Assessment of Professional Competence

Candidate guide
August 2021
 Published by: RICS, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD.

All rights in this publication, including full copyright or publishing right, content and design, are owned by
RICS, except where otherwise described. Any dispute arising out of this publication is subject to the law and
jurisdiction of England and Wales

Candidate guide 2
 APC candidate guide
Entry requirements...................................................................................................5
Introduction to the APC............................................................................................6
Pathways..................................................................................................................6
Essential guides.......................................................................................................6
Assessment Resource Centre (ARC)........................................................................6
The people involved in your APC..............................................................................6
Competencies..........................................................................................................7

Your experience
Structured training....................................................................................................9
No structured training............................................................................................. 11

Continuing Professional Development (CPD).................................................. 12

Ethics....................................................................................................................13

Submissions
Summary of experience.......................................................................................... 14
Case study submission........................................................................................... 14
Important notes on your submission.......................................................................16

Preliminary review.............................................................................................. 17

Candidate guide 3
 Final assessment interview
Purpose.................................................................................................................18
Structure................................................................................................................19
Audit and quality assurance....................................................................................20
Conflict of interest...................................................................................................20
After the assessment..............................................................................................21

Help and support................................................................................................22

Candidate guide 4
 Entry requirements
RICS recognises that a mix of academic and professional qualifications with relevant experience
provide the skills and levels of competence to become a chartered surveyor. The eligibility
requirements to begin the APC are:
• RICS accredited degree – At least 24 months’ structured training and a minimum of 96 hours’
Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• RICS accredited degree with a minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience – At least
12 months’ structured training and a minimum of 48 hours’ Continuing Professional
Development (CPD).
• RICS accredited degree with a minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience – Demonstrate
a minimum of 48 hours’ Continuing Professional Development (CPD) over the preceding 12
months. No structured training period required.
• Bachelor degree or higher (or membership of an RICS approved professional body)
with a minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience (at least 12 months must be post
qualification) – Successfully complete the preliminary review and a minimum of 48 hours’
Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
If you need further information on any of the entry requirements for the APC please refer to
rics.org/apc or your local RICS office.

Candidate guide 5
 Introduction
Assessment of Essential guides The people involved in
Professional From the beginning of your APC there are key
documents that you need to download and read.
your APC
Competence (APC) You need to continue to refer to these throughout These are the people who will influence and
support your progress towards achieving
your training, preparation and assessment. The
The Assessment of Professional Competence documents can all be found at rics.org/apc RICS membership.
(APC) ensures that candidates are competent
• Pathway guide – the guide that is specific You: You must commit to following the process
and meet the high standards of professionalism
to the pathway you have selected to follow. through from beginning to end. You must
required to become a chartered surveyor.
It details the competencies you will need to familiarise yourself with the guidance and
The APC is based on candidates achieving a meet and provides examples of the knowledge abide by it, planning and organising your time
set of requirements and competencies. These and activities that fall within the scope of conscientiously. You must take responsibility for
are a mix of technical and professional practice, each competency. your own CPD, undertaking independent learning.
interpersonal, business and management
• Self-assessment form – this is a pathway Your employer: Your employer should encourage
skills. Completing the APC and the professional
specific document that is designed to help you you and make facilities and time available to you
interview successfully leads to professional
understand where your skills and experience to complete your assessment documents. Some
qualification with RICS and the much sought after
match the pathway requirements and your employers may not be able to give you access
letters – MRICS.
areas to develop. to the full range of experience needed. If this
These guides are generic and apply to all world is the case you may need to gain a temporary
Commitment is key secondment to supplement your experience.
regions.
When you enrol as a candidate, you are making
Your counsellor: Your assessment must be
a commitment to become a chartered surveyor
(MRICS). You have 6 years from your date of Assessment Resource supported by a member of RICS. They must be
satisfied that you have achieved the required levels
enrolment to achieve the MRICS qualification.
This guide will help you prepare for the APC.
Centre (ARC) in all the competencies needed for your chosen
pathway.
Although there will be people to support ARC is an online tool where you will manage
Your counsellor should support you through
you through your APC, it is your responsibility your assessment details, CPD and selected
your training. They may not have personal
to make sure you start and remain committed competency records, and prepare your submission
knowledge of your experience in all the chosen
to the assessment. for assessment. You will use ARC throughout your
competencies as you may have achieved some of
assessment journey.
them a number of years ago or in a different job.
Pathways Visit rics.org/assessment for guidance on using
ARC and to access assessment dates, locations
They will still be able to support you and verify
your experience by having discussions with you
You will need to choose your pathway. A pathway and information specific to the APC in your part of about your experience.
is the area of the profession that you wish to the world.
qualify in. This needs to be based on your
qualifications, experience and current job role.
For more information visit rics.org/pathway

