RICS Building Conservation Accreditation Scheme

The RICS Building Conservation Accreditation Scheme (BCAS) was established in 1992 and since its introduction the scheme has promoted good practice and standards and has become recognised and respected throughout the industry. The aim of the scheme is to provide a register of individuals with experience and knowledge in the field of conservation of historic buildings or sites.

There is a register of individuals knowledgeable in the field of conservation of historic buildings or sites who have demonstrated experience in this field. They will be full professional members of a recognised body to be a fully registered member of the scheme.

The register of fully accredited members is updated regularly and is available to the public and other client groups through RICS information services and the RICS website.  

Eligibility

There are currently two routes into accreditation depending on educational attainment and experience.

• Experience - Applicants with no post graduate academic qualifications in Building Conservation
  Applicants should register with the scheme and will be required to present five projects for the final assessment and interview stage
• Academic - Applicants with Post Graduate academic qualifications in Building Conservation
  Applicants who have successfully completed a relevant and approved post graduate qualification in Building Conservation will need to present at least four projects and a copy of their post graduate dissertation at the final assessment and interview stage.

Post Graduate Qualifications

RICS does not endorse any particular courses. If you have successfully completed a post graduate course (with dissertation) in conservation, please submit details with your application for consideration for the academic route.

All applicants must be full members of an approved professional body and must be successful at a final assessment interview.

Applicants must also provide a record of relevant Building Conservation continued professional development (CPD) training for the previous three years. Evidence must comply with RICS rules and guidelines, detailed within the CPD link.

In all cases the registration is for individuals and is not accreditation of a practice or company.

Assessment

The onus is on the applicant to prove his or her level of competence within the application and supporting documentation. It is expected that candidates will have a minimum of five years conservation experience however this may be varied in exceptional circumstance, please seek advice from the scheme administrator in the first instance.

Bona fide applications will be assessed by interview panels of no less than three assessors; two of whom will be registered BCAS members and the third an RICS member of staff.

Criteria for assessment broadly follows ICOMOS guidelines and is more fully described in the Guidance for Applicants.

Re-assessment

Members of the Building Conservation Accreditation Scheme are subject to ongoing monitoring by RICS Regulation. Failure to satisfy the panel may lead to withdrawal of accreditation.

• Application form
• Guide to becoming a member
• Project guidance notes
• Rules for registration of schemes
• Scheme rules appendix
• Re-Accreditation document