RICS Practice Alert – Use of RICS Designation and AI by Students, Trainees and RICS APC Candidates
- Jen Lemen
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
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What is this blog about?
In this week’s blog, we look at the RICS Practice Alert on the Use of RICS Designations, Status and Logos, and Integrity of Assessment Submissions. This is essential reading for all RICS APC candidates, surveying trainees and student surveyors.
You can read the full practice alert online.
Who does the Practice Alert apply to?
Pretty much everyone…
RICS Members
RICS APC and AssocRICS candidates, counsellors and supervisors
RICS-Regulated Firms
Any individual or entity connected to RICS
Why has the Practice Alert been issued?
RICS have issued the Practice Alert to clarify and ensure the proper use of RICS designations, membership status and logos. In addition, RICS have clarified the use of AI around the RICS APC and AssocRICS assessments.
What does the Practice Alert say about the use of RICS designations?
As it says on the tin…only surveyors who have qualified as AssocRICS, MRICS or FRICS can use these designations.
If you haven’t qualified and do not have the certificate to prove it (or check your credentials on https://www.rics.org/find-a-member) – then you CANNOT use any of these designations.
It is fraudulent, misleading to clients, misrepresents your professional status and clearly contravenes the RICS Rules of Conduct. We all have a duty to promote trust in the profession and this is one simple way to do this.
Don’t claim to be something you are not under any circumstances!
What about if I am a candidate and want to let prospective employers or clients know that I am working to become a Chartered Surveyor?
It’s great that you are working towards MRICS and developing your career. However, using titles such as ‘MRICS APC candidate’, ‘APC candidate for MRICS’, ‘RICS member’, ‘RICS candidate’ and ‘aspiring RICS member’ are all misleading and must not be used.
You also cannot display the RICS logo or branding or any wording that puts RICS immediately after your name, suggesting that you are a Member of RICS.
If you are an enrolled RICS APC or AssocRICS candidate, then you could use a title such as ‘trainee surveyor’ or ‘student’. RICS also suggest the titles, ‘candidate for membership (chartered pathway) or trainee associate (associate pathway), but we think that these are also potentially confusing for the public.
You could also explain your career aspirations within a short profile or biography on your CV and/or LinkedIn profile. For example, ‘I am currently enrolled as a candidate on the RICS APC and working towards becoming MRICS in September 2026’. This is clear and does not misrepresent your professional status.
In short, if you want to refer to your candidate status:
Do not put this in a headline title or post-nominal wording
Put it as a secondary statement or an explanatory statement
Re-read it to check that it does not appear to claim that you are already a fully qualified surveyor
If in doubt, get in touch and we can check if your title complies with the RICS requirements.
What have RICS clarified in relation to the use of AI in relation to the RICS APC process?
RICS have already published guidance on the use of AI in relation to RICS APC and AssocRICS submissions in the latest version of the Candidate Guides. You can read more about this here.
In the Practice Alert, RICS clarify that the use of generative AI tools is NOT PERMITTED. Any use of or reference to other sources must be clearly attributed to avoid plagiarism.
RICS use Turnitin to identify AI use and plagiarism and will reject submissions and/or overturn assessment outcomes where issues are identified. Furthermore, RICS Regulation may become involved in serious cases of AI use or plagiarism. Investigation and regulatory action, in the worst case scenario, could prevent you from becoming a Member of the RICS.
How can I check that I am not falling foul of the Practice Alert?
Review all of your social media and professional profiles, including LinkedIn, CV, website profile or biography, email signature and marketing material. RICS confirm that any issues need to be correctly immediately.
RICS provide much-needed guidance for counsellors and supervisors, who should take reasonable steps to check that candidates’ work is:
Their own
Based on truthful, accurate and genuine experience
Prepared in line with the relevant RICS Candidate Guide and membership status being pursued
Counsellors should also ensure that their candidates are complying with the Practice Alert’s guidance on the use of RICS designations and logos.
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Stay tuned for our next blog post to help build a better you.
N.b. Nothing in this article constitutes legal, professional or financial advice.
