CIQS international reciprocity agreements

The CIQS has signed reciprocity

agreements with international professional bodies having similar objectives, giving CIQS members access to services and programs offered by other professional organizations, and vice versa .

What is a reciprocity agreement with the CIQS all about?

A reciprocity agreement is basically a twoway accord: two or more parties agree to share their resources to achieve common objectives . In these arrangements, the CIQS and foreign organizations agree to mutual recognition of professional licenses and credentials .

The CIQS has signed Reciprocity Agreements with nine professional organizations around the world . They are: - Building Surveyors Institute of Japan (BSIJ) - Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) - Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) - Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) - New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS) - The Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) - Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) - Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) - Jamaican Institute of Quantity Surveyors (JIQS) For a complete listing and further details, please visit www.ciqs.org/english/ reciprocity-agreements.

Benefits to CIQS members from reciprocity agreements.

CIQS members can take advantage of international reciprocity agreements . They allow CIQS members to apply for membership in those other professional bodies, and permit members of those other professions to apply for the Canadian PQS/ CEC designations . In addition, services and programs provided by the signing organizations are available to the members of those organizations .

About the author

Indu Elapatha, PQS, MRICS, is a Professional Quantity Surveyor with nearly three decades of experience in the construction industry . Her experience is broadened to include ICI, residential development, and infrastructure projects . She currently works with Hanscomb Ltd . as a Senior Cost Consultant .

Indu is the current BC representative to the CIQS National Council, and a member of the CIQS education committee . She is also past Publications Chair of CIQS National, past President of CIQS - BC, and past Director of Communications and Bylaws in the BC affiliate of the CIQS .

Can a corporate member of the other organization having reciprocity with the CIQS directly obtain a PQS/ CEC designation?

Subject to the specifics of the reciprocity agreement, an applicant still must fulfill CIQS ethics and bylaws requirements, submit to a professional inteview, and show proof of compliance with minimum Canadian industry experience, etc . These conditions vary depending on the academic and professional experience requirements of the other association .

How does a reciprocity agreement help a member of the other organization to expedite an application for PQS/CEC designation?

In the case of a member of an organization listed above, the CIQS will quickly and fairly assess that person’s academic and professional credentials, and provide a clear path to a Canadian PQS/CEC designation .

What is the CIQS process of establishing a reciprocity agreement?

An extensive review of membership criteria, academic requirements, national standards, and other common objectives is undertaken . The CIQS membership requirements are substantially equivalent to those required for certification by the other organizations that already have agreements .

Can an internationally trained Quantity Surveyor having corporate membership of a similar professional organization, but not listed above, expect to have a reciprocity agreement in the future?

Establishing reciprocity agreements is an ongoing process of the CIQS, which is working to that end with a number of countries . Reciprocity with the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Sri Lanka (IQSSL) has already been approved by the CIQS board, so execution of an agreement is expected in the near the future .

If you have any questions about this, please contact the CIQS at 905-477-0008 .

QS Online Cost Consultants Inc. Halifax, Nova Scotia p. 902 405-1504 halifax@qsonlinecostconsultants.com www.qsonlinecostconsultants.com