So You Want To Be a Certified Planner?

While planning seems more intuitive than technical to many the layperson, Los Angeles planner Clement Lau describes what it takes to stay at the top of the profession.

1 minute read

November 15, 2012, 12:00 PM PST

By wadams92101


"'Any idiot can plan!' That is the response I have heard some critics and cynics give when asked what AICP stands for. For those of you who are curious, if you do a search for 'AICP' on Google, the first item listed is the 'Association of Independent Commercial Producers'. This is perhaps appropriate given that very few people outside the planning profession actually know what AICP means. But as all planners should know, AICP refers to the American Institute of Certified Planners, which is the American Planning Association (APA)'s professional institute charged with the certification of professional planners, ethics, professional development, planning education, and the standards of planning practice."

"In order for a planner to become certified, s/he needs to do much more than just pass a 150-question multiple-choice exam. Even before taking the exam, candidates must meet specified education and employment eligibility requirements. For example, an applicant may only apply to take the exam if s/he has obtained a graduate degree in planning from a program accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board and have two years of professional planning experience."

Clement Lau goes on to explain the continuing education demographics of the field, the professional ethics code, licensing associations, and the continuing education requirements (including Planetizen's self-paced online course). "It is obvious that not any idiot can plan."

Thanks to William Adams (UrbDeZine.com)

Friday, November 9, 2012 in UrbDeZine.com

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.