How to qualify

The Associate qualification is achieved via a simple and easy-to-use online portal so your employees don't need to take time off during working hours to attend college. The qualification is achieved by candidates demonstrating that they meet RICS standards through evidence of work experience achieved in their day to day role.

There are 5 steps to achieving the Associate qualification:

Step 1 – Registration

Candidates simply register online setting out their work experience, existing academic and/or vocational qualifications, work experience and/or membership of other professional bodies. This will determine the requirements for each candidate’s assessment.

Some candidates will be eligible for direct entry and can progress directly to Step 5.

Step 2 – Assessment plan

The assessment plan, based on the information the candidate provided during registration, will set out the requirements for them to complete the Associate Assessment.

The assessment plan will indicate the number of years’ relevant experience that they will need to have completed before they can come forward for assessment. This experience can include any previous experience already gained.

If they have already gained the required experience they will be able to come forward for assessment, building their portfolio of work-based evidence using written work taken from their everyday role.

Step 3 – Portfolio of work-based evidence

Candidates assemble a portfolio of work-based evidence online via the Managed Learning Environment (MLE) which allows them to:

•  Record and track progress against the competencies

•  Upload documented work-based evidence to demonstrate their competence

•  Upload evidence of relevant qualifications

•  Record structured development and learning outputs – 48 hours gained within the 12 months
   prior to assessment

Step 4 – Associate Assessment

Once a candidate has submitted the evidence required against each competency their application for assessment must be signed off by an RICS member who is familiar with their work (typically this would be their line manager). They are then ready to apply for Associate Assessment.

A panel of two trained assessors will review a candidate's portfolio and those who successfully meet the competency requirements will pass and qualify as an Associate. Candidates who don't meet all the competency requirements will be referred and can resubmit the additional required evidence for assessment.

Step 5 – Ethics module

All candidates must successfully complete an online ethics module.

Further information on gaining the Associate qualification is available here

Candidates may begin to upload their portfolio before they sit their examination but must have passed the examination before they submit their portfolio for assessment.