Hello Scott,
I can see what you are saying there, IPEM entry at IEng or EngTech would appear to resolve some of the eligibility issues that the VRCT have failed to address.
The IPEM and the VRCT, are they really not one and the same? as you point out IPEM host back office functions for the VRCT and promote them on the IPEM site.

To be honest, looking elsewhere is an option I will consider, my own choice would be the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), who have IEng or EngTech entry.