Candidate guide 6
 Your supervisor (optional): Best practice is RICS has drawn up competencies in a generic Level 1 – Knowledge and
to have someone overseeing your day-to-day way so that they can be applied to different
activities, areas of practice and geographical locations.
understanding
who is responsible for giving you guidance and It is important that you interpret them within You will be required to explain what learning/
support. This is particularly important if you are the context of your own area of practice or training you have done, and when, to gain
completing a period of structured training. specialism and geography. level 1 competency.
It is important we hold your most up-to-date The competencies are in two distinct categories This may have been through formal education
details. If your employer, supervisor or counsellor and/or formal training in the workplace or on-the-
Mandatory competencies – personal,
changes at any point during your APC please job experience. If your degree is relevant to your
interpersonal, professional practice and business
contact your local office to update the details. chosen pathway, you can draw on this to indicate
skills common to all pathways and compulsory
how you have gained the required knowledge.
The assessors: chartered surveyors who for all candidates.
conduct your final assessment interview. Alternatively, you may have developed your
Technical competencies which are split into
The interview panel has a minimum of two knowledge and understanding through targeted
• Core competencies – primary skills of your formal training. Formal training could include
members. All assessors are specially trained
chosen pathway online courses, in-house seminars or workshops,
for this purpose.
• Optional competencies – selected as distance learning, academic study, day-release
Your local support team: can provide advice
additional skill requirements for your pathway programmes, structured learning or mentoring.
on completing your APC and can help you source
from a list of competencies relevant You may have participated in a training programme
training, CPD and counsellors. Find contact
to that pathway. developed by your employer or in partnership with
details at rics.org/contactus
Each competency is defined at three levels of a training provider.
attainment. You must reach the required level in
Competencies a logical progression and in successive stages.
In order to reduce the number of words used,
you can provide a list but you should include
To be competent to practise as an RICS Level 1 – knowledge and understanding some brief detail, if necessary, to ensure that
member you must have the skill and/or ability Level 2 – application of knowledge and the assessor can be confident the education/
to perform a variety of tasks or functions. The understanding training is relevant to the competency. You can
RICS competencies are not only a list of tasks also link this to your CPD record.
Level 3 – reasoned advice and depth of knowledge.
or functions, they are also based upon attitudes
and behaviours.

Candidate guide 7
 Level 2 – Application of Level 3 – Reasoned advice and Choosing your competencies
knowledge and understanding depth of knowledge It is important that you give careful thought to
You will need to be able to show how you have put Where the pathway requires level 3 to be achieved, your choice and combination of competencies.
your knowledge and understanding into practice. you will need to be able to explain the professional Your choice will inevitably reflect the work you
Briefly review your career and the activities you have advice you have given to clients. Provide specific do in your day-to-day environment (driven by the
performed that are relevant to this competency. examples that describe the nature of the advice, needs of your clients/employer). Your choice and
The following may help you to structure your the options you considered and the outcome. combination of competencies will be a reflection
thoughts in regard to level 2 competencies: of your judgement.
The advice should be predominantly your
• refer to projects you have been involved in individual responsibility, rather than collective. At the final assessment interview, the assessors
It should demonstrate that you are working with will take these choices into account. They will
• identify the type of client - but be aware of your
minimum supervision. expect you to present a sensible and realistic
clients’ confidentiality.
choice that reflects the skills needed to fulfil the
You can describe companies, buildings or land The advice should have financial or strategic
role of a professional in your area of practice and
in financial terms (revenue, value) or in terms of implications for the client, and should be given on
geographical location.
size (large, small), area (floor size, levels, capacity) behalf of your firm in order to fulfil your contractual
or location obligations to the client.
• describe your own role You must satisfy yourself and your counsellor that
• explain how your involvement demonstrates you have reached the required level of experience
your practical competence before applying for final assessment.
• provide specific examples.

