Certificate in property agency management

Why has the qualification changed?
We are obligated by Ofqual, our regulator, to review our qualifications regularly. Not only do these fresh eyes help us to remain market leader, but helps us to build on learner feedback to tailor our qualifications to what is needed by agents to get ahead in the property industry.

In doing so we ensure that our qualifications continue to meet the needs and practices of agents across the UK.

Your feedback was that you wanted us to make the assessments more relevant to the world of work and to provide a more generalised pathway for agents across all disciplines and wherever you are based in the UK. We also wanted to provide career progression into management (Level 4). The qualification is still a certificate, taking a comparable amount of Total Qualification Time to achieve. 

What is Total Qualification Time?
Total qualification time considers the learner's study time together with assessment time and is the average amount of hours a typical learner will take to complete the respective qualification. The TQT for the new Level 4 is comparable to the existing Level 4 qualification. 

Who is the qualification for? 
For candidates who work or want to work in a management, supervisory or leadership role within the property agency sector.

What is the purpose of the qualification? What do I achieve?
The qualification provides progression from operational property agency and discipline specific technical knowledge and understanding with recognition of best professional practices in property agency management.

The qualification supports a wide range of Property disciplines and is available in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and is recognised by industry and qualification regulator and Propertymark professional bodies.

How long do I have to complete the new Level 4? 
Learners have two years from the date of registration to complete the Level 4 Certificate in Property Agency Management.

How do I register? 
Registration will take place online on the Propertymark Qualifications Learner Portal. Registration is not complete until the registration fee is paid via the online payment method.  

Do I need to have a Level 3 before I take a Level 4?
There are no formal entry requirements for the new Level 4 qualification. However, we strongly advise that where specific discipline knowledge is required within your role, achievement of a Level 3 in Sales, residential Lettings, commercial property or auctioneering would be highly advantageous and provide a complementary skillset to the agency management qualification.   

Do I have to go to a test centre to take my exams?
No. All Level 4 exams are delivered via remote invigilation. The assessment is delivered following the same rigorous and robust procedures as physically attending a test centre. These procedures are required by our regulators to ensure that assessments are delivered fairly and securely to all those taking the assessment. You will access the assessment remotely and follow the security procedures, just in an online format. 

Remote invigilation is where you are observed performing an assessment online, using cameras and screen sharing software. The remote invigilator undertakes the same role as the invigilator we all had when taking our secondary, further, or higher education exams. The invigilator is the person/s who watched us as we made notes on assessment papers. Embracing technology means we can do this differently now. 

Can I become both an ARLA Propertymark and NAEA Propertymark fellow once I have achieved the new Level 4?
Yes, the new Level 4 is an exceptional step into management and is specifically created to be applicable across disciplines. Please remember however that Fellow Grade also requires at least five years’ experience in the relevant specialism. Membership enquiries should be directed to [email protected]. 

Why is the new level 4 so different to the old level 4?
We conducted market research and held focus groups with learners as part of the new development. The qualifications are designed for different purposes, hence the variance in the number of units and assessment mechanisms. 

Rather than a detailed look at the world of residential Sales and Lettings, the new qualification can be applied to sales, lettings, commercial and auctioneering disciplines so that agents working across these disciplines can achieve a qualification that is relevant to every aspect of their role. The knowledge and understanding covered is also applicable to wherever you are studying rather than being focused on practices in one country or geographic region. 

The new qualification provides a step into branch/agency management, echoing the career paths of many agents. It also enables principals, partners and directors (PPDs) who do not necessarily need to have specialisms, or discipline specific knowledge, with a qualification that they can access, and which is relevant to their role.

Is the new level 4 easier?
No, the new Level 4 is the same level of difficulty and demand on learners. The qualification requires the same amount of personal challenge to complete. We have worked hard to produce a versatile qualification strongly focused on agency management and business acumen and the new Level 4 is a high benchmark of achievement. 

I'm part way through my level 4 already, what do i do?
If you have made progress on your existing Level 4 in Sales or Lettings, we strongly recommend that you continue and complete your studies and achieve your qualification. 

Registrations for the existing Level 4 Sales or Lettings qualifications are due to close on 31 March 2023. All learners will have sufficient time to complete their qualification as learners have three years from the date of registration to complete it. The booking window for June 2023 examinations for existing qualifications will open in the Learner Portal/scheduling tool in April 2023. 

How long have i got left to finish my current level 4 qualification? 
Those studying the current Level 4 qualifications  have 3 years from the date of registration to complete their qualification. If you have any queries about the length of time you have to complete your chosen qualification, then contact the PMQ team.  

i've registered on an existing level 4, but i haven't takeN any exams yet. what do i do?
If you have been studying towards the Level 4 in Sales or Lettings and are ready to take the examinations you may decide, with the hard work and study you have undertaken, to continue and take the exams and complete the qualification. If you choose to do this, then please check the length of your current registration with PMQ. 

However, the choice to continue or not is yours. 

If you have registered for the Level 4 in Sales or Lettings but have not yet started studying, you may decide to move on to the new Level 4. If you choose to do this, you will need to contact PMQ so that we can transfer your registration to the new Level 4 (free of charge). This will then give you two years to study for and complete the required exams for the qualification. 

Can i transfer credits from my uncompleted level 4 to count towards the new level 4?
No, as the qualifications are intrinsically different there is no option for cross over or mixing and matching of units, due to the regulatory criteria. If you are well on the way to completing the existing Level 4, we would advise completing the qualification as it stands. The qualification will continue to be recognised and contribute to fellow membership criteria of the professional bodies

There are fewer units in the new qualification. Why is this?
The two qualifications have quite different purposes and therefore content. The total learning hours for the new qualification is comparable to the old Level 4, spread across four units covering all aspects of managing a property agency regardless of property discipline.

There are fewer short answer exams in the new qualification. Why is this?
As a regulated awarding body, we ensure that the method of assessment is fit for the purpose of the units and qualification, as well as the questions being set at the appropriatelLevel of demand regardless of the method of assessment used. 

We understand that online exam questions, whether multiple choice or using a range of different online question type is quite different to a short answer or essay-type response. We have made sure that the knowledge and understanding being assessed is of a comparable level of demand on learners.  

Can i take both qualifications?
Yes – They are significantly different, and both provide hugely valuable skills and knowledge respectively. You can contact the qualifications team to chat through your options. 

Will the current level 4 still be recognised
Both Level 4 qualifications are regulated by Ofqual, are equally prestigiously regarded, and recognised by the industry. You will also be able to obtain your Propertymark Fellow membership grade as normal. 

Can i take both qualifications?
Yes – They are significantly different, and both provide hugely valuable skills and knowledge respectively. You can contact the qualifications team to chat through your options. 

I'm currently a Propertymark Fellow Member. Will I be able to keep this status now there is a new Level 4?
Of course. You will not be subject to any change regarding your Propertymark Membership.