Corporate Professional Local

Assessment of Professional Competence

RICS Education and Training

July 2006 APC

Version 2/December 2008 Revised July 2011

Candidates guide graduate route to membership

www.rics.org

Candidates guide graduate route to membership

Contents
Section one Section two Introduction
Commitment is key

Section seven APC training whats involved

11

Overview of the APC 3

What is the APC? Graduate routes to membership Graduate routes 1 and 2 at a glance The competency approach Eligibility

Timelines for graduate routes 1 and 2 Day-to-day Half-way point (graduate route 1) Final assessment application Final assessment records Final assessment checklist

Section three

Before you start training

Registering for the APC Change of employment Change of route to membership

Section eight 6

Professional development

14

Section four

Choosing your competencies

The mandatory competencies The technical competencies

7 Section nine 9 Section ten

Professional development plan Personal skills development Technical skills development Professional practice skills development Selection, planning and evaluation Part-time/distance learning/placement students

Rules of Conduct Critical analysis

Critical analysis format and content Points to watch

16 17

Section five

Key elements of the APC

Structured training Diary Log book Progress reports Achievement records Final assessment records Professional development Critical analysis

Section eleven Final assessment interview

Presentation Interview

18

Section twelve After the assessment 19 10

Results Referrals Appeals Assessments outside the UK

Section six

The people
Your employer Your supervisor Your counsellor The assessors The RICS training adviser Your local region The APC doctor

Section thirteen Where to find help

Further information Finally

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Section one
Introduction

Commitment is key
This guide will help you prepare for the commitment and responsibility that go with training for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Completing this successfully leads to professional membership of RICS. These guides are generic and apply to all world regions. For specific advice on the APC in your own world region, check the RICS website and/or speak to your local RICS administrator.

Section two
Overview of the APC
What is the APC?
The APC is the practical training and experience which, when combined with academic qualifications, leads to RICS membership. The objective of the APC is to ensure you are competent to practise as a chartered surveyor. The APC normally consists of: a period of structured training a final assessment interview. Your APC structured training will normally continue for a minimum of 23 months, during which you must complete a minimum of 400 days relevant practical experience. Then, at 24 months, you will be ready for final assessment. The process may take longer, depending on your supervisors and counsellors assessment of your progress, but must be completed within six years of your APC registration.

Graduate routes to membership

RICS recognises that some graduates will already have considerable work experience by the time they complete an accredited degree. This is reflected in the APC requirements. RICS reduces the period of structured training for those with more than five years relevant work experience. graduate route 1 is for candidates with limited, or no, prior relevant experience. graduate route 2 is for candidates with at least five years relevant experience. graduate route 3 is for candidates with at least ten years relevant experience. The requirements of graduate routes 1 and 2 are below. Separate guidance on graduate route 3 is available on www.rics.org

Graduate routes 1 and 2 at a glance

Academic Qualifications Relevant Prior Experience None APC Structured Training APC Final Assessment Interview 60 minute interview including 10 minute presentation Testing on declared competencies, professional practice, Rules of Conduct and ethics

Graduate 1 RICS accredited degree* Part-time and placement year students may enrol on to the APC during the final year of study or during the placement year. At least 12 of the 23 months structured training must be completed after graduating

23 months structured training to meet competency requirements, followed by assessment after month 24 Regular meetings with supervisor/counsellor 48 hours professional development for each 12 months structured training

Graduate 2 RICS accredited degree* The 11 months structured training must be completed after graduating and you can come forward for assessment at 12 months.

At least five years relevant experience before starting APC. Pre-degree experience can count

11 months structured training, followed by assessment after month 12 Regular meetings with supervisor/counsellor 48 hours professional development over the structured training period

60 minute interview including 10 minute presentation Testing on declared competencies, professional practice, Rules of Conduct and ethics

*Those undertaking an accredited postgraduate degree part-time may enrol on to the APC and complete the structured training concurrently. They must have graduated from the RICS accredited degree course before being eligible to take the final assessment. The minimum duration of structured training is 24 months (graduate route 1) or 12 months (graduate route 2). However, RICS will allow submissions for final assessment to be made at 23/11 months, provided all other criteria are met - competencies achieved, diary and professional development record complete. Final assessment submissions are detailed on page 14.

