About us

With around 100,000 qualified members and over 50,000 students and trainees in some 140 countries, RICS provides the world's leading professional qualification in land, property, construction and the associated environmental issues.

An independent, not-for-profit organisation, RICS acts in the public interest: setting and regulating the highest standards of competence and integrity among our members; and providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues for business, society and governments worldwide.

Serving the public interest

RICS was founded in London in 1868, and granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1881. The Charter requires the Institution "to maintain and promote the usefulness of the profession for the public advantage." This commitment to act in the interests of society in everything we do continues to be our guiding principle.