At CIOB, we are committed to ensuring that Chartered Membership reflects the very best of our industry: its professionalism, its evolving skillsets and its responsibility to deliver a built environment that is safe, sustainable and of high quality. That is why we have undertaken a significant evolution of our Professional Review (PR), the first major update since 2012.

Over the years, we heard from members, applicants and regional teams that while the PR was valued for its rigour, it was often seen as too long, too repetitive and difficult to access, particularly for those in non-traditional construction roles. Our intent was clear: refresh the standards for currency, redesign the process for accessibility and update assessment criteria for reliability and validity, all while maintaining the MCIOB benchmark at Level 6.

A streamlined, modernised competence framework

One of the most impactful changes is the shift from 14 competencies to six. This is not a reduction in standards; it is the introduction of a clearer, more meaningful structure. The streamlined competencies make the process easier to navigate while preserving the depth, accountability and professionalism expected at chartered level.

We also recognised that the construction industry today encompasses a wider range of roles than ever before. Our revised framework is deliberately more accessible for people working in specialist, hybrid and non-standard roles. Whether someone manages digital processes, sustainability strategies, logistics, project delivery or client-side responsibilities, the new PR makes space for their contribution to be recognised.

Anchored to CIOB’s corporate themes

A core part of our evolution has been aligning the competencies directly with CIOB’s corporate themes: Quality, Safety, Professionalism and Sustainability. These themes now sit at the heart of how future chartered members demonstrate their impact.

Applicants must show not only what they do, but why it matters to these core pillars of the built environment. We have considerably enhanced the thematic coverage to ensure the PR reflects the realities of modern practice, where quality assurance, safety culture, professional ethics and sustainable delivery influence every decision, from planning and budgeting through to execution and handover.

This alignment ensures that achieving MCIOB does not simply certify technical competence; it affirms a holistic, responsible approach to construction management.

Strengthening legal and regulatory expectations

Another key enhancement is a clearer requirement to demonstrate understanding and application of relevant legislation and standards in an applicant’s jurisdiction. This reinforces the responsibility that comes with chartered status, ensuring that members operate within the legal frameworks that protect people, resources and the built environment.

This legal competence is not a separate box to tick. It underpins all areas of practice. Applicants will need to evidence how they consider health and safety, compliance obligations and statutory requirements at each stage of their work.

A more supportive, descriptive assessment process

We have also improved the way the Professional Review is assessed. We have moved from numerical scoring to descriptive assessment, giving applicants clearer and more constructive guidance. Assessors now explain where more evidence is needed and why, making the process more transparent and more supportive.

This shift reflects our belief that professional assessment should not feel like a test. It should feel like a conversation about practice, competence and responsibility.

Shorter, accessible and more inclusive

The refreshed PR process is noticeably shorter and designed with accessibility in mind. By reducing duplication, clarifying expectations and modernising the competency structure, we have created a process that encourages people to apply rather than deters them.

Importantly, these changes make the PR more inclusive, supporting candidates from diverse backgrounds, disciplines and pathways, while maintaining the high standards that define MCIOB.

Good for members, good for the industry

Ultimately, these updates do more than improve a process. They help ensure that Chartered Members are equipped to lead an industry facing rapid technological change, rising expectations around sustainability, and increasing scrutiny of safety and quality.

The evolution of our Professional Review strengthens our commitment to a competent, ethical and future-ready profession. It ensures our members are not only technically capable but aligned with the values and responsibilities that shape the construction industry’s future. And most importantly, it reflects what we stand for as an organisation: raising standards, supporting people and driving positive change across the built environment.

Please note: Members who already have an active Professional Review application can continue through the existing process. These applications will need to be submitted before 31 December 2026.

Find out more about the PR process and becoming chartered here.

"As a candidate participating in the pilot Professional Review process, I found the revised competency framework relevant and reflective of current industry practice. The themed approach within each competency encouraged more structured reflection on professional judgement, ethics, and learning, rather than focusing solely on technical delivery."

Reece Simpson