The competency approach

The APC structured training period is primarily competencybased. It requires you, the candidate, to demonstrate that you have the skills and abilities needed to perform specific tasks or functions. The competencies are based on attitudes and behaviours as well as skills and knowledge. The specific competencies you must demonstrate depend on the APC pathway you follow. The pathways are listed on page 7. Your choice of pathway will be determined by your employment as you can only demonstrate competence on the basis of actual work experience. Your supervisor, who will normally be your line manager, will advise you on your choice of pathway. The detailed requirements for each pathway are set out in the APC/ATC requirements and competencies guide, July 2006. There is also a Pathway Guide for each of the APC pathways, which can be downloaded at www.rics.org/pathway. Your training must be structured to make sure you achieve the required competencies. Throughout the APC your supervisor and counsellor will continually monitor your progress. You will not be able to apply for the final assessment interview until your supervisor and counsellor certify that, in their opinion, you have reached the level of competence required and have fulfilled the minimum training period.

In addition to achieving the required levels of knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the competencies, you must also demonstrate that you: are a good ambassador for your profession, RICS and your employer are aware of the professional and commercial implications of your work understand your clients and employers objectives have an up-to-date and developing knowledge of legal and technical matters relevant to the work you do and the law of the region or country in which you practise have the confidence to work unsupervised.

Eligibility
To register and start your APC you must be in suitable employment (in the UK, this must be with a firm that has a structured training agreement in place, although in the absence of an agreement provisional enrolment may be possible). Further details are given on page 9. The point at which you are eligible to start the APC depends on: whether the RICS accredited degree you are taking (or have completed) is undergraduate or postgraduate the mode of study you are following. Note: For all candidates, the accredited degree course must be successfully completed before applying for the final assessment interview. You must provide RICS with proof of completion, in writing, at least seven days before your interview.

Undergraduate start points

Undergraduate start points Graduate route 1 Full-time Start structured training as soon as you are in relevant employment Start structured training as soon as you have completed second level of the degree. A maximum 12 months can be completed concurrently with your studies. The second period of training must be after successful completion of the accredited degree Start structured training when you start your work placement, provided you have also completed the second level of the degree. The second 12 months training must be after successful completion of the accredited degree Graduate route 2 Start structured training as soon as you are in relevant employment Start structured training after successful completion of the accredited degree

Part-time/distance learning

Placement (sandwich)

Start structured training after successful completion of accredited degree

Postgraduate start points

Full-time Part-time/distance learning Start structured training as soon as you are in relevant employment Start structured training as soon as you begin your course provided you are in relevant employment. You can complete the required structured training concurrently with your studies

There is some limited scope for backdating the start date for recording training: see next page for details.

Section three
Before you start training
Registering for the APC
A delay of a few weeks in your enrolment could put your final assessment back six months, as final assessments are normally held twice a year. Closing dates are given on www.rics.org In addition to this guide, there are the following enrolment documents: the APC guide for supervisors, counsellors and employers, July 2006 the APC/ATC requirements and competencies guide, July 2006 this details the competencies you need to achieve for your APC pathway the Pathway Guide for your APC pathway, which explains the competencies in the context of your area of professional practice enrolment form obtainable from RICS Contact Centre (see page 20). evidence from your university that you have successfully completed your degree. You and your employer MUST read the guides carefully. You must send the enrolment form, completed by you and your employer with the correct fee, to your local RICS administrator.. Details of the fees and diary start date are sent with the enrolment form. You must submit all the required material otherwise your enrolment cannot be accepted. Once accepted, RICS will confirm your registration and give you a start date for recording your experience. The start date for your recording may be backdated by up to one month. However, this must be by agreement with RICS: and RICS will require a letter on your firm's headed paper and signed by a third party stating your actual employment start date. RICS will also give you instructions on downloading the documentation pack for your APC training. These are working documents which you must complete as you progress through your training. When you have finished your training you will print the documentation and submit it to RICS before your final assessment.

