Certified Planner (AICP) Practice Test

Candidates must be current members of the American Planning Association (APA) and meet specific combinations of education and professional planning experience. Typically, this requires a master's degree in planning from an accredited program plus two years of professional experience, or a bachelor's degree in planning plus three years of experience. Other degree/experience combinations are detailed in the AICP Candidate Handbook. All experience must be verified and must involve the independent application of planning knowledge.

Effective preparation involves a multi-faceted approach. Begin by thoroughly reviewing the official AICP Exam Content Outline, which details the weighted domains and subtopics. Utilize core textbooks and resources recommended by the APA, such as 'The Planning Commissioner's Guide' and key APA Planning Advisory Service reports. Engaging in a structured study group or a formal exam preparation course is highly beneficial. Most importantly, critically reflect on your own professional practice to connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications, as many exam questions are scenario-based.

The exam is a computer-based test consisting of 170 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored. Candidates are allotted 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the exam. The questions are designed to assess comprehension, application, and analysis across all domains of the exam content outline. The exam is administered at secure, proctored testing centers nationwide throughout designated testing windows.

Ethics and Professional Practice is a dedicated, heavily weighted domain on the exam. Candidates must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the AICP Code, including its principles for planners' conduct toward the public, clients/employers, and the profession. Questions often present ethical dilemmas requiring the application of specific rules of conduct or aspirational principles to choose the most appropriate course of action, emphasizing that ethical reasoning is central to professional practice.

Maintaining certification requires earning 32 Certification Maintenance (CM) credits every two years. This mandatory continuing education ensures AICP planners stay current with evolving laws, technologies, trends, and best practices. The CM program provides access to a vast array of professional development opportunities, fostering continuous learning and networking. The maintained credential remains a dynamic marker of professional competence and commitment, essential for career longevity and leadership.