Senior Professional Assessment

Applicant guide
August 2019
 Published by: RICS, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD.

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jurisdiction of England and Wales

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 2

 Applicant guide
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Assessment Resource Centre (ARC) ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Process ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Section one
Eligibility.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Senior profile .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
RICS pathway........................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Senior professional competencies................................................................................................................................................... 7

Section two
Vetting........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Application form.................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Checklist ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Section three
Ethics .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Ethics module ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Plagiarism.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Section four
Submission ............................................................................................................................................................................................10
Case studies ...........................................................................................................................................................................................10
Continuing professional development (CPD) record ............................................................................................................. 11

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 3

 Section five
Final assessment interview ..............................................................................................................................................................12
Interview structure .............................................................................................................................................................................12
Presentation...........................................................................................................................................................................................12
Interview ................................................................................................................................................................................................12
Conduct rules, ethics and professional practice ......................................................................................................................13
Panel decision ......................................................................................................................................................................................13
Result .......................................................................................................................................................................................................13
Conflict of interest ..............................................................................................................................................................................13

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 4

 Introduction
The senior professional assessment involves ARC and to access assessment dates, locations Ethics
five stages: and information specific to the senior professional
If you are eligible you will be given access
1. Eligibility – you must meet the qualification assessment in your part of the world.
to ARC where you can complete the RICS ethics
and experience requirements module.
2. Vetting – your application will be reviewed Process
to confirm your profile is eligible for the
This guide will help you prepare for the commitment
Submission
assessment
required for the senior professional assessment. You When you are ready to apply for your
3. Ethics – completion of the RICS ethics module final assessment you must submit the
must familiarise yourself with
4. Submission – your submission provides following evidence.
the guidance and RICS documentation and
evidence of your experience for assessors to
take responsibility for preparing for each stage • 3 case studies (1000-1500 words each)
prepare for your final assessment interview
of the assessment. • Record of 20 hours continuing professional
5. Final assessment interview – you will
development (CPD) in the last 12 months
be assessed by a panel to determine if you Eligibility
are competent to practise as an RICS
chartered professional
Read the guidance and check you meet Final assessment interview
the requirements: You will be invited to attend an interview for
Commitment is key • Your experience and qualifications 60 minutes. Following a 10-minute presentation
from you, the assessment panel will question
When you enrol as a candidate, you are making • The senior profile
you on the evidence you have provided and the
a commitment to become a chartered surveyor • The RICS pathway and competencies RICS competencies.
(MRICS). You have 6 years from your date of
If successful, you will be awarded the RICS
enrolment to achieve the MRICS qualification. Vetting
chartered qualification (MRICS).
This guide will help you prepare for the assessment. Complete the application form with the
Although there will be people to support, it is your following information.
responsibility to make sure you start and remain
We will confirm if you are eligible.
committed to the assessment.
• Employment history

Assessment Resource • Qualifications

• Chosen RICS pathway
Centre (ARC) • 400-word statement on senior profile

ARC is an online tool where you will manage your

assessment details, CPD and selected competencies,
and prepare your submission for assessment. You will
use ARC throughout your assessment journey.
Visit rics.org/assessment for guidance on using

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 5

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Eligibility
You must have 10 years’ relevant experience. Behaviours The RICS competencies are not only a list of tasks
This is reduced to 5 years if you have an or functions, they are also based upon attitudes
With your senior profile you should be able to
undergraduate degree (or equivalent professional and behaviours.
demonstrate how you:
qualification) and a relevant post-graduate degree RICS has drawn up competencies in a generic way
(master’s level or higher). • pursue opportunities to develop the industry
so that they can be applied to different areas of
and profession
practice and geographical locations. It is important
Senior profile •
•
advocate best practice standards
take responsibility to deliver professionalism
that you interpret them within the context of your
own area of practice or specialism and geography.
The definition, indicators and behaviours are • act with integrity to promote responsible
The competencies are in three distinct categories:
designed to frame how you can demonstrate business
Mandatory competencies – personal,
your senior profile.
interpersonal, professional practice and business
Note: You are required to demonstrate at least
skills common to all pathways and compulsory for
Definition one behaviour.
all candidates.
An individual with advanced responsibilities
Technical competencies which are split into:
who is recognised for their impact and career

