Surveyor CPD Hub

How to become a surveyor in the UK

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“Surveyor” covers a lot of ground — and that’s the first thing to get straight when you’re working out how to become one. There’s no single exam or door; there are several types of surveyor and several routes in. This guide orients you, then points you to the specialisms where demand (and this site’s expertise) is strongest.

Types of surveyor

Knowing which kind of surveyor you want to be shapes everything that follows. The common types:

And the niches worth knowing about:

Routes into surveying

There’s more than one way in. The main routes:

  1. RICS-accredited degree → RICS APC. The traditional chartered route: an accredited degree, then the RICS APC to become chartered (MRICS).
  2. Surveying apprenticeship. Earn while you learn, combining paid work with study toward a qualification — see surveying apprenticeships.
  3. Conversion route. Graduates from other subjects can take an accredited conversion qualification.
  4. Specialist vocational routes. Some specialisms — notably domestic energy assessment — have their own vocational qualifications you can enter without a surveying degree, and they’re a quick way to start earning and build from.
Routes, accreditation and timeframes change. Confirm the current requirements with RICS (or the relevant body) before committing time or money.

Specialising — where the demand is

You don’t have to decide everything at once, but it helps to aim. Two areas are particularly buoyant right now:

  • Energy & retrofit. Driven by MEES, EPC reform and net-zero retrofit funding. Start as a DEA and progress into retrofit assessment.
  • Housing condition / damp & mould. Awaab’s Law has put damp, mould and HHSRS firmly on the agenda for housing professionals.

These are also the areas I work in and train people for — so if they appeal, you’re in the right place.

Where to start

If a surveying degree or apprenticeship suits you, that’s a multi-year commitment — research accredited providers carefully. If you want to start sooner, a specialist route like becoming a DEA gets you into the profession and earning, with clear progression from there.

Either way, begin keeping your knowledge current now: the free CPD directory is a good place to see what the profession actually reads, watches and listens to.

How I can help

I’m a working surveyor and energy assessor who trains new students, so I can help you choose a route that fits — and avoid expensive wrong turns. My CPD courses are in development; join the list for early access and a launch discount.

Frequently asked questions

What qualifications do I need to become a surveyor?

There's no single route. Common paths include an RICS-accredited degree, a surveying apprenticeship, or a conversion route for graduates from other subjects — usually leading to chartered status via the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

How long does it take to become a surveyor?

It varies by route. A degree plus the RICS APC typically takes several years; apprenticeships combine work and study over a similar period. Specialist energy-assessment routes (like becoming a DEA) can be quicker to enter.

Do I need a degree to be a surveyor?

Not necessarily — apprenticeships and vocational routes exist, and some specialisms (such as domestic energy assessment) don't require a surveying degree to start. Chartered (RICS) status, however, has specific academic and competence requirements.

What types of surveyor are there?

Common types include building surveyors, quantity surveyors, valuation surveyors and energy assessors, plus niches like party wall and damp & mould. Each has its own skills and routes — this page helps you find the right one.

Which type of surveying should I choose?

Follow the work that interests you and the demand. Energy and retrofit are growing fast; building surveying suits those who like buildings and defects; quantity surveying suits the numbers-and-contracts minded. You can also specialise later.