Jen Lemen provides an overview and some top tips for how the new RICS APC submission process works.
While not dissimilar in look from the former Assessment Resource Centre, the new RICS assessment platform is far more intuitive and user-friendly.
The platform is accessed via your RICS account, or by going to https://assessment.rics.org. All candidates now have to use the new platform to submit, whether for preliminary review or final assessment. The platform is used to record and submit your documentation and for your counsellor, proposer and seconders to sign off or approve you.
Below is a step-by-step process of what you need to do to be able to submit.
Enrolment and registration
Enrol on the APC and log into the platform
↓
If you previously used ARC, you can download your old data using the “legacy data” button.
↓
Familiarise yourself with the new-look platform, including the candidate home page.
↓
Access your profile and add your details: prospective submission date, contact details, company, employment history (ensure you add details of each role), qualifications (educational and professional), pathway and counsellor details. You can change your counsellor or pathway at any time using this part of the platform.
↓
Revision and interview preparation.
Preparing your submission
If you are on 12 or 24 months’ structured training then you need to fill out your diary (using the diary section of the platform) on a regular basis. Details you need to fill out include your diary entry, competency title, level, start date and days logged. You can filter your entries on the platform to help with writing up your summary of experience.
↓
For your summary of experience, you can download a Word document template from this section of the pathway. When you have completed it, you simply need to save and upload it back to the platform as a PDF. You then hit the “request review” button so your counsellor can review, provide feedback and approve this section of your submission.
↓
For your case study, the same rules apply as for the summary of experience above.
↓
For your CPD record, you need to log this directly on the platform, including a description of the activity, start date, time logged, type of CPD, formal or informal nature and the learning outcome. The CPD section has an in-built rule to ensure you submit a minimum of 48h CPD and that at least 50% of your total is formal.
↓
Complete the professionalism module and test via the platform. This remains valid for 12 months and must be completed before you submit.
↓
At any time, you can preview your submission as a PDF using the “preview assessment document” button on the candidate home page screen.
Submission process
Up to three months before your submission window, you can enter details of your proposer and two seconders to the platform. You will need their RICS number or e-mail address registered with RICS. They must all be MRICS or FRICS and at least one must not work at your company. After you click “confirm”, get in touch with these surveyors and let them know that they will need to approve you via their own platform log-in – do not leave it too late as you cannot submit without these approvals. This stage is not required for preliminary review submissions.
↓
You must complete the professional declaration via the platform before your counsellor can sign you off.
↓
Your counsellor will then need to sign you off before you can proceed. Leave plenty of time for this stage as your counsellor will need to review and may have feedback on your work. They may also need time to familiarise themselves with the new approval process on the platform.
↓
For session 2 2023, RICS has introduced a mandatory “intent to submit” form. You should receive e-mail notification of this prior to your submission window opening. You must fill in the form if you want to be eligible to submit for final assessment. The purpose of the form is to allow RICS to schedule assessment panels efficiently. You should receive a confirmation e-mail after submitting the form.
↓
When your submission window opens, a banner will confirm this via the platform and the final sign-off process will be open for you to complete. The platform provides a colour-coded progress tracker so you can see if you have any outstanding actions to complete.
↓
When you apply for final assessment, you will need to declare your area of practice (only for specific pathways), international experience and special considerations. On the latter, it is really important that you tell RICS about anything that might affect your interview. This allows RICS and your assessment panel to assess you fairly and equally, it will not disadvantage you in any way. RICS is currently asking candidates to complete the preferential interview dates section and to keep all dates free during the assessment period (see the RICS website for confirmation of dates).
↓
Download a copy of your final submission to carry out a final proofread and check before you click submit.
↓
If you have been referred previously, your referral report will be available to download after you have submitted.
Post-submission
RICS will now verify your application and submission, confirm that you submitted the “intent to submit” form and send confirmation to you via the platform within 10 working days.
↓
Get revising and book in a mock interview with an active assessor to ensure you are well-prepared for the final interview.
↓
RICS will then send you three weeks’ notification of your final assessment interview time and date via e-mail – keep an eye on your spam folder just in case.
The quick quiz
1. Who is the interim chair of the RICS standards and regulation board?
- a) Nigel Collins
- b) Nigel Clarke
- c) Ann Gray
2. Which is the correct level of RICS Home Survey which provides the most comprehensive reporting and inspection framework?
- a) Level 1
- b) Level 2
- c) Level 3
3. What does EUV stand for?
- a) Existing use value
- b) Extra use value
- c) Exceptional use value
Further reading and resources
- Download and review the RICS platform user guides available via the platform
- Watch the RICS YouTube videos on how to use it
- Direct your counsellor to the RICS guides via the above links