Candidate guide 8
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Your experience
Structured training Your record-keeping You will then sit your final assessment interview
after month 12 or 24, depending on which level of
As soon as you enrol on to the APC, you should
This section is for candidates who hold: structured training you need to complete.
start recording your experience in the ARC diary.
• an RICS accredited degree – up to 5 years’ You will use the information from your diary to
relevant experience; or complete your summary of experience.
Day-to-day
• an RICS accredited degree – 5–10 years’ Your supervisor and counsellor must keep in
Your diary should be a record of your day to day
relevant experience (pre-degree experience regular contact with you, with formal meetings
experience in the workplace. You should not
can count). at least every three/six months, but ultimately you
record a period of less than half a day.
are responsible for your day-to-day activities.
APC structured training requires you to While level 1 may not be pratical experience, it
demonstrate how you have gained the skills You must:
is permitted to record level 1 in your diary - it is
and abilities needed to perform specific tasks valuable learning that you will able to apply in • ensure your day-to-day work covers the
or functions. The competencies are based on practice and, as noted on page 7, may have been required competencies of your pathway
attitudes and behaviours as well as skills and gained in formal education and/or formal training in • keep your diary in a format that will encourage
knowledge. Your training must be structured to the workplace or on-the job experience. meaningful discussion at the formal quarterly
allow you to gain the required experience to enable reviews of progress against the competencies
Level 1 knowledge provides assessors with good
you to achieve the competencies for your pathway. and will assist with the preparation of your
evidence of your understanding, but it is important
Throughout the APC your counsellor (and assessment records
to ensure that your structured training period
supervisor, if appointed) will need to continually to reflects mainly level 2 (the application of the • discuss before, and evaluate after, any
monitor your progress. You will not be able to knowledge and understanding you have gained) planned training or professional development
apply for the final assessment interview until your and level 3 (providing reasoned advice and depth events
counsellor (and supervisor) certifies that, in their of knowledge). • keep notes of examples of practical experience
opinion, you have reached the level of competence and casework to assist at your quarterly
There is no specified number of days you should
required and have fulfilled the minimum training reviews.
record against each level; this is a judgement for
period. If you have less than 5 years’ experience
you, your counsellor and supervisor (if appointed).
you are required to complete a minimum of
24 months’ (400 days’) structured training to You do not need to record the mandatory
meet the competency requirements. If you have competencies in your diary. These are an intrinsic
between 5 years’ and 10 years’ experience you part of your day-to-day work and are not normally
will be required to complete a minimum of 12 part of the minimum days of experience. However,
months’ (200 days’) structured training to meet the you must record your attainment of the mandatory
competency requirements. competencies in your summary of experience for
final assessment. Section 6 details what is required
for your summary of experience.
At the end of 11 or 23 months (minimum) you can
apply for final assessment in ARC.

Candidate guide 9
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24-month structured training calendar 12-month structured training calendar

Supervisor and counsellor
Month Month appointed. Start recording
Supervisor and counsellor experience and CPD
APC enrolment 1 appointed. Start recording APC enrolment 1
experience and CPD Begin identifying suitable
2 2
project(s) for case study
3-month supervisor’s meeting 3 3-month supervisor’s meeting 3
4 4 Case study – identify and agree
5 5 subject, prepare synopsis, discuss
6-month supervisor’s meeting 6-month supervisor’s meeting
with supervisor/counsellor
6 6
6-month counsellor’s meeting 6-month counsellor’s meeting
7 7
8 8
9-month supervisor’s meeting 9 9-month supervisor’s meeting 9
10 10
11 11-month final assessment 11 Case study complete
12-month supervisor’s meeting Begin identifying suitable meeting with supervisor and
12 project(s) for case study counsellor; earliest date to apply 12 Earliest date for final assessment
12-month counsellor’s meeting
13 for final assessment interview

14
15-month supervisor’s meeting 15 Case study – identify and agree
16 subject, prepare synopsis, discuss
with supervisor/counsellor
18-month supervisor’s meeting
17
18
18-month counsellor’s meeting
19
20
21
23-month final assessment
Case study complete
meeting with supervisor and 22
counsellor; earliest date to apply
23 Earliest date for final assessment
for final assessment
24 interview

Candidate guide 10
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No structured training
This section is relevant to candidates who fit the You will need to spend some time discussing
following criteria: your career, relevant experience and chosen
• RICS accredited degree – minimum of 10 competencies with your counsellor. Decide if you
years’ relevant experience (pre-degree both agree you have chosen the most appropriate
experience can count); or competencies that reflect the work you do in your
day-to-day environment.
• Bachelor degree – minimum of 5 years’
relevant experience (at least 12 months If you identify any shortfalls in your experience,
(200 days) must be post qualification); or agree with your counsellor the most appropriate
• RICS approved professional body membership way of addressing them.
+ a minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience As you continue building your experience to meet
(at least 12 months (200 days) must be post all the competency requirements and completing
qualification). your assessment submissions, you should meet
Firstly, use your pathway guide to help you with your supervisor/counsellor every 3 to 6
complete the self-assessment form; this lists the months. This helps to ensure you are progressing
core and optional competencies for your chosen in the right direction and have their support and
pathway. Against each one, record the level you feedback on your summary of experience and
need to achieve. Map your experience against case study.
each of these competencies at each level; are
you able to provide similar examples? Based on
the outcome of this exercise you need to decide
your declared competencies in line with your
pathway requirements.

