SCS Conservation Accreditation Course

The SCS Conservation Accreditation Course run on behalf of the Society by The Dublin Civic Trust is intended to serve as an induction module providing an introduction to the philosophy, principles and practice of architectural conservation in Ireland. Applicants who complete the Course will receive accreditation at Grade III level.

Accreditation Criteria
Applicants wishing to be accredited at Grade III level must complete either the SCS Conservation Accreditation Course or a similar approved post-graduate course in architectural conservation. They must be a chartered member of the SCS. Applicants for accreditation at Grade III level will be admitted from all divisions of the society.

Applicants must attend all modules of the course in order to be considered for accreditation. If an applicant is not able to attend all modules he/she will be permitted to complete the modules on the next accreditation course run by the SCS.

Applicants will be required to sit an examination. This takes place at the end of January each year and takes the form of an examination. Applicants will also be required to prepare a building study on a historic building of their choice. This must be submitted by the end of January in advance of sitting the examination. Typically reports should have a word count of 2000-2500 words excluding appendices. During the course, further guidance on the requirements of this assignment will be provided.

Applicants must achieve a pass rate of 50% in both the examination and building study in order to be considered for accreditation. Applicants will not be permitted to sit the examination unless they have attended all modules and/or completed the building report. Applicants will be permitted to sit the exam in the following year if additional course modules need to be completed or if the candidate is referred.

A reading list will be circulated to candidates in advance of the course.

CPD
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period after which members must submit evidence of conservation related life-long learning over this period.
The CPD requirement for retention of Grade ΙΙΙ status is 4 hours per year, CPD can be gained by attendance at conservation related CPD lectures, undertaking postgraduate study/research, structured reading and learning and attendance at committee meetings.

Grade III Accreditation
An applicant for accreditation at Grade III must be a Chartered Surveyor and have successflly completed the SCS Conservation Accreditation Course or possess a similar approved post-graduate qualification in architectural conservation. A surveyor accredited at this level is expected to have a good basic understanding of the general principles, legislative framework and technical requirements of architectural conservation. Surveyors accredited to Grade III should be able to provide general advice on conservation matters in the context of the areas of practice covered by their specific division within the Society. Surveyors at this level are not expected to have the range of expertise of surveyors accredited at a higher level. Individual experience among Grade III Surveyors may vary.