AICP
The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is the American Planning Association's professional institute, with responsibilities for accreditation, compliance, certification, ethics and continuing education. Information about AICP can be found at www.planning.org/aicp.
To become a certified planner and use the AICP designation, one must be a current member of the American Planning Association, submit an application meeting certain education and experience requirements, pass an examination, and be a fully paid member of APA and AICP. More information about the exam process can be found at http://www.planning.org/certification/.
AICP members must earn a total of 32 credits each two year reporting period under AICP's Certification Maintenance (CM) program. More information about the CM program can be found at http://www.planning.org/certification/.
Please review the Chapter CM Sponsorship Policy before contacting the Chapter about sponsoring any activity or event where Certification Maintenance would be requested by the Chapter.
The Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association's Professional Development Officer (PDO) is available to help answer APA Virginia member questions about AICP. APA Virginia's current PDO is:
(804) 748-1970 or AICP@apavirginia.org
AICP Exam Information
AICP Exam Update Email List
APA Virginia members interested in taking the AICP exam can receive a semi-monthly email update containing information on Virginia area study sessions, study guides, deadlines, scholarship opportunities, etc. Contact Glenn Larson, APA Virginia’s Professional Development Officer by email to receive these updates.
APA Chapter President’s Council AICP Exam Prep Manual
The 2009-10 edition of APA Chapter President’s Council AICP Exam Prep Manual is available for $20 (Includes shipping) from the APA Virginia Chapter. Contact vaplanning@comcast.net to purchase.
AICP Study Guide Manual/CD-ROM
This study guide is published by APA and is available to order here.
APA Virginia’s AICP Exam Orientation Session - March 2, 2012
Materials used at this session included:
AICP Exam Scholarships
AICP provides two reduced exam fee scholarships annually through the APA Virginia Chapter to those Virginia Chapter members facing financial hardships who wish to become AICP members. This program offers assistance to those individuals who may defer taking or are unable to take the AICP exam because of the high cost. The scholarship selection criteria established by AICP states:
- Members of ethnic or racial minorities shall be given preference.
- The applicant(s) selected will be otherwise unlikely to take the exam without the reduced fee.
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The applicant’s employer will not subsidize the exam fee.
Virginia Chapter members interested in applying for a scholarship should contact Glenn Larson, Virginia Chapter AICP Professional Development Officer, at 804/748-1970 or aicp@apavirginia.org. Note: The APA Virginia Chapter's two 2012 exam scholarships have been awarded.
Other AICP Exam Study Opportunities
AICP Certification Maintenance
AICP members must earn a total of 32 credits each two year reporting period under AICP's Certification Maintenance (CM) program.
Virginia Chapter CM Program E-Mail Update List
APA Virginia Chapter members interested in updates on the Certification Maintenance Program and Virginia area CM credit opportunities can receive semi-monthly e-mail updates. Contact Glenn Larson, APA Virginia Chapter’s Professional Development Officer at aicp@apavirginia.org to receive these e-mail updates.
Chapter Sponsoship of CM credits
Please review the Chapter CM Sponsorship Policy before contacting the Chapter about sponsoring any activity or event where Certification Maintenance would be requested by the Chapter.
Virginia Chapter Sections
Check your Section page for announcements of local CM Credit opportunities.
Link to Free APA Events Offering CM Credit
More than 30 free Certification Maintenance (CM) credits are now available on-line through APA at http://www.planning.org/cm/free/index.htm.
On-Line Law and Ethics CM Credits Available Through APA
Haven't met your CM law or ethics requirements? Consider APA's on-line learning courses available at: http://professional.captus.com/Planning/catalog.aspx.
- Hot Topics in Planning Law: Professional planners must stay current on changes in the law in order to practice effectively. This interactive course gives planners the information they need to know about three evolving areas of the law: property rights; signs and billboards; and climate change law. CM 3.0. Cost: $99.95. Length: 3 hours. Fulfills CM law requirement.
- Ethical Practice for Practicing Planners: Ethical Practice for Practicing Planners explains the tenets of the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and challenges participants to analyze situations, reflect on dilemmas, and apply the code. Throughout the course, planning ethics experts discuss how they might respond to several proposed scenarios. CM 2.0. Cost: $49.95. Length: 2 hours. Fulfills CM ethics requirement.
Monthly Webcasts For CM Credits
The Virginia Chapter has partnered with other APA chapters throughout the United States to offer these low cost monthly webcasts that can be accessed directly from any registered computer. The sessions are free, but there is a long distance phone charge. To register for the monthly webcasts, go to http://www.utah-apa.org/webcasts. Participants will need an Internet connection and a telephone. Note that groups can watch these sessions and all AICP members can submit for CM credits, not just the person initially registering. Register soon, as space is limited.
APA Virginia Chapter CD Lending Program
The APA Virginia Chapter has purchased APA CD ROM training packages for free use by Virginia Chapter members, either for individual or group study. The primary purpose of this lending program is to offer a no-cost option for AICP members to qualify for related Certification Maintenance (CM) Program credits, but these CDs can be borrowed by any Chapter member. CDs will be loaned on a first-come first-served basis. Available CDs are listed on the downloadable registration form.
Click here to download a registration form. For more information about borrowing CDs, contact Glenn Larson, Virginia Chapter AICP Professional Development Officer, at 804/748-1970 or aicp@apavirginia.org.
Interested in Other Virginia Area CM Opportunities?
You can search by state at APA’s Certification Maintenance Program website: http://www.planning.org/cm/search/. Click on “Find Upcoming CM Event” and then log-in with your APA password. Click on the “Search” button at the top of the page, then click on Virginia in the map box. Please note that the APA Audio/Web Conference sessions are not listed, as they are available nationally.
AICP Professional Practice Center
Your online resource for information about the profession of planning and AICP. Sections cover certification, licensing, planners' job descriptions and salaries, comparisons with allied professions and international organizations, and much more. Click Here
Page Last Updated March 7, 2012
