What Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors does

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), founded in 1868 and headquartered at 12 Great George Street, London, is the world's leading professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property and construction. Incorporated by Royal Charter and operating globally through wholly-owned regional subsidiaries (RICS Americas Inc., RICS China Limited, RICS Australasia Pty Limited, RICS India Private Limited, RICS International Limited, RICS Holdings Limited) and an adjacent insurance vehicle (CMP Insurance PCC Limited), RICS sets and enforces international standards including the Red Book for valuation, the Black Book for construction, the BIM Information Management Framework, and a forthcoming global AI in Surveying standard effective 9 March 2026. Its Standards and Regulation Board (SRB) oversees regulatory functions and member designations (MRICS, FRICS, AssocRICS), while the Find a Surveyor directory lists 40,000+ regulated surveying firms.

RICS generates revenue from a diversified set of membership-linked streams: annual recurring membership subscriptions across Fellow, Chartered, Associate and Candidate tiers; training, e-learning and events (Online Learning Academy, webinars, conferences such as FIG Cape Town 2026 and MIPIM); professional support packages for CPD; sale of publications and digital content; assessment, examination and consultancy services; Dispute Resolution Services; the Find a Surveyor directory; and the RICS Recruit platform. Pricing is tiered by membership category, with 12-month auto-renewing subscriptions and add-on Benefits Plus rewards. Distribution is direct via rics.org, myaccount.rics.org, the RICS Members App (iOS/Android) and in-person across UK and international venues.

The company is in an active product and partnership expansion phase. Recent strategic moves include signing a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) to grow surveyor mobility; co-launching the Real Estate Decision Intelligence (REDI) data initiative with Sustainable Real Estate Forum (SREF), Immobilien Zeitung and Optiml; releasing a Residential Retrofit and Energy Improvement Guide (April 2025) and a UN Global Compact sustainability report; updating the BIM Information Management Framework; and expanding dispute resolution engagement into Hong Kong. RICS serves chartered surveyors, built-environment professionals, candidates/students, employers, and property consumers through its combined standards, training, directory, and dispute resolution ecosystem.

Name

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Legal name

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Website

https://rics.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1868

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

RICS is a UK-headquartered, Royal Charter-incorporated professional body that sets international standards (Red Book, Black Book) and grants chartered surveyor designations to members in land, property and construction. It generates subscription, training and professional services revenue from 40,000+ member firms and property consumers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Membership Services (Chartered Surveying)

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

Keywords

• Chartered surveying standards
• Professional membership body
• Valuation standards framework
• Construction industry guidance
• Professional development training

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: RICS generates primary revenue from membership subscriptions paid by chartered surveyors, fellows, associates, and candidates. Subscriptions are annual (12-month terms) with automatic renewal. The subscription provides access to professional development, standards, guidance, the Find a Surveyor directory, and member benefits including the Benefits Plus rewards programme.
2. Training and Events: Revenue from training courses, e-learning, webinars, events, conferences, seminars, networking events, and distance learning courses. Includes the Online Learning Academy (OLA), assessment platforms, and professional support packages. Some services are sold as one-time purchases (individual courses) while others are subscription-based (packages).
3. Professional Support Packages: CPD foundation and professional development support packages offered to members and candidates on subscription basis, providing ongoing professional development resources.
4. Publications and Digital Content: Sale of books, hard copy publications, eBooks, e-publications, and digital content related to surveying, valuation, construction and property standards.
5. Professional Services (Assessments and Consultancy): Revenue from candidate assessments, examinations, regulatory visits, audits, and dispute resolution services provided to the built environment industry.
6. Find a Surveyor / RICS Recruit: Platform services connecting consumers and businesses with surveying firms and recruitment services for the construction, land, and property industry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

RICS is the world's leading professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property and construction. It sells membership subscriptions that confer chartered designations (MRICS, FRICS, AssocRICS), publishes global technical standards including the Red Book for valuation and the Black Book for construction, delivers continuing professional development (CPD) and candidate assessments via the Assessment Platform and Online Learning Academy, and operates the Find a Surveyor directory and Dispute Resolution Service for the built and natural environment.

Product overview

RICS operates as a globally recognised professional body offering a unified platform of membership services, professional standards, and industry resources. The core digital presence consists of the rics.org website and RICS Members Mobile App, which together provide access to membership credentials, CPD recording, dispute resolution services, and professional development. Supporting services include Find a Surveyor (consumer directory), RICS Recruit (job platform), Benefits Plus (member rewards programme), and the Online Learning Academy (e-learning platform). The portfolio functions as an integrated professional ecosystem supporting chartered surveyors throughout their careers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Benefits Plus: A rewards programme providing RICS members with access to exclusive discounts, services and partner events.
• Find a Surveyor
• RICS Recruit
• Dispute Resolution Service (DRS)

