Is It Easy or Difficult to Become a Chartered Surveyor

How Is a Chartered Surveyor Different from a Surveyor?

Why Do Many Candidates Find It Difficult?

• The First-Time Pass Rate - Historically, around 70-75% of candidates pass the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) on the first attempt. This equates to approximately 25% of candidates being deferred and/or failing first time. It is a majority pass rate but it shows that the pass rate is high.
• The "We" vs. "I" Trap- Candidates will write naturally, "We carried out a survey of dilapidations," or "The team negotiated the final account. A project team cannot be awarded MRICS status by its assessors. Without being able to pinpoint how you specifically contributed to their intellectual and technical development, they can't demonstrate your ability. One of the most typical causes for deferral is simply not narrating the story in a ‘I' manner.
• The Level 3 Hurdle (Reasoned Advice)- RICS evaluate competencies in 3 levels: Knowledge (L1), Application (L2), and Reasoned Advice (L3). You will need to achieve Level 3 in each of the Mandatory Competencies, plus some Core Competencies, in order to pass. Many candidates write about their work (L2) but don't discuss how they gave expert, reasoned advice to a client, considered options, and made strategic recommendations (L3).
• The Mandatory Competency Minefield - Candidates spend 90% of their effort on their technical (Core) competencies and leave the Mandatory competencies (Ethics, Rules of Conduct, Health & Safety, CPD, Conflict Management) as an afterthought. If any competency is not met as required, the entire APC will be deemed a fail. Assessors often delve into contemporary law and ethical issues concerning the laws such as the Building Safety Act 2022. Examples that are generic/trivial will not meet the panel.
• Last Final Assessment Interview- It is a professional, peer-to-peer interrogation, not a conversational interview, and it lasts 60 minutes. Assessors will ask you questions on the edge of your knowledge, question your technical choices, and make sure that you think on your feet. Memorizing the answer without comprehending the concepts freeze or get defensive.

Why Becoming a Chartered Surveyor Is Achievable (And How to Make It Easier)

You will need to go through the process, but it's not meant to fool you. It is intended to confirm your safety, competency and professional ethics. It's possible to make this much easier by using a strategic approach.

• Start Early and Log Religiously - Don't put off writing your Summary of Experience till month 11, Start Early and Log Religiously! Have a detailed reflective diary from the first day of your structured training. This will avoid the last minute panic of reliving what you did 2 years ago.
• Choose the Right Projects - Not all projects are the same. Choose work opportunities that had a great deal of independence, required problems to be overcome, and technical challenges, and involved giving direct counsel to the client. It's better to be a technical expert in a small project than a cog in a huge project.
• Master the Narrative - Your submission should be an engaging professional development story. Formulate your Case Study and Career Episodes, using structure. Make sure to explicitly align each paragraph to a competency indicator.
• Seek Expert Guidance - You don't need to do this on your own. It's important to have mentors within your company, but it may be the difference between a pass and a deferral to have outside experts from those who have been on the assessment panel.

Why Make the Jump to Chartered Status?

Earning the Chartered Surveyor designation is no longer a "nicety" for most in the built environment professions in the UK and internationally, it's a must.

• Career Ceiling: Many positions (Associate, Director, Partner) are only available for MRICS holders.
• Client Trust: The MRICS designation is a trusted designation that clients are willing to pay a premium for.
• Legal Requirement: Chartered is required for certain activities such as formal appraisals for lending.

So, Is It Worth Becoming a Chartered Surveyor?

Unfortunately, there are many difficulties to overcome, but there are also many benefits to becoming a Chartered Surveyor in regard to your professional and personal life. Chartered professionals are known worldwide for their knowledge and dedication to excellent professional practice.

Key benefits include:

• Enhanced employment prospects in the UK and elsewhere
• Increased earning potential
• Enhanced professional credibility
• Opportunities to senior administrative positions
• Recognition by employers and clients
• Access to high-profile projects to work on
• On-going professional learning and networking with RICS

Investment in time and effort for Chartered status can yield dividends throughout a professional's career.

Your Complete Guide to Becoming an RICS Chartered Surveyor

Chartered Surveyor (RICS Membership) is the highest standard for professionals in the built environment. It certifies your technical knowledge, ethical reasoning and professional maturity, opening up new opportunities of higher pay, international mobility and senior leadership positions. The roadmap to MRICS status is broken down into simple steps below.

