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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: RICS Ethics Test Exam

5 Rules

Rules of Conduct

RICS 2022 Update

100%

Passing Score

RICS Academy

20 hours

Annual CPD Minimum

RICS CPD Policy

6 years

PII Run-Off Minimum

RICS PII Regulations

12 months

Module Validity

RICS APC Requirements

2 stages

Complaints Handling

RICS CHP Guidance

The RICS Ethics, Rules of Conduct & Professionalism Test is a mandatory online assessment for RICS membership applicants. It features multiple-choice questions testing the five RICS Rules of Conduct: Honesty and Integrity; Professional Competence; Service; Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion; and Public Interest and Responsibility. The assessment is self-paced, costs nothing extra, and requires a 100% score to pass (with free retakes allowed after a 24-hour reset).

Sample RICS Ethics Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your RICS Ethics Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Rule 1 of the RICS Rules of Conduct, what is the primary obligation of a member regarding their professional work?

A.To maximize profit for their employer under all circumstances

B.To act with honesty, integrity, and comply with their professional obligations

C.To always agree with the client's valuation or assessment

D.To prioritize local customs over national laws when a conflict arises

Explanation: Rule 1 (Honesty and Integrity) states that members and firms must be honest, act with integrity, and comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to RICS. Actively prioritizing profit over standards, always agreeing with the client, or ignoring national laws violate this core requirement. Integrity requires objective, truthful, and lawful behavior in all professional interactions.

2A client offers a surveyor a high-value weekend trip as an incentive to expedite a valuation report. According to RICS guidelines, what is the correct action?

A.Accept the trip, provided the surveyor remains completely objective in the valuation

B.Accept the trip but disclose it to RICS after the report is published

C.Decline the trip because it represents an improper influence that compromises professional integrity

D.Accept the trip but deduct its estimated value from the client's final invoice

Explanation: Under RICS Rule 1, members must not allow themselves to be improperly influenced by others or by their own self-interest. Receiving high-value gifts or hospitality creates a conflict of interest and threatens the surveyor's objectivity and professional integrity. Declining the incentive ensures compliance with RICS ethical standards on bribery and corruption prevention.

3Which of the following is the most appropriate description of a 'conflict of interest' under RICS guidance?

A.An disagreement between a surveyor and a client regarding the final fee for services

B.A situation where a member's personal or professional interests clash with their duty to a client

C.A dispute between two different RICS-regulated firms bidding for the same contract

D.A difference in opinion between two surveyors valuing the same property

Explanation: A conflict of interest occurs when a member's or firm's independence, objectivity, or loyalty is compromised by a personal, professional, or financial interest that clashes with their duty to a client or the public. Managing conflicts is a core aspect of acting with honesty and integrity. Fee disputes, standard commercial competition, and technical valuation discrepancies are not conflicts of interest.

4If a surveyor discovers that their firm has accidentally submitted falsified data to RICS, what is their immediate duty?

A.Correct the error immediately and notify RICS of the mistake

B.Wait until RICS performs a routine audit before disclosing the issue

C.Delete all records of the submission to prevent any investigation

D.Blame the error on a junior employee and take no further action

Explanation: Rule 1 requires members and firms to act with honesty and integrity, which includes transparency and correcting errors promptly. If falsified or incorrect data is submitted, the firm has an obligation to contact RICS, explain the situation, and provide the correct data. Concealing errors or shifting blame violates the ethical standards of accountability and honesty.

5Which of the following practices is directly prohibited under RICS guidance on bribery and corruption?

A.Offering a standard commercial discount to a client for bulk valuation instructions

B.Paying a secret introductory fee to a third party to secure a professional contract

C.Hosting a modest business lunch with a client to discuss ongoing project progress

D.Refusing to work for a client who is currently under investigation for financial fraud

Explanation: RICS standards on bribery and corruption prohibit offering, giving, soliciting, or accepting bribes, including secret referral or introductory fees. Any referral fees must be fully disclosed to the client in writing to maintain transparency. Standard commercial discounts, modest business hospitality, and refusing work from questionable clients are ethically acceptable practices.

6What must an RICS member do when they suspect another professional of engaging in money laundering?

A.Confront the professional directly and ask for an explanation

B.Report their suspicions to the appropriate national authority (e.g., FIU) and follow internal reporting procedures

C.Ignore the suspicion if the professional is a close colleague or business partner

D.Inform the client immediately so they can terminate their contract with that professional

Explanation: Money laundering is a serious crime, and RICS members must comply with all relevant anti-money laundering (AML) laws and reporting obligations. Suspicions must be reported to the appropriate national authority (such as the Financial Intelligence Unit) through the firm's Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO). Confronting the suspect or tipping off the client constitutes the illegal act of 'tipping off' and must be avoided.

7How does RICS view the act of whistleblowing within a regulated firm?

A.As a breach of employee confidentiality that should be punished

B.As a necessary mechanism to report unethical behavior, protected by RICS standards and national laws

C.As an acceptable practice only if the whistleblower does not work for the firm anymore

D.As a practice that should be managed internally without ever involving external regulators

Explanation: RICS encourages transparency and integrity, which includes supporting whistleblowers who report serious ethical breaches or illegal activities. Under Rule 1, members must act in the public interest and prevent harm, meaning whistleblowing is viewed as a positive act to maintain professional standards. RICS and national regulations provide protections for whistleblowers from retaliation.

8When a surveyor is asked to provide a valuation for a property owned by their close cousin, what is the first step they should take?

