RICS CPD Policy

Definition

The RICS CPD policy is the formal framework published by RICS that specifies the minimum annual CPD requirements for members at each career stage, the categories of qualifying activity, the recording format, and the basis of monitoring and enforcement. It operates within the RICS Rules of Conduct (effective 2 February 2022), under which Rule 2 requires members to maintain and develop their professional competence.

Why this matters for Ethics, Rules of Conduct and Professionalism

• CPD compliance is mandatory: falling short of the minimum hours, or recording without adequate reflection, is a breach of Rule 2 and may be referred to RICS Regulation.
• Assessors will ask about specific CPD activities; you must speak fluently about what you learnt, how you applied it, and why you chose it.
• The policy differentiates formal from informal learning; conflating them risks non-compliance. RICS conducts random audits and members must produce records promptly.

Key principles

Minimum hours and the formal/informal split

Qualified RICS members must complete a minimum of 20 hours of CPD per year. Of those 20 hours, at least ten must be formal CPD — structured activities with defined learning outcomes such as accredited courses, structured webinars, conferences, or professional examinations. The remaining ten hours may be informal: purposeful but unstructured activities such as technical reading, peer-learning sessions, mentoring, or reflective practice. Members in early-career stages (students and trainees) are subject to requirements set out in their pathway guides, which may differ from the qualified member standard.

Relevance and planning requirements

All CPD activities must be relevant to the member's professional practice. A well-constructed plan sets learning objectives at the start of the year, identifies how activities will address competency gaps, and tracks actual learning against those objectives. Generic development not connected to the surveying role does not qualify. Review the plan and log at least twice a year.

Recording requirements

Each entry must record: date; duration; formal or informal classification; learning objective; description; and a reflective commentary explaining what was learnt and how it has been applied. An entry recording only attendance without reflection does not meet the policy standard. RICS provides an online recording tool in the member portal; equivalent records in other formats are acceptable provided they contain all required fields.

Monitoring, audit and enforcement

RICS monitors compliance through self-declaration at annual renewal and random audit. Members selected must submit their full CPD log within the specified deadline. Persistent non-compliance or deliberate misrepresentation of records is a serious breach of the Rules of Conduct and can result in suspension or expulsion.

Relevant RICS guidance and legislation

• RICS Rules of Conduct (effective 2 February 2022) — Rule 2 creates the CPD obligation; Rule 5 applies to members who knowingly misrepresent their CPD records.
• RICS professional standard on CPD — the authoritative document setting out minimum hours, qualifying activities, recording requirements and the audit process.
• RICS APC pathway guides — specialism-specific CPD requirements for candidates in training and newly qualified members during their first years of practice.

Ethics and Rules of Conduct angle

The CPD policy engages Rule 2 (Competence) and Rule 3 (Service). Rule 2 requires members to maintain competence and ensure services are delivered by competent individuals; CPD is the principal mechanism for demonstrating this over time. Rule 3 connects CPD to client outcomes: outdated skills risk poor-quality advice. Falsifying or inflating a CPD record engages Rule 1 (Honesty and Integrity), a matter RICS Regulation treats very seriously.

APC-style Q&As