APA Launches New Citizen Certification Program

Following the success of it's professional certification program called American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the American Planning Association (APA) has announced a certification program for selected citizens as well.

1 minute read

April 1, 2013, 8:00 AM PDT

By Planetizen


The new program will be called AICB. Qualified citizens who pass a rigorous certification exam will be invited to join the American Institute of Certified BANANAs.

"We've recognized for some time that some citizens in our communities are BANANAs, and believe that we should 'Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything,'" said AICB program manager Dr. Nim By, AICP.

"We've condensed the key principals of this approach to planning into a certification program so that BANANAs can now be recognized for their tireless work to prevent planning and development that might benefit a community," Dr. By continued.

The new BANANA program will include a series of affordable webinar-based trainings, followed by a 2-hour certification exam at licensed testing centers across the country. One unusual aspect of the certification will be that AICB candidates will need to demonstrate practical experience in BANANAism by documenting or recording at least one meeting in which the citizen has been disruptive or caused a planner tremendous grief.

The new AICP program is expected to be launched today, April 1, 2013.

Monday, April 1, 2013 in Planetizen April 1st Edition

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight