RICS CPD Reform: What Stayed, What Didn't

 RICS has confirmed changes to its CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Framework, which will be implemented from January 2026. These changes follow extensive consultation and a clear step back from some of the original proposals.

You can read the full document here, and you will find my summary of what you need to know below:

What Was Proposed

In 2024, RICS proposed significant changes to how members manage CPD. These included:

• Increasing the annual requirement to 30 hours, with 20 hours structured.
• Introducing additional CPD for returners (e.g. 10 extra hours or a formal “returners' programme” after 5 years out).
• Requiring a formal annual Professional Reflection Statement.
• Expanding mandatory topics to include Ethics, Sustainability, DEI, AI/Data, and Law/Regulation.
• Tighter enforcement, with potential disciplinary action for non-compliance, even for minor shortfalls.

These proposals raised concerns about cost, accessibility, disproportionate impact on women and carers, and the risk of creating barriers to re-entry into the profession.

What’s Now Confirmed (January 2026 onwards)

Following member feedback, RICS has moderated its position. The confirmed changes are:

Key Requirements

• 20 hours of CPD per year, with 10 hours structured (no increase for now).
• CPD must be relevant, adequate, and appropriate to your role.
• CPD must cover mandatory topics on a 3-year rolling basis:
• Ethics
• Sustainability
• Data, AI & Technology

Reflection and Recording

Members must record:

• Learning outcomes for each CPD activity
• Brief professional reflections within the CPD portal (not a separate document)
• An annual declaration will be required confirming compliance.

Monitoring

A percentage of CPD records will be reviewed each year for both quality and quantity.

Sanctions will apply if CPD isn’t completed or if records are not adequate, starting with a caution and then suspension or expulsion for repeated non-compliance.

Exemptions and Concessions

• Retired and ill-health members retain full exemption from CPD.
• Parental leave, adoption, caring, unemployment, and non-practising:
• Full exemption for the first year.
• Then, a partial exemption (10 hours per year, any format, covering mandatory topics).
• Manual exemption requests are possible in exceptional cases.
• Of note is that the requirement for extra CPD for returners has been dropped. Members are instead encouraged to self-assess learning needs when re-entering the profession.

Overall, I think these reforms aim to strike a better balance between maintaining professional standards and recognising the realities of working life. Still, I am sure they will draw criticism given that other professional bodies require more hours. What will be important is the requirement for relevant and planned, good-quality CPD. I suspect RICS may well explore an accredited providers scheme and perhaps be more robust in identifying relevant structured training. We shall see.

What about Women?

Female members were disproportionately affected by the proposed changes, and that remains the case, albeit with less impact under the new changes.

For context, women are overrepresented in concession categories, particularly 84% Parental/Adoption Leave, 57% Family Raising, 23% are unemployed or seeking work compared to 19% of the general membership. 24% are in non-practising roles.

The exemptions and subsequent partial exemption of 10 hours will be welcomed by many and will be vital to ensure the retention of female members, especially those at the other end of their careers.

But, even with free CPD options available, the need to engage with the formal processes during periods of reduced capacity, such as caring responsibilities or career breaks, could deter women from returning or maintaining membership. It's therefore vital that clear guidance a streamlined process and empathetic enforcement will be crucial.

Now would be a GREAT time for the RICS and all employers to explore mentoring or support schemes for all returned to make the transition back smoother (and if you need help with that, let me know).