American Institute of Certified Planners

AICP is the American Planning Association's professional institute, providing recognized leadership nationwide in the certification of professional planners, ethics, professional development, planning education, and the standards of planning practice.

Certified planners use their skills to find solutions to community problems in ways that will carry the community toward its desired long-term goals.

Certification Maintenance — Online CM Logs Now Available
Certification Maintenance is an affirmation of AICP members' commitment to advancing the quality and integrity of the planning profession — and a recognition of the importance of continuing education. AICP members can now log into their online CM logs to record CM credits they've earned. AICP members will record 32 CM credits during the first reporting period, January 2008 to December 2009. CM credits they have earned between April 14, 2007, and December 31, 2007, will also count toward that requirement.
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Ethics
Ethical planning isn't always easy. The following AICP documents offer codes, rulings, and procedures to help planners negotiate the tough ethical and moral dilemmas they can face.
AICP Code of Ethics

Community Assistance Program
The American Institute of Certified Planners created the Community Assistance Program (CAP) to address social equity issues through the provision of pro bono planning services to communities in need. Professional planners participating in CAP share their planning expertise with communities in a number of ways.
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Professional and Practicing Planners Education
AICP Training provides high quality, intensive instruction on management, planning techniques, and contemporary policy issues. Staying current is a challenge, but education can help you stay abreast and informed.

AICP Symposiums
AICP sponsors regular symposiums on a variety of topics vital to practicing planners.

AICP Commission
Read biographies of the certified planners elected to represent fellow AICP members on the AICP Commission.

Outstanding Students
The AICP Outstanding Student Awards were created to recognize outstanding attainment in the study of planning by students being graduated from an accredited program during the academic year of the award.

2005 AICP Continuing Education Survey
A survey was recently conducted to learn the views and needs of AICP members, with the ultimate aim of encouraging and developing the kinds of professional development programs and requirements that will best support the profession.
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Practicing Planner
AICP's online quarterly magazine provides a forum to discuss, analyze, critique, review, and research case studies and issues that affect professional planning practice. We encourage you to submit articles for publications.
Read this quarter's featured article
View the current issue contents
Call for manuscripts

Planners Training Service Workshops
Planners Training Service workshops, a program of AICP, are advanced training for practicing planners. The next workshops will be in Atlanta on November 12–15, 2008.

Certification
To become a certified planner entitled to use the AICP designation, APA members must meet certain education and experience requirements and pass a written examination. The exam is given twice a year, in May and November.
Frequently asked questions
Eligibility guidelines for taking the exam
Statement about other certifications

Don't Let Your AICP Membership Lapse
If you let your AICP membership lapse and do not pay your full dues for more than four years (AICP, APA, and chapter dues) you will lose your AICP credential and will need to retake the exam in order to be reinstated. Don't let that happen. Be sure to keep your contact information with us current so that we can always reach you. Please note: AICP is currently revising its reinstatement policy to incorporate the new Certification Maintenance requirements. Information will be posted soon.
Click here to update your member records
Click here to review the AICP reinstatement policy

The Fellows of AICP
Election to Fellow in AICP recognizes the achievements of individuals as model planners who have made significant contributions to planning and society.
Read more about Fellows honors

2008 Planning Salary Survey
Based on more than 10,000 responses, the APA/AICP 2008 Planners Salary Survey is the most comprehensive look at compensation and benefits in the profession. Review a profile of planners' qualifications, experience, and work; see how compensation is affected by a variety of variables; and use the online Salary Calculator to estimate what others are earning. Members may access the entire survey; everyone may read the summary.

National Planning Awards
Among the National Planning Awards give each year by APA are the AICP National Planning Leadership Award for a Professional Planner,  the AICP President's Award for Exceptional Practice, the AICP National Planning Pioneer Award, and the AICP Student Project and Outstanding Students Awards.