Aug. 29, 2024
One of the most enjoyable aspects of being on the Commission for the American Institute of Certified Planners for more than 10 years, including the last two as AICP president, has been the opportunity to travel across the country to chapter conferences.
I love meeting planners where they live and work. I learn so much about differences and similarities that planners face throughout the country, as well as their successes and challenges.
Best of all, I get to meet young planners and share the benefits of membership in APA and becoming AICP. I tell them that achieving AICP not only confers the respect of the planning profession but also affirms their credibility and commitment to the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, one of the most robust ethics codes of any profession.
We are now at the two-year anniversary of One Path — the streamlined way of becoming AICP. A key element of One Path is that it allows planners to take the test before they have the required professional experience.
Since launching this updated process, about 40 percent of the nearly 4,000 exam takers have had three years of experience or less. This demonstrates how successful One Path has been in attracting emerging planners into the AICP track.
Karen Wolf, FAICP, is the AICP President and an affiliate instructor at the University of Washington.
Here is what I tell recent graduates and other young planners in the profession: take the exam soon after graduation, while you're in "test-taking mode" and the knowledge from your planning courses is fresh. Once you pass the exam, you become an AICP Candidate. You can put this new designation on your resume and on social media to show future employers that you are committed to the profession of planning, will adhere to the Code of Ethics and will keep your skills up to date through the Certification Maintenance sessions. Once you have acquired the specified experience, you become AICP.
The number of test-takers under One Path has been steadily increasing. In an effort to lower barriers to certification, we started hosting AICP office hours — online drop-in sessions where members can learn about the steps. (Watch for these sessions in advance of the April to June 2025 certification cycle!) We also have formalized the exam accommodation information and expanded the offerings to include English as a second language.
One Path separates the fees for the exam and experience assessment, avoiding one lump-sum payment. Even more resources are available on the AICP website, like an eligibility pre-check toolkit, while local chapters offer additional support, including in-person classes and even "study buddies."
Earning your AICP certification sets you apart. And it is also a significant personal achievement — one that stays with you as move through and advance in your career.
So, what are you waiting for? One Path is your fast track to a rewarding and successful career as a professional planner.
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