RICS Professional Experience Applicant Handbook - Submission

rics.org/experience

Applicant Handbook: Submission

Professional Experience Route

AP

PLIC

AN

T

APPLICANT HANDBOOK: SUBMISSION02

Submission

Overview 03

Preparing a competency statement 04

Preparing a case study 06

Recording your CPD 06

Organisation chart 07

RICS assessment 07

Result 07

Referral 08

Appendix

Submission checklist 10

Contents

All rights in this publication, including full copyright or publishing right, content and design, are owned by RICS, except where otherwise described. Any dispute arising out of this publication is subject to the law and jurisdiction of England and Wales.

Published by: RICS Education and Qualification Standards

03 APPLICANT HANDBOOK: SUBMISSION03

Submission

This handbook guides you through the second stage of the

Professional Experience Route to membership, which requires

you to submit written evidence to demonstrate your level

of competence.

Before completing the submission you will have paid a non-

refundable assessment fee that covers this process and a final

assessment interview. The final interview step is only open to

those who meet all the requirements indicated in this handbook.

It is important that your submission provides an accurate

representation of your capabilities as these will be fully tested

and cross-referenced in a face-to-face final assessment

interview that ultimately determines whether you have met

the competence requirements.

Overview

You must provide the following written evidence

• seven competency statements

• two case studies

• CPD record

• organisation chart.

You will submit this evidence electronically. RICS advise you to

draft your evidence as a word-processed document, and copy

and paste it into the submission template.

Once you have submitted your evidence, an RICS assessor

will decide whether you have demonstrated your competence

sufficiently to be able to progress to the final interview stage.

Choosing your competencies

You will need the relevant pathway guide with you

to complete this.

At the application stage you chose your pathway and then

assessed yourself against the full list of competencies for

that pathway.

From that list of competencies, you must select seven

technical competencies.

• Choose from the core competencies. If there are more than

seven, you only need to choose seven. If there are fewer than

seven, follow the criteria below.

• Choose the required number of optional competencies to

make the total up to seven. The optional competencies must

be at the highest level required for the pathway.

Example

The pathway has four core competencies, and requires you to

select, from the optional competencies, three to level two and

two to level one. For your submission, you must choose all four

of the core competencies, plus three to level two from the list of

optional competencies.

Your competency statements and case studies will be assessed

against your chosen seven technical competencies and the

mandatory competencies.

Although you are only providing evidence for a specified number

of competencies in your submission, you may be questioned on

the full range of competencies required for the pathway in your

final assessment interview.

Approach to take

Each competency statement allows you to show how you have

developed depth of knowledge and practical ability throughout

your career for one specific technical competency. Ideally the

contents of the statements will be drawn from your education/

training and your work on a number of projects.

One competency, several projects

The case studies allow you to demonstrate your competence

from another approach. The focus of a case study is on one

specific project. The project you choose should allow you to

demonstrate a range of technical and mandatory competencies,

and how you used the competency skills to achieve a

successful outcome.

One project, several competencies

04 APPLICANT HANDBOOK: SUBMISSION

Preparing a competency statement

For each of the seven competencies you have selected, you

must write a statement of 300–500 words.

Once you have completed the statements you should review

them together. In addition to showing your abilities in individual

competencies, together they should provide the assessor with

an overview of your career, the work that you do and the levels

you are working at.

RICS is not looking simply for evidence that you can do a

surveying-related job (i.e. as a technical operative), but that you

are operating at a level with considerable personal responsibility

for decisions that have a significant effect on clients (i.e. as a

broad-based practitioner).

You should demonstrate progression beyond what would

normally be expected of a new graduate in a first role. For

example, with five years’ relevant experience you should be

able to demonstrate that you are undertaking work that reflects

a broad range of the competencies for the pathway. With ten

years’ experience, you may have progressed in a number of

ways: you may

• be covering a broader range of projects and duties

• have moved up the management structure

• have become a specialist, focusing on one particular area

but demonstrating considerably more expertise

• be covering the same work since your career started, but be

working under less supervision and leading on some projects

or accounts, or becoming involved in contributing to the work

of another professional body.

Your competency statements are expected to reflect this.

Bear in mind that when you are approved for final assessment

your competency statements and the assessor’s report may

be used by the final assessment panel to structure the interview

and identify topics for questioning.

The competency statement template below is made up of five

sections. You must identify the competency, provide contextual

background if you wish, and must enter your statements

showing how you have achieved the required levels.

Submission

Competency name:

Competency reference number:

Competency level:

Context

Level 1 – Evidence to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding

Level 2 – Evidence to demonstrate practical application of your knowledge and understanding

Level 3 – Evidence (if required) to demonstrate the reasoned advice you have given to clients

05 APPLICANT HANDBOOK: SUBMISSION

Context

The purpose of this section is to describe briefly the context

of your statement. It allows you to set the scene with details

of your career and does not count towards your word count.

