into these exhibitions – one point for each photograph accepted – and distinctions are awarded as follows:
- 25 points, 1 crown;
- 50 points, 2 crowns;
- 100 points, 3 crowns;
- 200 points, 4 crowns; and
- 300 points, 5 crowns.
The awards are called crowns but usually shown as an asterisk (*) primarily because computers keyboards do not feature a crown. The ABPE (Associate) and FBPE (Fellow) awards are also offered. Entries are usually sent in jointly to reduce postage costs.