Frequently asked questions
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What is the Associate qualification?
The Associate qualification (AssocRICS) is a new grade of membership that provides an opportunity for those with work experience and/or relevant vocational qualifications to gain recognition of their competence. It is an entry-level qualification that provides a stepping stone to advance to chartered membership.
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How is the Associate qualification achieved?
You can obtain the Associate qualification by demonstrating that you meet RICS competency and ethics requirements. You will need to complete an online registration which determines your requirements for assessment – this will vary for each candidate depending on your prior qualifications and work experience. Certain qualifications
allow you to proceed more quickly to Associate Assessment, or provide
eligibility for Direct Entry.
As an Associate Assessment candidate, you'll record evidence of work-based experience and structured development online to demonstrate that you meet the relevant competency requirements. When evidence against all competency requirements is complete, you can submit it for Associate Assessment and must pass an online ethics test before you can qualify as an Associate.
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When will the new Associate Assessment be available?
In 2009 the new Associate Assessment launched in the UK for Quantity Surveying
and Construction (now available in Hong Kong), Residential Survey and Valuation
and Residential Estate Agency. In 2010 the Facilities Management and
Project Management pathways were launched and further pathways and countries
will continue to be rolled out throughout 2010.
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What do I need to do if I want to become an Associate but the qualification
is not available in my part of the world or in my pathway?
You can still join RICS as an Associate but you will go through a different assessment process, the Assessment of Technical Competence (ATC). You can find further details about the ATC on www.rics.org/atc
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What happens if the new Associate Assessment process becomes available for my pathway/region whilst I am on the ATC?
If the new Associate Assessment is launched for your pathway after you have already enrolled on to the ATC, you can swap on to the new Associate Assessment if you wish.
Alternatively there will be a transitional period where you can complete the ATC to qualify as an Associate.
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My pathway is available on the Associate Assessment and I want to swap from the ATC/APC, what do I need to do?
To swap over to the new Associate Assessment you would need to email associate@rics.org requesting the swap with; your name, trainee membership number, desired Associate pathway, details of your highest vocational/academic qualification, and number of years surveying related experience.
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When do I enrol on the Associate qualification?
Providing your pathway is available, you can enrol on the Associate qualification at any time;
however your eligibility to apply for Associate Assessment is dependent on
attainment of relevant work experience and/or vocational qualifications.
The relevant work experience can include experience gained prior to
Associate enrolment. You will need to demonstrate that you meet all the
competency requirements before applying for assessment.
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What are the requirements for the Associate Assessment?
The Associate qualification has been developed to recognise the experience, qualifications and skills of an applicant working within the land, property and construction sectors. The base requirements are for you to have a minimum of four years' relevant work experience,
which can be retrospective and to provide evidence against each of the technical competencies to prove that you have reached the level of competence RICS is looking for in an Associate.
You will also be required to provide details of 48 hours of structured development that you have completed in the last 12 months and successfully complete the RICS online ethics test.
However, if you hold membership of a recognised professional body or have a
vocational or academic qualification that is relevant to the area you are looking
to qualify in, then this may reduce the number of years experience you need.
Some qualifications will grant you direct entry to Associate. As a direct entry candidate you will not be required to submit evidence against competencies, however you will still be required to successfully pass the ethics test.
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What does RICS mean by competency?
A competency is a specific task or function that you must prove that you are able to perform to an agreed standard to become an Associate. There are two distinct types of competency that you will be required to meet.
Technical Competencies – These are the primary skills of your chosen pathway. You will be asked to demonstrate that you are competent in these skills by submitting work-based evidence against each competency.
Mandatory Competencies – These are the skills that are common across all
pathways and are deemed essential to becoming an Associate. They are:
• Conduct rules, ethics and professional practice
• Client care
• Communication and negotiation
• Health and safety
• Sustainability
• Team working
• Data management
• Conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution
You will need to demonstrate these competencies through a mix of your structured development records and your technical competency submissions.
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How many competencies will I need to meet?
You will be required to submit evidence against six technical competencies, and eight mandatory competencies.
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What does RICS mean by structured development?
Structured development is training or learning that enables you to gain extra skills and knowledge that can be applied in your day to day role. This structured development could be in the form of distance learning, formal training courses or structured reading. It must be planned and recorded with all learning outcomes evaluated.
When you apply for your Associate Assessment we will ask you to provide records of a minimum of 48 hours structured development gained within the 12 months prior to your assessment.
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How do I record my evidence and structured development for the Associate Assessment?
You will record your evidence and structured development through an online system called the Managed Learning Environment (MLE). The MLE is a user friendly online system that allows you to upload and manage your evidence submissions online. It is through the MLE that you will submit your evidence for assessment.
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How do I access the Managed Learning Environment (MLE)?
Once you have registered on the Associate qualification you will be
emailed your RICS membership number. This will give you access to the member
zone on rics.org where you will be able to set your password. Once this is
complete you will be able to access the Managed Learning Environment (MLE)
directly via; mle.rics.org.
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What do you mean by evidence?
Evidence is actual documented examples of your work which show that you meet specific competency requirements. For each pathway, candidates will be advised of the types of documented evidence to be presented.
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What can I upload as evidence?
Each pathway will have different requirements.
For further information please click here.
You can upload evidence from the last four years of your career, however, it is important that at least one piece of evidence for each competency is from the 12 months prior to your
Associate Assessment.
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Can I upload more than the minimum amount of evidence?
You can use the MLE to record experience and structured development
throughout the time you are training. When you prepare for assessment you will
be required to indicate on the MLE which pieces of evidence you would like to be
assessed. You will only be able to submit the required number of pieces of
evidence and structured development for assessment. We
recommend that you seek advice from your supporter regarding suitability of
evidence and structured development.
