American Institute of Certified Planners
Encyclopedia
The American Institute of Certified Planners (or AICP) is the American Planning Association
's professional institute. AICP certifies professionals in the United States in the field of Urban
and Regional planning
and assists planners in the areas of ethics, professional development, planning education, and the standards of planning practice.
AICP certification is recognized throughout the United States as the mark of a professional planner. Members of AICP pledge to adhere to a detailed Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Once certified, professional planners may place the designation "AICP" after their name to indicate their membership in AICP, and their mastery of the principles, skills, knowledge, and experience determined by the organization as essential for a professional planner.
To become certified, a planner must have an appropriate combination of relevant education and professional experience, must pass a rigorous examination that tests skills and knowledge, must pay an annual fee, and must be a member of the American Planning Association in good standing. The AICP certification exam is offered twice a year for two weeks, in May and November. Beginning in 2004 the exam uses a computer-based format. To maintain membership in the AICP, a certified planner must earn a specified number of continuing education credit hours that include courses in planning law and ethics every two years.
awards and certifies planning programs accreditation. After graduation from an accredited master's planning program, a person has to have only 2 years of professional planning experience before he or she may sit for the AICP exam. Graduation from a non-accreditated program with a masters degree in planning requires 3 years of experience. Graduating with a PAB accredited bachelor's planning degree, a person has to have 3 years of professional planning experience to sit for the AICP exam. Any other graduate or undergraduate degree requires 4 years of experience. Not having an undergraduate degree requires 8 years of professional planning experience before one can sit for the AICP exam.
On April 13, 2007, the AICP Commission approved a new Certification Maintenance (CM) program. As a result, AICP certified planners must earn and report 32 credits of eligible professional development activities every two years as part of this new CM requirement. This program replaced the voluntary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, which terminated on April 13, 2007.
.
In the United Kingdom, the recognized accreditation for planners is "MRTPI", which indicates a member's chartered status in the Royal Town Planning Institute.
In Australia, the recognised accreditation for planners is 'CPP' - Certified Practising Planner, which indicates a member's status in the Planning Institute of Australia - PIA
In Nicaragua, the recognized accreditation for planners is 'APP' - Accredited Practicing Planner, which indicates a member's status in the Planning Institute of Nicaragua - PIN. The chairman of this institute is Alexander Alvarado.
American Planning Association
The American Planning Association is a professional organization representing the field of city and regional planning in the United States. The APA was formed in 1978 when two separate professional planning organizations, the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning...
's professional institute. AICP certifies professionals in the United States in the field of Urban
Urban planning
Urban planning incorporates areas such as economics, design, ecology, sociology, geography, law, political science, and statistics to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities....
and Regional planning
Regional planning
Regional planning deals with the efficient placement of land use activities, infrastructure, and settlement growth across a larger area of land than an individual city or town. The related field of urban planning deals with the specific issues of city planning...
and assists planners in the areas of ethics, professional development, planning education, and the standards of planning practice.
AICP certification is recognized throughout the United States as the mark of a professional planner. Members of AICP pledge to adhere to a detailed Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Once certified, professional planners may place the designation "AICP" after their name to indicate their membership in AICP, and their mastery of the principles, skills, knowledge, and experience determined by the organization as essential for a professional planner.
To become certified, a planner must have an appropriate combination of relevant education and professional experience, must pass a rigorous examination that tests skills and knowledge, must pay an annual fee, and must be a member of the American Planning Association in good standing. The AICP certification exam is offered twice a year for two weeks, in May and November. Beginning in 2004 the exam uses a computer-based format. To maintain membership in the AICP, a certified planner must earn a specified number of continuing education credit hours that include courses in planning law and ethics every two years.
Experience
Combined with education, a potential candidate for the AICP exam must have a required number of years of professional planning experience. The amount of experience depends on education. The Planning Accreditation BoardPlanning Accreditation Board
The Planning Accreditation Board is a non-profit professional accreditation agency jointly sponsored by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning , the American Planning Association and the APA’s professional institute the American Institute of Certified Planners...
awards and certifies planning programs accreditation. After graduation from an accredited master's planning program, a person has to have only 2 years of professional planning experience before he or she may sit for the AICP exam. Graduation from a non-accreditated program with a masters degree in planning requires 3 years of experience. Graduating with a PAB accredited bachelor's planning degree, a person has to have 3 years of professional planning experience to sit for the AICP exam. Any other graduate or undergraduate degree requires 4 years of experience. Not having an undergraduate degree requires 8 years of professional planning experience before one can sit for the AICP exam.
On April 13, 2007, the AICP Commission approved a new Certification Maintenance (CM) program. As a result, AICP certified planners must earn and report 32 credits of eligible professional development activities every two years as part of this new CM requirement. This program replaced the voluntary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, which terminated on April 13, 2007.
Outside the United States
The recognized professional accreditation for planners in Canada is "MCIP," signifying that the holder of the designation is a full member of the Canadian Institute of PlannersCanadian Institute of Planners
The Canadian Institute of Planners is a professional organization in Canada for those involved in land use planning.Founded in 1919, its primary aim is "the advancement of responsible planning throughout Canada"....
.
In the United Kingdom, the recognized accreditation for planners is "MRTPI", which indicates a member's chartered status in the Royal Town Planning Institute.
In Australia, the recognised accreditation for planners is 'CPP' - Certified Practising Planner, which indicates a member's status in the Planning Institute of Australia - PIA
In Nicaragua, the recognized accreditation for planners is 'APP' - Accredited Practicing Planner, which indicates a member's status in the Planning Institute of Nicaragua - PIN. The chairman of this institute is Alexander Alvarado.