CM Eligibility Criteria

CM Credit Criteria for Approved Providers

When developing planning-related education, approved CM providers must ensure that the content adheres to the following criteria:

• Educational Objective: Must be designed to meet a specific planning-related training objective. The educational purpose must be identified.
• Relevance to AICP Core Competencies: The content should address the demonstrated educational needs of AICP members, as outlined in AICP's Core Competencies.
• Appropriate Depth and Scope: The subject matter must be taught at a level appropriate for planning currently in practice, with at least four years of professional experience following completion of a two-year master's degree in planning (or equivalent).
• Unbiased and Non-Promotional: CM content must be free of promotional material. References to an organization's services or products must occur only before or after the completion of the CM credit portion of the activity.
• Qualified Speakers: Education must be led by subject matter experts. For education covering one of the four mandatory planning — AICP Ethics, Law, Equity, or Sustainability & Resilience — presenters must meet additional criteria as outlined in the mandatory topics guidelines.
• Minimum Duration: Planning education must be at least 15 minutes in length. Education covering the four mandatory planning topics must be 1 hour long. Mandatory topics guidelines.
• No Substantive Changes Post-Entry: Once your planning education is entered for CM credit(s), its substantive content may not be altered. If significant changes are made, the education must be re-entered.

Required Speakers

Each CM-eligible event, activity, or on-demand course must include at least one speaker at the time of entry.

CM activities must be led by one or more subject matter experts. A subject matter expert is defined by AICP as a professional who:

• Has made a meaningful contribution to the planning profession through practice, teaching, research, or publication;
• Has completed work that demonstrates both individuality and mastery of core planning principles; and
• Produces work that reflects outstanding quality and professionalism in the field.

CM Mandatory Topics

There are four topics AICP members are required to focus on by logging one CM credit for each topic area during their two-year reporting period. These topics are: Ethics, Law, Equity and Sustainability and Resilience. For events and activities to be eligible for a mandatory CM credit topic, the content must meet the criteria outlined here for that topic.

On-Demand Education

Providers may enter recorded educational products for CM credit. The recorded products for CM credit allow the flexibility of quality training anytime and anywhere. The provider must include a link to the materials (i.e. PowerPoint, PDF presentation, survey, etc.) for this CM eligible product. APA National does not post materials or recordings to its website for providers.

On-demand education has additional criteria for CM eligibility. Please consider the following learning objectives before entering your product:

1. What evaluation tools are used to measure the efficacy of the educational product and speakers? How are those tools used to help make necessary changes to the content and delivery of the product?
2. How does the product integrate methods by which the learner acts upon the information and knowledge that has been imparted (e.g., asking questions of the course instructor(s), writing an essay, taking a test or quiz, completing a project assignment, etc.)?
3. How does the product use multiple methods of learning? Methods of learning include:

• Text or course outline of the course content
• Plans
• Photographs of case studies
• Relevant graphics or other visuals
• Audio lectures linked to a PowerPoint presentation
• Supplemental reading materials

Demonstrating acquisition of content for on-demand education:

All CM-eligible products must contain a mechanism for gauging the acquisition of content. Methods will vary with the format of each product, but some methods that have worked in the past are:

• Multiple choice tests
• Essays
• A question-and-answer forum
• Online discussion board
• Additional methods, as justified by the CM Provider

Short, Timed Presentation Sessions

These presentations are short — often 6 or 7 minutes — and are accompanied by a timed set of slides — often 20-25 slides. The format encourages presenters to be concise and creative, and to offer a perspective or insight on planning that may depart from a traditional presentation in panel session.

To obtain CM credit for these sessions:

1. Must meet the CM Eligibility Criteria
2. Topical themes must be organized in 30-, 60-, 90-, or 120-minute modules (e.g., "Retrofitting Suburbia" or "Public Engagement").

Unconference Event or Activity for CM Credit

The following are guidelines for events and activities seeking CM credit for an "unconference" type of format.

Recommendations, But Not Requirements

• Social Media: Website and pre-event solicitation of ideas; Twitter, blogging, and a forum can all enhance the experience.
• Ignite Talks: Also called Lightning Sessions can be used to kick off the event and inspire thinking about the issues; experienced speakers from allied fields (i.e. technology) as well as engaged planners can make good presenters.

Requirements

AICP defines an unconference as: a participatory event in which attendees learn by shaping and leading the event as well as exchanging ideas with other individuals who have an earnest interest in the topic.

Unconferences are eligible for CM credit as long as they:

• Meet the CM eligibility criteria.
• Maintain the CM standards of delivery.
• They are focused on one topic.
• Have an event theme. Must have some boundaries or departure point, such as "transforming transportation."
• Engage an expert facilitator. An expert facilitator who fits the AICP expert definition that is a person defined as an individual who has contributed to the field of planning through practice, teaching, research or publications; has completed work that exhibits a mastery of the principles of planning; and whose work demonstrates a commitment to outstanding quality and professionalism.
• Enable active participation from attendees.
• Constitute a full or half day. The event should be no less than 3 hours and can be as long as 8 hours.
• They are peer-developed and driven.
• Have topics selected by those who attend.
• Are planned in advance. The general format must be decided in advance and some structure created so the event transpires in a meaningful way.
• Please note: Only portions of these events are eligible for CM. Examples of non-instructional activities, ineligible for CM credit, include: Breaks, lunch, panel selection, and welcome/orientation.

Example of Schedule

Non-CM Event Promotion

Special benefit for approved providers — you may enter your non-CM eligible events for promotion on the APA website as long as the following criteria are met:

1. You have an active provider registration for the calendar year the event is held
2. Education must include one of the following target audiences:
   1. Emerging Professionals: Planning education that meets the educational level of a certified planner.
   2. Public Education: More basic than at a professional level for a certified planner.
   3. Planning Commission and Official Education: More basic than at a professional level for a certified planner.