During your journey towards a RICS qualification, you are assessed on your sector-specific skills, knowledge and experience.
You will select the sector pathway most closely linked to your area of expertise.
For Associate qualification (AssocRICS) there are 13 sector pathways available.
For Chartered qualification (MRICS) there are 22 sector pathways.
Published date: 07 February 2022
For each sector pathway, you will be assessed against a range of specific competencies. These are split between mandatory, core and optional competencies:
Each competency is assessed at three levels:
The levels you are required to reach for each competency vary across sector pathways and depending on whether you are applying to be an Associate Member (AssocRICS) or a Chartered Member (MRICS).
You ensure that building regulations and other legislation are followed in the design and construction stages of new and altered buildings, giving advice when designs fail to meet standards or where unforeseen problems are found on site. This includes fire safety, energy conservation, structural stability and disabled access.
To become an Associate Member on the Building Control pathway, you will be assessed against five Core Competencies and one of the Optional Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Building Control pathway, you will be assessed against four Core Competencies and four of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 22 March 2017
Published date: 17 July 2018
You are involved in all aspects of property and construction from supervising large mixed-use developments to planning domestic extensions. This requires enhanced technical knowledge and enables you to work in niche areas including building conservation, insurance, rights to light, party wall matters and dilapidations.
To become an Associate Member on the Building Surveying pathway, you will be assessed against six Core Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Building Surveying pathway, you will be assessed against seven Core Competencies and three Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from the full list of technical competencies, including any not already chosen from the optional list.
Published date: 21 March 2017
Published date: 14 March 2018
The principal sectors within commercial real estate are retail, office, industrial and leisure. Your key areas of activity can include purchase, sale and leasing of real estate, property and asset management, landlord and tenant relationships, telecommunications, valuation, property investment advice, development appraisals and real estate finance and funding.
There are two different options within Commercial Real Estate pathway: Commercial Property Management or Real Estate Agency.
To become an Associate Member in Commercial Property Management, you will be assessed against five Core Competencies plus one of the Optional Competencies.
To become an Associate Member in Real Estate Agency, you will be assessed against six out of seven Core Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Commercial Real Estate pathway, you will be assessed against three Core Competencies and four of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 3 or two to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 31 January 2024
Published date: 21 March 2017
Published date: 21 March 2017
You play a role in the whole lifecycle of an organisation’s property portfolio, with responsibilities including the analysis and strategic planning of property requirements and managing property in a way that ensures it is occupied to its maximum benefit. You have the potential to make a huge impact on the operation of a business and the experience of its employees.
For associate membership, there is no sector pathway for Corporate Real Estate. However, you may be interested in our sector pathway for either Commercial Real Estate or Valuation.
To become a Chartered Member on the Corporate Real Estate pathway, you will be assessed against four Core Competencies and five of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 15 February 2018
You are a specialist in all aspects of the management, monitoring and assessment of the environment in the context of real estate, land and construction. You work in areas including environmental management, land use and contaminated land, environmental auditing and assessment. You require an in-depth knowledge of legislation, professional due diligence, insurance, investment and all sectors of risk management from groundwater pollution risk to pollution control within the air that we breathe.
For associate membership, environmental surveying is covered within the sector pathway for Land.
To become a Chartered Member on the Environmental Surveying pathway, you will be assessed against five Core Competencies and three of the Optional Competencies.
Plus, three of the following to Level 3
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 19 June 2018
You are responsible for the total management of all services and built environment infrastructure that support the core business of an organisation. You require knowledge across the whole range of asset and built environment activities while also embracing significant change management and mobilisation programmes.
To become an Associate Member on the Facility Management pathway, you will be assessed against six out of seven Core Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Facility Management pathway, you will be assessed against four out of 10 Core Competencies and four of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 21 March 2017
Published date: 15 February 2018
You are the information provider of the land and property lifecycle. You collect, interpret, analyse and present spatially related information on the natural, built, social and economic environments. You are driven by technology and its role in maintaining land law and informing other socio-economic decision making.
At associate level, geomatics is divided into two distinct pathways:
Please note: for other land uses, such as rural, natural environment, minerals and waste management, please consult our Land and Resources pathway.
To become an Associate Member on the Geospatial pathway, you will be assessed against six out of 10 Core Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Geomatics pathway, you will be assessed against four out of 12 Core Competencies and four of the Optional Competencies.
