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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Academic Testing
Exam Format
210 min
170
Not publicly disclosed
Professional
Registration
Varies by APA membership status
Prometric Test Centers or online proctoring
English
Validity
Continuous with CM maintenance
Earn 32 Certification Maintenance (CM) credits every 2 years; Minimum 1.5 CM credits in Law; Minimum 1.5 CM credits in Ethics
AICP Exam Topics and Domains
AICP is organized into 9 weighted domains. Expect to work with ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Bang the Table, Maptionnaire, and more.
1
Research and Assessment Methods
11%
Conducting Research
Research Design and Methodology
- Apply appropriate research methodologies to planning projects
- Design and conduct effective community surveys
Data Interpretation and Analysis
Statistical Analysis
- Interpret demographic and socioeconomic data
- Analyze trends and patterns in planning data
Spatial Analysis and GIS
Geographic Information Systems
- Apply GIS tools to planning analysis
- Conduct spatial analysis for site selection and impact assessment
Community Involvement and Data Collection
Public Engagement Data Collection
- Design effective community engagement strategies
- Collect and analyze community input data
2
Fundamental Planning Knowledge
15%
Planning History
Historical Planning Movements and Key Figures
- Understand the evolution of planning practice in the United States
- Identify major planning theories and theorists
Settlement Patterns and Urban Form
Urban Growth Patterns
- Analyze urban and regional growth patterns
- Evaluate impacts of different settlement patterns
Planning Theory
Contemporary Planning Theory
- Apply planning theories to practice situations
- Evaluate the appropriateness of different planning approaches
Core Planning Values
Planning Principles and Values
- Understand fundamental values that guide planning practice
- Apply core values to planning decisions
Foundational Legal Principles
Constitutional Basis for PlanningLandmark Legal Cases
- Understand the legal foundation for land use regulation
- Recognize landmark cases and their implications
Related Professions and Terminology
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Collaborate effectively with related professions
- Understand terminology and concepts from related fields
Natural, Social, and Economic Systems
Natural SystemsSocial SystemsEconomic Systems
- Understand interconnections between natural, social, and economic systems
- Apply systems thinking to planning analysis
Technology in Planning
Planning Technology Tools
- Apply information technology to planning practice
- Evaluate technology tools for planning applications
3
Communication and Interaction
13%
Effective Communication
Written and Verbal Communication
- Communicate planning concepts effectively to diverse audiences
- Prepare clear and compelling planning documents
Accessibility Strategies
Inclusive Communication
- Design accessible and inclusive engagement processes
- Remove barriers to public participation
Listening and Comprehension
Active Listening
- Practice active listening in community engagement
- Understand and synthesize diverse perspectives
Leadership and Consensus Building
Facilitation and Mediation
- Facilitate effective public meetings and workshops
- Build consensus among diverse stakeholders
Social Justice Communication
Equity-Centered Communication
- Apply social justice principles to communication
- Center equity in engagement processes
Outreach Techniques
Community Engagement Methods
- Design and implement effective outreach strategies
- Select appropriate engagement methods for different contexts
Evidence-Based Argumentation
Building Persuasive Cases
- Build evidence-based arguments for planning recommendations
- Support recommendations with appropriate research and data
Political Situation Management
Navigating Political Contexts
- Navigate political contexts effectively
- Build support for planning initiatives while maintaining objectivity
4
Plan and Policy Development
15%
Planning Preparation and Process Design
Plan Development Process
- Design and manage comprehensive planning processes
- Develop effective work plans and timelines
Policy Formulation
Policy Development and Analysis
- Formulate effective planning policies
- Evaluate and compare policy alternatives
Vision and Goal Creation
Visioning and Goal Setting
- Facilitate effective visioning processes
- Develop clear, measurable planning goals and objectives
Stakeholder Inclusion and Conflict Mediation
Inclusive Planning Processes
- Design inclusive stakeholder engagement processes
- Mediate conflicts and build consensus
Best Practices Application
Research and Application of Best Practices
- Research and apply planning best practices
- Adapt best practices to local contexts
Consequence Evaluation
Impact Assessment
- Evaluate environmental, social, and economic consequences of plans
- Conduct comprehensive impact assessments
Funding Strategies
Plan Funding and Finance
- Develop funding strategies for plan implementation
- Understand planning finance mechanisms
Community Character and Equity Considerations
Place-Making and Equity
- Preserve and enhance community character
- Promote equity in plan and policy development
5
Plan Implementation
12%
Rule and Policy Development
Regulatory Implementation
- Develop regulations that implement plan policies
- Write clear and enforceable development standards
Funding Alignment
Capital Improvement Programming
- Align funding with plan implementation priorities
- Develop and manage capital improvement programs
Proposal Assessment
Development Review
- Assess development proposals for plan consistency
- Conduct thorough development review
Strategic Partnerships
Partnership Development
- Develop strategic partnerships for plan implementation
- Collaborate across sectors and jurisdictions
Implementation Challenges
Overcoming Barriers
- Identify and address implementation challenges
- Adapt implementation strategies as needed
Action Step Drafting
Implementation Programs
- Develop clear and actionable implementation programs
- Create realistic implementation timelines and budgets
Plan Monitoring and Evaluation
Performance Measurement
- Develop performance monitoring systems
- Evaluate plan implementation and effectiveness
Project Integration
Coordinating Multiple Initiatives
- Coordinate multiple planning initiatives
- Integrate plans and projects for maximum effectiveness
6
Administration and Management
6%
Project Management
Planning Project Management
- Manage planning projects from initiation to completion
