Understanding the PER Route
Standard Route vs Preliminary Experience Route
Standard APC Route
- Designed for candidates progressing through a graduate training scheme
- Requires a minimum period of structured training with monthly diary entries
- Counsellor supervises development in real time throughout the training period
- Competency evidence built progressively over the training period
- Submission reflects a development journey
- CPD maintained throughout the training period
Preliminary Experience Route
- Designed for professionals with substantial post-qualification industry experience
- Structured training record reflects a retrospective mapping of career experience against the competency framework
- Counsellor validates existing experience rather than supervising a development programme
- Competency evidence drawn from career history β no monthly diary requirement for prior experience
- Submission reflects accumulated professional competence
- CPD maintained contemporaneously from registration date β not retrospective
The competency standard at final assessment is identical for both routes. The PER recognises how the experience was acquired β it does not reduce what must be demonstrated. Assessors apply the same criteria regardless of route.
The Three Competency Levels
QS and Construction Pathway β Competency Summary
| Competency | Category | Required Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Management of Construction | Core | Level 3 | Primary Level 3 competency β must demonstrate professional advice, not just commercial management activity |
| Contract Practice | Core | Level 3 | NEC and JCT knowledge expected; assessors will probe depth, not breadth |
| Procurement and Tendering | Core | Level 3 | Evidence must show evaluation, recommendation, and decision β not just process administration |
| Cost Planning and Design Economics | Core | Level 3 | Design-stage cost advice; elemental cost planning at RIBA stages |
| Quantification and Costing of Construction Works | Core | Level 3 | Bills of quantities, measurement, pricing β practical application required |
| Project Finance | Core | Level 3 | Cost reporting, forecasting, cashflow β framed as financial advice to client/project team |
| Construction Technology and Environmental Services | Core | Level 3 | Understanding of construction methods, materials, and building systems relevant to projects advised on |
| Contract Administration | Optional | Level 2 | Pre and post contract duties; certification and valuation |
| Health and Safety | Mandatory | Level 2 | CDM 2015 awareness essential; specific project examples required |
| Sustainability | Mandatory | Level 1 | Whole-life value, environmental impact, sustainable procurement β project-specific examples needed |
| Inclusive Environments | Mandatory | Level 1 | Knowledge and awareness; link to project or client context |
| Diversity, Inclusion and Teamworking | Mandatory | Level 1 | Team management, inclusive practice, professional behaviour |
| Conduct Rules, Ethics and Professional Practice | Mandatory | Level 3 | RICS Rules of Conduct; ethical dilemma scenario is standard assessment practice |
| Client Care | Mandatory | Level 2 | Evidence of managing client relationships and expectations at a professional level |
| Communication and Negotiation | Mandatory | Level 2 | Written and verbal communication; negotiation with contractors, clients, and third parties |
| Data Management | Mandatory | Level 1 | Handling, storing, and using project data appropriately |
| Optional Competency 1 | Optional | Level 2 | To be confirmed at Week 1 Diagnostic Session |
| Optional Competency 2 | Optional | Level 2 | To be confirmed at Week 1 Diagnostic Session |
The Assessment Interview β Structure
The APC final assessment interview is 60 minutes. Welcome and introductions take place outside the 60-minute period.
| Section | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome and introductions | Outside the 60 minutes | The Chair introduces the panel and explains the format. This time is not counted against the interview. Arrive composed β the clock has not started. |
| Candidate presentation β case study or key issues | 10 minutes | The candidate presents the case study, or focuses on one or two key issues from it. This section is controlled by the candidate. Use it to set the agenda β lead with your strongest professional judgement evidence. |
| Panel questions on presentation and case study | 10 minutes | The panel questions on the presentation and the case study. Expect probing of the decisions made, the options considered, and the professional advice given. Do not be surprised if questions extend beyond what you presented. |
| Panel questions on competencies | 30 minutes | The panel tests competency depth across the declared technical competencies. Level 3 answers must demonstrate reasoned professional advice β not task description. This is the section where professional judgement is tested most directly. |
| Chair questions β Rules of Conduct and mandatory competencies | 7 minutes | The Chair leads a focused round on conduct, ethics, and the remaining mandatory competencies. An ethical dilemma scenario is standard. Candidates who underestimate this section lose marks they cannot recover elsewhere. |
| Chair closing and candidate's last word | 3 minutes | The Chair closes the formal questioning. The candidate is given the opportunity to add anything they wish the panel to take into account. Prepare a concise, confident closing statement β do not repeat what has already been said. |
Candidates may be presented with either of the following panel configurations. Both are standard practice β the configuration you receive does not affect the assessment standard or scoring criteria.