Change of employment
A change of employer form is available on www.rics.org. You must complete and return this to RICS Contact Centre (see page 20) if you change your employment during the training period. You must have your experience in that employment signed off by your supervisor and counsellor before you leave. If you are in the UK, your new employer must have a structured training agreement in place. RICS will record the change or tell you what you need to do to resolve any problems.

Section four
Choosing your competencies
The APC pathways are as follows. Arts and antiques Building control Building surveying Commercial property practice Environment Facilities management Geomatics (including hydrographic) Housing management and development Machinery and business assets Management consultancy Minerals and waste management Planning and development Project management Property finance and investment Quantity surveying and construction Research Residential property practice Residential survey and valuation Rural Taxation allowances Valuation Each APC pathway requires a period of structured training during which you complete the mandatory and technical competencies that make up the minimum requirements for the APC. You must fulfil the competencies specified in your APC pathway to the required levels. The competencies have three levels of attainment that are progressive in terms of skills and abilities: Level 1 knowledge and understanding Level 2 application of knowledge and understanding Level 3 reasoned advice and depth of technical knowledge

to level 3
Conduct rules, ethics and professional practice

to level 2
Client care Communication and negotiation Health and safety

to level 1
Accounting principles and procedures Business planning Conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution procedures Data management Sustainability Teamworking

The mandatory competencies

These competencies are a mix of the professional practice, interpersonal, business and management skills that are considered common to, and necessary for, all surveyors. These competencies are compulsory for all candidates. You must achieve the following minimum standards.

The technical competencies

For each APC pathway, specific technical competencies must be achieved. These are divided into core and optional. For each APC pathway, the specific Pathway Guide explains how the competencies should be interpreted in the context of your area of professional practice. It is important that you give careful thought to your choice and combination of competencies. The combination of core and optional competencies will reflect the work you do in your day-to-day environment (driven by the needs of your employer/clients). You will be advised on your choice by your supervisor and counsellor. Do not necessarily expect to make your full choice of optional competencies at the start of your training. Your choice may alter as your training develops. The choice and combination of competencies will be a reflection of your judgement and that of your supervisor and counsellor. At the final assessment interview, the assessors will take these choices into account and will consider their appropriateness. The number of days taken to reach the appropriate level of competence will depend on a combination of the following: the starting point has there been any previous experience your aptitude and speed of progress with the competency the quality of the training and experience provided the particular competency. Note: there is no minimum requirement for the number of training days under each competency other than, in total, a minimum of 400 days within 23 calendar months structured training for graduate route 1 candidates and 200 days within 11 calendar months structured training for graduate route 2 candidates. Candidates will not necessarily achieve the required level of competence within the minimum training period.

Section five
Key elements of the APC
The key elements of the APC are Meeting the requirements for enrolment: Appointment of supervisor and counsellor Selection and planning of competencies Training, experience and professional development Recording your experience and training daily in your APC diary, and summarising this monthly in your logbook Regular supervision meetings Confirmation of progress by your supervisor and counsellor, and revision of the training plan as necessary Preparation of your final assessment submissions - signed off competencies, logbook, records of your professional development, and critical analysis Application for final assessment Final assessment interview Results Your record-keeping in more detail As soon as you enrol, you must download the pack of recordkeeping templates. These are the records you will complete as you progress through your APC, and submit to RICS when you are ready for final assessment. Go to www.rics.org/apc and follow the links for your world region. The pack comes with detailed guidance on completing the templates. You will also be keeping your own records in the form of a training diary. You will use the information in your diary to complete the log book/achievement record. You should not record a period of less than half a day. You do not need to record the mandatory competencies in your diary. These are an intrinsic part of your day-to-day work and are not normally part of the minimum days of experience. However, you must record your attainment of the mandatory competencies in your achievement record. A diary template is on www.rics.org/apc