Plus Measurement to Level 1.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 03 July 2017
Published date: 15 February 2018
To become an Associate Member on the Hydrographic pathway, you will be assessed against two Core Competencies and four our of five Optional Competencies.
Published date: 21 March 2017
You work on built infrastructure projects in transport, energy, petrochemicals, oil and gas, mining and resources, or water. You are responsible for the project and cost management of the infrastructure from inception to post-completion. Your skills will cover project finance, building information modelling (BIM) and asset management.
For associate membership, there is no sector pathway for Infrastructure. However, you may be interested in our sector pathway for either Planning and Development or Quantity Surveying and Construction.
To become a Chartered Member on the Infrastructure pathway, you will be assessed against five Core Competencies and three of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 16 February 2018
You provide advice across the entire land and property lifecycle from land registration/mapping to management to development to remediation and re-use. The United Nations concept of Fit for Purpose (FFP) is at the heart of capacity building in this critical area of practice. Your role is to balance the need for assets (property, infrastructure or resources) with the limits of the planet’s natural resources, utilising technology and dispute resolution skills to achieve the right results.
For Associate membership, your role will be focused on one of: environmental; planning and development; minerals and waste management; or rural.
To become an Associate Member on the Land and Resources pathway, you will be assessed against six out of 11 Core Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Land and Resources pathway, you will be assessed against seven of the Optional Competencies.
Plus two to Level 2 from the full list of technical competencies, including any not already chosen from the optional list.
Published date: 21 March 2017
Published date: 03 February 2020
You are a natural strategist, working in any organisation where real estate plays a significant part in the business. You are trained in economics, business and management skills and provide consultancy skills to identify and implement business solutions to real estate problems at any stage of the land and property lifecycle.
For associate membership, there is no sector pathway for Management Consultancy. However, you may be interested in our sector pathway for Project Management.
To become a Chartered Member on the Management Consultancy pathway, you will be assessed against four Core Competencies and three of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 15 February 2018
You are an advisor, supporting mineral extraction or waste management operations from the initial prospecting stage to the ultimate restoration and after-use of each site. In addition to knowledge of geology, mining and quarrying and the related economics and legislation, you have the practical management, negotiation and consultation skills to engage with landowners, the public, and other built environment, legal and finance professionals.
For associate membership, minerals and waste management is covered within the sector pathway for Land.
To become a Chartered Member on the Minerals and Waste Management pathway, you will be assessed against five Core Competencies and three of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 31 January 2024
You are involved in the valuation, sale, purchase, management and conservation of personal property, arts and antiques. This includes, but is not limited to, fine art, collectibles, heritage assets, antiques and jewellery, whether in public or private ownership.
There's currently no associate pathway for Personal Property/Arts and Antiques.
To become a Chartered Member on the Personal Property/Arts and Antiques pathway, you will be assessed against four Core Competencies and five of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 15 February 2018
You promote the use of effective land management and administration as one of the primary drivers behind sustainable development. This is not only about the physical aspects of the built and natural environment, but also the social, economic and environmental aspects. Your strategic perspective, combined with practicality, allows you to help achieve the world’s sustainable development needs.
For associate membership, planning and development is covered within the sector pathway for Land.
To become a Chartered Member on the Planning and Development pathway, you will be assessed against six Core Competencies and three of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 19 June 2018
You occupy a central role in the development process driving successful completion of construction projects. From developing the project brief to selecting, appointing and coordinating project teams, you represent clients through the full construction programme, managing the inputs clients, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders.
To become an Associate Member on the Project Management pathway, you will be assessed against six out of eight Core Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Project Management pathway, you will be assessed against eight Core Competencies and two of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 31 January 2024
Published date: 21 March 2017
You are involved in services relating to property finance advice or provision, or indirect property investment. You may work within a bank or other financial institution or be from a property firm that supports or manages property as an investment class. Although your focus is on the financial attributes of property, rather than its physical attributes, you also require experience of inspecting buildings.
For associate membership, there is no sector pathway for Property Finance and Investment. However, you may be interested in our sector pathway for either Quantity Surveying and Construction or Valuation.
To become a Chartered Member on the Property Finance and Investment pathway, you will be assessed against five Core Competencies and three of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 15 February 2018
You are the cost manager for construction projects. This will initially involve the capital expenditure phase of a building or facility, from feasibility to design and construction. You can also be involved with extensions, refurbishment, maintenance and demolition of a facility. Your experience may be in residential, commercial, industrial, leisure, agricultural or retail facilities; for all you require the ability to manage cost effectively, equating quality and value with individual client needs.
