FIFTY-THREE surveyors in Yorkshire are celebrating after attaining “chartered” status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

They successfully completed the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence, which is a tough two to three-year period of structured training that includes practical training, experience and exams leading to full membership.

David Varley, RICS regional training adviser, said: “These new professionals have passed the most challenging of assessments to become chartered surveyors, where all of them have already completed a property-related degree or equivalent.”

The successful candidates can now carry the letters MRICS after their name, which is the world’s leading qualification when it comes to land, property and construction.

It also means they can take the next step in a career offering variety, prestige and a good salary – not just in the UK, but in countries such as China, Australia and America.

Mr Varley added: “It’s especially gratifying to see so many surveyors undertaking the APC and passing the exams, particularly as the profession has been affected in recent years due to the credit crunch.”