Become a SiLC and SQP: Apply Now for the Next Exam Round

If you’re a professional working in the brownfield or land contamination sector and looking to take the next step in your career, now is the perfect time to apply for the next round of the SiLC exam.

The Specialist in Land Condition (SiLC) Register represents the highest standard in land condition assessment and offers professionals a recognised qualification that demonstrates capability, credibility, and commitment to quality. Registration as a SiLC – and as a Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) under the National Quality Mark Scheme (NQMS) – is an important milestone for practitioners seeking to lead in their field.

Why Become a SiLC?

Registered SiLCs benefit from:

• Recognition as an experienced and competent professional in the brownfield land sector
• Enhanced professional standing across both public and private sectors
• A clear route to becoming an SQP under the NQMS
• Access to a community of industry leaders and the opportunity to influence best practice

The SiLC scheme has been operating since 2000 and is focused on setting and maintaining high standards. It provides practitioners with a benchmark qualification to demonstrate they are equipped to provide land condition advice that meets regulatory, planning, and environmental expectations.

The Value of the SiLC and SQP Designations

Professionals on the SiLC Register may also qualify as Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) under the National Quality Mark Scheme for Land Contamination Management (NQMS). The NQMS, introduced in 2017 by the National Brownfield Forum, identifies high-quality land contamination reports reviewed and signed off by an SQP.

This nationally recognised scheme has backing from key government departments, including DEFRA, DCLG, and the Environment Agency, and is widely supported across the sector. It brings greater confidence to planning authorities, developers, and regulators through independent, quality-checked assessments of brownfield land.

What the Schemes Offer

Both the SiLC and NQMS schemes have been developed by and for professionals working in land condition and brownfield management. Benefits include:

• A recognised qualification demonstrating high competency
• The ability to lead and quality-check multidisciplinary project teams
• Improved career prospects through industry recognition
• Greater trust from clients, regulators, and planning authorities
• Confidence in knowing your limits and when to bring in specialist support

Entry Requirements

To apply, candidates must:

• Be a member of a recognised professional body
• Have significant experience in the brownfield or land contamination sector
• Pass a structured application process, including an open-book exam and professional interview

Candidates may choose to register as a SiLC only, an SQP only, or as both. The qualification process is streamlined and completed through a single application. The annual registration fee for 2024 is £228, with a reduced fee of £150 for public sector professionals.

Already a SiLC? You can become an SQP by completing a conversion exam, which includes a self-guided briefing course.

Apply Now

Take the next step in your career and join a respected register of professionals setting the standard in land condition assessment.

• Click here to apply for full SiLC/SQP registration
• Already a SiLC? Click here for the SQP conversion exam

For more information on the National Quality Mark Scheme, visit: www.claire.co.uk/nqms