Built Environment, Land and Property. These are the three basic market groupings which we have divided into 17 areas of specialisation, called Professional Groups (previously known as 'Faculties' - the name changed in 2009).
The Professional Groups represent the key market sectors within which surveyors practice. Some of these markets are mature, with a high recognition of the RICS brand; others less so.
What we do
The Professional Groups’ primary role is to develop technical standards, generating professional guidance & information.
In addition to this, they are responsible for setting and maintaining the APC/ATC competencies, which make up the APC/ATC pathways for the practice area groupings of Built Environment, Land and Property.
You can access and manage your own settings at My RICS.
The Professional Groups also provide technical advice to all the other areas within the RICS organisation.
They contribute to the RICS public policy agenda, developing and maintaining strategic alliances with other professional bodies and industry organisations/groupings.
All but one of the Professional Groups are also responsible for maintaining alternative designations, e.g. chartered quantity surveyor; chartered facilities management surveyor.
Joining a Professional Group
As an RICS member, you are entitled to join up to four Professional Groups as part of your annual subscription.
If you wish to use an alternative designation attached to a specific group, you must be a member of that professional group to maintain the entitlement to an alternative designation.
If you wish to attain the alternative designation you must complete the requirements set by the appropriate professional group board from time to time.
You can join a Professional Group and/or change your choices at anytime by contacting the RICS Contact Centre, or online in My RICS.
Benefits of joining
The specific benefits of belonging to a Professional Group can vary, but generally are as follows:
Governance
Each Professional Group is governed by a Board consisting of elected, appointed and nominated members of the profession.
Each Board is presided over by a Chairman and vice-Chairman, elected from the ranks of the board members.
Boards set the strategic direction of each Professional Group by way of a rolling, three-year business plan.
Staff work in partnership with the member Boards in delivering the various business plans to specific budgets.
Most of the Professional Groups also have an executive and various project groups which are responsible for the development of products and services, specifically Guidance Notes, Information Papers and other information.
