The Assessment of Professional Competence is the final step between you and the letters MRICS after your name. It is the most important professional milestone in a quantity surveyor’s career — and it is achievable, with the right preparation, on your first attempt.
The APC has a pass rate of approximately 70 to 75 per cent. That means the majority of candidates who sit the final assessment pass. But the 25 to 30 per cent who do not almost always fail for the same predictable, avoidable reasons: poor preparation, weak ethics knowledge, or a case study that does not demonstrate genuine competence.
This guide walks you through every step of the APC process from enrolment to final interview, with specific guidance for the Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway. We cover the training routes, the competency framework, how to write your Summary of Experience and Case Study, and exactly what to expect in the one-hour assessment interview — including how to avoid the single most common reason for referral.
What Is the RICS APC?
The APC is RICS’s structured assessment process that evaluates whether you have the technical competence, professional skills, and ethical understanding required to become a chartered surveyor (MRICS). It is not an exam in the traditional sense — it is a competency-based assessment built around your real project experience.
The process involves a period of structured training under a chartered counsellor, the completion of written submissions documenting your experience, and a one-hour final assessment interview with two RICS assessors. From January 2026, candidates are allowed up to five attempts to pass the assessment, with prior attempts before that date not counted.
For quantity surveyors, the relevant pathway is the Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway. This defines the specific core, optional, and mandatory competencies you must demonstrate.
Which APC Route Is Right for You?
The APC has three structured training routes, depending on how much relevant experience you have when you enrol.
Table 01 / APC routes
APC structured training routes at a glance
| Route | Experience Required | Structured Training | CPD Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| APC 24 (Standard) | Less than 5 years | 24 months minimum | 96 hours (over 24 months) |
| APC 12 (Experienced) | 5–10 years | 12 months minimum | 48 hours (over 12 months) |
| APC Non-Structured | 10+ years at enrolment | None required | 48 hours (last 12 months) |
Source: RICS official APC guidance. A minimum of 1 year of structured training must be completed post-degree graduation. From Jan 2026, candidates have up to 5 assessment attempts.
Most graduate QSs will follow the APC 24 route, beginning their structured training within the first year of employment and completing it over 24 months. Experienced professionals with five or more years can fast-track through the APC 12 route. Those with over ten years can apply directly without structured training.
QS Pathway Competencies: What You Must Demonstrate
The Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway requires you to demonstrate competence across three categories: five core technical competencies (to Level 3), two optional technical competencies (to Level 2 or 3), and eleven mandatory competencies (to Level 1 or 2).
The three levels of attainment are: Level 1 (knowledge and understanding), Level 2 (application of knowledge), and Level 3 (reasoned advice and depth of technical knowledge). Core competencies must be demonstrated to Level 3 — meaning you need to show that you can provide reasoned advice to clients or colleagues, not just describe what you know.
Table 02 / QS pathway competencies
RICS APC competencies for the Quantity Surveying pathway
| Competency Type | Competencies | Level Required |
|---|---|---|
| Core (5 required) | Design Economics & Cost Planning; Procurement & Tendering; Quantification & Costing; Contract Practice; Project Financial Control & Reporting | Level 3 |
| Optional (2 required) | Choose from: Capital Allowances, Commercial Management, Construction Technology, Contract Administration, Corporate Recovery, Insurance, Programming & Planning, Project Evaluation, Risk Management, Sustainability | Level 2 or 3 |
| Mandatory (11 required) | Ethics, Rules of Conduct & Professionalism; Client Care; Communication & Negotiation; Conflict Avoidance, Management & Dispute Resolution; Data Management; Diversity, Inclusion & Teamworking; Health & Safety; Sustainability; Accounting Principles; Business Planning; plus Inclusive Environments | Level 1–2 |
Source: RICS Quantity Surveying & Construction Pathway Guide, 2026. Level 1 = knowledge, Level 2 = application, Level 3 = advisory/leadership. You can be referred on ethics alone.
The APC Process: Step by Step
Here is every stage of the APC journey, broken down into manageable steps with practical guidance at each point.
Graphic 01 / Your APC journey
The RICS APC process: step by step for quantity surveyors
Enrol on the RICS Assessment Platform
Register your APC application, select the Quantity Surveying & Construction pathway, and confirm your structured training route (APC 24 or APC 12).
Find a Counsellor and Supervisor
Your counsellor must be MRICS or FRICS and guides your development. Your supervisor oversees your day-to-day work. They certify your competence at the end.
Record Your Experience (APC Diary)
Log your experience against each competency in your APC diary. Record 400 days (APC 24) or 200 days (APC 12) of relevant professional experience.
