Upholding standards and professionalism: SRB's Q3 update

A year on from the publication of RICS’ Responsible use of AI in surveying practice, and a first look at SRB's new guidance to support members through the CPD reflection and declaration step.

As we move through the year's third quarter, I want to update members and stakeholders on the work the Standards and Regulation Board (SRB) has been doing to uphold standards across the profession, and what's coming as we head towards the end of the year.

One year of RICS’ AI standard

September marks a year since RICS published the global professional standard Responsible use of artificial intelligence in surveying practice.

Last month, we provided learning resources to support RICS members navigating the complex and ever-changing world of artificial intelligence (AI), data and technology, a topic that is part of members' mandatory CPD requirements. AI presents real opportunities for the profession, and when used responsibly, it protects both members and the public, so members can keep pace with fast-moving change confidently.

Our Profession Support and Assurance team is reviewing how RICS’ Responsible use of AI in surveying practice professional standard is being implemented in our regulated firms as part of their review visits, and we intend to publish what we are learning from those reviews early in 2027.

New CPD guidance meets members at the point they need it

Professional CPD is not a box ticking exercise. Lifelong professional learning helps RICS members to ensure that they are keeping their skills and knowledge current and operating at the forefront of professional practice, which is central to maintaining the confidence that the public place in the profession.

From 1 September 2026, RICS members recording CPD will see a new professional reflection and declaration step. We know this is the first time many members will perform this part of the process, so we have produced a short video guide that is available on the CPD homepage. It is a change that enables members to reflect on how their CPD learning has underpinned their professional development and considered its relevance to their role and career aspirations.  This model also helps RICS act as a genuine career accountability partner – enabling RICS to support members to advance their careers and fulfil their professional aspirations.

This sits alongside the new CPD audit expert panel, a human-led, AI-supported panel of members working closely with RICS Regulation to check that members are undertaking CPD activity that is relevant, adequate and appropriate.

Information you need to meet your annual CPD requirements can be found on RICS' CPD homepage.

Committee and board recruitment continue to strengthen governance

Since its formation earlier this year, the Standards Committee has provided oversight and assurance in the development and implementation of high-quality standards, promoting professionalism and integrity across RICS' global membership. Its chair, José Covas FRICS, and members bringing perspectives from beyond the profession together provide the breadth of expertise needed to ensure our standards protect the public interest and can be effectively regulated.

As part of our ongoing work to ensure SRB itself reflects the expertise and independence members expect, we are also now in the process of recruiting an Independent Member to RICS' Valuation Assurance Committee. Their judgement will help maintain confidence in valuation services worldwide, relied on by investors, lenders, regulators, governments and the wider public.

Looking ahead to expert witness, AI in ADR and conflicts of interest

Three topics will shape the regulatory landscape into the autumn. RICS recently published a new edition of Surveyors acting as expert witnesses, ensuring surveyors acting as expert witnesses maintain the highest levels of best practice and consistency globally. This professional standard is effective from 30 November 2026.

Two public consultations will also be launched this autumn. The first is AI in alternative dispute resolution (ARD), a new practice guidance on the use of AI in conflict avoidance and dispute resolution, building on the existing Responsible use of AI in surveying practice professional standard to address the specific considerations that arise for advisers, advocates, expert witnesses and other ADR practitioners. We want to hear from members on whether it strikes the right balance between the opportunities AI offers and the safeguards needed to maintain confidence in ADR processes.

The second consultation is for a new edition of RICS' Conflicts of interest professional standard, covering conflict identification and assessment, informed consent, confidentiality, governance and record-keeping, as well as new areas addressing third-party perceptions of conflicts and AI, giving members and stakeholders the chance to shape and strengthen the standard while maintaining its core objective of protecting professional integrity, objectivity, independence and public trust.

Thank you, as ever, to everyone who has contributed their time, expertise and insight this quarter. Professional standards and regulation work best when they are shaped by the people they serve. I look forward to sharing more as this work progresses.