Candidate guide 11
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Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

CPD is the systematic updating and enhancement If you are undertaking structured training you Once you have been successful and become
of skills, knowledge and competence that takes must complete a minimum of 48 hours per 12 an RICS chartered professional (MRICS) you
place throughout your working life. It should be months of structured training. will continue to undertake and record online a
closely linked to your current work. If you are not required to complete structured minimum of 20 hours of CPD activity each calendar
CPD can be taken from various sources including training, you need to demonstrate a minimum year as part of your commitment to your ongoing
attending conferences, meetings or seminars, of 48 hours in the 12 months prior to your professional development.
completing an academic course or informal reading. preliminary review and update your record
It is for you, as a professional, to decide what is to reflect the requirement prior to your final
appropriate and this should complement both assessment submission.
your mandatory and technical competencies. Your CPD must be split between formal
Special attention must be given to the principles development such as professional courses,
underpinning CPD: seminars or online events and informal
development such as private study or on the
• gained in a structured manner
job training. At least 50% of your CPD must be
• based on an explicit process of selecting, dedicated to formal development. For more
planning and evaluating the activities information on the types of formal and informal
• reflect learning from informal training sources CPD please go to rics.org/cpd
e.g. structured reading, secondments
If you are on a part-time or distance learning
All APC candidates are required to complete a accredited degree, RICS will consider your final
minimum of 48 hours’ CPD every 12 months. year as counting towards your CPD for that year.
Please note that during your interview, part This should be supplemented by other CPD
of the discussion will focus on your CPD. activities for that year.
Your CPD will be calculated on a rolling period
from the date you submit for assessment. You
should check that your CPD activities are within
the required period (12 or 24 months), working
back from the date you submit.

Candidate guide 12
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Ethics
Behaving ethically is at the heart of what it means
to be a professional; it distinguishes professionals Ethics module Plagiarism
from others in the marketplace. You are required to successfully complete the RICS uses Turnitin, a system to help check
RICS has five ethical standards. You must RICS ethics module prior to final assessment. candidates’ submissions are their own work and
understand them and how you apply them in your The module includes online learning and an stand up to independent scrutiny. The system
everyday role. The standards are: online assessment. It can be accessed via your will compare a candidate’s submission against
Assessment Resource Centre (ARC) account. submissions from other candidates and other
Take responsibility Please note once successfully completed this is
existing works. RICS reserve the right at any time
valid for 12 months. either to submit or require you to submit your
Treat each other with respect documentation into Turnitin. If the system flags
There will be a significant emphasis on concerns with the level of similarities between
Always provide a high standard professional practice and ethics in the interview, work you have submitted and existing works then
so you must familiarise yourself with them. we may refer the matter for further investigation
of service Please note you can be referred on Conduct which could result in disciplinary action being
rules, ethics and professional practice alone. taken against you. In addition, the progress of
Act with integrity your application may be impacted including
potential removal from the assessment process
Act in a way that promotes trust pending the outcome of the investigation.
in the profession

The Rules of Conduct for members set

professional parameters for individual members
and govern matters such as ethics, personal
solvency and CPD. The Rules of Conduct for
members apply to all members worldwide. You
must abide by them at all times.
The Rules of Conduct for firms set out the
requirements for the conduct of business by
professional practices. They govern matters such
as professional indemnity insurance, holding
clients’ money and complaints handling. The Rules
of Conduct for firms apply only to firms regulated
by RICS.
Download the rules for firms and members by
visiting rics.org/regulation

