You understand the value of an RPP Certification.
Here is your Road to get there.
Step One — Candidate Assessment
If you have an accredited degree or any degree, AND you are employed in professional planning, your first step is to become a Candidate Member. In order to become one, you must complete an Assessment from the Professional Standards Board. There are three types of assessment:
- Accredited Degree
- Reciprocal Agreement
- Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR)
For a quick reference , view the Professional Standards Board Process for Certification in the Planning Profession
The member must pay a Separate Assessment Fee directly to the Professional Standards Board. Please direct questions regarding the process to PSB.
Once the PSB has assessed the applicant as eligible to proceed to Candidate membership, the PSB will advise APPI and the APPI Registration Committee will vet your Candidate membership.
APPI will advise you by email of your official Candidate membership acceptance and issue a separate invoice for the current year member dues.
Step Two — Mentorship
Once you have been confirmed as a Candidate Member, you must select a mentor and submit their information through the candidate portal on PSB.
A Mentor will help in your professional growth and your development of specific competencies. Your mentorship period will last a minimum of one year. Please review the Mentorship Guide.
Step Three — Logging Work Experience
Candidate members must document and demonstrate a minimum amount of practical professional planning work experience, verified by a Registered Member sponsor. The minimum number of years of full-time (or equivalent) experience required for individuals will vary depending on which route they achieved Candidate membership through.
A Sponsor will monitor, review, and validate your Record of Practical Work Experience. Please review the Sponsorship Guide.
Step Four — Ethics and Professionalism Course
The Ethics & Professionalism Course consists of eight modules, and the test is a series of multiple-choice questions. You may take the Ethics & Professionalism Course and test at any time after we have confirmed your Candidate membership, but it must be successfully completed before you are eligible to sit the Professional examination
Step Five — Professional Examination
The Professional Examination is a formal, multiple choice Examination that is offered twice in each year – once in the Spring and once in the Fall. You will need to apply to PSB to write the Professional Examination and can only do so if you have successfully completed all the other requirements.
The PSB will advise APPI once you have passed the examination, and the APPI Registration Committee will vet and confirm your RPP membership. You will receive an official letter.
Any questions?
This quick-reference RPP document may help.
Please direct any other questions directly to the Professional Standards Board.