Licence renewal: Help us avoid unnecessary referrals

Your accuracy matters when completing compliance questions at renewal.

Each year, thousands of AAT members complete either their membership or licence renewal. Alongside updating personal details and paying subscription fees, members are also required to answer a set of regulatory questions.

While these may seem routine, they play a vital role in upholding the integrity, professionalism and public trust that underpin AAT membership.

This article explains why it’s essential to read and answer these questions carefully, what is at stake if information is incomplete or inaccurate, and how members can stay compliant throughout the year, not just at renewal time.

What’s in our annual compliance questions?

Our annual compliance questions allow AAT to confirm that members:

• are adhering to the AAT Code of Professional Ethics;
• are correctly licensed and registered for Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) supervision if they provide services to the public;
• have appropriate AML procedures, professional indemnity insurance and clients’ money controls in place (where relevant);
• have notified AAT of any changes to their suitability to hold membership, such as insolvency matters, convictions or disciplinary findings from other bodies.

Each question supports AAT’s role as a professional body and ensures that our register remains accurate, credible, and trustworthy.

Why does it matter if you answer questions incorrectly?

Providing accurate information on your renewal documentation is not simply an administrative task, it is a professional responsibility. Members should be aware that:

Incorrect answers can breach the Code of Professional Ethics. The Code requires members to be honest, transparent, and forthcoming in all professional dealings. Incorrect declarations, even if accidental, undermine these principles.

Correct answers protect members from accidental non‑compliance. Inaccurate declarations can expose members to risks from practising without sufficient PII, to failing to meet AML supervision requirements, to overlooking suitability issues that must be disclosed.

If a member indicates, intentionally or not, that they are practising without a licence or experiencing a suitability issue, AAT is required to review the declaration. Even if the member later explains the response was a mistake, the case will already exist, and initial processes will have begun.

Taking time to read questions carefully helps avoid unnecessary referrals and ensures resources are focused on genuine concerns.

How to ensure you answer accurately

To support members, AAT recommends the following before completing your renewal:

✔ Set aside dedicated time, avoid completing your renewal in a rush. 

✔ Read each question in full. 

✔ Pay attention to phrases such as “in the past 12 months” or “Are you currently”, “Have you ever”.

✔ Check supporting documents. 

✔ Seek clarification if unsure.

If you are uncertain how to answer a question, contact AAT before submitting your renewal. It is always better to ask than to risk an incorrect declaration.

If you have any questions about compliance requirements or need support with your renewal, please get in touch with AAT, we are here to help.

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