Specialist Certification

The CIOB can help you join the CIOB Building Conservation Certification Scheme, become a Chartered Environmentalist or a CIOB Building Surveyor, in the Republic of Ireland.

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 categories of the scheme, depending on their level of experience:

Category A: 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

Category B: 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)

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.

I was privileged to be offered the opportunity to participate in the CIOB PCCCS pilot scheme. With the step change in the industry following the introduction of the Building Safety Act, the importance in demonstrating compliance and capability of construction professionals has never been more important. It has been exciting to play a part in the CIOB shaping their Principal Contractor Competence Certificate Scheme.

Dan Harmer, Project Manager, Tilbury Douglas

Check if you're eligible

To confirm your eligibility for the PCCCS or for more information, please contact our Certifications Coordinator, Elaine Dove.

Email Elaine

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]

    Don't just take our word for it...

    “CIOB Building Conservation Certification Scheme is exceptional with excellent guidance, training and mentoring support. The scheme is the only one of its kind that offers three tiers of progression (Registered, Proficient and Certified). What makes this scheme exceptional is the incredible positive culture of CIOB and its caring and supporting nature who want you to pass. The process of writing my application, getting certified, supporting and assessing others has been an absolute pleasure, and I strongly encourage anyone who is interested to join the scheme.”

    Stewart Wright, Head of Building Conservation, English Heritage

    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.

     

    Become a Chartered Environmentalist

    The CIOB is proud to be a licensed body for The Society for the Environment (SocEnv) for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) registration.

    Learn More

    CIOB Building Surveyor (Republic of Ireland)

    Registration as a CIOB Building Surveyor, provides a route to registration as outlined in the Building Control Act 2007, and is applicable to Corporate Members of the CIOB, M/F CIOB only, but does not automatically guarantee Registration of Professional Title with the Irish Registration Board. If you are a Chartered member and have at least 2 years of practical experience* of performing duties commensurate with those of a building surveyor, you can apply immediately.

     

    Eligibility

    Experience of performing duties commensurate with those of a Building Surveyor has been defined by the Registration Body as follows:

    Employed on a fulltime basis for a minimum of two years (or the equivalent on a part-time basis), with appropriate experience drawn from at least three of the following areas:

    • Construction Technology/ Building Pathology,
    • Building Measurement/condition surveys,
    • Planning acts/regulations and building regulations

     And, at least one of the following areas:

    • Design and specifications,
    • Building services,
    • Health & Safety regulations
    • Contract Administration/costing
    • Project Management
    • Other specialisation e.g. sustainability, energy rating, fire safety, asset management conservation
    • Such other experience as may be considered appropriate by the admissions board

     OR

    • Can demonstrate particular specialised knowledge in any one of these areas in recent years with prior experience in other areas.

    It should be noted that the registration body is independent and the secretariat is provided by SCSI. 

    The assessment fee is £100