- Control project budgets, timelines, and quality
Organizational Management
Planning Department Management
- Manage planning departments effectively
- Develop and implement work programs
External Relationship Management
Stakeholder and Partner Relations
- Manage relationships with external stakeholders
- Coordinate effectively across organizations
Staff Mentoring and Development
Professional Development and Mentorship
- Mentor and develop planning staff
- Build professional capacity within organizations
Results-Oriented Accountability
Performance Management
- Establish results-oriented accountability systems
- Measure and report on performance and outcomes
7
Leadership
6%
Plan-Making Leadership
Leading Planning Initiatives
- Provide leadership for planning initiatives
- Build support for planning visions and goals
Ethical Advocacy
Professional Advocacy
- Advocate effectively for planning principles
- Maintain professional ethics while advocating
Professional Accountability
Professional Responsibility
- Demonstrate professional accountability
- Balance accountability to multiple stakeholders
Problem-Solving Approaches
Creative Problem Solving
- Apply effective problem-solving approaches
- Develop creative and innovative solutions
Equity and Inclusivity Leadership
Leading for Equity
- Lead equity and inclusion initiatives
- Address systemic inequities in planning
Professional Development
Continuous Learning
- Engage in continuous professional development
- Maintain and enhance professional competence
Planning Value Promotion
Promoting Planning Profession
- Promote the value of planning
- Educate the public about planning profession
8
Areas of Practice
12%
Comprehensive Planning
General Plans and Comprehensive Plans
- Develop comprehensive community plans
- Understand comprehensive plan requirements and components
Subarea Planning
Neighborhood and District Planning
- Develop subarea and neighborhood plans
- Integrate subarea plans with comprehensive plans
Current Planning and Development Review
Development Review and Permitting
- Administer zoning and development regulations
- Conduct development review processes
Sustainability and Resilience Planning
Climate Action and Sustainability
- Develop climate action and sustainability plans
- Integrate resilience into planning
Transportation Planning
Multimodal Transportation Planning
- Develop multimodal transportation plans
- Integrate transportation and land use planning
Infrastructure and Services Planning
Utilities and Public Facilities
- Plan infrastructure and public facilities
- Coordinate infrastructure with land use planning
Hazard Mitigation and Resiliency
Natural Hazards and Disaster Planning
- Develop hazard mitigation plans
- Plan for community resilience to natural hazards
Natural Resources Planning
Environmental and Conservation Planning
- Develop natural resource protection plans
- Integrate environmental considerations into planning
Economic Development Planning
Community Economic Development
- Develop economic development strategies
- Support community economic vitality
Urban Design
Design and Placemaking
- Apply urban design principles to planning
- Conduct effective design review
Housing Planning
Housing Policy and Programs
- Develop housing plans and policies
- Promote housing affordability and diversity
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
Parks and Recreation Planning
- Develop parks and recreation plans
- Ensure equitable access to parks and open space
Historic and Cultural Resource Planning
Historic Preservation
- Develop historic preservation plans
- Integrate historic preservation into planning practice
Facility Planning
Public Facilities and Services
- Plan public facilities to meet community needs
- Coordinate facilities with population growth
Food Planning
Food Systems Planning
- Integrate food systems into planning
- Address food access and equity
Health Planning
Healthy Communities Planning
- Integrate health considerations into planning
- Promote healthy community design
Rural and Small Town Planning
Rural Community Planning
- Develop plans appropriate for rural contexts
- Address unique rural planning challenges
Equity and Advocacy Planning
Equity-Centered Planning
- Advance equity through planning practice
- Address systemic inequities in communities
Regional and Multi-Jurisdictional Planning
Regional Planning and Coordination
- Engage in regional planning processes
- Coordinate planning across jurisdictions
9
AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
10%
Responsibility to the Public
Public Interest Primacy
- Prioritize the public interest in planning decisions
- Apply public interest principles to ethical dilemmas
Responsibility to Clients and Employers
Client/Employer Obligations
- Serve clients and employers competently and honestly
- Manage conflicts between client and public interests
Responsibility to the Profession
Professional Integrity
- Maintain professional competence and integrity
- Contribute to advancement of the planning profession
Conduct Compliance
Ethical Conduct Requirements
- Apply AICP Code of Ethics to practice situations
- Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas
Ethics Scenarios Based on 2022 Code
Applying Ethics to Real Situations
- Analyze complex ethical scenarios
- Apply the 2022 AICP Code of Ethics to practice situations
How do I earn this certification?
Passing AICP earns the AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification. It sits in the Urban and Regional Planning track.
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for AICP.
AICP Certification Exam Content OutlineAICP Certification GuideAICP Exam Preparation Video Series (December 2024)AICP Exam Prep PowerPoint Slides (December 2024)AICP Certification Exam Selected ResourcesAICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (2022)Foundational Land Use Law CasesChapter Presidents Council Planning History TimelineAmerican Planning History Since 1900
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Announcement date: 2022-01-15
Updates
- Artificial Intelligence in Planning Emerging Potential future inclusion in technology and research methods topics • Release date: 2024-ongoing
- Climate Action Planning Current Covered under Sustainability and Resilience Planning, Areas of Practice • Release date: 2020s emphasis
- Equity Analysis Tools Current Integrated across multiple domains, especially Equity Planning • Release date: 2020s emphasis
Who should take this exam?
Active APA membership
- Graduate degree in planning or related field
- 2+ years of professional planning experience
- Understanding of planning fundamentals
- Knowledge of AICP Code of Ethics (2022 version)