Member Login
Search

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is the professional institute of the American Planning Association (APA).  AICP certification is the only nationwide, independent verification of planners' qualifications.

Why become AICP certified? 

The credential provides assurance to employers and colleagues that you have the academic qualifications, relevant work experience, ethical integrity, professional expertise and leadership skills to succeed in the profession.  

NEW! One Path to AICP Certification

AICP One Path Flowchart

To learn more about each step, visit the APA "Get Certified" page and review the AICP Certification FAQ flyer.

For more information about the certification process and exam, check out the video of MAP's AICP Certification Q & A Webinar, hosted by the Emerging Planning Professionals in January 2023

Students and new graduates: The AICP One Path program replaces the AICP Candidate Pilot Program. All APA members will now follow the same process to certification, regardless of whether their education is from an accredited institution.

AICP Certification Diversity Scholarship

The AICP Certification Diversity Scholarship is intended to make AICP certification accessible to members who self-identify from diverse backgrounds, including race, gender, age, veteran status, disability, sexuality, class and 10 other categories . The scholarship provides a discount on the program & exam registration and the experience assessment fees. APA will begin accepting scholarship applications for the Spring 2023 certification cycle on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 and will remain open until all of the scholarships have been distributed.  Details here.

To get a copy of the scholarship application, contact Christina Anderson, AICP, MAP's Professional Development Officer.

AICP Exam Preparation Resources

APA/MI can assist exam takers in forming study groups. If you are planning to take the exam in May 2023 and would like to be connected with other exam takers, please complete this form. 

APA updated its AICP exam preparation resources in 2022. Highlights include:

Additional preparation free resources were shared during MAP's AICP One Path webinar in April 2022:

There are also study classes and materials available for purchase, including:

AICP Certification Maintenance

Of the 32 CM credits required during the two-year reporting period, one hour each of four topics are mandatory: law, ethics, equity, and sustainability/resilience. 

MAP's Planning Michigan Conference is held annually in the fall.  It typically provides attendees with about 16 CM credits, including required topics mentioned above. MAP's Transportation Bonanza (held in the winter) and Spring Institute (held in the spring) are one day conferences that each have about 6 CM Credits. 

Since 2020, MAP has recorded a number of webinars on a wide range of planning and zoning topics that qualify for CM credits; some are free and some are available for small registration fee. Details on MAP's recorded offerings here. 

The Planning Webcast Series, sponsored by MAP and other APA chapters and coordinated by the Ohio Chapter, provides AICP planners in participating chapters options for earning over 50 CM credits every year at no cost.  Details here. 

The American Planning Association provides free On-Demand Education recordings at www.planning.org/cm/free/.

Contacts

For more information, contact Christina Anderson, AICP, MI/APA Professional Development Officer or Wendy Rampson, AICP, MAP Director of Programs and Outreach.