Section six
The people
These are the people who will influence your progress towards achieving RICS membership. You: must commit to following the process through from beginning to end. You must familiarise yourself with the guidance and abide by it throughout your training. You must plan and organise your time conscientiously, and keep your records assiduously. You will co-operate fully with your supervisor and counsellor. You will also take responsibility for your own professional development, undertaking independent learning. Your employer: must complete the APC enrolment form with you. Your employer must encourage you, make facilities and time available to you and ensure you complete certain documents at the right time. Some employers may not be able to give you access to the full range of experience needed. If this is the case you may need to gain a temporary secondment to supplement your experience or even change employer. Your supervisor: normally but not necessarily a chartered surveyor, your supervisor is appointed at your work place. Your supervisor, normally your line manager, is responsible for giving you guidance on your training and day-to-day work. Your counsellor: must be a chartered surveyor and is usually (but does not have to be) appointed at your work place. The counsellor works in partnership with your supervisor and will assess your achievement record. They both decide when you are ready to apply for final assessment, certify all the documents you submit for final assessment, and ensure your training is structured to meet the needs of your APC pathway. RICS will record details of your counsellor to ensure that up-to-date information about the APC can be communicated. You must inform RICS if your counsellor changes. The supervisor and counsellor should normally be different people. Either your supervisor or counsellor must have experience of the competency requirements of your chosen APC pathway. If your supervisor or counsellor changes during your training, you must ensure your original supervisor/ counsellor agrees the competency levels.. The assessors: chartered surveyors who conduct your final assessment interview. The interview panel has a minimum of two members. All assessors are specially trained for this purpose. The RICS training adviser (RTA) (UK only): professional trainers appointed by RICS on a part-time basis who advise employers on setting up and running structured training agreements. They also advise on the best way of assessing trainees, and approve and monitor the training schemes. Your local region: in the UK, can provide some of the activities you need to fulfil your professional development. Outside the UK, RICS administrators can help you source training and CPD/lifelong learning. The APC doctor (UK only): a volunteer chartered surveyor appointed by RICS and available to give general advice. If at any time during your training you need an APC doctor, contact the RICS Contact Centre or look on www.rics.org. Outside the UK, ask your local administrator for details of the APC buddy system.

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Section seven
APC training whats involved
Graduate route 1 minimum timeline
Month
APC enrolment

1 2

Supervisor and counsellor appointed. Start diary, log book, recording professional development

3-month supervisors meeting

3 4 5

6-month supervisors meeting 6-month counsellors meeting

6 7 8

9-month supervisors meeting

9 10 11

12-month supervisors meeting 12 month counsellors meeting

12 13 14

Begin identifying suitable project(s) for critical analysis

15-month supervisors meeting

15 16 17
Critical analysis identify and agree subject, prepare synopsis, discuss with supervisor/counsellor

18-month supervisors meeting; 18-month counsellors meeting

18 19 20 21 22

23-month final assessment meeting with supervisor and counsellor; earliest date to send RICS your final assessment application and submissions.

23 24

Critical analysis complete

Earliest date for final assessment interview

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Graduate route 2 minimum timeline

Month
APC enrolment Supervisor and counsellor appointed. Start diary, log book, recording professional development

Begin identifying suitable project(s) for critical analysis

2
3-month supervisors meeting

3 4 5
Critical analysis identify and agree subject, prepare synopsis, discuss with supervisor/counsellor

6-month supervisors meeting 6-month counsellors meeting

6 7 8

9-month supervisors meeting

9 10

11-month final assessment meeting with supervisor and counsellor; earliest date to send RICS your final assessment application and submissions.

