Point Lobos Beach
Big Sur, ©Juan Borrelli, AICP

Are you looking for more information about the profession of planning but you're not sure where to start?

An AICP Director and a Professional Development Director are established on the Board of the Northern California Chapter of the American Planning Association to facilitate the AICP examination process and support you in Certification Maintenance activities. These two people can help you to make professional contacts, get information on upcoming training opportunities, or offer guidance as you prepare for the AICP exam.

Dr. Don Bradley, PhD, AICP is the AICP Director. For information and assistance with the AICP examination, he can be reached at:

For assistance with professional networking opportunities and AICP Certification Maintenance activities, contact Darcy Kremin at:

Online Web Resources
If you would prefer to search online web resources, the National AICP Professional Practice Center is a reference tool that demonstrates the professionalism of planning and how AICP certification can add value to the practice of professional planning. Visit the National APA website at: http://www.planning.org/propractice/ to get in depth information.

Certification as a Planner
To become a certified planner and use the AICP designation, you must be a current member of the American Planning Association, submit an online application, meet specified education and experience requirements, pass an examination, and be a fully paid member of APA and AICP. Contact Dr. Don Bradley at , or study the National APA website for more details about what you need to do to prepare for taking the examination: http://www.planning.org/certification/

Continuing Professional Development (Certificate Maintenance)
A minimum number of 32 hours of Certificate Maintenance (CM) credit, obtained over a two-year period (or less) is the principal requirement for maintaining AICP certification. Professional development is defined as any course work that covers technical, and personal, growth and development activities that are related to the practice of planning.

Courses That Have Already Been Certified for Credit
The National APA/AICP website maintains a list of all courses that have been certified for credit at: http://www.planning.org/cm/foraicpmembers.htm.

Proposing Activities for CM Credit
If you are interested in proposing courses, events, training, travel, a speaker series, or some other activity for Continuing Professional Development credit, please contact Darcy Kremin, AICP.