On June 2nd, the APA will begin accepting applications for the November 2015 AICP Comprehensive Planning Examination. If you haven’t already considered applying to take the exam, consider this: certification can enhance a planner’s professional credibility, open career opportunities, and boost earning potential. Furthermore, the eligibility requirements for the exam may be lower than you imagined. If you earned a graduate degree in Planning from a program accredited by the PAB, you only need two years of professional planning experience to meet the minimum requirements. If you earned a bachelors degree in Planning from a program accredited by the PAB, you only need three years of experience.

Act fast! The final application deadline is June 30th. More information is available on the APA’s website at: https://www.planning.org/certification/currentexam/.

National APA recognizes that application fee may be an obstacle to some members who wish to apply to take the exam. On behalf of National, the California Chapter administers a scholarship program which evaluates members’ financial assistance needs through a confidential process. Complete information and application due dates are available under the AICP heading on the Chapter’s website under Professional Development. http://www.apacalifornia.org/professional-development/aicp/.

If you have any questions please contact AICP exam staff at AICPexam@planning.org or APA LA’s Vice Director for Professional Development at profdev@apalosangeles.org.