Building control surveyor (integrated degree)
- Level
- 6
- Typical duration
- 48 months (about 4 years)
- Max funding band
- £24,000
- Route
- Construction and the built environment
Providing an impartial, independent and accountable third party service to confirm that building work achieves compliance with minimum standards.
About the role
Building Control Surveyors provide an impartial, independent and accountable third party service certificating that building work achieves compliance with minimum standards, namely those set out in the Building Regulations. Building Control differs from other surveying roles in that Surveyors perform what is essentially an enforcement function, ensuring compliance through the Building Act 1984. In addition to construction technology, a Building Control Surveyor requires a full working knowledge of Building Regulations and associated legislation in force at the time work has been carried out in relation to areas such as structural, thermal, fire, acoustics, ventilation and inclusive design. Building Control Surveyors must be excellent communicators as this is a highly customer-facing role, requiring diplomacy and assertiveness, remaining impartial using the powers conferred on them to prosecute if necessary to protect the health and safety of people, and the wider environment. Building Control Surveyors may be contracted or employed by local authorities, private employers, and Approved Inspectors in the capacity of enforcing the Building Act and Regulations. Building Control Surveyors typically work as part of a team including technical support administrators and other surveyors of varying expertise and experience usually reporting to a building control manager. Teams can vary in size dependant on location and workload.How it compares
At 48 months (about 4 years), it is longer than average for a degree-level apprenticeship (the average across all 172 Level 6+ standards is 39 months).
The funding band — the maximum an employer's levy can contribute to training costs — is £24,000, at or above the £21,500 average for degree-level standards. Apprentices never pay tuition either way.
What you'll learn
The official standard defines 13 knowledge areas, 13 skills, 8 behaviours. This is the actual assessed content of the apprenticeship — worth reading before an interview, because competency questions are usually written straight from these lists.
Knowledge 13
- Demonstrate a robust knowledge of the requirements contained within the Building Act, Statutory Framework and other associated legislation related to Building Regulations.
- In-depth knowledge of accurate application of Regulatory processes within the constraints of timescale, data management and confidentiality, in-line with data protection laws.
- Interpret the Building Regulations in relation to all types of building work covering areas such as structural design, means of escape, active and passive fire protection, ventilation, thermal efficiency and access provisions.
- Describe the principles and responsibilities imposed by Health and Safety law, codes of practice and other regulations in fulfilling the building control function.
- Understand how the Building Regulations places a requirement in relation to sustainability and accessibility to achieve environmental and social objectives.
- Knowledge of building pathology and construction technology used in buildings including the performance criteria of materials.
- Knowledge of the Charges Regulations and its relevance to service delivery.
- Knowledge of the enforcement framework and powers within the Building Act to achieve compliance with the Building Regulations.
- Knowledge of non-statutory duties carried out by Local Authority Building Control teams as a delegated function of their Authority e.g. dangerous structures, demolitions.
- Knowledge of the dynamics of the design team to be able to offer support and guidance where required.
- Knowledge of specialist functions of building control e.g. Fire Engineering, Access Officer, Acoustic Engineer, Thermal Engineer.
- Knowledge of why consultation is required with other local authority functions and external statutory bodies and organisations.
- Awareness of how to promote the building control service through effective marketing.
Skills 13
- Apply the principles contained within the Building Act, Statutory Framework and other associated legislation related to Building Regulations.
- Undertake the administrative process of a Building Regulation application and use the data to ensure performance standards are met in compliance with relevant quality assurance standards.
- Utilise the Building Regulations to evaluate plans, drawings, specifications and other documents submitted for building regulation approval for all types of building work to ensure appropriate decisions are issued on applications.
- Identify and manage risks of health, safety and welfare in-line with legislation, hazards and safe systems of work.
- Advise on the Building Regulation requirement in relation to sustainability and accessibility to achieve environmental and social objectives.
- Utilise knowledge of construction technology to provide advice and guidance in connection with the design or construction of building projects.
- Calculate charges for the building control function.
- Utilise proficient Information Technology (IT) skills and have a good knowledge of relevant technologies, including Building information modelling (BIM).
- Inspect building work in progress as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations.
- Uphold high technical standards and best practice in building control in all aspects of building regulation compliance and its application to construction types and methods.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately - both verbally and in writing - with people at all levels to achieve a compliant outcome.
- Manage own time and tasks, communicate and negotiate effectively within a commercial environment.
- Applies diplomacy, tact and persuasive skills when dealing with difficult situations while remaining impartial.
Behaviours 8
- Always ensure your client, or others to whom you have a professional responsibility, receive the best possible advice, support or performance of the terms of engagement you have agreed to and ensure you always give attention to detail.
- Demonstrate a personal commitment to professional and ethical standards, recognising one’s obligations to society and the profession.
- Always be trustworthy, open, transparent and challenge where necessary.
- Respect confidential information of your clients or potential clients and do not allow bias, conflict of interest or the undue influence of others to override your professional or business judgments or obligations.
- Always act consistently in the public interest when making decisions or providing advice.
- Treat everyone with courtesy, politeness and respect.
- Always act with skill, care and diligence and deal with any complaint in an appropriate professional manner.
- Be open to the changing environment of the workplace and regulatory framework.
Live vacancies
No live vacancies for this course as of 2026-07-24 — new adverts appear on Find an apprenticeship daily, and many degree apprenticeship employers recruit on their own careers sites instead.
Universities registered to deliver it
2 universities are on the government provider register for this standard. Registration means they can deliver it — live vacancies depend on employer partnerships each recruitment cycle.
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Official sources
- Official standard page (Skills England)
- Registered training providers (Find apprenticeship training)
Occupational summary, duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours reproduced from the ST0652 apprenticeship standard (last updated 2019-05-02) — contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Always check the official page before applying: standards get revised.