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Who 'signs off' competencies/submissions and what support do I need to undertake the assessment?
When you put forward your portfolio of evidence for assessment you will need to have it 'signed off' by somebody who is familiar with your work and able to verify that it is your own
and meets the requirements for Associate Assessment, as defined by RICS,
eg. your line manager.
You also need to have your membership application proposed by an existing member of RICS (FRICS, MRICS and AssocRICS).
It is considered best practice to have 'a supporter' within your firm who can
provide you with support and guidance through your training period. Typically
this would be your line manager.
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If the Associate Assessment is completely online how will RICS be able to ensure consistency of assessment?
RICS has developed a rigorous auditing process which will sample a percentage of the assessments carried out to ensure the candidates being assessed are meeting the competencies, the standards set are being adhered to and the assessors are assessing at a consistent level. This monitoring of the
Associate assessment will also enable RICS to keep the qualification relevant to the market requirements.
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Why must I do an ethics test?
As a professional body RICS has a responsibility to protect the public through ensuring our members operate to a high level of professional and ethical standards. This is
embodied in the RICS Rules of Conduct. To become a member of RICS, you must prove you are ethically sound. The online assessment tests your ethical views and professionalism.
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What happens if I fail the online ethics test?
If you fail the online ethics test you can take the test again but you must wait at least 24 hours before you can do this.
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What happens if I pass the assessment but not the ethics test?
To become an Associate you will need to pass both the ethics test and the assessment. If you fail the ethics test you will be able to take the test again, however, you will need to wait 24 hours before doing so.
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What do I have to pay for the Associate qualification and assessment?
The cost to register for the Associate qualification is £225. This fee
includes:
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Access to the member zone on rics.org
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Use of the Managed Learning Environment
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The
Associate Assessment and ethics test
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Subscription fee for the calendar year you register, thereafter, you will be charged a candidate subscription fee on 1st January of each year.
To register on the Associate qualification as a direct entry candidate costs
£150 and includes your subscription fee for that calendar year. Thereafter you
will be required to pay a member subscription on 1st January of each
year.
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How do I pay the fees?
You can pay all fees linked to the RICS Associate grade securely online by credit card. Alternatively if your firm is a corporate partner of RICS you may have your fees paid via an invoicing process with RICS.
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My firm want to be able to pay via invoice, can this be done?
For the Associate Assessment RICS has introduced a voucher code system. A firm can request a corporate voucher code which they give to any candidates they wish to put forward for Associate membership. RICS will then invoice them for any candidates using their unique code. To get a corporate voucher code you will need to download and complete the
Voucher Code Agreement and return it to associate@rics.org requesting a code. RICS will then issue the nominated person on the agreement with the firm’s new code.
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What is a corporate partner of RICS?
For the Associate Assessment RICS has set up a corporate partner scheme which is available to firms that have five or more candidates on the Associate qualification. Firms are required to support the assessment by providing a minimum of two assessors and benefit from corporate invoicing and support services. For further details please email associate@rics.org
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What happens when I get my result?
Once your assessment is complete, approximately four weeks after you have submitted for assessment, you will be emailed by RICS to tell you that your result is available to view on the Managed Learning Environment (MLE) . If you pass the assessment your membership will be upgraded from Associate candidate to Associate – AssocRICS. You will receive your membership welcome pack in the post which will include your membership card and diploma.
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What happens if I am unsuccessful at the assessment?
If you have been unsuccessful you will receive an email directing you to your feedback report on the MLE. The assessment panel will provide you with feedback on each of the competencies and your structured development and will detail what you need to do to be ready for re-assessment including how to pay the
re-assessment fee.
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When do I pay my re-assessment fee?
You will need to pay the re-assessment fee when you submit your evidence for re-assessment.
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Can I appeal my assessment result?
Yes. If you feel your assessment was unfairly carried out or the process wasn't completed as described in the guidance you are entitled to
appeal against the decision. Any appeal will need to be received in writing within 21 days of notification of your assessment result. If your
appeal is successful you will be put forward for re-assessment based on the original work submitted. For further information please see the
Associate Assessment Appeal Form.
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Can I progress to chartered membership after becoming an Associate?
The ladder process taking a candidate from Associate membership (AssocRICS) to Chartered membership (MRICS) has been set as a combination of
further experience and academic study. Associate members will be required to complete a further 900 study hours (equivalent of 6 modules)
from an RICS accredited degree, and have four years post qualification experience as an Associate member before coming forward on
the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). As an Associate you will be able to gain advanced entry to an accredited degree.
You can see what courses are available by visiting
www.ricscourses.org
If you already meet the requirements of an APC Graduate Route to membership you would not be required to complete the further study hours and
could enrol onto the APC as soon as you are ready. For further information on this please contact
RICS; associate@rics.org.
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I have a higher level of professional membership than is listed in the registration pages. Can I still register?
If you have a grade of membership that is higher than those listed, e.g. Member of Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors (MCInstCES), then you will still be able to register for RICS Associate membership. Simply select the membership level listed in the registration pages. However if you have a higher grade of membership you may be eligible for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) via Adaptation Route 1.
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I am already a student member of RICS, can I register online for the Associate Assessment?
You can register for the Associate Assessment if you are a current student member of RICS. When completing the registration process you will
need to login to the Member Zone of www.rics.org before completing registration. This will allow you to use
your existing records meaning that you will not be required to enter contact details, etc.
If you are currently an ATC or APC trainee member of RICS you will need to email associate@rics.org requesting to swap from your existing route to the new Associate Assessment.