Complete CPD Requirements
96 hours of CPD over 24 months (or 48 hours over 12 months). Include formal courses, self-directed learning, and professional events.
Pass the RICS Online Ethics Module
A mandatory online module testing your understanding of the RICS Rules of Conduct, professional ethics, and standards. Must be completed before your final assessment.
Write Your Summary of Experience
4,000 words covering your 5 core + 2 optional technical competencies, plus 1,500 words on your 11 mandatory competencies. Based on your real project work — not hypothetical.
Write Your Case Study (3,000 words)
Document a project where you encountered and resolved key issues. Keep it simple — assessors want to see your role, your actions, and the outcome. No need for a mega-project.
Final Assessment Interview (1 hour)
10-min presentation on your case study, then questioning on your competencies, ethics, and professional practice. Two RICS assessors. This is where you prove you are ready for chartership.
Source: RICS APC official guidance and APC Guide (apcguide.com), 2026. Timelines are for APC 24 route. APC 12 candidates follow the same steps in a compressed timeframe.
How to Write Your Summary of Experience
Your Summary of Experience is the most important written document in your APC submission. It is a 4,000-word report covering your core and optional technical competencies, plus a 1,500-word section on your mandatory competencies. The assessors use it as the foundation for their interview questions.
Structure It by Competency
Write a brief statement for each competency, covering what you did (the project context), how you did it (your specific role and actions), and what you learned or achieved. Do not write generically — every statement should reference real projects and real outcomes.
Use the RICS Template
Download the official Summary of Experience template from the RICS Assessment Platform. Do not create your own format. The assessors expect a specific structure, and deviating from it creates unnecessary friction.
Have Your Counsellor Review It
Your counsellor should review your Summary of Experience before submission. They will catch gaps, suggest improvements, and confirm that your evidence matches the competency levels required. Build in at least four weeks for review and revision.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing about what your team did rather than what you specifically did
- Using hypothetical scenarios instead of real project examples
- Failing to demonstrate Level 3 (advisory) capability in core competencies
- Exceeding word counts — RICS enforces the 4,000 and 1,500 limits strictly
- Submitting without a counsellor’s sign-off
How to Write Your Case Study
The Case Study is a 3,000-word report documenting a project where you encountered and resolved key issues. It forms the basis of your ten-minute presentation at the start of the final interview, and the assessors will ask detailed follow-up questions about it.
Choose the Right Project
You do not need a mega-project. The RICS provides no guidelines on scheme value or complexity. Choose a project where you played a significant role and which showcases a range of your technical competencies. A straightforward residential scheme where you managed the commercial function end-to-end is better than a billion-pound infrastructure project where you only handled one small element.
Keep the Issues Simple
The assessors are not looking for complexity for its own sake. They want to see how you identified a problem, what options you considered, what action you took, and what the outcome was. Keep your key issues clear enough that a non-specialist could follow your reasoning.
Follow the RICS Format
RICS is prescriptive about the headings and structure. Follow them exactly. This makes writing easier, not harder, because the framework tells you what to cover in each section.
Allow Three Months
From generating project ideas to completing the final version, the Case Study typically takes around three months. This includes drafting, counsellor review, amendments, and final polish. Do not leave it until the last minute.
Preparing for the Final Assessment Interview
The final interview is where everything comes together. It lasts approximately one hour and is structured as follows:
Table 03 / Interview structure
RICS APC final assessment interview breakdown
| Section | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate Presentation | 10 minutes | Present your case study. Summarise the project, your role, key issues, and outcomes. |
| Assessor 1 — Technical Questioning | 20 minutes | Questions on your case study and core/optional technical competencies. Project-specific, evidence-based. |
| Assessor 2 — Technical Questioning | 20 minutes | Further technical competency questions. May probe areas not covered by Assessor 1. |
| Chairperson — Ethics & Mandatory | 10 minutes | Ethics, Rules of Conduct, professional practice, mandatory competencies. You can be referred on this section alone. |
| Close | 1–2 minutes | Opportunity to revisit any questions or add anything you noted during the interview. |
Source: RICS APC Candidate Guide and APC Guide (apcguide.com). Total duration: approximately 1 hour. Interview conducted by video call or in person.
The Single Most Important Tip: Know Your Ethics
You can be referred on ethics alone. This is the most common reason for APC failure. The RICS places significant emphasis on the Rules of Conduct, professional ethics, and the candidate’s understanding of their responsibilities as a future chartered surveyor.