For example: “The first role in which I had experience of this

competency was [job A], in which I was called on to [….]. I

then progressed to a level in [job B] in which I was required

to [….]”

Knowledge and understanding (level 1)

Explain what learning/training you have done, and when, to

gain level 1 in the competency. This may have been through

formal education and/or formal training in the workplace or

work-based learning.

If your degree is relevant to your chosen pathway, you can

draw on this to indicate how you have gained the required

knowledge. Alternatively, you may have developed your

knowledge and understanding through targeted formal

training. Formal training could include online courses, in-house

seminars or workshops, distance learning, academic study,

day-release programmes, structured learning or mentoring.

You may have participated in a training programme developed

by your employer or in partnership with a training provider.

It will rarely be possible for an applicant to have gained the

level of knowledge required for RICS membership solely

from on-the-job experience; if this is the case, you will need

to provide extensive evidence in the rest of the statement to

show that you have achieved sufficient responsibility to put

knowledge into practice at the level RICS would expect of a

professional member, across the breadth of activities required

to be proficient. Similarly, short in-house training courses or

CPD events would be unlikely to provide enough theoretical

learning to support a level 2 or 3 competency.

It is not impossible to achieve the required standard by a

combination of learning methods but you will need to make

a strong argument if you are suggesting this.

In order to reduce the number of words used, you can provide

a list; but you should include some brief detail, if necessary,

to ensure that the assessor can be confident the education/

training is relevant to the competency.

Practical application (level 2)

Show how you have put your knowledge and understanding

into practice. Briefly review your career and the activities you

have performed that are relevant to this competency.

The following may help you to structure your statements:

• Refer to projects you have been involved in.

• Identify the type of client – but be aware of your clients’

confidentiality. You can describe companies, buildings or

land in financial terms (revenue, value) or in terms of size

(large, small), area (floor size, levels, capacity) or location

(local, international, worldwide).

• Describe your own role.

• Explain how your involvement demonstrates your

practical competence.

Reasoned advice (level 3)

Where you have indicated you are at level 3 or the pathway

requires level 3 to be achieved, explain the reasoned advice

you have given to clients.

Provide examples that describe the nature of the advice,

the options you considered and the outcome.

The advice should be predominantly your individual

responsibility, rather than collective. It should demonstrate

that you are working with minimum supervision.

The advice should have significant, financial or strategic

implications for the client, and should be given on behalf

of your firm in order to fulfil your contractual obligations

to the client.

06 APPLICANT HANDBOOK: SUBMISSION 06

Submission

Preparing a case study

You must write two case studies of 500–1,000 words each.

You may attach illustrations, plans and appendices, provided

they can be scanned and uploaded.

Additional documents should be attached only if they are

directly relevant to the competencies you are demonstrating

in your case study.

Your case studies should demonstrate as wide a range as

possible of your technical competencies and the mandatory

(general business) competencies, and an understanding of

the ethical dimensions of your work.

Bear in mind that you will use one of your case studies to

make a 10-minute presentation to the final assessment panel.

List the technical competencies and mandatory competencies

demonstrated in each case study in the box provided in the

case study template.

The template also provides a text box for you to describe

briefly the context, if you wish. This allows you to set the

scene with some details of your career and does not count

towards your word count.

Each case study should focus on a single project or piece of

work undertaken in the last 24 months where you played a

leading role in terms of any or all of the following

• implementation

• management (where applicable)

• decision making

• problem solving

• strategy

• client relationship management.

The content of your case studies is more important than the

style, but they should meet the standard of writing expected

in a professional report prepared for a client.

You should be confident that each case study demonstrates

the following

• your understanding of the competencies (core, optional,

mandatory competencies)

• at least two technical competencies (core,

optional competencies)

• a range of business skills (mandatory competencies)

• the level of your responsibility

• at least one example of personally giving reasoned

advice to a client for a level 3 competency.

While writing the case studies you should be aware of what

evidence you have already provided in your competency

statements and ensure that the level and scope of activities

you are describing is consistent with the claims you made in

your competency statements.

The assessor will look at the competency statements and case

studies individually, but will also take a holistic view. Review all

your written evidence together before you submit it, and make

sure there are no gaps or contradictions.

Recording your CPD

You must list the continuing professional development (CPD)

you have completed over the past 12 months and the CPD

you have planned for the next 12 months. You must refer to

a minimum of 20 hours of training and development for each

12-month period.

