GovWire

The Regulatory Authority sets out the criteria of approval (criteria) for independent schemes that verify the competence of building control professionals (schemes) and the provider for each scheme. The Regulatory Authority may revise the criteria and publish those revisions at any time.

The criteria adopt the definitions within the Building Act 1984 (as amended), including:

• Regulatory Authority in section 58A
• Registered Building Inspector (RBI) in section 58B

Providers are organisations applying for the approval of their scheme against these criteria. They agree that the Regulatory Authority may:

• amend its approach to competence assessments at any time, and
• revoke, cancel, suspend or partially withdraw any scheme at any time, in accordance with the published scheme review procedure (TBA)

Candidates are individuals aiming to register as an RBI. This includes, for example:

• new entrants to the profession,
• existing RBIs verifying their competence to remain on the register, or
• existing RBIs demonstrating competence changes for an update to their registration

Criteria are set out within these categories:

• Criteria 1 Provider commitment
• Criteria 2 Building Inspector Competence Framework
• Criteria 3 Expert assurance
• Criteria 4 Management
• Criteria 5 Independence and impartiality

Criteria of approval

Criteria 1 Provider commitment

1. Providers agree to comply with:

• these criteria of approval for their scheme, and
• the terms and conditions for scheme operation (the terms)

1.2. Evidence must include a written agreement to comply with Criteria 1 and the terms.

The agreement must:

• be on the providers letterhead,
• be signed by an appropriately authorised person (decision maker),
• naming the providers scheme,
• attach an appropriately signed copy of the terms

Criteria 2 Building Inspector Competence Framework

2.1. The scheme must:

• assess candidate competence against requirements of the BICoF, including the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours required of RBIs
• have clear, formal and independent competence assessment arrangements
• show how individuals assessing competence (assessors) keep up to date with BICoF and relevant assessment developments
• have an appraisal of each candidates BICoF appropriate work-based evidence (portfolio) and relevant available qualifications
• test each candidates competence against the general BICoF requirements and the class they wish to register as an RBI for. Tests include written examinations and/or interviews
• use at least two independent and technically competent assessors to review portfolios and examinations. They may act together or as part of a sequential oversight process.
• ensure interviews are conducted and evaluated by at least three independent and technically competent assessors
• ensure assessors agree on the competence of a candidate against the BICoF. They must be independent of any advice or support given to candidates in making an application
• certify candidates for a period of four years following a successful outcome of the candidates application (subject to disciplinary procedures, the need for candidates to undertake continuous professional development to keep their competence up to date, and/or the candidate being assessed at a different class).
• have arrangements in place to assess continued professional development of candidates during their certification period.

2.2. Evidence supporting the schemes compliance with Criteria 2 must include:

• a mapped analysis demonstrating how the scheme assesses candidates against the BICoF
• competence assessment methodology and criteria for portfolios, qualifications, written examinations and interviews. This includes a candidates initial certification, during their certification period and validation for their next certification

Criteria 3 Expert assurance

3.1. The scheme must be approved by an independent approval body (body) or be in the process of obtaining approval by such a body.

These bodies are:- UKAS (or equivalent) for ISO 17024:2012- Engineering Council for UK Spec v4.0- Ofqual recognised awarding body

3.2. The approval by such a body must focus on assessing the provider and their schemes conformity with the bodys standards or requirements for the certification of persons, or reasonable suitable alternatives.

3.3. Evidence supporting the schemes compliance with Criteria 3 must include:

• accreditation or approval by a body detailed under 3.1, or
• UKAS (or equivalent) pre-assessment with approval achieved by December 2023

and

• details on how the schemes conformity with the bodys standards or requirements for the certification of persons by the scheme will be assured

3.4. Evidence supporting the schemes compliance with Criteria 3 may include:

• details of how the scheme incorporates the building safety competence criteria set out in BSI Flex 8670

Criteria 4 Management

4.1. The scheme must:

• ensure that assessors have the appropriate expertise and technical ability
• publish accessible scheme rules for candidates including, for example, application, assessment, certification, and monitoring
• publish a full and accessible fee structure for candidates
• incorporate the principles set out in Section 26(4) of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (UKIMA)
• maintain publications that are up-to-date, available, and easily accessible on the schemes website
• demonstrate how it will address scheme and candidate non-conformances and other scheme issues
• be robust and non-discriminatory
• be financially viable
• have arrangements in place to retain candidate records for 15 years
• validate candidate ID for their portfolio appraisal and test of competence
• demonstrate how it will manage complaints and the appeals options available

4.2. Evidence supporting the schemes compliance with Criteria 4 must include:

• details of how assessors will have the appropriate knowledge and skills to assess candidates with varied experience, knowledge, skills and behaviour against the BICoF
• details of how assessments will be conducted consistently and effectively
• details of how the scheme ensures that
  

  View the original news story