Candidate guide 13
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Submissions
Summary of experience Once you have completed the statements you
should review them as a whole: together, they
Your choice of project is very important and must
reflect your specific APC pathway. You may have
For your summary of experience, you must write a form your summary of experience. In addition to been working on a complex instruction or large
brief statement about each of your mandatory and showing your abilities in individual competencies, project. Alternatively, the instruction or project
technical competencies. It is important to ensure they should provide the assessors with an overview may be more straightforward and not of great
you have a copy of the pathway guide for your of your training and experience, the work that you financial value. It may simply be typical of the
chosen pathway with you when you are completing are doing and the levels you are working at. work with which you have been involved. The
this stage. Your summary of experience should be a project may include work undertaken outside
maximum 1,500 words in total for the mandatory your country of assessment.
If the competency you select is a level 3
competency, you should ensure you write the competencies and a maximum 4,000 words in total Your case study validity will be calculated on
summary covering levels 1, 2 and 3. Level 3 for the technical competencies. a rolling period from the date you submit for
competencies are the most important: they are You may find the preliminary review feedback assessment. You should check that activities
crucial to demonstrating that you practise at a report template beneficial as a checklist to you discuss in your case study are within the
required 24 months, working back from the
professional level. consider if you have met the submission
date you submit.
For level 1 you must provide a statement of requirements for the summary of experience.
learning – how you gained the knowledge and The assessors will be looking for you to have
understanding. This should link to any relevant CPD
in your CPD record.
Case study submission chosen a real life project that you have been
involved in or may have led on. Consider a project
The case study is a maximum of 3,000 words, process where you have had to deal with a key
For level 2 you must provide a statement of the
and must be on a project or projects that you have issue, anomaly or challenge that you have had the
range of experience you have achieved and include
been personally involved in the two years prior task of overcoming.
real-life project/process examples.
to your assessment submission date. A project Make sure this relates to the competencies of your
For level 3 you must provide a detailed statement
may have started over two years ago but your pathway demonstrating your professionalism and
of advice given and include real-life project/process
case study should reference your involvement ability to problem solve.
examples where you have personally given advice.
in the past two years. It must provide a critical
You are not necessarily expected to be running the
Levels 2 and 3 require you to provide at least appraisal of the project(s) together with an outline
project. It is your involvement or role in the team
one example. The number of examples you need of your learning outcomes. This provides important
that you must outline, analyse and comment on.
to provide will be determined by the experience evidence of the competencies you have achieved.
If the project has been running for some time, you
and competence each example demonstrates.
The case study must give detailed evidence of may not have been involved from the start, so your
Remember, RICS is looking for evidence that you
your ability to work competently and to apply the involvement may not have been continuous, or the
can do the relevant job at the required level: for
knowledge relevant to your pathway. You will use project may not be finished when you prepare your
some competencies one of your examples may be
this case study to make a 10-minute presentation case study. In this latter case, you should provide a
sufficient, for other competencies you may need to
to the final assessment panel. See section 9 for full prognosis of the outcome. If you know the outcome
provide multiple examples.
details of the professional interview. between sending in your case study and your
Refer back to page 7 for more guidance. interview then include this in your presentation.

Candidate guide 14
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

You must explain not only the project itself but identified explaining why some options weren’t Appendix A – Competencies
the processes you followed and the rationale feasible.
behind your decision-making. Your focus must be
demonstrated in this case study
on analysing the project: do not simply provide 3. My achievements You need to use the template to list the mandatory
a summary of what it involved. It is quality not and technical competencies that you believe are
In this section you should describe what you
quantity that counts. demonstrated in your case study.
achieved and how.
If at any time RICS staff discover your case
study is over the word count they reserve the
Demonstrate your ability to think logically, laterally Appendix B, C etc
and professionally giving examples of where you
right to cancel your interview. You may insert illustrations, photographs or
gave reasoned advice to a client for your level 3
plans to this section. Please keep the attachments
You should include the following four aspects: competencies.
to a minimum ensuring they are relevant to the
case study. Appendices should support your
1. Introduction 4. Conclusion report, not add to or expand on it.
In this section you should provide a summary In this section you need to reflect on and analyse
of the project and what your role was – include your performance and make reference to the
the following. We suggest this section should be lessons you learnt and what you would do
approximately 500 words. differently next time.
• What did you do? This section is very important in showing the
• What was your level of responsibility? assessors your analytical thinking and how you
develop as a professional.
• Who were the stakeholders?
• What was the timeline? The assessors will use your case study as a
starting point to question you beyond what you
2. My approach actually did, probing your understanding of your
In this section you should describe the key issues project’s wider issues. You will need to think
or challenges on the project. You may write about about these processes while you are writing your
one or more key issues but remember you only case study, so that you are well prepared for the
have a limited word count for the case study. interview.
Explain the issues. Make it clear to the assessors
why it became a challenge for you, include the
options you considered and the solutions that you