Products and services

• RICS Membership (Fellow, Chartered MRICS, Associate, Candidate) Annual subscription granting access to MRICS, FRICS or AssocRICS designation, the Find a Surveyor directory, CPD recording, RICS standards and guidance, training, events, Benefits Plus rewards and the Members Mobile App.
• RICS Valuation - Global Standards (Red Book) International valuation standards that protect consumers and businesses by ensuring the utmost level of professionalism in valuation practice globally, published and enforced by RICS for use by valuers and chartered surveyors.
• Black Book Construction Standards Sector standards covering construction practices and guidance for built environment professionals.
• Global Standard for AI in Surveying First global standard for the responsible use of AI in surveying, requiring governance, transparency and ethical practices when AI is used across land and infrastructure services.
• BIM Information Management Framework Standards and guidance for Building Information Modelling and digital construction practices, enabling professionals to lead digital transformation in the industry.
• Dispute Resolution Service (DRS) A range of built environment-specific dispute resolution and avoidance services and training programmes for the surveying profession.
• Find a Surveyor Directory Official online directory of RICS-regulated surveying firms enabling consumers and businesses to source and contact qualified surveyors for property needs.
• RICS Recruit Official recruitment website of RICS connecting employers in the construction, land and property industry with candidates through job postings and job alerts.
• RICS Members Mobile App Mobile application exclusive to RICS Members providing digital membership credentials, CPD recording and management, membership status information, RICS updates and event notifications.
• Benefits Plus Rewards Programme Rewards programme providing RICS members with access to exclusive discounts, services and partner events across compliance, sustainability, insurance, finance, business journals and leisure categories.
• Online Learning Academy (OLA) E-learning and distance learning platform providing access to RICS training courses, webinars and professional development resources on a subscription or per-course basis.
• RICS Assessment Platform (APC, AssocRICS, FRICS assessments) Online assessment platform for candidates progressing through RICS qualification pathways, including the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), AssocRICS and FRICS routes.
• Real Estate Decision Intelligence (REDI) Benchmark product for financial-grade, data-driven real estate investment and risk management, launched in partnership with SREF, Immobilien Zeitung and Optiml.
• Residential Retrofit and Energy Improvement Guide Guide launched April 2025 to support homeowners with energy-efficient upgrades and net zero retrofitting of residential properties.
• Rules of Conduct Professional conduct, ethics and competence standards governing RICS members' professional activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• RICS monitors UK housing market trends through monthly surveys, providing early indicators of market direction including buyer enquiries, agreed sales, and house price expectations.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRICS and the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) entered into a Mutual Recognition Agreement to benefit their respective members and further strengthen the relationship between both organisations. The agreement boosts quantity surveyor mobility across the two jurisdictions.
• Immobilien ZeitungcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRICS and Immobilien Zeitung partnered with the Sustainable Real Estate Forum (SREF) to launch a global real estate research initiative and the Real Estate Decision Intelligence (REDI) category with Optiml. The partnership was announced at MIPIM in Cannes, uniting standards bodies, media partners, and technology providers to bridge sustainability research and capital allocation decisions.
• Sustainable Real Estate Forum (SREF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSREF partnered with RICS and Immobilien Zeitung to launch the global real estate research initiative and REDI category. The initiative aims to make evidence-based sustainability insights accessible across the real estate industry. Supported by industry leaders including ALFI, GRESB, Arcadis, Catella, and Planon Real Estate.
• UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUKGBC is an industry contributor at the 'Winvic and Partners Pavilion' at UKREiiF, collaborating with RICS on ESG and net zero policy. RICS participates in joint advocacy for regulatory action to accelerate net zero across the built environment.
• BRE (Building Research Establishment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRE is an industry contributor at the Winvic and Partners Pavilion at UKREiiF alongside RICS, contributing to ESG and net zero built environment discussions.
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIOB is an industry contributor at the Winvic and Partners Pavilion at UKREiiF alongside RICS, contributing to ESG whitepaper development for net zero buildings.
• PanattoniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPanattoni is an industry contributor at the Winvic and Partners Pavilion at UKREiiF alongside RICS, contributing to ESG and net zero discussions.
• Royal London Asset ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal London Asset Management is an industry contributor at the Winvic and Partners Pavilion at UKREiiF alongside RICS, contributing to the ESG whitepaper on net zero buildings.
• LionHeartminorOthersLionHeart is RICS' partner charity providing products and services to RICS members. With member consent, RICS shares member information with LionHeart to enable them to provide details of their products or services to members through the Benefits Plus scheme.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE): ICE is a UK chartered professional body granting CEng and similar designations, with CPD pathways, professional standards, and a public member register. It shares RICS' model of UK-anchored royal-chartered designation in a technical engineering-adjacent discipline.
• Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA): RIBA is a UK chartered professional body for architects with royal charter status, operating CPD, professional standards, and a member directory. It parallels RICS' chartered body model within a neighbouring built environment profession.
• Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV): SISV is Singapore's chartered professional body for surveyors and valuers, with which RICS recently signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement. It is a directly comparable surveying professional body operating in the same product category across a regional jurisdiction.
• Australian Property Institute (API): API is Australia's peak professional body for property professionals, offering certification, CPD, and standards in valuation and property practice. It competes head-to-head with RICS in the Australasian region for surveying credentials.
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB): CIOB is a UK chartered professional body for construction professionals, awarding chartered designations and operating global standards. It is the closest structural peer to RICS in terms of membership, designation, and standards-setting business model within the built environment.
• Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI): RTPI is the UK's chartered professional body for town planners, with subscription membership, professional standards, and a member directory. It mirrors RICS' chartered-body model within an adjacent built-environment discipline.

Broad incumbents

• Project Management Institute (PMI): PMI is a large global professional body offering the PMP designation, CPD pathways, and standards across project management. It shares RICS' subscription, certification, and content-publishing business model but in an adjacent profession.
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): ASCE is a large US-headquartered professional body for civil engineers with global standards and CPD offerings. It is a broader, larger incumbent operating an analogous member-and-standards business model in an overlapping discipline.
• International Federation of Surveyors (FIG): FIG is a UN-recognised global federation of national surveying associations, hosting events (e.g., FIG Cape Town 2026 with RICS). It is a broader umbrella incumbent that overlaps with RICS on global surveying standards and events but does not grant individual designations directly.

Emerging players

• Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT): CILT is a UK chartered professional body for logistics and transport professionals operating a similar chartered-designation and CPD model. It is a smaller, more niche player with partial overlap on the chartered-membership model used by RICS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RICSNews
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ricsmediacentre
• Facebookfacebook.com/ricssurveyors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors