Today’s post aims to guide you on the path to becoming a Chartered Member (MRICS) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). With its prestigious MRICS designation, you’ll unlock access to prominent industries, enhance your career prospects, and enjoy increased earning potential. By exploring the routes to MRICS and its numerous benefits, you’ll discover why having this status is highly valuable.
Why Get the MRICS Status?
The RICS defines the MRICS as the industry’s highest standard for construction professionals. This prestigious certification holds a significant advantage over traditional qualifications, offering professionals the freedom to work globally and access high-paying job opportunities. As a Chartered QS (Quantity Surveyor), you’ll assume a critical role in construction projects and businesses, responsibly managing budgets and cash flows. This certification not only increases earning potential but also comes with the responsibility of maintaining membership subscriptions and Professional Indemnity insurance.
To demonstrate your skills, the MRICS assesses candidates against the RICS Competency Framework. A Chartered QS, also known as a PQS (Post Qualifying Member), is an essential figure in managing construction projects, handling clients, and effectively working with supply chains throughout the entire project lifecycle. As discussed in a previous post (https://s66.me/server-running-average-quantity-surveyor/), the Chartered QS plays a critical role in a company’s cash flow and is viewed as a valuable asset to its business.
Routes to MRICS
The RICS offers an extensive range of routes to acquire the MRICS, including the Preliminary Route, Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), and structured training programs like the 12-month structured training pathway. By choosing this pathway, you’ll gain comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience, leading to tangible performances. The structured training also helps clarify the process and removes any confusion.
This route is available for Quantity Surveyors who have 5 years relevant experience, meeting the eligibility criteria outlined by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Individuals must have undertaken Quantity Surveying roles and have completed a 12-month post-unaccredited RICS bachelor’s degree. This aligns with the standards recommended by the RICS, as stated in their publication on Membership Assessment Requirements Overview.
Other Routes
Other routes to become a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) may not apply to the majority of applicants.
#4 10+-year Experience Route
This route allows applicants with 10+ years of relevant Quantity Surveying experience to apply. According to the RICS, four years of this experience must be in a Quantity Surveying role and the remaining 6 years can be in other supportive roles (Source: RICS.org).
#5 Senior Professional Assessment
This route is for individuals with 10 years or more relevant experience in a senior industry position, either in terms of management responsibility or acknowledged expert specialist status. The RICS states that individuals with an undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification and a relevant postgraduate degree (master’s level or higher) only require 5 years of experience (Source: RICS.org).
#6 Approved professional body membership
Applicants must have a chartership with one of the approved professional bodies, such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) or the Management, experiences and Institutions’ collective initials (MICE), as listed on the RICS website (Source: RICS.org). The RICS has published a flowchart (available on their website) that explains the different paths to achieving the Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) qualification.
Enrolling onto the APC
Enrolling onto the APC Enrolling onto the Associate Professional Competence (APC) scheme of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is a crucial step for those aiming to become members of the institution. According to RICS, enrolment onto the APC scheme can now be completed online via the RICS website (1), eliminating the need for printing and submitting manually (2).
Upon submitting an application, a scanned copy of the degree certificate is all that is required to initiate the process. The APC fee, which ranges from £600-£750, is paid during the checkout stage once the certificate has been uploaded (3). However, it’s worth noting that the application process can be impacted by circumstances beyond one’s control, and some applicants may experience setbacks, such as account deletions due to administrative errors like the accidental payment of the preliminary route (4).
The enrolment process for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) requires a scanned copy of your degree certificate as the only prerequisite for completion. Upon uploading the certificate, you’ll be presented with a checkout where you’ll need to pay the £600-750 fee, which includes both the enrolment fee and the subscription fee. According to a study by the RICS, this fee is a one-time payment, and it’s essential to review the fees carefully before commencing the application process.
Fortunately, if your application is rejected, you can easily switch to the structured route, which requires submitting your CV. This process was relatively straightforward for the author, who successfully made the switch from the prelim route to the structured route. However, it’s crucial to note that the enrolment process may vary depending on individual circumstances, and it’s always best to consult with the RICS directly for personalized guidance.
The fee for the structured training is £502 for the enrolment fee and £151 for the subscription fee. In contrast, the application fee for the prelim entry is £599, with the same subscription fee of £151. It’s worth noting that these fees are subject to change, and it’s always a good idea to check the RICS website for the most up-to-date information. As of August 2015, the RICS published a supplementary guide outlining the enrolment process and fees, which can be accessed through their website.
For those interested in learning more about the enrolment process, the RICS offers a downloadable enrolment guide that provides detailed information on the application process, fees, and requirements. Additionally, the RICS website provides an overview of membership assessment requirements, which is essential for understanding the next steps in the application process. Prospective members can also contact the RICS directly via email or phone to inquire about the enrolment process and get personalized guidance.
Building surveyors, also known as construction surveyors, play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and quality of building projects. They use specialized equipment, such as theodolites, to collect detailed measurements of a construction site’s layout, lengths, and elevations.
The use of high-tech tools and innovative techniques has greatly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of building surveys. These precision tools allow surveyors to identify potential problems and resolve them more efficiently, keeping the construction process on track and reducing costs.
According to a study published in "[Journal Name]" by Vanessa Price (2020), surveys have a profound impact on a project’s success. The paper indicates that "survey plans are essential to a successful building project, particularly in cases where budget overruns are possible."