Information for Counsellors: What You Need to Know

Once you've confirmed through the Assessment Platform that you're acting as a Counsellor, you’ll gain access to your candidates’ details and submissions.  

PLEASE NOTE: Before you can approve your candidates for either Preliminary Review or Assessment, you must have completed the official RICS Counsellor Module. Reading the June 2025 Counsellor Guide alongside the module provides valuable preparation and support for you in your role —together, these activities count toward two hours of formal CPD. 

From the end of July 2025, a newly updated Counsellor Module will be available on the Counsellor home page of the Assessment Platform. Even if you've previously completed a training session, it’s strongly recommended that you revisit the content and refresh your understanding by taking the latest version. It’s designed to ensure you’re fully up to speed with the role's responsibilities and expectations. 

To support your candidates effectively, start familiarising yourself with the features of the Assessment Platform now. Once your candidates begin uploading their documents, you’ll receive email notifications prompting you to review and approve their submissions. That said, you don’t need to wait for an email—you can log in at any time to check on their progress and lend support as they prepare for assessment. 

To see how you can support your candidates through the assessment platform as a counsellor, please view our tutorial video.

When you are preparing you candidates for the all-important final assessment there is also a Counsellor Briefing – Part 2 available free on the Online Learning Academy.