Frequently Asked Questions
Join APA
What are the benefits of joining APA?
Join the APA community — a diverse network of planners, commissioners, public officials, educators, students, and engaged citizens who are applying the benefits of planning to cities, towns, and neighborhoods nationwide. For all the details, visit the Membership page.
What are the benefits of joining AICP?
The American Institute of Certified Planners is APA's professional institute and provides the only nationwide, independent verification of planners' qualifications. Certified planners pledge to uphold high standards of practice, ethics, and professional conduct, and to keep their skills sharp and up-to-date by continuously pursuing advanced professional education. Only APA members who meet eligibility criteria and pass an examination may join AICP.
What is Group Planning Board Membership (GPBM)?
Group Planning Board Membership allows an agency to sign up an unlimited number of planning commissioners, at reduced dues, as long as they do not earn their living in planning. For details visit the Planning Commissioner page.
Can I join an APA chapter without purchasing APA national membership?
Yes. Most chapters will allow you to obtain a "chapter-only" affiliation. However, this type of chapter membership does not give you membership in the American Planning Association. As a chapter-only member, you will not receive the publications, benefits, and exclusive discounts given to APA members.
Membership
How do I change my address and other information?
Update your profile by signing in to the website and clicking "My APA" at the top of the webpage. Selecting a link under "Account Settings." Or you may submit your update by using our customer service form.
To ensure that your contact information remains protected, all change requests must be submitted in writing.
How do I receive APA and AICP member discounts?
APA members receive discounts on many APA store products. AICP members pay the APA member price and receive additional discounts on some items. For membership information, visit the Membership page.
To take advantage of your APA or AICP member discount, sign in on any page of the website before you place items in your shopping cart. If you have not already done so, you will need to create a password via the Login Help page.
Am I eligible for free student membership?
All students actively matriculated in a college or university degree-seeking program are eligible for free membership for the duration of their studies. Participation is open to students in any field of study and is not restricted based on past membership status or date limitations. For details visit the Student Join page.
If you are unable to join online and would like to request a PDF application, submit your request by using our customer service form.
Am I eligible for New Member/Introductory dues?
All first-time members of APA, as well as students, residing in the United States, who recently completed their studies are eligible for the New Member dues rate. Offer excludes individuals outside the United States and rejoining previous members of APA.
Am I eligible for Retired membership status?
Retired members are those who are a member of APA (current and continuous for 10 or more years); are 65 or older; and are completely retired, excluding part time non-planning related or nonprofessional work.
Members who do not qualify for retired membership may be eligible for reduced dues as unemployed or in transition members. See below for details.
Am I eligible for Life membership status?
To be an APA Life member, you must be 65 or older and have been an active (current and continuous) member of APA for the past 25 years or more.
Members who do not qualify for retired membership may be eligible for reduced dues as unemployed or in transition members. See below for details.
How do I notify you about Planning Board Member changes?
If your organization has received a renewal invoice, the second page will list a complete roster of your current planning board members. Please add or delete individuals on this roster email it to billings@planning.org or fax it to 312-786-6700. Proceed to pay your invoice, inclusive of any changes.
If the changes occur during the middle of the membership year, e-mail the changes to billings@planning.org and reference your organization's 6-digit subscriber ID number; we will make the changes accordingly.
How do I cancel my membership?
Member services will end automatically if payment is not received in full by the end of your paid membership year. You may receive another invoice after the end of your paid membership year, but please disregard it if you wish to discontinue your membership.
If you want to stop services immediately, please contact us using our customer service form. Membership dues for both APA and AICP are non-refundable.
Why is APA asking for my age and/or demographic information?
APA collects information to better understand the demographic makeup of our membership. We use aggregated demographic data to track trends in the planning profession and monitor APA's progress toward our equity, diversity, and inclusion goals. We also use this information to respond to the interests, preferences, and career needs of our members. We do not publish, report, or share individual member demographic information.
Membership Dues
How much are APA and AICP membership dues?
Visit the Member Dues page for current dues rates.
How may I pay my member dues?
- Online: View your invoice or renew online by logging in using the "Sign in" button found at the top of every APA webpage. To view your invoice click on the "My APA Invoice" button. To renew, click the "Renew Online" button at the top of your invoice or in the Membership area of the My APA" page.
- Phone: You may renew your membership or subsriptions by paying your dues over the phone using a credit/debit card. Call 312-431-9100.
- Fax: Fax your original invoice to us with your credit/debit card information. Our fax number is 312-786-6700.
- Mail: Send in your original invoice and payment to American Planning Association, PO Box 4291, Carol Stream, IL 60197-4291.
** To ensure your credit card information remains secure, we recommend that you do not make payment via email.
Have you received my payment?
To check the status of your membership, log in using the "Sign in" button found at the top of every webpage. After logging in, click "My APA" at the top of the page. Your membership or subscription expiration date will be shown in the top of the page.
Payments are processed within 7–10 business days from the time the payment is mailed, or 1–2 business days from the time the payment is faxed. To trace a payment we will need the date your payment cleared the bank.
How can I get a new or duplicate invoice?
For a new or duplicate invoice, contact us using our customer service form.
How do I pay dues for another person online?
In order to pay any invoice online, you must know the 6-digit membership ID number or e-mail address used on the account and the account's password. Once you've gathered this information, sign in to the website, choose "My APA," and click the "Renew Online" button in the Membership area of the page.
Can I pay my dues in installments?
Through APA's Auto-Renewal Program, you can pay your annual dues in up to 10 equal installments through monthly or annual charges to your credit or debit card.
You can sign up online when joining APA or during your membership renewal.
Am I eligible for reduced dues if I am unemployed or in transition?
APA offers special reduced rates for current members who are unemployed or in-transition*, but who do not meet the requirements for life or retired membership status. Members may qualify for one year of reduced dues for every three years of continuous membership, up to a maximum of five years (for those who have been members for 15 years or longer). Members must request this reduced rate annually once the annual renewal notice has been received.
*In-transition - due to personal circumstances and without income
Are my dues tax-deductible?
Dues are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution. Dues may be considered as a business expense, except 30 percent of California chapter dues, which are allocated to chapter lobbying costs.
Does APA accept professional credentials for display on my member profile?
APA accepts the use of up to three earned credentials for use in professional practice. The following credentials are accepted.
If your credentials are not listed, please submit a request for review using our customer service form.