Tips for CM Providers

Providers of professional development may find the following information useful in registering activities for CM credit, including interpreting and responding to eligibility requirements, writing learning objectives, and requesting law and ethic credit. 

Tip #1 — Understand the approval process

When you register, please share how you as a provider meet our criteria for the content, delivery, and administration of events. We will base our reviews on the information you provide here.

When asked to describe the event or activity (for multi-part events) please consider the following questions:

1. How will the event offer a professionally relevant learning experience for a planner (e.g. for a planner with at least 2 years of experience)?
2. How does this event meet a specific-planning related training objective?
3. What are the specific training objectives?  What do you want attendees to learn from this event?

Sample response:
Faced with declining downtowns and neighborhood commercial centers, planners have a need to learn how to bring new life to these areas. The seminar instructs planners on how to develop economic revitalization strategies involving design, zoning strategies, marketing, and partnering. Advanced-level strategies and best practices will be presented and discussed by a panel of experts in the areas of economic development and urban design.  The educational purpose is to teach planners how to initiate and implement revitalization strategy of downtowns and mixed use neighborhoods.

Example of how not to respond:
This event is designed to meet a specific planning-related objective. The content is designed to meet planning objectives and meets the needs of AICP members. The content is designed to meet a specific planning-related training objective.

Remember, the more detailed information you can provide the better. Visit CM Eligibility Requirements for more information.

Tip #2 — Plan Ahead

Remember, the review process may take up to three weeks. You will be unable to use CM branding in your promotion and the event will not be visible in the CM calendar until your event is approved. Please plan ahead. Read some things to consider before the event.

Tip #3 — Gather the right information

We have created a template that will assist you in gathering the correct information for your CM event. By entering this information into the provider registration system, members will be able to find and register for your event. 

Tip #4 — Register your event under the correct category

Before you register understand the types of CM activities, including Single, Multi-Part and Distance Education events.

Tip # 5 — Understand the appeal process

You may appeal a denied event, and we encourage this. In many case, events that are denied need only a new description of the content to help us better comprehend its CM relevance. Read about the appeal process.

Tip #6 — Point AICP members in the right direction

Make sure you include the website address that you want AICP members to visit, whether this is your homepage or the registration site.  This will make it easier for members to find information and register for your event.  This link will be displayed next to your event on the calendar and on the list of registered providers.

Tip #7 — Create a Distance Education Product

Downloadable audio files, such as CD-ROMs and podcasts, of at least one hour in length may be eligible for CM credit. There are special requirements for distance education products.

Tip #8 — Don't forget to request law or ethics credit

Be sure to request the number of law or ethics credits that attendees can earn at your event, and describe how the event meets specific law and ethics criteria. Law or ethics credit is not automatically awarded. Partial credit is acceptable. For example, if a portion of your CM event meets law criteria you may request only that time for CM law. Read more.