AICP Exam Prep
To become a certified planner, entitled to use the AICP designation, American Planning Association (APA) members must meet certain education and experience requirements and pass a written examination. The AICP Certification Exam is given twice each year, in May and November. The first step is to complete and submit an application and the exam fee by a specified deadline (typically 5 to 6 months in advance of the testing window). Once your application is accepted, you may register to take the exam. Information about the AICP process can be found at https://www.planning.org/certification/.
AICP Exam Prep Resources
Now is the time to think about earning your AICP designation! The deadline has passed to apply for the May 2020 exam; however, application registration for the November 2020 exam will open in June.
Whether you plan to take the exam in May or November or
maybe not until 2021 (or even later), we will be offering an AICP Exam Review
Panel early in 2020 for those interested in learning more about the exam. If you have already applied for the exam, you
will hear helpful tips for studying and taking the exam from planners who
successfully completed the exam in 2019.
Even if you haven’t applied to take the exam, but are interested in
getting a head start in preparing and what to expect, you are welcome to
attend. This session is planned for Wednesday, March 4th from 4:00-5:30pm at Ridgedale
Library Room 174, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka.
The AICP Candidate Pilot Program continues. The pilot program was developed to
accelerate the AICP exam process for students and graduates of PAB-accredited
programs who have not yet reached the standard threshold for taking the test
based on obtaining a minimum number of years of qualified professional
experience after graduation. You can take the test first, then earn your AICP
later, after you have gained the required experience.
And finally, APA Minnesota has one scholarship to offer assistance to those individuals who may defer taking or are unable to take the AICP exam because of the high cost. If chosen, scholarship recipients pay the $70 application fee, but the exam fee is only $75. Anyone interested in applying for this assistance to take the test in 2020 must submit a resume with references and a one to two page essay identifying when they would like to take the exam and explaining their passion and commitment for the field of planning, why certification is important, and an explanation of financial hardship. The chapter will accept applications for the scholarship until Friday, February 28, 2020. Applications should be submitted by e-mail to Elise Durbin. The scholarship recipients will be chosen by the Professional Development Officers and the Chapter President. All selections are final.