Undertaking CPD is a commitment to the continual updating

of knowledge and skills throughout your professional life in

order to remain competent. It is essential to achieving and

maintaining RICS membership.

Your CPD record is a log and evaluation of the learning

activities that have built up (and will build up) your skills

towards your mandatory and technical competencies.

It should be gained in a systematic, structured manner

and be based on a process of selecting, planning and

evaluating the activities. Learning activities can include

Private learning: reading, online learning or similar which

you have undertaken independently.

Organised learning: a learning event provided by a training

company, college or similar.

Work-based learning: training provided in your workplace.

This may include in-house training courses or events put on by

your employer; instruction or mentored practice in new tasks;

reading, study or online learning required by your employer in

order to equip you for your role.

Other: activities which do not fall into one of the previous three

categories, but which develop your skills.

You can find out more about the RICS requirements for CPD

by visiting www.rics.org/cpd


Organisation chart

You must provide an organisation chart that clearly shows

your own position, and your place in the structure both of your

immediate department and the organisation as a whole.

Use the submission checklist (see appendix) before you

submit your written evidence to ensure the submission meets

the basic requirements.

RICS assessment

Your submissions will be read and assessed by a trained

assessor who is an RICS member specialising in your field

of practice. The assessor will consider the totality of the

evidence you have provided. This includes

• application form

• competency statements

• case studies

• CPD record


Before the assessment date, the assessors will check your

submissions to determine whether any conflicts of interest exist.

If they do, RICS will make arrangements to manage them.

The assessor must decide whether, on paper, you have

demonstrated a suitable profile and level of competence to

proceed to your final interview. The assessor considers all

your evidence against the competency requirements for your

pathway, and performs a gap analysis.

You are being assessed on seven technical competencies:

you will have to show that you have achieved all of them,

to the required level, before you can proceed.

The assessor will also consider your mandatory competencies

(general business skills), including ethics. At this stage, however,

the main judgement is about your technical competencies.

Result

The result of this stage of the assessment process will be

either that you have passed or been referred.

Passed

You will be informed of the result by RICS in an email with a

feedback report attached within 20 working days. You will be

advised of the next steps, which include completing an online

ethics module and test (to be completed in your own time)

before your final assessment interview is scheduled.

The report may include pointers about areas you need to focus

on before your final interview. Any area highlighted is likely to be

tested further at the final assessment interview.

Referred

You will be notified that you have not demonstrated the required

competency standards and will be advised of the steps to take in

order to achieve them. Assessors have a range of solutions they

can recommend to you.

You will receive a feedback report within 20 working days giving

you prescribed actions to complete before you can proceed to

interview, together with a timetable. You then have ten working

days to

• notify RICS by email that you accept these actions, or

• make any counter-proposals to the assessor by email.

Any counter-proposals will be assessed by RICS and a

response provided within ten working days.

08 APPLICANT HANDBOOK: SUBMISSION 08

Submission

Referral

Assessor feedback report

The feedback report will include

• a summary of the competencies you have yet to achieve

• a decision on your case studies (satisfactory

or unsatisfactory)

• prescribed actions that you must complete

• a timetable to complete the actions.

You will have the opportunity to propose alternative actions

but the assessor has no obligation to accept them. Ideally,

you will understand why the prescribed actions are necessary

and how they will improve your chances of success when

you resubmit for assessment. Ultimately, the feedback report

indicates the gaps in your experience, which have been

identified by the assessor.

Addressing the gaps

Knowledge and understanding

If you have not provided evidence of the underpinning

knowledge and understanding for one or more technical

competencies, you will have to demonstrate, before you can

be interviewed, that you have taken reasonable steps to gain

that knowledge through academic or other study. RICS has a

network of universities offering accredited courses: they will

normally be your first choice of provider for appropriate

modules. Other providers may be suitable but you will have

to demonstrate that the learning you have undertaken is from

an appropriate source, at a high enough level, and covering the

right subject areas.

The assessor and RICS staff will be able to help by providing

you with details of the provision available. The assessor will

recommend learning provision to suit your needs, ranging

from full courses to individual modules, depending on how great

the gap is. If you are proposing anything different from what the

assessor recommends, you must make your proposal to RICS

and have it approved by the assessor before going ahead.

Practical application

If you have not provided evidence of sufficiently broad and

high-quality experience to demonstrate practical application of

one or more technical competencies, you will need to agree a

plan with the assessor and your employer to show how you can

be exposed to the necessary range and quality of work. You will

agree a timetable with the assessor showing how long this is

expected to take before you can resubmit for assessment.

Reasoned advice

If you have not provided evidence of giving reasoned advice

to clients, for a level 3 technical competency, you will need to

agree a plan and timetable as above.

