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Profession & Standards

RICS develops and enforces leading international standards to protect consumers and businesses, ensuring the highest level of professionalism is employed across the built and natural environment.

Our standards documents lay out the ethical, conduct and competence expected for Members of RICS. By working to our standards, professional members and RICS regulated firms deliver confidence. RICS ensures these standards are upheld by the profession through a system of independently led regulation.

We also provide additional information, resources and training to support professionals in using the standards and remaining compliant.

RICS Standards and Guidance

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Regulation Rules and Governance

Rules of Conduct

Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment

Sector standards & guidance

Sector standards establish the expectations of members of the profession and RICS regulated firms when practising in specific disciplines and relate primarily to technical competence and ethical conduct. Standards of conduct apply to all sectors.

The regulatory functions of RICS relating to Standards and Professional Development are led and overseen by the Standards and Regulation Board (SRB).

Popular Standards & Guidance

Impact of carbon markets on the rural economy, 1st edition, practice information - UK

This paper offers a comprehensive overview of how UK and global carbon markets create new opportunities and challenges for British agriculture, forestry, and the valuation industry.

Whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) support services

A range of support services for second edition users

Developing a construction procurement strategy and selecting an appropriate route

Originally published as a guidance note in 2013 this document has been rewritten as practice information, so as to account for changes in legislation, case law and construction contracts introduced since 2013.

Cost analysis and benchmarking 2nd edition

This practice information summarises the purpose and process of both cost analysis and construction project benchmarking.

Regulation of Valuation Practice

Robust oversight of valuation practice is essential in ensuring trust in the sector is upheld and improved, particularly through the reduction of risk and the strengthening of accountability.

Defects and rectifications 2nd edition

This practice information is aimed at construction professionals who manage the identification and rectification of defective construction work when it occurs or those who have to address the consequences of this defective work.

Ascertaining loss and expense 2nd edition

The ascertainment of loss and expense is a set of tasks that endeavour to calculate as precisely as possible, and in accordance with the contract, the additional costs or losses incurred by one party directly due to a default of the other.

Practical considerations for RICS valuers operating in the USA

This Practice Information paper has been developed by an expert group comprising USA based members with expertise of USA and global valuation standards.

Damages for Delay to Completion 2nd edition

Originally published as a guidance note in 2011 this document has been rewritten as practice information, so as to account for changes in legislation, case law and construction contracts introduced since 2011.

Survey regarding new edition, call for expressions of interest in Expert Working Group membership

A project is currently underway to review and update the black book content with the aim of producing a comprehensive new edition, with improved presentation and navigation.