Writing a narrative

Who needs to write a narrative?

A narrative is required for applicants pursuing certain accelerated routes to CICES Member, including:

  • Senior Applicant Route

  • Upgrades from Associate Members (pre-2006)

  • Applicants holding full membership of other professional bodies,
    (excluding ICE and RICS members)

Note: Applicants via the Graduate and Mature entry routes do not need to submit a narrative.

Which competencies should be included?

Applicants must write a narrative covering six competencies, based on the following criteria:

  • All six must be from the same specialism

  • At least two from the core set

  • At least two from the specialist set

  • The remaining two can be from either the core or specialist set

  • General competencies are not required in the narrative

Narrative length

Each narrative should be approximately 200–250 words per competency

What should each narrative contain?

Each paragraph should:

  • Clearly link your knowledge and experience to the specific competency statement

  • Use real examples from your career—these can be from any stage

  • Provide enough context to help assessors understand your role and impact

  • Relate directly to information in your CV and supporting documents

Ensure your writing is clear, concise, and aligned with your overall application.