RICS APC Ethics study plan
RICS APC Ethics · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Ethics, professional standards and conduct (draft domain - not enumerated in source)
Define the five core ethical principles underpinning RICS conduct and state them from memory
Distinguish between a rule-based and a principles-based approach to professional ethics
Map each principle to at least two realistic workplace scenarios a surveyor might face
Identify the regulatory body and code that govern professional conduct in your jurisdiction
Your checkpoint
A one-page written summary of the core ethical principles with two worked scenarios per principle
Ethics, professional standards and conduct (draft domain - not enumerated in source)
Explain the difference between a conflict of interest and an apparent conflict
List the steps for disclosing and managing a conflict of interest
Identify three situations where confidentiality obligations could be overridden by a legal or public-interest duty
Describe the consequences of breaching client confidentiality
Your checkpoint
A decision flowchart for identifying, disclosing and managing a conflict of interest
Ethics, professional standards and conduct (draft domain - not enumerated in source)
Define bribery and distinguish it from acceptable hospitality
State the key obligations of anti-bribery legislation relevant to your practice
Identify red flags that indicate a facilitation payment or improper inducement
Draft a short gifts-and-hospitality policy excerpt for a surveying firm
Your checkpoint
A 300-word gifts-and-hospitality policy with a red-flag checklist
Ethics, professional standards and conduct (draft domain - not enumerated in source) & Professional practice and regulation (draft domain - not enumerated in source)
Recite the professional obligations relating to competence and continuing professional development
Explain the duty to act within the limits of personal competence and when to seek specialist advice
Describe the complaints and disciplinary process and the range of sanctions available
Apply a structured ethical decision-making model to two complex case studies
Your checkpoint
Two written case-study answers (400 words each) using a recognised ethical decision-making framework
Professional practice and regulation (draft domain - not enumerated in source)
Summarise the structure and purpose of the professional standards and regulation framework
Explain the role of the regulator in setting entry standards and maintaining the register
Distinguish between regulation, legislation and guidance and give an example of each
Describe how professional indemnity insurance supports regulatory compliance
Your checkpoint
A comparison table of regulation, legislation and guidance with one worked example each
Professional practice and regulation (draft domain - not enumerated in source)
Explain the requirements for maintaining professional competence and recording CPD
Describe the process for handling a client complaint before it escalates to the regulator
Identify the obligations around money laundering and client due diligence
Outline the duties owed when acting for two parties or when a client relationship ends
Your checkpoint
A one-page compliance checklist covering CPD, complaints, AML and client onboarding
Ethics, professional standards and conduct (draft domain - not enumerated in source) & Professional practice and regulation (draft domain - not enumerated in source)
Synthesise ethical principles and regulatory duties into a single decision framework
Apply the framework to at least four mixed scenario questions under timed conditions
Identify and correct gaps revealed by self-marking against model answers
Practise articulating justifications for ethical judgements concisely
Your checkpoint
Four timed scenario answers (15 minutes each) with a written self-assessment of strengths and gaps
Ethics, professional standards and conduct (draft domain - not enumerated in source) & Professional practice and regulation (draft domain - not enumerated in source)
Consolidate all weak areas identified in week 7 into a revision sheet
Recite the core principles, conflict rules and regulatory obligations from memory
Complete a full mock assessment under exam conditions
Review the mock against the mark scheme and log remaining actions
Your checkpoint
A completed mock assessment with a scored review and a final one-page revision sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain conflicts of interest and confidentiality duties without notes and pass a 10-question self-quiz at 80% or above
Week 4: Two case-study answers completed and self-marked against a decision-making framework, with gaps logged
Week 6: Compliance checklist complete and can describe the complaints and disciplinary process end to end
Week 8: Mock assessment completed under timed conditions with a scored review and revision sheet finalised