Candidate guide 15
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Important notes on The assessors will look at the summary of

experience and case study individually, but will

your submission also take a holistic view. Review all your written
evidence together before you submit it, and make
Confidentiality: you must ensure you have your sure there are no omissions or contradictions.
employer’s and client’s consent to disclose any Finally, your submission must reflect your abilities
sensitive details in your submission. If you cannot in the following areas:
get this consent you should disguise facts that
• written and graphic communication
might otherwise make the project identifiable.
• professional standards of organisation and
Similarly, commissions undertaken by you may
presentation
have been litigious and confidential; you should
• analysis, reflective thought and problem solving
explain this at the outset and change the name,
location and function of the building/asset so that it • learning from experience gained.
would be unrecognisable. You may find the preliminary review feedback
The information contained in your submission report template beneficial as a checklist to
will be treated as confidential by your panel of consider if you have met the submission
assessors and RICS. requirements for the
References: extracts from Acts of Parliament, case study.
case law and other sources should not be quoted RICS staff reserve the right to cancel interviews
at length but essential references must be given. if at any time it becomes known that the key
Total word count: you must include a word count assessment/submission criteria have not been
at the end of our case study. You can include met. This includes: word count, case study
notes on what you have included in the count. The validity, ethics module and test, plagiarism,
fees, proposer and seconder confirmation,
assessors will be looking to see that you have kept
CPD, qualification and experience eligibility,
within the prescribed word count for both your
and any other criteria set out in the RICS
summary of experience and your case study. Regulations.
Appendices: remember you need to use your
appendices to support your case study and
enhance the information you have given to the
assessment panel. If it isn’t relevant, don’t use it.
Overview: while writing the case study you should
be aware of what evidence you have already
provided in your summary of experience and
ensure that the level and scope of activities you
are describing is consistent with what has been
detailed in the summary.

Candidate guide 16
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Preliminary review
If you do not hold an RICS-accredited degree you
will be required to submit your submission for a Outcomes The purpose of the review is to advise you on
meeting the submission requirements, it is neither
preliminary review. This review is carried out to After submitting for your preliminary review you an assessment of your competence nor any form
determine if your submission is suitable for you to will receive one of the following outcomes. of guarantee of success at interview. It is only
proceed to final assessment. at interview that your competence against the
Your submission will be read and reviewed by a Your submission is suitable for pathway requirements will be assessed based
on your final submission and how you perform
trained professional who has specialist knowledge you to proceed in the interview.
in your field of practice. They will consider the
You may receive some additional advice from the
totality of the evidence you have provided in your
submission. The preliminary reviewer will seek to
reviewer, if appropriate, and the report will advise Your submission is not currently
you of the next steps. You will now be eligible to
answer the question: Is the submission suitable for
apply for final assessment at the next available date.
suitable for you to proceed
the APC assessors to prepare for and conduct the The feedback report will explain why your
final assessment interview effectively? You should now prepare for your final assessment.
submission has not been considered suitable to
This can include an update to your summary
All elements of your submission will be reviewed proceed to final assessment. The report will advise
of experience that reflects the work you have
against the submission requirements. The you of the steps you need to take in order to meet
undertaken between preliminary review and
requirements are divided into two sections on the the submission requirements.
submitting for your final assessment, especially
preliminary review feedback report template: You will need to resubmit for preliminary review at
where this will address feedback from the reviewer.
A. Format requirements – submission This must not take your summary of experience the next available date.
elements including compliance, standard of over the word count.
writing and RICS assessment requirements.
Remember, your case study is only valid for a
B. Content requirements – submission
limited time as it must refer to experience within
elements including mandatory competencies,
the last 24 months. If your case study is no longer
technical competencies and the case study.
within the 24-month period you are able to apply
The preliminary reviewer will mark whether each for the next available final assessment session in
element of your submission is suitable and provide your market using the same case study. However,
feedback, where possible, if it is not. The reviewer if you choose to apply for assessment at a later
may also provide feedback where the element is session your case study must be updated or
marked as suitable if they judge that the element changed, as appropriate, to meet the 24-month
could be improved prior to final assessment. requirement.

Candidate guide 17
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Final assessment interview

Purpose understanding of the wider issues surrounding
your case study.
The interview will last approximately one hour and The assessors will be trying to determine your
is designed to determine whether you: general level of ability; they do not expect you to
• can express yourself clearly in an oral be an expert in every area of professional activity.
presentation and interview They will be looking to ensure you have achieved at
• can demonstrate, in support of your written least the minimum required levels of competence
submissions, your understanding of the in key areas for the clients you serve, and that
knowledge gained and competencies you understand the level of professional conduct
achieved during your training expected of an RICS professional.

