Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme (PCCCS)

The CIOB Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme (PCCCS) provides a route to proving your competency as a Principal Contractor, as required by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The regulatory transformation introduced with the establishment of the BSR includes the creation of new safety-critical roles, including the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, both with building safety responsibilities.

The Principal Contractor has control over the building during the construction phase. Where the Principal Contractor is an organisation, there will be a requirement for them to designate an individual under their control who has the task of managing their functions as the Principal Contractor. 

CIOB’s PCCCS is suitable for individuals performing or appointed to the role of the Principal Contractor, and is open to those currently carrying out the Principal Contractor role under the Building Safety Act 2022. The applicants must also either be current members of CIOB or an alternative qualifying professional body.

These duty holders require an overarching understanding of all aspects of building safety, and are expected to demonstrate they have the appropriate competence to:

• interrogate design and construction activity
• challenge the quality of work and bad practices
• identify major hazards and minimize the risk to safety during building use.

Application process

Applicants can apply for two certifications, depending on their level of experience:

Those working on projects involving all building types, including higher-risk buildings (HRBs)

Eligibility requirements:

1. Chartered Membership of the CIOB or equivalent
2. a relevant construction-related qualification, such as a HNC/HND, NVQ, Bachelor or Master’s degree
3. typically, 3+ years’ experience in managing construction works in managing construction works on all buildings (including on higher-risk buildings)

Those working on projects only involving non-higher risk buildings (HRBs)

Eligibility requirements:

1. CIOB membership, including TechCIOB, or equivalent
2. a relevant construction-related qualification, such as a HNC/HND, NVQ, Bachelor or Master’s degree 
3. typically, 3+ years’ experience in managing building works

Re-certification 

All members of the scheme are required to be re-certified and peer reviewed after five years. The re-certification process may allow progression to or from one category to another. 

Members of the scheme who are certified for non-HRBs can apply for an upgrade to HRB certified through the re-certification process, however they must have held membership at their current grade for at least 12 months before applying for an upgrade.

CIOB Building Conservation Certification Scheme

Our CIOB Building Conservation Certification Scheme was launched in June 2017 in response to a growing demand for ‘certified’ conservation specialists. Applicants will be required to demonstrate their competence against CIOB’s Building Conservation Competencies and the ICOMOS Training and Education Guidelines based on their experience and qualifications. In addition, the Scheme requires a demonstration of competence with regard to sustainability and energy efficiency issues.

Levels

The scheme offers three levels of competence, each with different entry requirements and ultimately awarding a level-specific certificate:

Registered – individuals at this level will demonstrate good working and background knowledge of key aspects of work to traditional buildings and conservation practice, principles and philosophy, and understand when guidance or supervision is required.

Proficient - individuals at this level will demonstrate a depth of knowledge and understanding of conservation practice, principles and philosophy, including significance, and guide and take responsibility for others, whilst understanding when further specialist guidance is required.

Certified – individuals at this highest level will demonstrate authoritative knowledge of conservation practice, principles and philosophy, including significance, and contribute to the development of conservation standards.

Eligibility

The Building conservation scheme is open to individuals who hold at least a Diploma or equivalent in Conservation or have completed the CIOB Academy’s Understanding Building Conservation course. They also need at least three years of relevant experience working in Conservation. It is open to both members and non-members of the CIOB.

Applicants can be working in a wide range of built environment roles, including Works Supervisors, Site Managers, Construction Managers, Building Surveyors, Design Coordinators, Project Managers, Facilities/Estates Managers, Construction Planners, Clerk of Works, Quality Managers, Retrofit Co-ordinators, Retrofit Assessors, Retrofit Designers, Retrofit Advisors, building archaeologist.

For more information

To find out if you are eligible or for more information, please contact our Certifications Coordinator: Elaine Dove - [email protected]

Chartered Environmentalist

Gaining CEnv establishes your commitment and experience in sustainable development, as it applies to construction and the built environment. It also provides you with a network made up of over 7,000 peers, with whom you can network through a number of conferences, social events and award ceremonies. You will also gain international recognition, with over 10% of CEnv members now based outside of the UK.

Eligibility

To become a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), you must first be a Chartered Member or Fellow of the CIOB before you can apply. The application route consists of submitting a written application followed by a professional interview, carried out by specialist CEnv assessors.

Framework for the competence of Site Supervisors

What is the competency framework?

This framework establishes a clear core competence threshold, aligning with British safety standard PAS 8672, and defines competency requirements for onsite professionals who work directly or indirectly under the guidance of a Principal Contractor. The framework also incorporates additional criteria for higher-risk buildings. It will help identify and validate the competence of site-based supervisors or managers. Framework created by Working Group 9 now transitioned to Sector Led Group 9 under the Industry Competence Steering Group.

Who should use the framework?

• Learning development professionals within the construction industry
• Principal Contractors
• Site Supervisors and those aspiring to the role
• Assessors and accreditation bodies
• Awarding organisations and education providers
• Professional bodies and trades organisations

How can it be used?

The framework is designed to:

• Develop role specifications and support effective recruitment  
• Benchmark organisational capability and inform development plans
• Assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours of on-site professionals working directly or indirectly for the Principal Contractor or Principal Designer
• Develop competence-based assessments for the purposes of accrediting professionals in the role
• Be a reference document for those designing and developing courses and qualifications

Why was it developed?

This framework was developed for the industry to support compliance with:

• The Building Safety Act 2022
• The Building Regulations (as amended) - Part 2A Duty holders and Competence
• PAS 8672 (Principal Contractor competence)
• BS 8670 2024 (core safety competencies)
• CDM 2015 (for context, though not directly covered by this framework) 

Principal Designer Competency Certification Scheme (PDCCS)

Coming Soon

The Principal Designer Competency Certification Scheme (PDCCS) provides a clear route for demonstrating the competence required by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Under the Building Safety Act 2022, Principal Designers play a safety-critical role, overseeing design work and ensuring risks are properly managed.

PDCCS is open to individuals currently performing, or appointed to, the Principal Designer role. Applicants must be members of CIOB or another recognised professional body.

What Principal Designers Must Demonstrate

• The ability to interrogate design and construction activity
• Confidence to challenge poor practice and quality issues
• Skills to identify major hazards and reduce risks during building use
   

Certification Routes

1. All buildings, including Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs)

   Eligibility:

   Chartered CIOB membership (or equivalent)

   Typically 3+ years’ experience on HRB-related design or design management
    

2. Non-Higher-Risk Buildings only
   Eligibility:

   CIOB membership (including TechCIOB) or equivalent
   Typically 3+ years' relevant design or design-management experience
    

3. Provisional Principal Designer
   For applicants who already have the transferable skills, knowledge and appropriate behaviours. Those applicants will however still require personal experience of carrying out the duties of the Principal Designer under the Building Safety Act 

Re-Certification

• Certified Principal Designers: renew every 5 years
• Provisional Principal Designers: renew every 2 years
• Non-HRB certified scheme holders may upgrade to HRB certification if they meet full criteria and have held their current scheme holdership for at least 12 months