11 12

Critical analysis complete

Earliest date for final assessment interview

Day-to-day
Your supervisor and counsellor must keep in regular contact with you, with formal meetings at least every three months; but ultimately you are responsible for your day-to-day activities. You must: ensure your day-to-day work covers the required competencies of your APC pathway keep your diary in a format that will encourage meaningful discussion at the formal quarterly reviews of progress against the competencies and will assist with the preparation of your assessment records discuss before, and evaluate after, any planned training or professional development events keep notes of examples of practical experience and casework to assist at your quarterly reviews.

Half-way point: best practice for candidates on graduate route 1

RICS recommends that, with your supervisor and counsellor, you complete an assessment within a month of recording 12 months training (from your confirmed start date or on completion of your industry placement). This will help you review your progress to date and plan the rest of your training. During your discussion, you should look at your overall training plan and the timetable you have set for achieving your competencies. Then check your training to date in the mandatory and technical competencies, and professional development, to ensure your progress is on target. Your supervisor and counsellor should check your diary, log book and professional development, ensuring they are a complete and accurate record of your training to date.

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This will: act as a self assessment tool against your training plan provide guidance as to the breadth and depth of your training ensure that you achieve a balanced approach in your training help with your written communication skills ready for the reports you will prepare for the final assessment.

Log book
After application for final assessment, you must continue to record your experience in your log book. This ongoing record is essential for candidates who are referred.

Final assessment submissions

You must ensure your supervisor and counsellor sign your submissions as required - see the instructions with your download pack.

Final assessment application

It is your responsibility to keep all key dates in your work schedule. All the assessment information is on www.rics.org/apc You will have decided your target final assessment date with your supervisor and counsellor. To apply for final assessment: send your application to RICS during the dates shown on www.rics.org/apc (follow the links for final assessment arrangements for your world region). You will then have one month to complete and send to RICS your final assessment submissions, which you downloaded when you enrolled and which you should have been filling in throughout your structured training (graduate route 3 candidates see separate guidance). These submissions must be complete or you will not be eligible to take the final assessment. Once these submissions are received by RICS, you will be sent confirmation of the date, time and venue of your final assessment. You will be sent these details one month prior to your assessment. To defer your final assessment: contact RICS immediately if you decide that you will not be ready for your target final assessment date. There is a charge for deferral.

Factors that might affect performance at interview

RICS will be responsive to candidates with special interview requirements (for example, in the case of visual or hearing impairment or other factors that could affect interview performance). It will do its utmost to ensure that suitable arrangements are made to assist candidates. It is, therefore, essential that you give suitable notice to RICS of any special needs or disabilities you have, to ensure appropriate assistance is available at the assessment centre. Please note that RICS requires written evidence of any medical issues.

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Section eight
Professional development
It is your responsibility to plan and achieve professional development. For each 12 months structured training, you must undertake a minimum 48 hours professional development. This helps you to gain extra skills and knowledge which are not always possible to get within the week-to-week business of your organisation. For example, you might study business management, professional ethics or information technology through formal training courses, distance learning programmes or more informal structured reading. It is important your supervisor and counsellor take an active interest and help with the planning and evaluation of your professional development. Special attention must be given to the principles underpinning professional development. It should be: gained in a structured manner based on an explicit process of selecting, planning and evaluating the activities reflect learning from informal training sources eg structured reading, secondments. Professional development should complement and support your mandatory and technical competencies. RICS suggests the following framework to help you and your employer design a flexible plan that reflects your development needs.

Professional development plan

Personal skills development: linked to mandatory competencies normally 16 hours per year Technical skills development: linked to core/optional competencies normally 16 hours per year Professional practice skills development: linked to professional practice competencies, code of ethics and conflicts of interest normally 16 hours per year

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Personal skills development

Development of transferable personal and interpersonal skills such as: communication client care data management information technology teamworking.