• have an acceptable understanding of the role Remember the assessors will take a holistic view
and responsibilities of a chartered surveyor of your training, final assessment submissions,
• can apply your professional and technical skills presentation and interview. Poor performance in
to benefit those who employ your services. one area may be balanced out by an excellent
performance elsewhere.
The interview will be conducted by a panel
of assessors comprising a minimum of two RICS is looking for you to be not only technically
(maximum three) RICS chartered professionals, competent, but also to
trained and selected for this role. One assessor will • be a good ambassador for the profession
perform the role of chairperson and is responsible • be aware of the professional and commercial
for managing the interview process. implications of your work
At the interview you will be questioned on: • understand clients’ and employers’ objectives
• your presentation and case study • have up-to-date knowledge of legal matters
• your final assessment submissions including • have the confidence to work unsupervised.
your CPD record The assessors may refer to your submission
• the broader aspects of your experience and and any of their own preparation notes during
knowledge, including ethics, RICS Rules of the interview and may also be taking notes to
Conduct and current issues of concern to support their questioning and decision-making.
They may use printed documentation or
the profession.
electronic equipment to perform their role.
The assessors will base the questioning on the law
and practice of the country in which your interview
is being held.
The assessors will normally ask you about what
you did and about why you took a particular
approach. They will also ask about your

Candidate guide 18
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Structure Candidate’s presentation on case study 10 minutes

The interview will take place using video calling
Questions on the presentation 10 minutes
technology approved by RICS. Instructions on
using the technology, including a tutorial and
Discussion on overall experience including CPD, technical competencies, Rules of 30 minutes
demonstration, are available separately.
Conduct and professional practice.
When you join the video call the chairperson will
welcome you, make some introductions and check Chairperson’s areas of questioning may include professional and technical matters, 10 minutes
that everything is set up appropriately before the CPD, Rules of Conduct and mandatory competencies; and close of the interview
interview officially starts.
When everything is ready the chairperson will ask Total 60 minutes
you to start your presentation. At this point, the
one-hour time limit for the interview starts.

Presentation Time management Special considerations – If you are aware

of any circumstances that may affect your
You will give a 10 minute presentation to the The chairperson is responsible for managing performance at the assessment then please
assessment panel on any aspect of your case the timings of the interview. The 60 minutes ensure you alert RICS to this at the point of
study. Try and pick a point from your case study is allocated to include your presentation, the applying for your final assessment interview.
to expand on in your presentation or detail the assessors’ questions and your answers. If the To enable reasonable adjustment to be made
investigations and conclusions of your project. interview is interrupted due to technology or other to your interview RICS will require supporting
Using the video call technology you will be able unforeseen issues the chairperson will extend medical evidence. Your local team will guide
the time of the interview accordingly to ensure you through this.
to share any content (for example, presentation
slides, images, project documents) with the the full 60 minutes is achieved as allocated. Any
assessment panel. However, you should not rely extension to achieve the full 60 minutes is at
heavily on the content; if for any reason the sharing the sole discretion of the chairperson, who has
of content is not possible you should ensure your been trained to manage the interview timing and
presentation can be delivered effectively without it. determine what accounts for an interruption.

You can use speaker notes to deliver your

presentation with any content you share
but these are the only materials you can
have access to. After the questions on your
presentation you are not allowed to access any
of the materials and may be asked to show that
you have moved the materials out of your sight.
At no point during the video call are you allowed
access to your submission.

