One Path to AICP

AICP Certification brings value to your career, the organization you work for, and the communities you serve. Do you want to demonstrate your expertise, show your commitment to professional ethics, distinguish yourself in the job market, and keep your planning skills in tip-top shape? Good news! One Path to AICP streamlines the certification process.

View the Two Annual AICP Certification Windows

Take These Steps to AICP Certification

ELIGIBILITY PRE-CHECK

Visit Are You Eligible? to review the experience requirements for AICP Certification, download the AICP Certification Guide, and use the Eligibility Pre-Check resources designed to help you understand how your experience fits into AICP Certification.

STEP 1: REGISTER ($255)

All members of APA are eligible to take the AICP Exam. When preparing to test, confirm you'll abide by the AICP Code of Ethics, agree to the Certification Agreement, and schedule your in-person or online remote appointment to test for the upcoming AICP Certification Exam with Prometric.

Learn more about registration

STEP 2: Test ($0)

See APA's tips for exam preparation and links to resources to help you succeed.

Passing the exam earns you the AICP Candidate designation to use until you successfully complete the three steps to achieve AICP certification. Exam results do not expire so you can take any amount of time to obtain your experience. The AICP Candidate designation will distinguish you and can be leveraged with your employer.

Learn more about the exam

Learn more about the value of AICP to employers

STEP 3: Apply ($255)

After passing the AICP exam and earning the required amount of professional planning experience, submit your education and employment verifications, and demonstrate your experience meets the AICP definition of professional planning experience. Download the Experience Assessment Template to review the professional planning experience requirements for certification.

Learn more about applying

Frequently Asked Questions

We've pulled together some commonly asked questions to help make your certification experience a breeze.

Learn more about certification


Spring 2024 AICP Certification Cycle

STEP 1: REGISTRATION

Opens: Monday, April 1, 2024 at 9:00 am CST

Closes: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 3:00 pm CST

Transfer Deadline: Monday, May 27, 2024 at 3:00 pm CST

STEP 2: EXAM

Exam Window: May 1–30, 2024

STEP 3: EXPERIENCE

Opens: Monday, June 3, 2024 at 9:00 am CST

Closes: Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 3:00 pm CST

Fall 2024 AICP Certification Cycle

STEP 1: REGISTRATION

Opens: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 9:00 am CST

Closes: Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 3:00 pm CST

Transfer Deadline: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 3:00 pm CST


STEP 2: EXAM

Exam Window: November 4–30, 2024

STEP 3: EXPERIENCE

Opens: Monday, December 2, 2024 at 9:00 am CST

Closes: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 3:00 pm CST

 

AICP Certification Fees1
Registration Fee $255
Transfer Fee $100
Planning Experience Assessment Fee $255
Appeal Fee

$100

AICP Initial Dues2 $100

1 All fees are non-refundable.

2Payable after all requirements are met; AICP Certification granted upon payment.