Part-time/distance learning/ placement students

If you are on a part-time or distance learning accredited degree, RICS will consider your final year as counting towards your professional development for that year. This should be supplemented by other professional development activities for that year. If you are a placement student, you may be taking structured study as part of your year in industry. You must have a certificate from your university confirming this. You must submit this with your application for final assessment as it will contribute to the 48 hours professional development. However, this will not provide all your professional development and should be supplemented by other activities.

Technical skills development

Development of competencies related to your APC pathway. This could include short update sessions and skills-based training.

Professional practice skills development

Development of professionalism: understanding client care conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution procedures RICS code of conduct, professional practice and bye-laws structure and role of RICS.

Selection, planning and evaluation

You should discuss your selection of topics with your supervisor and counsellor. You must provide evidence of a planned, systematic approach to your choice, making clear the relationship between the topics and the development of the competency. You must evaluate the benefits of your professional development and provide evidence of this as part of your final assessment submissions, showing the key learning gained from each element. Private study and structured reading is acceptable as part of your professional development but should not be more than two thirds of the total hours required in any 12 months of structured training.

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Section nine Rules of Conduct

The Rules of Conduct for members set professional parameters for individual members and govern matters such as ethics, personal solvency and lifelong learning. The Rules of Conduct for members apply to all members worldwide. You must abide by them at all times. The Rules of Conduct for firms set out the requirements for the conduct of business by professional practices. They govern matters such as professional indemnity insurance, holding clients money and complaints handling. The Rules of Conduct for firms apply only to firms regulated by RICS. In your final assessment interview the assessors will question you on the rules of conduct, so you must familiarise yourself with them. Download the rules for firms and members by visiting the web site: www.rics.org/newregulation

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Section ten
Critical analysis
The critical analysis is a written report of a project or projects with which you have been involved during your training. Your choice of topic is very important and must reflect your APC pathway. You may be working for a large organisation where you have been involved with a complex instruction or project. Your role and contribution could be an appropriate topic. Alternatively, the instruction or project may be more straightforward and not of great financial value. It may simply be typical of the work you have been involved with during your training. Ideally your critical analysis should focus on one aspect of your work. You may want to use a number of projects to highlight an issue or aspect of your work. The project may be based on, or include, work undertaken outside your country of practice. You are not necessarily expected to be running the project. It is your involvement or role in the team that you must outline, analyse and comment on. If the project has been running for some time you may not have been involved from the start, your involvement may not have been continuous, or the project may not be finished when you prepare your critical analysis. In this latter case, you should provide a prognosis of the outcome. If you know the outcome between sending in your critical analysis and your interview, include it in your presentation. Your proposed solution: you must give a detailed account of the reasons supporting your adopted course of action. Relate your reasons to the technical competencies. Think about all the aspects that support your decision, for example client care, financial, technical, professional, rules of conduct, ethics and conflicts of interest. Conclusion and analysis of experience gained: finally, and most importantly, your conclusion must provide a critical appraisal of the outcomes, with a statement of what you learned from the experience. This part of your report should comprise approximately one third of the total number of words. You should look at the project, consider what has gone well and identify what did not go well. You can then plan how you might improve the next time you carry out a similar task. Stand back from the project and reflect on what you have learned. The assessors will use your critical analysis as a starting point to question you beyond what you actually did, probing your understanding of your projects wider issues. Start thinking about these processes while you are writing your critical analysis so you are well prepared for the interview. Focus on matters that cross the whole project.