Candidate guide 19
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Audit and quality Staff facilitator role going ahead. In the smaller RICS markets it can
be much harder to avoid a conflict of interest as
An RICS staff member trained to perform the
assurance staff facilitator role may be present on the video
members are more likely to know one another in
a professional capacity.
call. The purpose of the staff facilitator is to
We are committed to ensuring rigorous processes There are two main distinctions of a conflict of
support you and the assessors with the use of
for the chartered qualification (MRICS) so that interest:
the video call technology. They will not participate
employers, clients and the public can have
in the interview or any pre- or post-interview • ‘Personal’ interests: in certain
confidence that anyone achieving it, is competent
discussions with the panel. Their video will be off circumstances, there may be a connection
to practise as a Chartered Surveyor.
and microphone muted for the duration of the between the assessor, and the candidate, but
video call unless there is a technology issue or this may not present an issue to the candidate
Use of video and microphone any other unforeseen issue that requires them to in practice.
You must have your video and microphone on intervene. Any intervention by the staff facilitator For instance, the individuals may have met
throughout the video call so the assessment would be recorded as an approved interruption by at a CPD event or know of one another in a
panel can be assured you do not have access to the chairperson. professional capacity.
any support that provides, or could be perceived • ‘Prejudicial’ interests: where the assessor
as providing, you with an advantage during the Auditor role either stands to benefit from the outcome of
interview. an assessment interview or might otherwise
An auditor trained by RICS may be present on
Before the interview starts the chairperson will ask the video call. The purpose of the auditor is to be perceived as being influenced, the
you to complete a 360-pan of your surroundings, observe the performance of the assessment assessor must declare the conflict and should
including the area above you and desktop/floor panel. They will not participate in the interview recuse themselves from the panel at the
area in front of you. The chairperson can request or any pre- or post-interview discussions with earliest opportunity.
repeats of this procedure at any time during the the panel; their role is simply to observe. They In the unlikely event you do consider there is a
interview or before the video call ends. will use their video and microphone to introduce conflict of interest on the actual interview day, you
Under no circumstances must you record, or themselves before the interview starts; their should declare this at the beginning of the interview,
attempt to record, the video call or interview. video will be off and microphone muted for the then the chairperson should decide whether the
Any knowledge or suspicion of you recording, duration of the interview unless they are instructed interview should go ahead with the panel member
or attempting to record, the video call or otherwise by the chairperson or staff facilitator. in question or whether the panel member should
interview may result in the interview being sit out of the interview. If it is only a two-person
The auditor report will also be used if the
terminated and we may refer the matter panel and a conflict is raised on the day of the
candidate appeals the result of their assessment.
for further investigation that could result in
interview and the chairperson decides it is deemed
disciplinary action being taken against you. In
addition, your status as an RICS candidate may
be impacted including potential removal from
Conflict of interest a prejudicial conflict of interest then the interview will
need to be deferred and rescheduled for another
the assessment process pending the outcome RICS uses all reasonable endeavours to identify date.
of the investigation. and avoid any obvious conflicts of interest when
selecting a panel of assessors, prior to the interview

Candidate guide 20
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After the assessment assessment. You will be reassessed on all

the requirements of the APC including all
You will receive your result within seven days of the competencies for your chosen pathway. The
interview. professional assessment takes a holistic approach.

Pass result Appeals

If you a receive a pass result you will be awarded The appeal panel does not question the merits
the RICS chartered qualification (MRICS). of the assessors’ decision. It looks at the way the
assessment was conducted, and will allow the
Referral result appeal only if, on the balance of probabilities,
there was fault in the process. It does not reach
If the outcome is a referral you will be sent a referral
any conclusion about your competence to
report within 21 days of the result explaining why
practise: it considers only administrative or
the assessors reached this decision. To be eligible
procedural matters.
for re-assessment you must normally:
When an appeal is made, it must:
• complete some further relevant professional
experience • be in writing, accompanied by the
appropriate fee
• continue to complete your CPD, as required
for your APC • be made by you and not a third party
• write a new case study or re-submit the same • clearly state the grounds on which the
case study updated to reflect referral report appeal is being made.
feedback and meet criteria (see page 14) You will have 21 days from the date of your referral
• agree with your counsellor how you will address report being issued by RICS to appeal. Details of
the deficiencies identified in the referral report how to appeal are on rics.org/assessment
and update your submission accordingly The appeal panel has no powers to award the
• If you are following a structured training RICS chartered qualification.
programme, you must continue to maintain and • If an appeal is approved, the original final
record your experience until you are successful. assessment interview is disregarded and you
The referral report is for you and your will be given a new interview based on your
counsellor. It will not be made available to any original assessment submission.
future assessment panel and you should not • If the appeal is dismissed the original
make reference to any previous assessment in assessment result will stand.
your submission.
Please note the appeal panel’s decision is final
Once you have completed the above, you will and there is no right to appeal this decision.
be ready for re-interview at the next available

Candidate guide 21
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Help and support

There are many other people going through the
APC at the same time as you, and many who
have recently been through the APC. Make use
of your local and virtual networking opportunities
to engage with this rich environment of support
and insight.
Contact your local RICS team to understand
what is coming up and connect with the RICS
Assessments Linkedin Group
RICS offers a series of online, face-to-face and
blended training courses that you should review.
These cover both technical subjects and APC
specific courses, aimed at giving you the support
and understanding to help you through your APC.
Visit rics.org/training

Candidate guide 22
Delivering confidence
We are RICS. Everything we do is designed to effect positive change in the built and natural
environments. Through our respected global standards, leading professional progression
and our trusted data and insight, we promote and enforce the highest professional standards
in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
Our work with others provides a foundation for confident markets, pioneers better places
to live and work and is a force for positive social impact.

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