One of the foundational tools for candidates on the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) is the APC Diary. Whether you’re on the structured training route or following another pathway, the diary plays a key role in recording and tracking your professional development.

🧾 What Is the RICS APC Diary?

The APC Diary is a formal log of your day-to-day or weekly work activities. It’s primarily used by candidates following the Structured Training Route, which typically lasts 12/24 months. The diary helps you document how your experience relates to the required competencies—forming a foundation for your Summary of Experience and other submission elements.

🛠️ What Should You Record in the Diary?

The diary entries should reflect mainly Level 2 and Level 3 experiences however, you should include Level 1 to show assessors’ progress through the levels.
Level 1 – evidence of your understanding,
Level 2 – application of the knowledge and understanding you have gained.
Level 3 – providing reasoned advice and depth of knowledge.

Each entry should include:
Date or time period
Tasks performed
Projects or clients involved
Competencies addressed
Reflections or outcomes

Poor Example
“Today, I reviewed a contract. I made some changes and sent it to the client.”

Better Example
“Today, on project XXXXX, I negotiated a variation order with a contractor to address unforeseen site conditions. I carefully reviewed the contract terms to identify the relevant clauses and ensure fair compensation for both parties. I successfully negotiated a settlement that minimised the impact on the project’s overall cost and schedule.”

Your goal is to link real work activities with specific technical, mandatory, or optional competencies listed in your pathway guide.

📆 Frequency and Format

There is no specified number of days you should record against each level of competency selected; this is a judgment for you and your counsellor. You must update your diary entries (daily/weekly) on the Assessment Platform in a structure that will encourage meaningful discussions with your counsellor. This helps to show progress against the competencies and assists you with timely preparing your assessment and submission.

Ideally, complete your diary daily or weekly for accuracy.
Use the RICS template available on the RICS website or through your employer.
Keep entries concise but meaningful—avoid vague descriptions like “general site work.”

✅ Tips for Keeping an Effective APC Diary

Stay consistent: Schedule time weekly to update your diary.
Be honest and specific: Use clear language that links to competencies.
Use the STAR approach: Include Situation, Task, Action, Result where applicable.
Make it personal: Focus on what you did, not what the team achieved.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving it too late: Reconstructing months of work is error-prone and time-consuming.
Being too vague: Specificity is key—assessors want clarity.
Not linking to competencies: Always connect activities to your pathway’s requirements.

🏁 Final Thoughts

An accurate and consistent APC Diary shows your progression and readiness for chartership. It’s not just a formality—it’s a tool to help you reflect, plan, and communicate your professional journey.