Qualification recognition
What it takes to have your qualification recognised and work in another country.
Quantity Surveying in 9 countries Tap a country to see how to qualify there
4 United Kingdom Open door Some demand
Quantity surveying is unregulated in the UK, and UP, Wits and UCT degrees are RICS-accredited.
- Recognition
- 5/5 Unregulated there, or the South African qualification is accepted as it is.
- Time to practise
- Immediate for work; MRICS typically about 2 years
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
- Exams
- APC final assessment - a written submission and a competency interview. No state licensing exam exists.
- Language test
- English (no test for SA graduates)
- Rough cost
- RICS lists UK fees of GBP 502 for APC assessment and GBP 167 candidate subscription (subscription shown for 2025), then a GBP 131 election fee on qualifying; RICS says assessment fees rise 3.5% from 1 January 2026, so the current total is not confirmed on RICS's site as of 2026-10-04
Worth knowing: MRICS is not legally required, but most consultancies and public-sector clients expect it for senior roles.
Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.
Step by step 4 steps
- Find a job - no licence or registration is needed to work as a quantity surveyor in the UK.
- Your RICS-accredited SA degree lets you enrol directly as an RICS candidate on the quantity surveying and construction pathway.
- Complete at least 24 months (400 days) of structured training with a counsellor (and a supervisor, if appointed) if you have under five years' relevant experience.
- Pass the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC): submission plus a competency interview, to become MRICS.
Evidence and sources (4)
Demand evidence: Quantity surveyors (2453-2454) are visa-eligible but not on the Immigration Salary List; estimators (3541) are on the Temporary Shortage List. (source)
5 Ireland Recognised, paperwork only High demand
Ireland is the one destination where 'Quantity Surveyor' is a legally protected title - you must register.
- Recognition
- 4/5 Mutual recognition or an assessment plus registration. No major exams.
- Time to practise
- 3-12 months if already chartered; 2+ years if you still need the APC
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
- Exams
- An APC-style assessment if you are not already MRICS/MSCSI; there is no separate state examination.
- Language test
- English (no test for SA graduates)
- Rough cost
- Not published. SCSI publishes registration and assessment fees.
Worth knowing: You can do cost-management work under another job title, but using the QS title while unregistered is an offence.
Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.
Step by step 4 steps
- Under Part 4 of the Building Control Act 2007, only people on the statutory register may use the title 'Quantity Surveyor'.
- Apply to the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, named in the Act as the registration body, for entry on the register.
- MRICS or MSCSI membership is the normal qualifying route; RICS-accredited SA degrees count towards it.
- Maintain continuing professional development to stay on the register.
Evidence and sources (2)
Demand evidence: Critical Skills Occupations List: Quantity surveyors (2433) and Construction project managers / Commercial Manager (2436). (source)
3 Netherlands Recognised, paperwork only Some demand
No licence is needed, but the standalone QS role barely exists in Dutch practice and Dutch is expected.
- Recognition
- 4/5 Mutual recognition or an assessment plus registration. No major exams.
- Time to practise
- Immediate once you have a job and a residence permit
What it takes: exams, language test
- Exams
- None
- Language test
- Dutch expected for most roles; some international consultancies operate in English.
Worth knowing: Dutch practice divides cost work differently, so SA QS experience may be valued as construction economics rather than as QS.
Confidence: low. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.
Step by step 4 steps
- No registration is required; cost work sits with 'bouwkostendeskundigen' inside contractors, engineering firms and architects.
- Have your degree compared by Nuffic/IDW if an employer wants a Dutch-level statement.
- Learn Dutch - Dutch contract forms (UAV, STABU) and building regulations are all in Dutch.
- MRICS is recognised by the international consultancies operating in the Netherlands.
Evidence and sources (1)
Demand evidence: No Dutch shortage list; the role qualifies for the salary-based IND highly skilled migrant permit. No current UWV occupation data reachable. (limited evidence for this country) (source)
3 Germany Exams or bridging Some demand
Nobody licenses QSs in Germany, but the role is split among architects and engineers and German is essential.
- Recognition
- 3/5 Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
- Time to practise
- Immediate with a job offer and adequate German
What it takes: exams, language test
- Exams
- None
- Language test
- German, in practice B2-C1. This is the main barrier, not any licence.
Worth knowing: Your SA qualification is not formally recognised as anything in particular; employers judge it on its merits.
Confidence: low. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.
Step by step 4 steps
- No registration or licence is required to do construction cost work in Germany.
- Expect roles labelled Baukostenplanung, AVA or Projektsteuerung rather than 'quantity surveyor'.
- Learn German to B2-C1; HOAI fee rules, VOB contract law and DIN 276 cost standards are all in German.
- International consultancies such as Turner & Townsend, Drees & Sommer and Arcadis are the most likely employers.
Evidence and sources (1)
Demand evidence: Quantity surveying is not a named German profession in demand; construction roles fall under the general skilled worker visa. (limited evidence for this country) (source)
3 United States Recognised, paperwork only Some demand
Unregulated, but the job is called cost estimator or cost engineer; RICS and AACE credentials help.
- Recognition
- 4/5 Mutual recognition or an assessment plus registration. No major exams.
- Time to practise
- Immediate once a visa is granted
What it takes: exams, language test
- Exams
- None required to practise. The optional AACE Certified Cost Professional is exam-based.
- Language test
- English (no test for SA graduates)
Worth knowing: US construction uses different measurement and contract conventions, so expect to relearn estimating standards on the job.
Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.
Step by step 4 steps
- No licence is needed; look for construction cost estimator, cost engineer or cost manager roles.
- RICS operates in the US and MRICS is recognised by the large international cost consultancies.
- AACE International's Certified Cost Professional (CCP) is the main US-native credential.
