Accurate diagnosis of damp and timber problems in buildings is essential to ensure appropriate remedies without unnecessary use of chemicals and undue expense. The PCA has always promoted training for surveyors and two separate qualifications were developed to assess surveyors’ knowledge and competence in timber and damp diagnosis. From 1995 these were superseded by a combined professional qualification for remedial surveyors - the Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatment (CSRT) – which is a nationally recognised professional qualification within the industry. Covering diagnosis and specification of works for dampness, as well as decay and insect attack of timber, the examination also includes an assessment of the candidate's knowledge of relevant health, safety and legal legislation. Since its introduction, hundreds of surveyors have taken and passed the examinations and can use the initials CSRT after their name to signify their status.
Companies within the Damp-proofing or Timber Preservation sector wishing to apply for membership of the PCA must have, or employ, CSRT qualified surveyors in order to be eligible for membership.
The CSRT examination consists of three modules (which can be taken in any order):
Module 1 - Health & Safety/Law (2 hour written paper)
Module 2 - Timber (written paper plus an oral examination and a Timber Identification test)
Module 3 - Damp (written paper plus an oral examination)
All questions in each examination module must be answered and all 3 modules must be passed to obtain the CSRT Qualification.
Examinations are held over a two-day period as follows:
Day One
09.45 - 12.00 Timber Paper
13:00 - 17.00 Timber Identification Test & Viva (ID & viva approx. 40 minutes per candidate).
Day Two
09.30 - 11.30 Health and Safety Law Paper
12.00 - 14.00 Damp Paper
14.20 - 17.00 Damp Viva (approx. 20 minutes per candidate)
Modules may be taken in any order or any number at one time.
Where a surveyor has already qualified in one of the previous exams (i.e. CRDS or CTIS), he/she must pass the module(s) he/she has not qualified in, plus the Health & Safety/Law module in order to upgrade to CSRT. A certificate will be issued only when a surveyor has passed all three modules. The letters 'CSRT' may then be used.
The exams can be adapted to accommodate candidates with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, providing advance notification is given and the candidate has undergone a professional assessment.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- CSRT Syllabus
- Recommended Reading List
- Click here for a booking form
Past Exam Papers
Please log into the member's section to obtain member rates.
Members Rates (ex. VAT) £180 Timber Module, £180 Damp Module, £165 Legal and Health & Safety Module
Non-Members (ex. VAT) £220 Timber Module, £220 Damp Module, £195 Legal and Health & Safety Module