You must be able to articulate the five RICS ethical principles (acting with integrity, maintaining high standards, acting in a way that promotes trust, treating others with respect, and taking responsibility), explain how they apply in real situations, and demonstrate that you would prioritise ethical conduct even when it conflicts with commercial pressure.
Prepare for scenario-based ethics questions: What would you do if you discovered a colleague had accepted a kickback? How would you handle a conflict of interest? What are your obligations under the RICS Rules of Conduct? If you cannot answer these fluently and confidently, you are not ready for the interview.
Prepare Your Ten-Minute Presentation
Your case study presentation should summarise the project, your role, the key issues, and the outcomes in exactly ten minutes. Practice it repeatedly until you can deliver it naturally without reading from notes. Use visual aids if they help, but keep them simple. The assessors are interested in your narrative, not your PowerPoint skills.
Do Mock Interviews
This is the single most effective preparation technique. Ask your counsellor, supervisor, or a senior chartered colleague to conduct a full mock interview — including the presentation, technical questioning, and ethics section. Firms that invest in structured mock interviews, like CalfordSeaden, report APC pass rates of 85 to 100 per cent, well above the national average.
Know Your Submission Inside Out
The assessors will base the majority of their questions on your own Summary of Experience and Case Study. If you wrote about a specific variation you managed, expect to be asked how you valued it, which contract clause applied, and how you communicated the cost impact to the client. If you cannot elaborate on anything in your submission, it should not be in there.
2026 Hot Topics You Must Know
Each APC session has “hot topics” that assessors are likely to ask about. For 2026, be prepared for questions on:
- RICS Responsible Use of AI: The new Professional Standard (effective 9 March 2026) on responsible AI use in surveying practice. Know its key principles and how AI affects QS work.
- Anti-Bribery and Corruption: The RICS guidance on countering bribery, corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing. Understand what constitutes a kickback, an artificially inflated price, and an introductory payment.
- RICS Leadership and Governance Changes: Be aware of recent governance reforms at RICS and what they mean for members.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance: Changes to PI requirements and their impact on practitioners.
- Sustainability and Net Zero: How sustainability obligations affect QS practice, particularly in cost planning and procurement decisions.
- Social Media Guidelines: RICS guidance on professional use of social media and its implications for chartered members.
The Salary Return on Chartership
Achieving MRICS is not just a professional milestone — it is a direct financial investment with an immediate and compounding return. Chartered QSs earn 15 to 25 per cent more than non-chartered professionals at the same experience level. In absolute terms, that is £7,000 to £15,000 more per year, starting immediately on qualification.
Over a thirty-year career, the cumulative difference is £300,000 to £500,000+ in additional lifetime earnings. Beyond salary, chartership unlocks access to senior, associate, and director roles that are effectively closed to non-chartered professionals. For a full breakdown, see our Chartered Quantity Surveyor Salary Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RICS APC pass rate?
The historical pass rate is approximately 70 to 75 per cent. Firms with structured APC support programmes report significantly higher rates — CalfordSeaden, for example, has achieved 85 per cent, with 100 per cent in recent sessions.
How long does the APC take?
The standard route (APC 24) requires 24 months of structured training. The experienced route (APC 12) requires 12 months for professionals with five or more years of experience. The total time from enrolment to final assessment is typically 24 to 30 months for most candidates.
How many attempts do I get?
From January 2026, you can make up to five attempts. Attempts before this date do not count towards your total.
Can I fail on ethics alone?
Yes. RICS places significant emphasis on ethics, Rules of Conduct, and professional practice in the interview. Candidates can be — and are — referred to this section alone, even if their technical competence is strong.
What is the most difficult part of the APC?
According to a survey of over 100 candidates by APC Guide, 66 per cent said revising for the final assessment interview was the most challenging part. 21 per cent found writing the Case Study more difficult. Structured mock interviews are the single most effective preparation strategy.
Do I need a counsellor from my own firm?
Your counsellor must be MRICS or FRICS and does not have to be from your own organisation. However, at least one of your three proposers/seconders must be from a different firm.
Final Thoughts: The Investment That Pays for Itself
The APC is demanding. It requires discipline, planning, and genuine competence. But it is a clearly structured, time-limited process with a well-defined outcome — and the return on investment is extraordinary.
The 70–75 per cent of candidates who pass are those who prepare systematically: they keep their APC diary current from month one, they invest in mock interviews, they know the RICS Ethics inside out, and they write submissions based on real, demonstrable project experience. Join them.
Start early. Prepare thoroughly. And do not let fear of the process stop you. Chartership is the single most valuable thing you can do for your QS career — and the industry is waiting to reward you for it.