A.Proceed with the valuation, as family relationships do not affect professional objectivity

B.Declare the personal relationship to the client and obtain their written consent before proceeding

C.Refuse the instruction immediately without explaining why to the client

D.Offer a discount on the valuation fee to compensate for the relationship

Explanation: A personal relationship with a property owner represents a potential conflict of interest. The surveyor must disclose this interest to the client immediately in writing. If the conflict can be managed and the client gives informed written consent, the surveyor may proceed, provided they can remain objective. Shunning the client entirely or ignoring the conflict are inappropriate responses.

9A firm acts for a seller in a property transaction. A separate buyer approaches the same firm to act on their behalf for the same transaction. What does RICS define this situation as?

A.A standard commercial opportunity to be accepted immediately

B.A dual agency conflict of interest that must not be accepted unless strict conditions are met

C.An unmanageable conflict of interest where the firm must decline to act for the buyer

D.A client care issue that only requires verbal disclosure to both parties

Explanation: According to the RICS Conflicts of Interest professional statement, acting for both the buyer and seller in the same transaction (dual agency) creates an unmanageable conflict of interest because the interests of the seller (maximizing price) and buyer (minimizing price) are directly opposed. The firm must decline to act for the buyer. In some markets, this practice is legally banned, and RICS strictly prohibits it due to the inherent conflict.

10During a valuation instruction, a client insists that a specific comparable transaction must be excluded from the analysis because it represents an 'outlier,' although the surveyor believes it is highly relevant. What should the surveyor do to maintain integrity?

A.Exclude the transaction to satisfy the client and protect the firm's commercial relationship

B.Include the transaction and explain its relevance in the report, ignoring the client's request to hide it

C.Exclude the transaction but write a separate, private memo to the client explaining why it was omitted

D.Resign from the instruction immediately and report the client to the local police force

Explanation: Rule 1 requires members to provide objective, honest, and independent professional advice. A surveyor must not allow client pressure to dictate professional findings or result in a misleading report. Omitting relevant market data to manipulate the outcome violates professional standards. If the client insists on dishonesty, the surveyor must stand firm or, if necessary, withdraw from the instruction.

About the RICS Ethics Test Exam

The RICS Ethics, Rules of Conduct & Professionalism Test (professionalism module) is a mandatory requirement for all APC candidates and individuals applying for RICS membership. It ensures a comprehensive understanding of the RICS Rules of Conduct, including integrity, competence, service quality, respect, and responsibility to the public interest. Candidates must complete this online module within 12 months prior to their final APC assessment interview.

Assessment

Online multiple-choice test on RICS Rules of Conduct

Time Limit

Self-paced (approx. 20-30 minutes)

Passing Score

100% (multiple attempts permitted)

Exam Fee

Included in candidate fee (RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors))

RICS Ethics Test Exam Content Outline

25%

Rule 1: Honesty and Integrity

Acting with integrity, avoiding improper influence, managing conflicts of interest (dual agency, relationships), countering bribery and corruption, money laundering, and whistleblowing rules

20%

Rule 2: Professional Competence

Maintaining professional competence, limits of practice, mandatory CPD hours (20 hours total, 10 hours formal minimum, ethics every 3 years), and proper supervision of junior staff

25%

Rule 3: Service

Good-quality and diligent service, clear written terms of engagement, transparent fee agreements, Complaints Handling Procedure (CHP) with independent ADR access, holding PII with 6 years run-off cover minimum, and client money handling rules

15%

Rule 4: Respect, Diversity and Inclusion

Treating colleagues and clients with respect, encouraging diverse workplaces, equal opportunities, preventing bullying or harassment, and accessibility standards

15%

Rule 5: Public Interest and Responsibility

Acting in the public interest, preventing physical or financial harm, promoting sustainability and energy efficiency, professional accountability, and reporting bankruptcies or convictions to RICS

How to Pass the RICS Ethics Test Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 100% (multiple attempts permitted)
Assessment: Online multiple-choice test on RICS Rules of Conduct
Time limit: Self-paced (approx. 20-30 minutes)
Exam fee: Included in candidate fee

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

RICS Ethics Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Familiarize yourself with the five core RICS Rules of Conduct implemented in February 2022

2Understand the difference between formal and informal CPD (minimum 20 hours, 10 formal, ethics every 3 years)

3Know PII requirements, including holding run-off cover for a minimum of six years after a firm ceases trading

4Understand client money rules: hold client funds in a separate client account, and perform monthly bank reconciliations

5Learn the Complaints Handling Procedure (CHP): internal stage 1 investigation, followed by independent external ADR at stage 2

6Study conflicts of interest: dual agency is unmanageable and prohibited, whereas personal conflicts require written consent

7Memorize anti-money laundering and bribery laws: suspicious activities must be reported to the national FIU without tipping off

8Prepare for your APC interview: the panel will grill you on ethical scenario questions for approximately 10 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RICS Ethics Test?

The RICS Ethics Test is a mandatory online professionalism module that all candidates must pass before their final APC interview. It covers the RICS Rules of Conduct, professional statements, and ethical decision-making.

What are the five RICS Rules of Conduct?

The five rules are: (1) Honesty and Integrity, (2) Professional Competence, (3) Service, (4) Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion, and (5) Public Interest and Responsibility. These rules came into effect on 2 February 2022.

What is the passing score for the RICS Ethics Test?

You must score 100% on the final assessment quiz to complete the module. If you fail, you can retake it, but the system may require a cooling-off period (up to 24 hours) to reset.

How long is the RICS Ethics certification valid?

The completed ethics module is valid for 12 months. You must ensure that it is valid at the date of your final APC assessment interview; if it has expired, you must complete it again.

How much does the RICS Ethics Test cost?

There is no additional fee for the ethics test; access is included in your RICS APC candidate registration or membership application fee.

What is the minimum CPD requirement for RICS members?

Active members must complete at least 20 hours of CPD per year, of which at least 10 hours must be formal structured learning. Members must also complete ethics training at least once every three years.