Option 1 β Three-Member Panel: A Chairperson and two assessors. All three are Chartered Surveyors. The Chair leads the questioning. All three assessors score independently and discuss after the interview. The Chair has the casting vote in cases of disagreement.
Option 2 β Two-Member Panel: A Chairperson and one assessor. Both are Chartered Surveyors. The Chair leads the questioning. Both assessors score independently and discuss after the interview. The Chair has the casting vote in cases of disagreement.
In both configurations, your Counsellor is not present at the assessment.
These are professional templates, not form letters. Read each one in full before sending. Replace all [bracketed fields] with accurate, specific information. Add a sentence or two of personal context where prompted β a template that reads like a template does not set the right tone for a professional relationship.
Template 1 β Counsellor Introduction Letter
Send this when you first confirm your Counsellor. This letter introduces the programme, clarifies the Counsellor's responsibilities, and proposes a first meeting.
Dear [Counsellor's name],
I hope this email finds you well. Thank you for agreeing to act as my RICS APC Counsellor for my assessment on the Quantity Surveying and Construction pathway via the Preliminary Experience Route.
I am enrolled on the APC Accelerator with Knight Khonje APC Advisory β a structured 26-week coaching programme that takes me from registration through to final assessment. [Add one sentence on why you chose this programme or what you are looking to achieve.]
As my Counsellor, your formal responsibilities under RICS requirements are as follows:
To review my structured training record and Summary of Experience and confirm that the competency evidence accurately reflects work you have direct knowledge of. To provide feedback and guidance on the quality of my submission prior to countersigning. To countersign my final submission once we are both satisfied it meets the required standard. To be available for periodic review meetings during the programme β I am proposing three: at the end of Month 1, at the completion of my case study draft, and immediately before submission.
I expect to be ready to submit within approximately [insert timeframe, e.g. six to eight months] from now, subject to the programme progressing as planned.
I would welcome a 30-minute introductory meeting at your convenience to discuss the programme structure and agree how we work together. Please let me know your availability and I will send a calendar invitation.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
[Your job title]
[Your employer]
[Your contact number]
Template 2 β Mid-Programme Progress Update
Send this at approximately the mid-point of the programme β around Weeks 12β14. Keep it brief. The purpose is to maintain the relationship and flag the approaching submission review.
Dear [Counsellor's name],
I wanted to provide a brief update on my APC progress as I reach the midpoint of the programme.
I have completed the competency development phase and am now working on my case study, which focuses on [brief project description β one sentence]. My Summary of Experience is in its second draft and I am on track to have a complete submission pack ready for your review by approximately [month/year].
At that point I will send you the full submission β Summary of Experience, structured training record, CPD log, and case study β and ask for your feedback before we proceed to countersigning. I anticipate needing two to three weeks for that review.
Please let me know if there is anything you need from me at this stage, or if you have any questions about the programme. I am also happy to arrange a brief call if that would be useful.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
Template 3 β Pre-Submission Review Request
Send this when your submission pack is complete and ready for Counsellor review. Be specific about what you are sending, what you need from them, and the timeline. Do not send this until the full submission pack β including the case study β is in its final draft.
Dear [Counsellor's name],
I am pleased to confirm that my APC submission pack is now ready for your review.
I have attached the following documents:
Summary of Experience β covering all core, optional, and mandatory competencies at the required levels. Structured Training Record β mapping my career experience against the QS and Construction pathway competency framework. CPD Log β maintained from my registration date of [date] to present. Case Study β a [word count] word document focused on [brief project description], demonstrating professional judgement in the areas of [competencies covered].
I am asking you to review the full submission and confirm that the competency evidence is accurate, that it reflects work you have direct knowledge of, and that in your professional judgement the submission is ready for assessment. I would welcome your specific feedback on any areas where the evidence could be strengthened or where you have concerns.
I am working to a submission deadline of approximately [date]. If you are able to complete your review within [two to three weeks] of receiving this, that would allow time to incorporate your feedback before we proceed to countersigning.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would prefer to discuss the submission by phone before reviewing.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
Once your Counsellor has countersigned the submission on myAPC, RICS will allocate an assessment date. Turnaround times vary β check current RICS guidance. From countersigning to interview is typically four to eight weeks. Use that time to complete Modules 11 and 12 β interview preparation and mock interviews.