RICS pathway
progression within the profession. • Core competencies – primary skills of your
chosen pathway
Indicators RICS professionals work within a variety of • Optional competencies – selected as
disciplines. These are represented by the additional skill requirements for your
You must be able to demonstrate your
RICS professional groups and defined by RICS pathway from a list of competencies relevant
responsibility for:
pathways. A pathway is the area of the profession to that pathway.
• Leadership
that you wish to qualify in. You need to select Senior professional competencies – leadership
• Managing people (level, numbers)
this based on your qualifications, experience and and management skills required to demonstrate
• Managing resources (extent, amount, type) current job role. your senior profile.
In addition, the following elements of your career A guide is available for each pathway. It is vital Each competency is defined at three levels of
may indicate your seniority: reading to prepare for your assessment. It details attainment.
• Position in the organisation structure the competencies you will need to meet and Level 1 – knowledge and understanding
• Decision making (level, impact) provides examples of the knowledge and activities
Level 2 – application of knowledge and
• International dimension that fall within the scope of each competency.
understanding
• Client base (type, profile)
• Recognition from peers, media, professional
Competencies Level 3 – reasoned advice and depth of
knowledge.
bodies, or industry stakeholders To be competent to practise as an RICS chartered
professional you must have the skill and/or ability The senior professional competencies are detailed
to perform a variety of tasks or functions. on the following pages. For full guidance on the
Note: This list is not exhaustive. You may
mandatory and technical competencies download
identify other indicators relevant to your career.
your pathway guide at rics.org/pathway

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 6

Eligibility 1 2 3 4 5

Senior professional competencies

Full guidance on the senior professional competencies are shown below. You must demonstrate the three competencies to level 2.

Competency Level 1 Level 2

Leadership Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the characteristics and behaviour of a Provide evidence of application of your role as a leader appropriate to your
leader. Examples of knowledge comprised within this level are: area of practice. Examples of activities and knowledge comprised within
This competency covers the
• The different styles of leadership this level are:
characteristics and behaviour of leaders.
Candidates should be aware of the • The different motivation theories • How leadership and motivation theories can be applied in practice
alternative styles of leadership and • Effective organisational design and communication strategies • How organisational design and communication strategies can affect
motivation. Candidates should have an • The climate necessary for the creation of high performing teams. leadership
understanding of how these techniques • The ingredients necessary to create high performing teams.
can be applied in their area of practice.

Managing people Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of managing Provide evidence of the application of the skills required to manage people.
people. Examples of activities and knowledge comprised within this level are: Examples of activities and knowledge comprised within this level are:
This competency covers the principles
and practice of managing people. • Human resource management legislation and techniques • Tthe principles of human resource legislation
Candidates should be aware of the skills • Eeffective organisational design and communication strategies • Applying human resource techniques
required to manage people. Candidates • The climate and culture necessary for the creation of high performing teams. • Effecting improved human resource performance
should have an understanding of the • How use of effective organisational design and communication
appropriate application of these skills. strategies improves human resource performance
• How climate and culture affect human resource performance.

Managing resources Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the resources required and their cost for the Provide evidence of the application in your area of practice, giving reasoned
effective operation of a business. Examples of knowledge comprised within this level are: advice on the most effective use, allocation and cost of resources.
This competency is about managing the
• Types of resources required Examples of activities and knowledge comprised within this level are:
effective use, allocation and costing
of resources (not including human • How to manage financial resources • Setting financial objectives
resources). • Accounting techniques • Constructing a budget
• Budgeting techniques • Monitoring and managing financial resources
• Forecasting techniques • Setting personal objectives
• Methods for obtaining resources and monitoring their use • Preparing reports and recommendations for the use and allocation of
• Personal resource management resources.
• Costing of resources
• Relationship between cost and value of resources.

