Aipedia: Building control approvers

AI in RBI competence portfolios and CPD

Aipedia, by the Apex broking team · Last reviewed 2026-10-30

AI can help inspectors organise CPD records and portfolios, but competence evidence must reflect the inspector's own work and judgement. Overstated competence can lead to work outside registration scope, which is an offence.

Part of: AI in building control approvers

In short

Registered building inspectors must maintain a valid competence assessment (RBI code 3.2, for classes 2, 3 and 4), formally reflect on development needs (3.7), retain those reflections (3.8) and keep a portfolio of competence evidence (3.9). RBCAs must keep CPD records for 15 years. AI drafting tools can help write reflections and portfolio entries, but text that misrepresents what an inspector did or understands creates registration risk. Annex 4.1 makes working outside registration scope without reasonable excuse an offence, and insurers may treat such work as outside cover.

How inspectors use AI for competence evidence

Keeping a competence portfolio is time-consuming. Inspectors record training, projects, technical decisions and reflections, and prepare evidence for independent competence assessment. Generative AI can turn short notes into structured reflections, map evidence against the Building Inspector Competence Framework, draft case studies and suggest development goals.

Used carefully, this helps inspectors record what they actually did. The risk is that a fluent draft describes experience or understanding the inspector does not have, or that portfolios across a team start to read the same.

The duties that apply

The relevant duties are:

RBI code 3.1: only carry out restricted activities you are registered for and competent in.
RBI code 3.2: class 2, 3 and 4 RBIs must maintain a valid competence assessment from an approved, independent scheme.
RBI code 3.7 and 3.8: formally reflect on development needs, record findings and planned actions, and retain them for the longer of your organisation's policy or your registration period.
RBI code 3.9: maintain a portfolio of evidence of training, development and competence activities.
RBCA rules 3.4 and 3.8: developing staff must be supervised by a competent RBI, and CPD records kept for 15 years.
Annex 4.1: it is an offence to undertake building control work outside the scope of your registration without reasonable excuse.

See the RBI code of conduct and the RBCA professional conduct rules. RBI code 2.11 also expects inspectors to be trained in the technologies they use, which is itself a legitimate subject for CPD.

What can go wrong

A portfolio entry that claims involvement in a technical decision the inspector only observed, or a reflection that describes learning that did not happen, misrepresents competence. If that leads to a higher class or category of registration, or to an employer allocating work beyond the inspector's real ability, the consequences extend to every project they then handle.

Illustrative: an inspector uses a generative AI chatbot to expand notes into competence evidence for work on taller residential buildings. The drafts describe complex fire engineering decisions in confident detail. The inspector is later allocated a scheme in that category and misses a significant compartmentation issue. During the investigation, the portfolio is compared with project records and does not match. The inspector faces regulatory scrutiny, and the employer faces a claim on the project.

BSR keeps a public register of building inspectors and published its disciplinary panels policy on 21 October 2026. No disciplinary decision involving AI-written competence evidence had been published as at October 2026.

How PI usually responds

PI usually responds to negligence in professional work, subject to the policy terms. Some policies limit cover for work that is unlawful, outside the scope of registration or outside the business description given to insurers, so an inspector working beyond their registration may find cover questioned. Regulatory proceedings about misrepresentation are generally treated differently from negligence claims. See does building control PI cover AI errors? and PI insurance for building inspectors and approvers.

Practical controls

These steps reduce the risk:

Write the substance of reflections yourself; use AI only to tidy structure and language.
Link every portfolio entry to a project record, file note or training certificate.
Have supervisors check portfolios against the work actually allocated.
Check that work allocation matches each inspector's registered class and category.
Record training on AI tools as CPD, including their limits.

Related: BSR codes and AI and AI review of Gateway 2 applications. Apex arranges PI for building control approvers and inspectors, and a broker can check how your policy treats work allocated by registration class. See the AI in building control hub.

Sources

Frequently asked

Can I use AI to write my CPD reflections?

You can use it to tidy structure and language, but the reflection must record your own development needs and planned actions (RBI code 3.7). Evidence that describes experience or learning you do not have misrepresents competence.

Is working outside my registration an offence?

Yes. Annex 4.1 of the RBI code states it is an offence for an RBI to undertake building control work outside the scope of their registration without reasonable excuse. Scope includes class, categories of work and restricted activities.

Will PI cover work outside my registration class?

Not necessarily. Some policies limit cover for unlawful work or work outside the scope of registration or the business description given to insurers. Check your wording and make sure work allocation matches each inspector's registration.

What should an employer check in AI-assisted portfolios?

Supervisors should check that each entry links to a real project record, file note or training certificate, and that the described role matches what the inspector actually did. RBCA rule 3.4 requires developing staff to be supervised by a competent RBI, which includes checking the evidence they produce.

Check your PI covers how you use AI

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Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.