What is RICS and what does rics.org offer?

RICS (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is a globally recognised professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property, infrastructure and construction. Its website, rics.org, serves two broad audiences: industry professionals who need standards, regulation, training and membership services, and consumers who need help finding a qualified surveyor or understanding property decisions. If you are a property professional, a student considering the profession, or a homeowner looking for guidance, the site is organised around those needs.

What RICS is

RICS describes itself as a professional body whose work is designed to effect positive change in the built and natural environments. Its scope covers four areas named on the site: land, property, infrastructure and construction. That breadth explains why the site mixes professional standards, regulatory content, news, and consumer-facing guides in one place.

What rics.org offers

For professionals and members

The site's "Profession & Standards" section and its quick links point to the core professional functions:

• Regulation – the framework RICS applies across the profession.
• Rules of conduct – the standards members are expected to follow.
• Log your CPD – continuing professional development recording for members.
• Quantity surveying and construction standards – technical standards for that discipline.
• RICS valuation global standards (Red Book) – the global valuation standard, which the site notes is marking its 50th anniversary.
• Assessment platform – the route for candidates working toward RICS qualifications.
• Join RICS and Careers, Training & Events – membership and professional development pathways.

There is also a Dispute Resolution Service and a Reporting concerns link, which matter if you need to raise an issue about a member or a professional matter.

For consumers

Two features are aimed at the general public rather than the profession:

• Find a surveyor – the site states you can connect with 40,000+ surveying firms to help manage your surveying needs.
• RICS consumer guides – a library of free, easy-to-understand guides. RICS frames these around the idea that "navigating property decisions can be overwhelming."

If you are buying a property and need an inspection, the "Find a surveyor" tool is the practical starting point. If you want to understand what a survey or valuation involves before commissioning one, the consumer guides are the relevant resource.

News and insights

The site carries a "News & Insights" section covering RICS announcements and industry positions. Examples shown on the page include the Red Book's 50th anniversary, an update on the Qualifications and Professional Development (QPD) programme and the future journey to becoming a surveyor, and RICS commentary on housing and grid connection policy. This section is useful if you want to track how standards, qualifications or policy positions are changing rather than just look up a service.

Events

RICS runs events for the sector. The page highlights an inaugural Technology and AI Summit 2026, described as supporting built and natural environment professionals in moving from experimentation with digital advancements to informed adoption. It also references the RICS Annual Review 2025.

How to decide whether to use the site

One practical note: the site references a "My Account" area and mentions "subscription" among its signals, so some member-facing functions may sit behind an account or paid arrangement. The consumer guides are described as free, but do not assume every service on the site is open without registration.