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 7

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Vetting
Application form Checklist
At the vetting stage you must provide details of Your application will be reviewed by trained staff
your qualifications and employment history on the and RICS chartered professionals using the
RICS template. You must relate your experience to following checklist:
your selected pathway. • Qualifications and years’ experience –
You must also provide a written statement Do you meet the requirements?
(maximum 400 words) to demonstrate your senior • Pathway – Do you have experience relevant
profile. You should consider your senior profile on to the pathway?
two bases: • Indicators – Have you referenced the
1. What you are doing? Reference the indicators required indicators?
to demonstrate your responsibilities and • Behaviours – Have you referenced one of
activities as a senior professional. the behaviours?
2. How you are doing it? Reference the • Career progression – Have you provided
behaviours to demonstrate your progression evidence of how your career has progressed?
and impact as a senior professional. • Advanced responsibilities – Have you
To support your statement you must also provide provided evidence of how your responsibilities
an organisation chart or description of the have increased?
organisation structure (in context of your role). • Impact – Have you provided evidence of your
outcomes as a senior professional?
If you receive confirmation that you are eligible for
the assessment, you will be invited to enrol on the
senior professional assessment. You must submit
for final assessment within 12 months of the vetting
decision otherwise you will be required to apply for
vetting again.

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Ethics
Behaving ethically is at the heart of what it means
to be a professional; it distinguishes professionals Ethics module Plagiarism
from others in the marketplace. RICS has five You are required to successfully complete the RICS RICS uses Feedback Studio, a system to help check
ethical standards. You must understand them ethics module prior to final assessment. The module candidates’ submissions are their own work and
and how you apply them in your everyday role. includes online learning and an online assessment. stand up to independent scrutiny. The system
The standards are: It can be accessed via your Assessment Resource will compare a candidate’s submission against
Centre (ARC) account. submissions from other candidates and other
Take responsibility existing works. RICS reserve the right at any time
either to submit or require you to submit your
Please note once successfully completed this is
Treat each other with respect documentation into Feedback Studio. If the system
valid for 12 months.
flags concerns with the level of similarities between
Always provide a high standard work you have submitted and existing works then we
of service There will be a significant emphasis on may refer the matter for further investigation which
professional practice and ethics in the interview, could result in disciplinary action being taken against
Act with integrity so you must familiarise yourself with them. you. In addition, the progress of your application may
Please note you can be referred on Conduct be impacted including potential removal from
Act in a way that promotes trust rules, ethics and professional practice alone. the assessment process pending the outcome
of the investigation.
in the profession

The Rules of Conduct for members set professional

parameters for individual members and govern
matters such as ethics, personal solvency and CPD.
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.
Download the rules for firms and members by
visiting rics.org/regulation

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 9

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Submission
At the submission stage you will provide: what you achieved and explain the impact to the pathway and the mandatory competencies,
• Application form from vetting stage on your client, employer, career and future especially ethics, rules of conduct and
projects. professionalism. For each case study you must state
• Your competency selections
the technical and mandatory competencies you
• Three case studies
Appendices have demonstrated.
• Record of continuing professional
You may insert illustrations, photographs or
development.
plans t the end of each case study. Please keep Important notes on your
case studies
Case studies
the attachments to a minimum ensuring they are
relevant to the case study. Project selection: Your involvement in each project
You must provide three case studies focussed on must be within three years of your application for
the required RICS competencies. Each case study Case study on senior final assessment. A project may have started over
must be on a defined project. This could be a project professional competence three years ago but your case study should reference
related to a technical or professional service for a 1000-1500 words covering a project that your involvement in the past three years. One project
client or an internal or external activity/initiative for demonstrates your experience against the must be based in the country you will be assessed
your employer/business. You are recommended to leadership, managing people and managing in. You should expect to be assessed in the country
select projects in which you have played a leading resources competencies. where you work. This is because you are required to
role in terms of strategy, management, decision- have a working knowledge of the legislation and are
making, problem-solving and client relationship Case study on technical competent to practise in the country where you are
management. The detailed technical work of working.
the project may be dealt with by employees or
competence 1
contractors under your supervision. 1000-1500 words covering a project that
Your case study validity will be calculated on
demonstrates your experience against a minimum
For each case study you should include the following a rolling period from the date you submit for
of two core technical competencies selected for
details. assessment. You should check that activities you
your pathway. You must demonstrate at least one
• A brief overview of the key issues – describe the discuss in your case study are within the required
competency required to Level 3 as stated in the
project and its objectives 36 months, working back from the date you
pathway guide.
• An account of your role/personal involvement – submit.
explain what you were responsible for and how Case study on technical
you performed
your responsibilities
competence 2 Confidentiality: you must ensure you have
your employer’s and client’s consent to disclose
1000-1500 words covering a project that
• An outline of some of the problems faced and any sensitive details in your final assessment
demonstrates your experience against a minimum
the experience you have used to resolve these submission. If you cannot get this consent you
of two technical competencies (different from other
problems – describe your approach to the should disguise facts that might otherwise make
case study) selected for your pathway.
project and how you were able to deliver on the the project identifiable. The information contained
objectives All case studies should provide evidence of your in your submission will be treated as confidential
• A note of the outcome and successful delivery senior profile, and relevance of your experience by your panel of assessors and RICS.
with emphasis on the role you played – describe

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 10

Submission 1 2 3 4 5

References: extracts from Acts of Parliament,

case law and other sources should not be quoted Continuing professional Your CPD must be split between formal development
at length but essential references must be given.
Total word count: you must include a word
development (CPD) such as professional courses, seminars or online
events and informal development such as private
count at the end of each case study. You can include record study or on the job training. At least 50% of your CPD
notes on what you have included in the count. must be dedicated to formal development. For more
CPD is the systematic updating and enhancement
The assessors will be looking to see that you have information on the types of formal and informal CPD
of skills, knowledge and competence that takes
kept within the prescribed word count for each case please go to rics.org/cpd
place throughout your working life. It should be
study.
closely linked to your current work.
Appendices: remember you need to use your Please note that during your interview, part of the
CPD can be taken from various sources including
appendices to support your case study and enhance discussion will focus on your CPD.
attending conferences, meetings or seminars,
the information you have given to the assessment
completing an academic course or informal
panel. If it isn’t relevant, don’t use it.
reading. It is for you, as a professional, to decide Once you have been successful and become an RICS
Finally: your submission must reflect your abilities in what is appropriate and this should complement chartered professional (MRICS) you will continue
the following areas: both your mandatory and technical competencies. to undertake and record online a minimum of 20
• written and graphic communication Special attention must be given to the principles hours of CPD activity each calendar year as part of
• professional standards of organisation and underpinning CPD: your commitment to your ongoing professional
presentation • gained in a structured manner development.
• analysis, reflective thought and problem solving • based on an explicit process of selecting,
• learning from experience gained. planning and evaluating the activities
• reflect learning from informal training sources
RICS staff reserve the right to cancel interviews
e.g. structured reading, secondments
if at any time it becomes known that the key
assessment/submission criteria have not been You must provide a record of 20 hours CPD over the
met. This includes: word count, case study past 12 months.
validity, ethics module and test, plagiarism,
fees, proposer and seconder confirmation, CPD, Your CPD will be calculated on a rolling period
qualification and experience eligibility, and any from the date you submit for assessment. You
other criteria set out in the RICS Regulations. should check that your CPD activities are within
the 12-month period), working back from the
date you submit.

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 11

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Final assessment interview

The 60 minute professional interview is conducted
by a panel of RICS chartered professionals Presentation Interview
experienced in interviewing senior professional You will give a 10 minute presentation to the You will be asked to demonstrate that you are
assessment applicants. assessment panel on our senior profile. a senior professional, and:
You can use electronic devices and other • Have applied your theoretical knowledge
Special considerations – If you are aware of any presentation materials, for example flipcharts and through professional experience
circumstances that may affect your performance handouts, during your 10-minute presentation. For • Act in accordance with RICS’ Rules of Conduct,
at the assessment then please ensure you alert electronic devices you must ensure: possess the highest level of professional
RICS to this at the point of applying for your final
• Wi-Fi is turned off. integrity and objectivity, and recognise your
assessment interview. To enable reasonable
• Silent mode is enabled. duties to clients, employers and the community.
adjustment to be made to your interview RICS
will require supporting medical evidence. Your • No recording facility is activated. • Are a good ambassador for the profession, RICS
local team will guide you through this. and your employer (if applicable)
• The screen is of sufficient size to be visible by the
panel. • Are aware of the professional and commercial

