The 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.

AICP 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 AICP exam is given twice a year, in May and November.

The first step is to complete and submit an application and the exam fee by a specified deadline. Once your application is accepted, you may register to take the exam.

AICP Exam Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.planning.org/certification/faq.htm
AICP Exam Study Opportunities

Ethics
Ethical planning isn't always easy. The following APA and AICP documents offer codes, principles, and procedures to help planners negotiate the tough ethical and moral dilemmas they sometimes face.
http://www.planning.org/ethics/ethics.html

Ethical Principles in Planning
http://www.planning.org/ethics/ethics.html

Procedures Under the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
http://www.planning.org/ethics/procedures.html

AICP Advisory Rulings
http://www.planning.org/ethics/rulings.html

Professional and Practicing Planner Education
Staying current is a challenge, but education can help you stay abreast and informed. The American Institute of Certified Planners provides you with options.
http://www.planning.org/professionals/index.htm

AICP Commission
Read biographies of the certified planners elected to represent fellow AICP members on the AICP Commission.
http://www.planning.org/leaderbios/aicpcommission.html

The Fellows of AICP
Election to Fellow in AICP is one of the highest honors that the American Institute of Certified Planners bestows upon a member. It's a recognition of the achievements of the planner as an individual as a model planner who has made significant contributions to planning and society.
http://www.planning.org/faicp/faicp.htm

AICP Planners Training Service
The AICP Planners Training Service provides high quality, intensive instruction on management, planning techniques, and contemporary policy issues. Let AICP Planners Training Service help you navigate the tempest of organizational change and system streamlining with the Managers Planning Guide to Improving the Development Review System.
http://www.planning.org/professionals/managersguide.htm

AICP Symposiums
AICP sponsors regular symposiums on a variety of topics vital to practicing planners.
http://www.planning.org/symposium/default.htm

AICP Exam Study Opportunities
Once accepted to take the test, candidates will be notified to register to take the exam at one of the test centers in the Washington metropolitan area. For more information, go to
www.planning.org/certification/examinfo.html

The Chapter President's Council AICP Exam Preparation Manuals Are Available
For more information, contact Julia Koster at julia.koster@ncpc.gov.

APA National Conference
Each year at the national conference, sessions are also devoted to a review for the exam. This review covers much of the same content as our local chapter review-though in a room with hundreds of people.

AICP Study Guide
AICP offers a study guide, CD-ROMs, and other resources to prepare for the exam. Detailed information about these resources are available at the APA website.
http://www.planning.org/certification/examprep.htm