Resubmitting for assessment

The requirements for resubmitting will be dependent on how

many of your competency statements and case studies have

been assessed as satisfactory. The feedback report will advise

you what documents you need to resubmit once you have

completed the prescribed actions.

You will either

• submit new competency statements/case studies in place

of the unsatisfactory ones, or

• provide evidence that you have completed the prescribed

actions, with third-party confirmation where necessary.

If you are submitting new competency statements or case

studies you must reference the actions you have taken to

address the gaps that were identified by the assessor. You can

use the initial text box to briefly describe the action you have

taken and when. In the competency statement you should

explain how the action demonstrates your competence at the

levels required.


Banking competency statements and case studies

Competency statements and case studies assessed as

satisfactory are banked. Provided you complete the

prescribed actions within the timetable set in the feedback

report, you will not need to submit any more evidence

on the banked competencies or case studies.

Bear in mind that in your final interview you may be

asked questions on the broader range of competencies

for your pathway.

Mandatory competencies

The assessor will make a preliminary assessment of your

mandatory competencies, including ethics. You will not be

prevented from going forward simply on the basis of these

non-technical competencies. The assessor may, however,

identify any that have not been covered, or where your

evidence does not look particularly strong. This will help

you work on these competencies before your final interview

– in which any or all of them may be covered.

Timetable

If you exceed the timetable by six months or more, you will

have to submit evidence for the full range of seven technical

competencies and provide new case studies to ensure you are

providing up to date examples that reflect your current work.

You will also be required to pay another full assessment fee.

Appeals process

You have the right to appeal against the assessor’s decision.

You will have 21 days from the date of the results letter to

make an appeal.

RICS staff can provide you with guidance on the

appeals procedure.

APPLICANT HANDBOOK: SUBMISSION10 010

Appendix

Submission checklist

Your submission must include

• seven competency statements

• two case studies

• CPD record


Checks for the competency statements

• chosen technical competencies meet the criteria

set out in applicant handbook

• competency name and reference number completed correctly

• competency level correctly identified according to

pathway requirements

• context section completed (optional)

• statement demonstrates competence at each level required

• statement is closely linked with competency definitions

and examples given in pathway guide

• for level 1, reference is made to education, qualifications

or training

• for level 2, reference is made to a range of projects and

practical application of skills

• for level 3, examples are provided of advice given to clients

• client confidentially is upheld

• word count is between 300 and 500 words per statement.

Checks for the case studies

• context section completed (optional)

• case study focuses on only one project or piece of work

• project/work was undertaken in last 24 months

• two technical competencies are demonstrated (minimum)

• one mandatory competency is demonstrated (minimum)

• your level of responsibility is demonstrated

• one example of level 3 technical competence (reasoned

advice) is demonstrated for a level 3 competency (minimum)

• client confidentially is upheld

• technical and mandatory competencies covered are

listed beneath each case study

• word count is between 500 and 1,000 words per case study.

Checks for the CPD record

• 20 hours is recorded for previous 12 months (minimum)

• 20 hours is recorded for next 12 months (minimum)

• activities cover a broad range of competencies.

Checks for the organisation chart

• your position is demonstrated

• structure of your department is demonstrated

• structure of the organisation is demonstrated.

Checks for all submissions

• accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar

• writing style is professional.

APPLICANT HANDBOOK: SUBMISSION 11 011

RICS HQ

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

SE

PTE

MB

ER

201

1/V

P/1

027M

M

Advancing standards in land, property and construction.

RICS is the world’s 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 is a regulator of both its individual members and firms enabling it to maintain the highest standards and providing the basis for unparalleled client confidence in the sector.

RICS has a worldwide network. For further information simply contact the relevant RICS office or our Contact Centre.

Asia Room 2203 Hopewell Centre 183 Queen’s Road East Wanchai Hong Kong

t +852 2537 7117 f +852 2537 2756 [email protected]

Americas One Grand Central Place 60 East 42nd Street Suite 2810 New York 10165 – 2811 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


Europe (excluding United Kingdom and Ireland) Rue Ducale 67 1000 Brussels Belgium

t +32 2 733 10 19 f +32 2 742 97 48 [email protected]

Africa PO Box 3400 Witkoppen 2068 South Africa


Middle East Office G14, Block 3 Knowledge Village Dubai United Arab Emirates


India 48 & 49 Centrum Plaza Sector Road Sector 53, Gurgaon – 122002 India


United Kingdom Parliament Square London SW1P 3AD United Kingdom

t +44 (0)870 333 1600 f +44 (0)207 334 3811 [email protected]

Ireland 38 Merrion Square Dublin 2 Ireland


rics.org/experience

Documents

RICS Professional Experience Applicant Handbook - Submission