One Path to AICP

Elevate Your Planning Career with AICP

AICP certification fast-tracks your career, credibility, and community impact.

Certification demonstrates that you bring both expertise and integrity to the communities you serve, while opening doors for professional growth and advancement.

Why AICP Certification?

Make an impact by serving your community with distinction.
Demonstrate your commitment to professional development and ethical practice.
Achieve recognition by meeting national standards and advancing your career.
Earn 33% more than non-certified planners (based on the 2025 Planners' Salary and Benefits Survey).

Who can start?

Members may take the AICP exam while completing their planning experience. Planning experience can be earned after passing the test. To learn more, review the AICP Certification Guide.

2026 AICP Exam Windows

Standard Window

Fee: $305

Registration Dates: May 4 – August 31 (Noon CT)

Test Dates: May 4 – September 30

Results: Delivered from Prometric immediately

Special Pilot Window

Fee: $100

Registration Dates: October 1 – 30 (Noon CT)

Test Dates: November 2 – 28

Results: Delivered within 12 weeks

Learn more about the Pilot Exam

The pilot exam is open to all APA members, and other than the delay in receiving exam results and the cost, there is not much difference.

In 2026, there are three versions of the standard exam in the regular testing window—allowing members to take the exam up to three times, with 30 days between the exam attempt and registering again—and one version of the pilot exam.

The key difference is that the pilot exam questions are based on the recent job analysis survey and will be used to help develop the 2027 exam. The nine topics in the current content outline will be the same for the pilot exam. The sub content, however, may be different. Those questions will not be graded. They may be questions for future exams.

Because the pilot exam questions must be analyzed and reviewed—and a cut score established—results will be delayed by approximately 12-14 weeks. Members who take and pass the pilot exam will not receive their results in time to submit their assessment in 2026.

Members who pass the regular AICP exam or the pilot exam will be considered "AICP Candidates".

The standard exam costs $305, while the pilot exam is offered at a reduced fee of $100.

2026 Experience Assessment Window

Fee: $305

Submission Dates: May 4 – November 30 (Noon CT)

NOTE: After passing the AICP exam, you can submit your experience during the current assessment window or any future assessment window, once you have earned all your professional planning experience.