How to join ARLA Propertymark: grades, Level 3 and CMP

What are the ARLA Propertymark grades?

ARLA Propertymark is the lettings division of Propertymark. It has four grades for individuals. Student grade is for people who have no lettings qualification yet, and you don't need to be working in the industry to join at that grade. Students cannot use designatory letters or the logo. The 2026 Conduct and Membership Rules give students two years to pass an accepted qualification and move up a grade.

Associate (AARLA) needs the Level 2 lettings qualification, or Level 5 in Scotland, plus a year's experience. If you have two years' experience but no qualification, you can join as an Associate and must qualify within two years. Member (MARLA) needs the Level 3 lettings qualification, or Level 6 in Scotland, plus a year's experience. Fellow (FARLA) needs a relevant Level 4 qualification and five years in the industry. Every grade above Student requires you to be working in lettings when you apply.

The Level 3 Certificate in Property Agency

Most letting agents get to MARLA through the Level 3 Certificate in Property Agency. Scotland has its own version at SCQF Level 6. The awarding body is Propertymark Qualifications, and the lettings pathway comes in separate versions for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. You study by distance learning and your enrolment lasts 12 months.

The course has four units. The first two are shared by every pathway: the role of the property professional, and the practice of a property professional. Unit 3 covers general law for the nation where you work. Unit 4 is the lettings specialism. Each unit ends with a 45-minute online exam with remote invigilation. There are 30 questions, the pass mark is 60% and a distinction needs 80%. Each exam costs £62.50, and resits cost the same.

Directors, company obligations and Client Money Protection

Principals, partners and directors (PPDs) join as individuals at the same grades. They must also bring every company they are legally responsible for under Propertymark regulation. Once your individual membership is approved, you have three months to submit the company application and its documents. New firms must also take a Company Advantage package, which costs from £795 plus VAT and includes professional indemnity insurance.

CMP pays landlords and tenants back if an agent misuses rent, deposits or other client money. The law requires it for letting agents in England, Scotland and Wales. Propertymark requires any firm it regulates that holds client money to buy CMP from Propertymark. The exception is a firm already covered through RICS or the Law Society of Scotland. The annual levy depends on the client funds you hold: £410 under £500,000, £1,085 from £500,000 to £1 million, and £2,055 from £1 million to £3 million.

What the logo tells landlords and tenants

Only Propertymark Protected firms may display the logo. A firm is ARLA Propertymark Protected when a principal, partner or director holds ARLA membership at Member or Fellow grade and the company meets all its other membership obligations. A director at Associate grade does not give the firm that status. An employee can use the logo if they are above Student grade and work for a protected firm. Propertymark says it checks these firms to make sure they have their legal requirements in place.

Joining a membership body is voluntary, unlike redress and CMP, which are legal requirements. Membership usually means the agent holds a property qualification, does CPD and follows a code of conduct. If the agent fails to meet those standards, they can lose their membership. Some rogue agents use the logo without being members, so a landlord should check the firm on Propertymark's Find an Expert search.

Pay

United Kingdom

£27,500–42,700

London

£32,700–50,700

South East

£27,600–42,800

Scotland

£27,200–42,200

North West

£25,800–39,900

Wales

£24,600–38,100

North East

£24,200–37,500

GBP a year, before tax. Lettings pay from the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, April 2026 (provisional), adjusted to 2026 with a wage index. Each range runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. Regional figures are modelled. Experience, a management role and commission push pay towards the top of the range. Membership itself does not set pay. Refer to the Lettings salary guide for figures from live adverts.

What you need

Student gradeYou need no qualification and don't have to work in lettings. It costs £100 a year, and you can't use the letters or the logo until you qualify and upgrade.
Associate (AARLA)You need the Level 2 lettings qualification (Level 5 in Scotland) and one year's experience. Alternatively, join with two years' experience and qualify within two years.
Member (MARLA)You need the Level 3 lettings qualification (SCQF Level 6 in Scotland) and one year's experience, and you must be working in the industry.
Fellow (FARLA)You need a relevant Level 4 qualification and five years' experience in the industry.
Annual subscriptionAssociate, Member and Fellow grades cost £295 a year. A second Propertymark division costs £150 a year.
CPDEvery member must do at least 12 hours of CPD a year, with at least four hours from educational events such as courses. You must submit your hours every year to keep your membership.
Conduct rulesAll members must follow the Propertymark Conduct and Membership Rules. Directors must also make sure their companies meet the Company Obligations.

Across the UK

England	Take the Level 3 Certificate in Property Agency (Lettings) for England to reach MARLA. CMP is a legal requirement for letting agents.
Wales	There is a separate Level 3 lettings pathway for Wales. CMP is a legal requirement for letting agents.
Scotland	The qualifications use the Scottish scale: Level 5 for Associate and SCQF Level 6 for Member. CMP is a legal requirement for letting agents.
Northern Ireland	There is a Northern Ireland version of the Level 3 lettings pathway, and Unit 3 covers Northern Ireland law. Propertymark still requires CMP from any regulated firm that holds client money.

How to get there

Month 0Join as a StudentJoin at Student grade (£100) while you start studying. You can do this before you have a lettings job.
Months 0-12Enrol on Level 3Enrol on the lettings pathway for your nation. The standard price of £390 includes 12 months of Student membership.
Within enrolmentPass four unit examsSit four online exams of 30 questions in 45 minutes each. The pass mark is 60%, and each exam costs £62.50.
Year 1-2Upgrade to MARLAOnce you have Level 3 and one year's lettings experience, upgrade to Member grade.
Every yearKeep up CPDRecord 12 hours of CPD for each calendar year. Submit them every year to keep your membership.
Year 5+Work towards FARLAPass a relevant Level 4 qualification. Five years' experience then qualifies you for Fellow grade.

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Questions people ask

Do I need ARLA Propertymark membership to work as a letting agent?

No. Membership of a professional body is voluntary. Redress scheme membership and, in England, Scotland and Wales, CMP are legal requirements. Many employers still look for MARLA because it shows you hold a recognised qualification and do CPD.

Can I join with no qualifications?

Yes. Student grade needs no qualification, and you don't have to be working in the industry. With at least two years' experience, you can join as an Associate instead and must pass the qualification within two years.

How much does it cost to join?

Associate, Member and Fellow grades cost £295 a year, and Student grade costs £100. You only pay once your application is approved. Directors also pay for a Company Advantage package, from £795 plus VAT, and for CMP if the firm holds client money.

How long does the Level 3 qualification take?

Your enrolment lasts 12 months and you study by distance learning. You pass by sitting four online unit exams with remote invigilation. If you are not yet a member, the standard enrolment price includes 12 months of membership.

How much CPD do members have to do?

Every member must record at least 12 hours a year, with at least four hours from educational events. The CPD year runs from January to December. You must submit your hours every year to keep your membership.

Can I put the ARLA Propertymark logo on my emails?

Only if you are above Student grade and work for a Propertymark Protected firm. A firm is ARLA Propertymark Protected when a principal, partner or director holds ARLA membership at Member or Fellow grade and the company meets all its other membership obligations.

How do you join ARLA Propertymark?