- The real hurdle is a work visa - usually employer-sponsored H-1B or an intra-company transfer.
Evidence and sources (3)
Demand evidence: BLS OOH, 2025-35: cost estimators, the closer match, are projected to decline 3%; construction managers, a later career step, grow 9% (much faster than average). (source)
5 Canada Open door High demand
Quantity surveying is not licensed in Canada; CIQS (PQS) and RICS designations are voluntary.
- Recognition
- 5/5 Unregulated there, or the South African qualification is accepted as it is.
- Time to practise
- Immediate once you have a work permit
What it takes: exams, language test, cost, regulator
- Exams
- CIQS Test of Professional Experience (TPE) for PQS, unless you already hold MRICS or FRICS in quantity surveying; candidates with outstanding CIQS subjects (TPE Part A) complete continuing education courses or write CIQS exams. MRICS is earned through the APC.
- Language test
- English or French, depending on the province
- Rough cost
- Not published. CIQS publishes membership and assessment fees.
Worth knowing: CIQS is self-regulating rather than a statutory licensing body, so the PQS designation is reputational, not legal.
Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.
Step by step 4 steps
- No provincial licence is required; you can be hired directly into QS, cost consulting or estimating roles.
- To earn CIQS's Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) designation, complete its Test of Professional Experience (TPE), or hold MRICS or FRICS with quantity surveying as your primary discipline.
- RICS is also active in Canada and MRICS is widely accepted in cost consultancies.
- Learn Canadian measurement standards and the CCDC contract suite.
Evidence and sources (5)
Demand evidence: Express Entry Trade category: Construction estimators (22303) and Construction managers (70010). (source)
5 Australia Open door High demand
No licence needed, and Quantity Surveyor sits on the Core Skills Occupation List for skilled visas.
- Recognition
- 5/5 Unregulated there, or the South African qualification is accepted as it is.
- Time to practise
- 3-6 months for the skills assessment, then visa processing
What it takes: exams, language test, cost
- Exams
- None to practise; the skills assessment is a documentary review of qualifications and experience.
- Language test
- English test usually required for the skills assessment and the visa
- Rough cost
- Not published. AIQS publishes current skills assessment fees.
Worth knowing: Australian measurement (ANZ Standard Method of Measurement) and contract suites differ from SA practice.
Confidence: medium. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.
Step by step 4 steps
- No registration is required to practise as a quantity surveyor; employers hire directly.
- For a skilled visa, obtain a skills assessment for ANZSCO 233213 Quantity Surveyor from AIQS, the assessing authority nominated by Home Affairs.
- Join AIQS (MAIQS) or RICS (MRICS) - both are recognised in the Australian market.
- If you want to prepare tax depreciation schedules you must also register with the Tax Practitioners Board.
Evidence and sources (2)
Demand evidence: JSA Occupation Shortage List 2025: Quantity Surveyor (241932) and Construction Project Manager (131131) both in national shortage. (source)
5 New Zealand Open door High demand
Quantity Surveyor is Tier 1 on the Green List - a straight-to-residence pathway for SA graduates.
- Recognition
- 5/5 Unregulated there, or the South African qualification is accepted as it is.
- Time to practise
- Visa processing only; current processing times are not confirmed as of 2026-10-04
What it takes: exams, language test, cost
- Exams
- None
- Language test
- English (no test for SA graduates)
- Rough cost
- Immigration application fees; NZIQS membership is optional
Worth knowing: An SA BSc plus BScHons should satisfy the level 7, 360-credit rule, but Immigration NZ assesses the qualification itself.
Step by step 4 steps
- No licence is needed to work as a quantity surveyor in New Zealand.
- Get a job offer from an accredited employer in the Quantity Surveyor role (ANZSCO 233213).
- Meet the Green List requirement: a level 7+ bachelor's degree of 360+ credits majoring in QS or construction economics, or NZIQS Student, Affiliate or full (MNZIQS) membership with an overseas degree approved by NZIQS.
- Apply for the Straight to Residence visa on the strength of that job offer.
Evidence and sources (1)
Demand evidence: Green List Tier 1: Quantity Surveyor (233213), Construction Project Manager (133111) and Project Builder (133112). (source)
4 United Arab Emirates Open door Some demand
We found no UAE licence for quantity surveyors; RICS chartership is the credential employers value.
- Recognition
- 5/5 Unregulated there, or the South African qualification is accepted as it is.
- Time to practise
- About 1-3 months (visa and degree verification)
What it takes: exams, language test, cost
- Exams
- None for the job; the RICS APC is optional but valued
- Language test
- English is the usual working language; Arabic is an advantage, not a requirement found
- Rough cost
- Degree verification AED 300 + 5% VAT (DataFlow); work permit and visa fees are normally paid by the employer
Worth knowing: Work visas end with the job and do not lead to citizenship; the 10-year Golden Visa (degree plus AED 30,000+ a month salary) is the long-term option.
Confidence: low. We could not fully confirm every detail here from official sources. Check before relying on it.
Step by step 4 steps
- Get a job offer; the employer applies for your work permit and two-year renewable residence visa, so your right to stay is tied to that job.
- Have your degree verified through DataFlow for the Ministry and recognised; degrees from universities ranked 1-200 need only a validity check.
- Work directly for contractors, consultancies or developers; no separate quantity surveyor licence was found in Dubai or Abu Dhabi rules.
- Pursue the RICS APC in the region: RICS runs MENA assessment sessions, and candidates apply in the country where they work.
Evidence and sources (3)
Demand evidence: Not named as a Golden Visa priority profession; quantity surveyors work on an ordinary employer visa; skill level not confirmed on an official list. (limited evidence for this country) (source)
General information, not immigration or legal advice. Confirm the rules with the regulator before you rely on them. Quantity Surveying overview