To become an Associate Member on the Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway, you will be assessed against five Core Competencies and one of the Optional Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway, you will be assessed against six Core Competencies and two of the Optional Competencies.
Published date: 21 March 2017
Published date: 03 February 2020
For the Research pathway, you must demonstrate competence in research that is applied to the delivery of solutions to a wide range of projects, employing a range of approaches and relating to numerous locations. There is no separate guide for the Research pathway. This is because the competencies and areas of knowledge and practice belong to one of the other pathways.
The core competencies you will have to demonstrate that are research-specific to Level 3 are:
The other technical competencies selected from that pathway should be demonstrated, in most cases, to Level 1. So, while assessors will need to be assured you have a genuine theoretical knowledge, you do not need to evidence any practical experience.
Your assessment is based on your ability to conduct and report on research. The main focus will be on your skills as a researcher. Questioning at final assessment will be about actual research projects you have undertaken. For example:
You are committed to the smooth operation of the housing market by specialising in one or more of the following services: sale, purchase or lettings, residential development, planning, investment or lending, property management, surveys, or valuation. You may specialise further based on your employer and client-base, where your focus may be on single private dwellings, residential blocks, social housing or large community developments.
There are three different options within Residential pathway: Real Estate Agency, Residential Property Management or Residential Survey and Valuation.
To become an Associate Member on the Real Estate Agency pathway, you will be assessed against six out of seven Core Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Residential pathway, you will be assessed against four out of 12 Core Competencies and four of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 21 March 2017
Published date: 31 January 2024
To become an Associate Member on the Residential Property Management pathway, you will be assessed against six of the nine Core Competencies.
Published date: 21 March 2017
To become an Associate Member on the Residential Survey and Valuation pathway, you will be assessed against six Core Competencies.
Published date: 21 March 2017
You understand how the countryside works and the interrelationships that exist in terms of the people who live and work there. Your skills apply across agriculture, rural estate management, landscape, valuation, auctioneering and asset management. You enable the rural economy to flourish not only because of your professionalism and technical expertise, but also because of your business acumen, advocacy and leadership in the rural community.
For Associate membership, rural practice is covered within the sector pathway for Land.
To become a Chartered Member on the Rural pathway, you will be assessed against four Core Competencies and eight of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 3 or two to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 15 February 2018
You provide tax advice on transfers of existing land and property, as well as new construction. You are most likely to be working within commercial property, but your services may extend to utilities, transportation and public services buildings. Your role is two-fold: to give strategic advice on tax positions and available tax allowances at the start of an acquisition or project, followed by proposals to minimise tax liabilities during use and at the point of disposal.
For associate membership, there is no sector pathway for Taxation Allowances. However, you may be interested in our sector pathway for either Commercial Real Estate or Project Management.
To become a Chartered Member on the Taxation Allowances pathway, you will be assessed against six Core Competencies and two of the Optional Competencies.
Published date: 19 February 2018
You will produce high quality valuations based on robust practice standards. Professional valuations are vital to a healthy property/asset market and a stable economy, forming the basis of performance analysis, financing decisions, transactional or development advice, dispute resolution, taxation and various statutory applications.
To become an Associate Member on the Valuation pathway, you will be assessed against five Core Competencies plus one of the Optional Competencies.
To become a Chartered Member on the Valuation pathway, you will be assessed against three Core Competencies and up to four of the Optional Competencies.
Published date: 21 March 2017
Published date: 15 February 2018
You will produce high quality valuations of businesses and other intangible assets based on robust practice standards. Professional valuations are vital to a healthy market and a stable economy, forming the basis of performance analysis, financing decisions, transactional or development advice, dispute resolution, taxation and various statutory applications.
For associate membership, there is no sector pathway for Valuation of Business and Intangible Assets. However, you may be interested in our sector pathway for Valuation.
To become a Chartered Member on the Valuation of Business and Intangible Assets pathway, you will be assessed against four Core Competencies and up to four of the Optional Competencies.
Plus one to Level 3 and two to Level 2 from either the Core Competencies or Optional Competencies.
Published date: 15 February 2018
The regulatory functions of RICS relating to entry and admission to the profession are led and overseen by Standards and Regulation Board (SRB).