Construction firms have asked the RICS to set up a competency scheme in a bid to expose rogue traders.

The proposal is one of a number of plans to be looked at in the next six months by Sir Bryan Carsberg, who launched a review into the RICS’ standards of self-regulation this week.

Any new scheme would be a rival to the government’s troubled Quality Mark initiative, which has so far failed to attract firms in any significant numbers.

Under the proposed scheme, RICS members that prove their competence, demonstrate good employee relations, and provide an assurance that clients’ money is being handled ethically, would be awarded a badge of good practice.

Louis Armstrong, the RICS chief executive, said that firms had urged him to try and bring in an RICS-vetted scheme.

He said: “It would act both as a quality assurance and as a proof of ethical and professional integrity. However, we have to work out if it would be effective: we don’t want to be a paper tiger.”

The proposal would raise the profile of the RICS while also improving standards in the industry, he added.

The RICS is keen to demonstrate that it is co-operating with the government in the climate of tougher self-regulation required of all industries after failings in the accountancy profession in the Enron scandal and of the medical profession over Harold Shipman.