Certification Maintenance Exemptions and Waivers

We understand that some members will not be able to meet new CM requirements because of personal or hardship reasons. While various circumstances may qualify, the following list is representative of those in which an exemption may be granted. Please read through this information carefully to determine whether your situation would qualify. Documentation may be required.

Please note that it may take up to six weeks to process exemption requests. If you anticipate needing an exemption, it is in your best interest to apply as much in advance as possible.

Exemptions: Retirement

• Retired members, as defined by APA (i.e., who have been an APA or AICP member continuously for 10 or more years, who are 65 or older, and completely retired) are exempt from Certification Maintenance requirements. If you meet these criteria then you do not need to apply for an exemption. Planners who do not meet the above criteria or who are practicing part time will be required to meet the full obligations of Certification Maintenance, unless granted one of the exemptions below.
  
  
• Life Members please note: If you are currently paying dues at the Life member rate and you meet the criteria above for retired status, then you qualify for this exemption. Please fill out and return the exemption form to notify us of your retired status. If you are paying dues at the Life member rate and do not meet the criteria, then you must meet CM requirements.

Exemptions: Unemployment

• Most Certification Maintenance requirements may be waived for unemployed members during the period of unemployment. However, AICP and APA memberships must be paid and active, although they may be paid at the reduced unemployed rate. Unemployed members may continue to use the AICP credential so long as they obtain at least 25 percent of the required CM credits. Staff will work with the member to determine the most appropriate number of credits needed during and after the time of unemployment within the assigned CM reporting period. To apply for this exemption, please contact AICP at AICPCM@planning.org with "Application for CM exemption" in the subject line. It may also be sent to the address at the bottom of this page. Members will be required to verify in writing the reasons for the exemption. More detailed information will be provided to the member as the exemption request is processed by staff.

Exemptions: Foreign Practice

• Planners practicing entirely outside the U.S. will be exempt from taking registered CM courses, although they will still be required to maintain certification through the creation of a personal professional development plan. Click here for more details. To apply for this exemption, members must submit a personal professional development plan to AICP at AICPCM@planning.org, with "Application for CM Exemption" in the subject line. It may also be sent to the address at the bottom of this page. Members will be required to describe the reasons for the exemption and must indicate the period of time for which the exemption is being requested. Members who are unable to engage in professional development activities while working abroad have the option of applying for a foreign residency exemption resulting in inactive membership status described below.
  
  
• Please note: AICP is currently reaching out to several of our international planning affiliates to explore professional development options for AICP members who must uphold Certification Maintenance for two organizations. AICP members will be able to satisfy CM requirements through the host country's offerings so long as 32 credits are maintained over a two-year period. APA will contact affected members if and when an arrangement is made. 

Exemptions: Hardship

• AICP staff will examine the possible situations in which active AICP members face extraordinary barriers to high-quality, accessible, affordable course offerings and cannot earn the full 32 CM credits over a two-year period. Staff will examine the option of development of a personal professional development plan (as described above) by individuals in such situations and will examine the feasibility of offering credit for such programs. We encourage members who are considering applying for this exemption to explore training opportunities that are both in-person and computer-based to fulfill CM requirements, and will be expected to describe how these opportunities will help fulfill professional development needs according to the personal professional development plan, should that option be approved by staff. To apply for this exemption, members must submit a personal professional development plan to AICP at AICPCM@planning.org, with "Application for CM Exemption" in the subject line. It may also be sent to the address at the bottom of this page. Members must describe the reasons for the exemption and must indicate the period of time for which the exemption is being requested. 

Exemptions Resulting in Inactive AICP Membership Status

The following exemptions will result in temporary inactive membership status. AICP membership will be inactivated (e.g. AICP products and services will be suspended) and the AICP credential cannot be used during this period:

• Parental leave: An inactive membership status of six months may be granted for the birth or adoption of a child.
• Military service leave: An inactive membership status may be granted to members on active duty who are deployed overseas for either Temporary Duty (TDY) or Permanent Change of Station (PCS), or to members of the Armed Forces Reserve or National Guard who have been mobilized or deployed.
• Health: An inactive membership status may be granted for reasons of ill health.
• Care leave: An inactive membership status may be granted to members who need to stay at home to care for another person.
• Foreign residency: An inactive membership status of up to one year may be granted to members living outside of the U.S. Members living abroad may also wish to engage in developing a professional development plan (described above) to maintain AICP membership during their time abroad.
• Other reasons for inactive membership status will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

AICP members who wish to apply for inactive status must do so prior to the expiration of their membership. If approved, inactive members will not be required to pay AICP dues during the period in which their membership is inactive, but must remain members of APA and will be required to pay APA dues. Inactive members must reactivate AICP membership within four years after the exemption expires and pay 20 percent of back dues owed since beginning inactive membership status. Please note that anyone who has been an inactive member for more than four years will be required to retake the AICP exam and reenter the institute following new member procedures. Inactive members must also abide by the AICP Code of Ethics.  

To apply for an exemption, please contact:

American Planning Association
ATTN: CM Exemption
1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
(P) 202-872-0611
(F) 202-872-0643
AICPCM@planning.org