As of 31 January, over 1,500 building control surveyors have begun the registration process with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), representing less than 40% of the estimated 4,500 to 5,000 professionals in the UK. By April 6, all building control surveyors must be registered and have passed a competency assessment to continue practicing.
Lorna Stimpson, Chief Executive of Local Authority Building Control (LABC), has raised alarms about the slow progress, suggesting that many professionals might not meet the deadline. In a letter to the government and BSR, she noted that a significant number of building control professionals might fail to achieve certification before the 6 April deadline. Stimpson also requested a six-month delay in the registration requirements to address these concerns.
The LABC’s Building Safety Competence Foundation (BSCF), the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), and Total Training Development Ltd are among the three approved schemes conducting the competency assessments for building control professionals. These assessments are based on the building inspector competence framework. Stimpson indicated that out of 2,500 professionals in their system, about 900 are expected to be certified by April, though outcomes from other schemes remain uncertain.
The BSR has noted a gradual increase in registration applications. A spokesperson emphasized that while applications are rising daily, a significant surge is anticipated as the April deadline approaches. The BSR stresses that registration is a critical step in regulating the building control profession and warns that professionals who do not register by the deadline will be unable to continue their work in building control.
The BSR urges professionals to act immediately by selecting and registering with an assessment scheme, preparing for the assessment, and discussing their plans with employers to ensure they are meeting the registration requirements appropriately.