Interview structure • The device is fully charged and does not require
•
implications of your work
Understand your clients’ and employer’s
mains power.
Chairperson’s opening and introductions 5 minutes objectives
• Your presentation is ready to start before
entering the interview room. • Have an up to date knowledge of legal and
Your personal introduction where you will be given the 10 minutes technical matters relevant to the work you
opportunity to brief the panel on your background and You are responsible for your own equipment and
do and the law of the region or country in which
career history, based on the application you submitted. removal of all your presentation materials from the
you practise
room. No allowance can be made by RICS for issues
• Meet the competency requirements of your
Discussion of your case studies and wider experience 40 minutes with your equipment.
chosen pathway
to include leadership, managing people and managing The panel may request you to power off electronic
resources. There will also be discussion of wider devices and remove devices and other materials from
professional issues including ethics. view on completion of your presentation.

Panel’s closing remarks where you will be given the 5 minutes

opportunity for any final comments or clarification.

Total 60 minutes

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 12

Final assessment interview 1 2 3 4 5

Ethics, rules of conduct Result There are two main distinctions of a conflict
of interest:

and professionalism For security and data protection reasons, RICS

will only issue your result electronically.
• ‘Personal’ interests: in certain
circumstances, there may be a connection
There will be a significant emphasis on ethics, rules of between the assessor, and the candidate, but
It is your responsibility to check RICS has your
conduct and professionalism in the interview, so you this may not present an issue to the candidate
up-to-date contact details.
must familiarise yourself with RICS standards. in practice. For instance, the individuals may
You can be referred on ethics, rules of conduct and Pass result have met at a CPD event or know of one
professionalism alone. another in a professional capacity.
If you a receive a pass result you will be awarded the
You must be able to demonstrate: RICS chartered qualification (MRICS). • ‘Prejudicial’ interests: where the assessor either
stands to benefit from the outcome of
• Knowledge and understanding of the role and
an assessment interview or might otherwise
significance of RICS and its functions Referral result
be perceived as being influenced, the assessor
• An appreciation of your personal If you are unsuccessful you will be sent a referral must declare the conflict and should recuse
professional role and society’s expectations report explaining why the assessors reached this themselves from the panel at the earliest
of professional practice decision. Guidance will be provided so you can opportunity.
• An understanding of RICS Rules of Conduct and prepare for a future assessment.
In the unlikely event you do consider there is a
Regulations, including the general principles of
conflict of interest on the actual interview day, you
law and the legal system, Appeals
should declare this at the beginning of the interview,
as applicable in your country of practice. If your interview is not successful, you may appeal then the chairperson should decide whether the
In particular, you will be asked questions about against the decision. We will provide details of how interview should go ahead with the panel member
professional ethics. Further information on this to do so on the referral report. in question or whether the panel member should
subject can be found at rics.org/regulation
sit out of the interview. If it is only a two-person
Conflict of interest panel and a conflict is raised on the day of the
Panel decision RICS uses all reasonable endeavours to identify
interview and the chairperson decides it is deemed
a prejudicial conflict of interest then the interview
Following the interview the panel will review your and avoid any obvious conflicts of interest when will need to be deferred and rescheduled for another
experience and reach a conclusion. The decision selecting a panel of assessors, prior to the interview date.
will be based broadly on the following priorities. going ahead. In the smaller RICS markets it can
be much harder to avoid a conflict of interest as
Senior professional competencies and 50% members are more likely to know one another
your senior profile in a professional capacity.

Technical pathway competencies and 25%

mandatory competencies

Ethics and professionalism 25%

Senior Professional Assessment – Applicant guide 13

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