Critical analysis format and content

The critical analysis must be: word processed a maximum of 3 000 words (excluding the appendices) include photographs and plans (no larger than A4 size when folded). You must explain not only the project itself but the processes you followed and the rationale behind your decision-making. Your focus must be on analysing the project: do not simply provide a summary of what it involved. It is quality not quantity that counts. Appendices should support your report, not add to or expand on it. You should include the following four aspects. Key issues: your project may be complex. If you select too many key issues you will skim the surface instead of providing a detailed analysis. Be selective. Think about the depth required as being to about level three of the various competencies involved. There may be one key issue that can form the basis of your critical analysis. Options: before proposing a solution to a client, you should consider all the options, demonstrating your ability to think logically, laterally and professionally. You must demonstrate you have genuinely considered the options. Give reasons why some options may not be feasible.

Points to watch
Confidentiality: you must ensure you have your employers and clients consent to disclose any sensitive details in your critical analysis. If you cannot get this consent you should disguise facts that might otherwise make the project identifiable. Note: the information contained in your critical analysis will be treated in the strictest confidence by the panel of assessors. References: extracts from acts of parliament, case law and other sources should not be quoted at length but essential references must be given. Total word count: you must include a word count at the end. You can include notes on what you have included in the count. Finally: your critical analysis must reflect your abilities in the following areas: written and graphic communication professional standards of organisation and presentation analysis, reflective thought and problem solving learning from experience gained.

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Section eleven
Final assessment interview
Final assessment interviews are normally held twice a year and take place at an assessment centre (outside the UK the timings may vary). The interview will last approximately one hour and is designed to determine whether you: express yourself clearly in an oral presentation and interview can demonstrate, in support of your written submissions, your understanding of the knowledge gained and competencies achieved during your training have an acceptable understanding of the role and responsibilities of a chartered surveyor can apply your professional and technical skills to benefit those who employ your services.

Interview
The interview will be conducted by a panel comprising a minimum of two chartered surveyors, trained and selected for this role. At the interview you will be questioned on: your presentation and critical analysis your final assessment submissions including your professional development record the broader aspects of your experience and knowledge, including ethics, RICS rules of conduct and current issues of concern to the profession. The assessors will base the questioning on the law and practice of the country in which the interview is held. On the critical analysis, the assessors will normally ask you about what you did and about why you took a particular approach. They will also ask about your understanding of the wider issues surrounding your report. The assessors will be trying to determine your general level of ability; they do not expect you to be an expert in every area of professional activity. They will be looking to ensure you have achieved at least the minimum required levels of competence in key areas for the clients you serve, and that you understand the level of professional conduct expected of a member of RICS. The assessors will take a holistic view of your training, final assessment submissions, presentation and interview. Poorer performance in one area may be balanced out by an excellent performance elsewhere.

Presentation
You will give a 10-minute presentation to the assessors on the purpose, investigations and conclusions of your critical analysis. Note: presentation facilities will not be provided at assessment centres.

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Section twelve
After the assessment
Results
RICS will notify you of your results 21 days after your interview. It is your responsibility to check RICS has your up-to-date address. You will receive either a pass or a referral. If you are successful you will be awarded professional membership of RICS (MRICS). If you receive a referral you will be informed of the next steps to be taken. For security and data protection reasons, RICS will not give results over the telephone, email or to a third party.

Appeals
You will have 21 working days from the datea candidate will Naturally, a referral is disappointing. Sometimes of the results letterthat s/he hasto make a fair assessment. RICS accepts feel from RICS not had an appeal. Details of how to make an appeal are on www.rics.orgfinal assessment interviews, that among the large number of there may be occasions when mistakes are made. For this The appeal panel does not question the merits of the reason, in certain specific circumstances, there is a right of assessors' decision. It looks at the way the assessment appeal. You will have will allow days from only if, of the was conducted, and10 workingthe appealthe date on the results letter from RICS to make an fault in the process. It balance of probabilities, there wasappeal. Details of how to does not appeal any on www.rics.org/apc - follow the links to make an reach are conclusion about the candidate's competence to practise: it considers only administrative or the Final Assessment FAQs (you should also contact your local procedural matters. ensure that you send it to the right place RICS administrator to within the time allowed). Appeals may be made for one of When an appeal is made it must: three reasons: be in writing, accompanied matters:appropriate fee panel administrative or procedural by the for example, the be made by you and not a third party may not have been provided with the correct information clearly state the grounds on which the appeal is being made, supported by appropriate evidence. has concentrated questioning and testing of competence that too much outside of the main areas of training and experience any form of discrimination. When an appeal is made it must: be in writing, accompanied by the appropriate fee be made by you and not a third party clearly state the grounds on which the appeal is being made, supported by appropriate evidence.

