The journey to becoming a surveyor

We're developing a new qualifications and assessment model designed to be more accessible and better support people who want to become a surveyor, and provide lifelong professional development throughout a surveyor's professional journey. The aim is to create a more flexible, inclusive, relevant and future-focused approach that reflects the evolving needs of the profession.

For now, there will be no immediate changes and people should apply as usual to the current entry process. As the detailed design develops, we'll continue to share updates and opportunities to learn more about what this means in practice.

While the APC has supported generations of professionals in achieving chartered status, the assessments model has remained largely unchanged for almost 30 years. During that time, the profession, the way people learn, assessment methods, technology, and the expectations of employers and learners have evolved considerably.

We're creating a new qualifications and assessment model to ensure professional standards remain relevant, accessible and fit for the future, while providing stronger support for lifelong learning and professional development.

With a transformation this significant, we expect it to take three to five years to implement. People should continue as normal now, and join the current route available.

We'll be sharing updates via our usual channels, but have set up a newsletter for those who want more information. You can do that here.

No. Existing membership grades and professional status will remain unchanged.

The new qualifications and assessment model is focused on how future professionals enter, progress through and develop within the profession. Current members will continue to hold their existing membership status.

The new qualifications and assessment model will help ensure professional standards remain relevant and robust.

Alongside this, we'll be investing in enhanced learning and professional development opportunities, helping members build new skills, which we know is a challenge from our recent Skills Survey, stay current in a changing profession and demonstrate their ongoing competence throughout their careers.

We'll be focusing on: A new modular approach to learning and assessment, while maintaining rigorous professional standards.

A stronger learning ecosystem, which will explore how RICS, employers, universities and learning partners can work together to provide more consistent access to high-quality learning, guidance and support throughout the qualification journey. More inclusive and accessible routes into the profession: Examining how prior learning and professional experience could be recognised more effectively and how we reduce barriers to entry to attract and support talent from a wider range of backgrounds.

A future-focused curriculum and experience: Ensuring qualifications continue to reflect the technical, professional and ethical capabilities surveyors need, supported by modern learning and assessment approaches that evolve alongside the profession.

The potential for RICS to become an Awarding Organisation: Exploring whether becoming an Awarding Organisation could strengthen quality assurance and enhance the recognition and portability of RICS qualifications internationally.

We're still developing this new entry and assessment model so for now, nothing is changing and you should follow the process outlined here.

The Qualifications and Professional Development programme was established following the Entry and Assessment Review, to look at how RICS qualifications and assessments could evolve to meet the changing needs of the profession, while building on the strengths of what we have today. The team are using the feedback, which came from over 1300 survey responses, roundtables, meetings with employers, learning providers and members and research carried out across the industry. Alongside the development of the new entry and assessment model, we’re currently making immediate improvements to the candidate experience.

We're still developing this new entry and assessment model so for now, nothing is changing but we will make sure we share how it affects everyone, including employers, learning providers and candidates as soon as we can.

Our priority is to attract people to the industry and provide a fair and flexible entry and assessment model. We’re also developing a model that gives wider access to join, and attracts a more diverse candidate base. That means ensuring cost is not an unnecessary barrier. While we're still developing the detail, our goal is to create a competitive and affordable model that is comparable with similar professional qualification and assessment routes. We'll provide more information as the design progresses.

We're still developing this new entry and assessment model so for now, nothing is changing and people should carry on going through their current process.

For now, there are no changes. Whilst we're developing the new model, we're regularly speaking to employers to share updates and seek feedback on what we've done so far. As soon as we have more specific information, we'll be in touch.

We're still developing this new entry and assessment model so for now, nothing is changing and you should follow the process outlined here.

For now, there are no changes. Whilst we're developing the new model, we're regularly speaking to universities to share updates and seek feedback on what we've done so far. As soon as we have more specific information, we'll be in touch.

If you're currently going through the apprenticeship, there are no changes for you.

For now, there are no changes. Whilst we're developing the new model, we're looking at the opportunities for APC support providers and we'll share that with you as soon as we move through the programme.

For now, there are no changes. Whilst we're developing the new model, we're regularly speaking to universities to share updates and seek feedback on what we've done so far. As soon as we have more specific information, we'll be in touch.

Yes. The proposed model is designed to create clearer progression routes between Associate and Chartered membership.

The intention is not to lower standards but to provide a more structured, flexible and supportive route to competence through modular learning, assessment and work experience. Standards remain a core design principle.

Yes. There is no suggestion that existing AssocRICS designations will be removed or devalued. The programme focuses on future qualification pathways.

No. The proposed model includes recognition of prior learning, qualifications and experience, which should reduce duplication where appropriate.

No, if you've already started on the APC, then you would stay on the APC journey.

Yes. The model proposes learning pathways tailored to different career stages and specialisms, including those progressing towards Associate status.

The Academy is intended to provide easier access to learning, qualifications, CPD and career-long professional development through a single digital experience. It will also be easier to keep track of what you've already done, and where you are.

The proposed model makes the value and status of being an Associate clearer for others, such as employers, clients and the public. The model also creates clearer development pathways, increased access to learning, more flexibility in gaining qualifications and stronger links between learning, assessment and membership.

Our goal is to create a competitive and affordable membership that is comparable with other royal institution membership bodies.

The new model is being created with employers and other stakeholders to ensure the robustness, relevance and currency of the qualification.

A new modular approach to learning and assessment and a stronger learning ecosystem will explore how RICS, employers, universities and learning partners can work together to provide more consistent access to high-quality learning, guidance and support throughout the qualification journey.

Embedding a future-focused curriculum will ensure we reflect the technical, professional and ethical capabilities surveyors need, supported by modern learning and assessment approaches that evolve alongside the profession.

Yes. Maintaining the rigour and credibility of the qualification is a key requirement of the new qualifications and assessment model. While the approach to learning and assessment may evolve, candidates will still need to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competence required to meet RICS' professional standards. The aim is to ensure the qualification remains robust, relevant and trusted by employers, clients and the wider profession.

Yes. Maintaining and strengthening professional standards is at the heart of the new qualifications and assessment model. While the route to qualification may look different, candidates will still need to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competence required to meet RICS' high standards. Our aim is to create a more consistent and accessible route into the profession while continuing to raise professional standards.

Ethics and professionalism are a core part of RICS and they will be assessed in diverse and robust ways.

The proposed model will be underpinned by a new curriculum that captures all the existing and emerging competencies candidates need to thrive in both the qualification process and in practice. By making entry to the profession more accessible we hope to attract candidates with diverse educational and experiential backgrounds who will help address skills shortages.

We're still developing the new entry and assessment model so for now, nothing is changing and you should follow the process outlined here. We'll make sure we give people enough notice, but we expect the transition to take two to three years and once people join one of the current entry routes, they would continue with that route until they complete.

The new qualifications and assessment model will provide a clearer, more flexible and a more supportive journey to professional recognition. It is designed to offer more timely validation of competence, improve the overall candidate experience and ensure qualifications remain relevant to the evolving needs of the profession, while maintaining the high standards expected of RICS professionals.