One Path to AICP

Please note that the AICP Certification Guide can provide answers to almost all your questions. This guide must be reviewed prior to registering for AICP.

Am I allowed to register for AICP and take the exam?

Any APA member can register for AICP and take the exam. Please refer to the Planning Experience Worksheet to determine if your experience aligns with APA's definition of professional planning. You must have gained all your professional planning experience, though, prior to submitting the assessment (Step 3 of One Path to AICP).

When can I register for the exam and/or submit my assessment?

View the list of upcoming dates and fees

Submit your education and employment information

I did not receive a confirmation email with the eligibility ID after I registered.

I did not receive a confirmation email after I transferred my exam.

I did not receive any information after I submitted my assessment.

These auto emails oftentimes land in spam or junk folders. Please check those folders. Also, to avoid any future issues with receiving emails, please add AICP@planning.org to your list of email contacts.

When I go to the Prometric site to schedule my exam, the eligibility ID does not work.

If you cut/pasted the eligibility ID into the field at Prometric, please make sure there are no spaces before or after the ID. Also, be sure to use the first 4 letters of the last name on your My APA account. If you still experience issues, please contact AICP@planning.org.

I want to take the exam at home. How do I set that up?

Prometric offers in-person or remote exam options. ProProctor is the software used to launch the exam remotely. Please read the ProProctor User Guide and refer to the AICP Certification Guide for more information.

I need extra time to take the exam.

I need noise-cancelling headphones while taking the exam.

I need extra breaks while taking the exam.

All accommodation requests must be submitted to AICP@planning.org prior to scheduling the exam with Prometric. Staff will then add the accommodation and let you know when you can schedule your exam.

How can I prepare for the exam?

Review the list of exam prep resources. Be sure to also connect with your chapter's Professional Development Officer for additional resources and local studying opportunities.

The name on my official ID is different than the name on my registration record. How can I get it updated on the registration record?

Please refer to the AICP Certification Guide for more information.

I registered but never scheduled my exam. I would like to transfer to a future window. What do I do?

I registered and scheduled my exam, but I can no longer take the exam. What do I do?

Details about rescheduling, cancelling or transferring the exam can be found in the AICP Certification Guide.

*** When you pay the transfer fee, you will then have a transfer record in the system that can then be used for any future exam window, not just the upcoming window. You will still need to register for the exam but will be able to redeem the transfer at no cost instead of repaying the registration fee. Please note that transfers are allowed only one time. Once the transfer is redeemed, whether you take the exam or not, the registration cannot be transferred again.

I already passed the exam. How long do I have before I need to submit my assessment?

Your exam scores do not expire and there is no time limit between passing the exam and submitting the assessment.

Will you accept a picture of my diploma/transcripts for my education verification document?

Yes. Whatever document is submitted must contain the member's name, the name of the college or university, the name of the degree and the degree conferral date.

I am unsure if my experience would be considered professional planning.

The Planning Experience Worksheet can help determine if your experience meets APA's definition of professional planning. Also refer to the section "Does My Experience Qualify?" in  AICP Certification Guide for more information.

How long does it take to hear if my assessment meets/does not meet requirements?

Members will receive an email approximately four weeks after submitting their assessment indicating if their assessment met the requirements. If it did, you will be sent instructions on how to pay your initial AICP dues.

If the assessment did not meet requirements, members will be given information as to why the assessment did not meet requirements and will be able to resubmit their assessment during the next submission window.

I am a member of an international planning agency. Can I still get AICP certified?

Yes. Please send a letter from the other agency indicating you are a member in good standing. You need to take and pass the AICP exam, but you will not need to submit your assessment. You can send the letter to AICP@planning.org.

Please refer to the AICP Certification Guide for more information.

Where do I go to enter the CM I have obtained?

Tracking CM was a requirement of the AICP Candidate Pilot Program. That pilot program ended in 2021 so members are not required to complete CM until they become AICP certified.