Step 1: Choose Your APC Pathway

RICS has more than 20 specialist pathways. You will need to choose the one that is best suited to you for your position and career aspirations. Common pathways include:

• Quantity Surveying & Construction
• Building Surveying
• Valuation
• Project Management
• Real Estate
• Planning & Development
• Minerals & Waste Management

Tip: Your Core Competencies are based upon your choice. Think long-term, not short term – think 5 years ahead.

Step 2: Meet the Academic Requirement

An established academic foundation is required to begin the APC

• Accredited Degree: Have a BSc, MSc or Master’s Degree from a RICS-accredited institution. This is the quickest way.
• Non-Accredited Degree: If you have a non-accredited degree you will need to undertake a Conversion Course or pass an Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) to demonstrate the theoretical knowledge equivalent to the accredited degree.

Step 3: Secure Structured Training (12–24 Months)

No one can take a seat in the APC if they don't have experience. There are two important personalities who you must be under in order to work:

1. Counsellor: One of the senior MRICS professionals that will guide you through your development and approve your readiness.
2. Supervisor: A MRICS practitioner who will be supervising you on your ongoing technical work.

Step 4: Master the Competencies

For the APC, you will be judged on three sets of competencies. At the following grades it is expected of you to demonstrate the following grades of competence:

• Level 1: Knowledge (You understand it).
• Level 2: Application (You can do it).
• Level 3: Reasoned Advice (You can advise clients on it).

Step 5: You will Organize your Submission.

When your Counsellor is satisfied that you are ready to present your final portfolio through the RICS portal. This includes:

1. Summary of Experience: A narrative that shows your career history aligned to the competency.
2. Case Study: A critical analysis of a complex project you led, highlighting challenges, options considered, and your reasoned advice.
3. CPD Record: Evidence of continuous learning over the last 12 months.
4. Ethics & H&S Statements: Critical reflections on the ethical issues that arise in professional situations, and the actions you take to protect yourself and others.

Step 6: Pass the Final Assessment Interview

The final step is a 60-minute meeting with a panel of RICS assessors.

• Presentation (10 mins): You present your Case Study.
• Q&A (50 mins): Assessors test your technical knowledge, ethics, H&S knowledge and professional judgment. They will question your choices, test your will and breadth of knowledge.

Is Professional Chartered Surveyor Support Worth Considering?

A few candidates opt to hire professional coaching or editing services to enhance the readability and organization of their competency documents or prepare for interviews.

This might be helpful when it comes to understanding assessments needs, structuring evidence, and making it presentable. Your submission should always accurately reflect your own knowledge and experience, and the professional body's requirements and expectations of ethical conduct.

How WritingAhead Helps You Bridge the Gap

It takes 1 in 4 candidates until they successfully pass the RICS APC to progress from ‘Surveyor’ to ‘Chartered Surveyor'.

We at WritingAhead know how to help you make your way through this demanding process as a Graduate Surveyor. Our MRICS and FRICS Consultants offer:

• Strategic APC Pathway Selection: Selecting the proper pathway for your specialization.
• First-Person Narrative Engineering: Making sure your submission tells your story with your input, rather than with the team's.
• Level 3 Competency Mapping: Demonstrate ability to give informed and professional advice.
• Mock Interview Coaching: You are now ready for the Final Assessment!

Looking to get ahead with your title and career?

Most Asked Questions About Chartered Surveyor Status

How long does it take to become a Chartered Surveyor?

The time frame is based on experience, pathway selection, and competency attainment. Several months to a few years of preparation is required for many candidates.

Do I need a surveying degree?

Not always. To be eligible you must have the relevant profession's pathway and qualifications/experience level.

Is the professional interview difficult?

Candidates often struggle in the interview since it tests technical knowledge as well as professional judgement. Preparation can help make a difference.

Can I become Chartered while working full time?

Yes. Most candidates do this while on the job, but it is important to manage time well.

What is the biggest challenge?

For a lot of candidates, the primary challenge is not obtaining technical experience, but demonstrating their professional competence.

Final Thoughts

It is hard to become a Chartered Surveyor but not impossible. It celebrates practitioners who are competent, ethical, have good judgment and are lifelong learners.

With careful planning, keeping a good record of your work, seeking advice when necessary and careful preparation for the assessment, it is a realistic and achievable career objective to become Chartered.