Recognised prior learning
Recommendations on the future regulation of the Building Control Sector and Profession in England, published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) on behalf of the Future of Building Control Working Group in July 2020, defines recognised prior learning as: ‘…a method of assessment (leading to the award of credit) that considers whether a learner can demonstrate that they can meet the assessment requirements for a unit through the knowledge, understanding or skills that they already possess and so, do not need to develop these through a course of learning.’
Setting the bar. A new competence regime for building a safer future. The Final Report of the Competence Steering Group for Building a Safer Future, published in October 2020, suggests that recognised prior learning (RPL) is: ‘The process of recognising previous formal, informal or experiential learning so that the learner avoids having to repeat learning/assessment within a new qualification.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 70-20-10 learning model.
- Approved documents.
- Approved inspector.
- Building control.
- Building control body.
- Building regulations.
- Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC).
- Competent person schemes.
- Continuing professional development.
- Hackitt Review.
- Initial Professional Development.
- Prior learning.
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
- The Building Act.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.