Referrals
If the outcome is a referral you will be sent a referral report explaining why the assessors reached this decision. To be eligible for re-assessment you must normally: complete some further relevant professional experience do a minimum of a further 24 hours professional development write a new critical analysis or, if required, re-submit the original, suitably updated and amended (note: you can use the same critical analysis for a maximum of two assessments, after which an entirely new one will be required) agree with your supervisor and counsellor how you will address the deficiencies identified in the referral report, record your progress, and submit this record together with your original submission documents. Once you have completed the above, you will be re-interviewed. You must continue to maintain and record your experience until you are successful. If you have not applied for the next available assessment the above is a minimum requirement; for example the professional development requirement will increase for every six-month period.

Assessments outside the UK

Many countries around the world have national associations which administer the APC. Where there is no local representation, assessments are administered by RICS in the UK.

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Section thirteen
Where to find help
Completing the APC carries with it a lot of responsibility and commitment. Extensive support and guidance are available for candidates and employers.

Resources available include

the APC section of the RICS website (www.rics.org/apc) RICS Books (www.rics.org/Services/RICSBooks) the RICS library (www.rics.org/Services/Library) RICS regional offices RICS local administrators outside the UK RICS training advisers (UK only) APC doctors (or 'buddies' outside the UK) the APC pathway guides

If you need any help during the training period please call: RICS Contact Centre T +44 (0)870 333 1600 F +44 (0)20 7334 3811 E [email protected] W www.rics.org

Finally Remember to ensure that RICS has your up-to-date email address.

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rics.org

RICS HQ 12 Great George Street Parliament Square London SW1P 3AD United Kingdom Worldwide media enquiries: E [email protected] Contact Centre: E [email protected] T +44 (0)870 333 1600 F +44 (0)20 7334 3811

Advancing standards in land, property and construction. RICS is the worlds leading qualification when it comes to professional standards in land, property and construction. In a world where more and more people, governments, banks and commercial organisations demand greater certainty of professional standards and ethics, attaining RICS status is the recognised mark of property professionalism. Over 100 000 property professionals working in the major established and emerging economies of the world have already recognised the importance of securing RICS status by becoming members. RICS is an independent professional body originally established in the UK by Royal Charter. Since 1868, RICS has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society. RICS has a worldwide network. For further information simply contact the relevant RICS office or our Contact Centre.

Europe United Kingdom 12 Great George Street Parliament Square London SW1P 3AD United Kingdom T +44 (0)870 333 1600 F +44 (0)20 7334 3811 [email protected] Rest of Europe Rue Ducale 67 1000 Brussels Belgium T +32 2 733 10 19 F +32 2 742 97 48 [email protected]

Asia Room 1804 Hopewell Centre 183 Queens Road East Wanchai Hong Kong T +852 2537 7117 F +852 2537 2756 [email protected]

Americas The Lincoln Building 60 East 42nd Street Suite 2918 New York, NY 10165 USA T +1 212 847 7400 F +1 212 847 7401 [email protected]

Oceania Suite 2, Level 16 1 Castlereagh Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia T +61 2 9216 2333 F +61 2 9232 5591 [email protected]

Africa PO Box 3400 Witkoppen 2068 South Africa T +27 11 467 2857 F +27 86 514 0655 [email protected]

Middle East Office F07, Block 11 Dubai Knowledge Village Dubai United Arab Emirates T +971 4 375 3074 F +971 4 427 2498 [email protected]