RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)

Professional body qualification

RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)

RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors); APC (Assessment of Professional Competence); MRICS (chartered member)

Needed to become a chartered surveyor (MRICS). Many quantity surveying jobs do not require it; some employers support you towards it.

Awarding body

RICS

Level

Professional assessment for chartered membership

Where it applies

Global, including the UK (fees shown are UK)

Exams

No written exams: a final assessment interview with a panel of at least two chartered surveyors, after your written submissions.

Entry

• RICS-accredited degree: at least 24 months' structured training and 96 hours' CPD
• RICS-accredited degree plus 5 years' relevant experience: at least 12 months' structured training and 48 hours' CPD
• Any bachelor's degree (or higher) plus 5 years' relevant experience: a preliminary review and 48 hours' CPD

Also required

• Choose a pathway (such as quantity surveying and construction) and meet its competencies
• A counsellor who is a chartered surveyor must support and sign off your training
• Six years from enrolment to qualify; from 1 January 2026, up to four attempts at the assessment

Exemptions

Your route depends on whether your degree is RICS-accredited and how much relevant experience you have.

Continuing development

Candidates record CPD during training (96 hours over 24 months for the standard route); members continue CPD after qualifying.

Outside this area

RICS operates in many countries; recognition for specific roles depends on local rules.

Assessment and registration fees

• The enrolment fee covers candidate registration, the Professionalism Module and the final assessment.
• RICS says its assessment fees rose by 3.5% from 1 January 2026 (the 2025 enrolment fee was £502).

Membership and subscriptions