Introduction To The Apc

Section 1

Purpose

The Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) is the route by which candidates demonstrate they are competent to practise as a chartered surveyor and meet the professional standards required by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Successful completion of the APC leads to the designation MRICS — Member of RICS — and the right to use the title 'Chartered Quantity Surveyor' for those qualifying through the Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway.

This guidance note provides an overview of the APC process from start to finish, including entry requirements, structured training, the competency framework, submission documents, and the final assessment interview. It is designed to help candidates — and their employers — understand the full scope of what is involved before committing to the process, and to plan a structured approach that maximises the probability of success.

The APC is governed by the Requirements and Competencies Guide (December 2025), the APC Candidate Guide (June 2025, amended March 2026), and the relevant Pathway Guide. Candidates must familiarise themselves with these documents from the outset.

Section 2

Key Principles

• The APC is competency-based, not time-based — candidates must demonstrate achievement of specified levels across mandatory, core and optional competencies (RICS Requirements and Competencies Guide, December 2025).

• Three entry routes exist: (1) RICS-accredited degree with 24 months' structured training; (2) RICS-accredited degree plus 5+ years' experience with 12 months' training; (3) RICS-accredited degree plus 10+ years' experience with no structured training period (APC Candidate Guide, June 2025).

• Candidates have a maximum of six years from enrolment to achieve the MRICS qualification.

• Competencies are assessed at three progressive levels: Level 1 (knowledge and understanding), Level 2 (application of knowledge), and Level 3 (reasoned advice and depth of knowledge).

• A counsellor (who must be a chartered surveyor) and optionally a supervisor must support the candidate throughout the process.

• All candidates must demonstrate a minimum of 48 hours' CPD per 12-month period (or 96 hours over 24 months for the standard route).

• The final assessment interview is conducted by a panel of at least two specially trained RICS assessors and typically lasts 60 minutes (10-minute presentation + 50-minute Q&A).

Section 3

Practical Application

Step 1

Confirm your eligibility — Check your qualifications against the three entry routes. If you hold a non-accredited degree with 5+ years' experience, you must pass a preliminary review before enrolling.

Step 2

Enrol on the APC — Register via the RICS assessment platform. You may backdate enrolment by up to six months with a supporting letter from your counsellor or employer.

Step 3

Select your pathway and competencies — Choose the Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway. Study the pathway guide carefully and select your optional competencies based on your day-to-day work and career aspirations.

Step 4

Appoint your counsellor and supervisor — Your counsellor must be MRICS or FRICS. They will verify your competency achievement. A supervisor (optional but recommended) oversees day-to-day activities.

Step 5

Begin structured training — Record your experience in the APC diary template from day one. Focus on progressing through competency levels systematically, concentrating on Level 2 and Level 3 activities.

Step 6

Maintain CPD records — Log a minimum of 48 hours per year, covering formal and informal learning. Keep certificates and evidence for audit purposes.

Step 7

Prepare your submissions — Complete your summary of experience (2,000 words per competency at Levels 2 and 3), case study (3,000 words), and CPD record. Submit via the RICS assessment platform.

Step 8

Attend the final assessment interview — Deliver a 10-minute presentation on your case study, then answer questions from the panel across all your declared competencies for approximately 50 minutes.

Section 4

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting the APC without reading the Candidate Guide and Pathway Guide in full — candidates who do not understand the requirements from the outset frequently choose inappropriate competencies or fail to record evidence correctly.

• Selecting competencies that do not reflect your actual day-to-day work — assessors will probe your practical experience, and generic or theoretical answers are insufficient at Level 2 and Level 3.

• Failing to maintain a contemporaneous diary — reconstructing months of experience from memory before submission leads to vague, unconvincing summaries.

• Underestimating the CPD requirement — 48 hours per year must be evidenced with records and certificates; informal learning alone is unlikely to satisfy an audit.

• Leaving the case study until the last minute — the case study must demonstrate Level 3 reasoned advice on a real project and requires significant drafting and review time.

• Not involving your counsellor regularly — quarterly reviews are best practice; your counsellor must certify that you have met all competency requirements before you can apply for final assessment.

Section 5

APC Competency & Quick Reference

• Ethics, Rules of Conduct and professionalism — Level 3 (mandatory for all candidates)

• Client care — Level 2 (mandatory)

• Communication and negotiation — Level 2 (mandatory)

• Health and safety — Level 2 (mandatory)

• Accounting principles and procedures — Level 1 (mandatory)

• Business planning — Level 1 (mandatory)

• Conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution procedures — Level 1 (mandatory)

• Data management — Level 1 (mandatory)

• Diversity, inclusion and teamworking — Level 1 (mandatory)

• Inclusive environments — Level 1 (mandatory)

• Sustainability — Level 1 (mandatory)

What is the APC and what does it lead to?

The APC is the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence. It is a structured process that assesses whether candidates are competent to practise as chartered surveyors. Successful completion leads to MRICS membership and, for the QS pathway, the designation 'Chartered Quantity Surveyor'.

How long does the APC take?

The standard route requires a minimum of 24 months' structured training (400 days). Candidates with 5–10 years' experience require 12 months (200 days). Those with 10+ years' experience have no structured training period but must demonstrate 48 hours' CPD in the preceding 12 months. All candidates have a maximum of six years from enrolment.

What are the key submission documents?

Candidates must submit: (1) a summary of experience covering all competencies at Levels 2 and 3 (max 2,000 words per competency); (2) a case study of 3,000 words demonstrating Level 3 reasoned advice on a real project; and (3) a CPD record evidencing the required hours of professional development.

Section 6

APC Preparation Checklist

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Confirm eligibility against RICS entry requirements (degree route, experience route or preliminary review route)

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Download and read the APC Candidate Guide, Pathway Guide and Requirements and Competencies Guide

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Enrol on the APC via the RICS assessment platform

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Appoint a counsellor (MRICS/FRICS) and supervisor (if applicable)

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Select pathway competencies aligned to your day-to-day work

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Set up APC diary and begin recording experience from day one

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Establish a CPD plan and begin logging hours and certificates

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Schedule regular counsellor review meetings (minimum quarterly)

Section 7

CPD Learning Outcomes

• Explain the structure, purpose and entry requirements of the RICS APC process for the Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway.

• Identify the key people, documents and milestones involved in completing the APC from enrolment to final assessment.

• Evaluate the competency framework and plan a structured training programme aligned to pathway requirements.

Section 8