AICP Exam Prep, Scholarship and Workshops
To become a certified planner, entitled to use the AICP designation, American Planning Association (APA) members must meet certain education and experience requirements and pass a written examination. The AICP Certification Exam is given twice each year, in May and November. The first step is to complete and submit an application and the exam fee by a specified deadline (typically 5 to 6 months in advance of the testing window). Once your application is accepted, you may register to take the exam. Information about the AICP process can be found at https://www.planning.org/certification/.
AICP Exam Study Group, Scholarship, Workshop Recordings, and Additional Study Info
STUDY GROUP INFORMATION:
The name, email address and zip code of approximately 800 Texas planners appear on the Professional Development Officer’s (PDO) list of planners who have expressed an interest in taking the exam in the next few testing cycles. To encourage the formation of AICP exam study groups in specific areas of the state, an official study group list has been created that is sorted by zip code. All Texas planners intending to take the exam in the near future are encouraged to contact those in your area by email to set up study groups to share information and to help each other stay focused and motivated in your preparation for the exam. Please contact APA Texas Chapter PDO Richard Luedke, AICP, by email at rluedke@cityoflewisville.com to obtain a copy of the official Texas Chapter study group list for Fall 2024.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
The American Institute of Certified Planners and the APA Texas Chapter encourage those with financial hardships to become AICP members by taking advantage of the AICP Certification Diversity Scholarship program, which offers assistance to those individuals who may defer taking or are unable to take the AICP exam because of the high cost. The Diversity Scholarship reduces the exam registration fee from $305 to $85, a $220 savings. A total of 50 scholarships are available nationwide for the November 2024 AICP exam. The 50 scholarship recipients are selected through a lottery system. The application deadline was August 29, 2024, at 3:00 pm. Those who are NOT selected for one of the 50 nationwide Diversity Scholarships offered by APA in September or those who missed the application deadline are eligible for a Diversity Scholarship provided by the Texas Chapter. To apply for a Texas Chapter Diversity Scholarship, please send an email to Richard Luedke, AICP, Texas Chapter PDO at rluedke@cityoflewisville.com confirming that your employer does not cover the exam fee. The scholarship will be in the form of a reimbursement. Texas Chapter Diversity Scholarships are also available for the Experience Assessment fees in December if your employer does not cover the cost.
WORKSHOP RECORDINGS:
AICP Exam Part I Workshop Recording (Free)
The AICP Part I Workshop held on Saturday, June 29,2024, provided an overview of what to expect when preparing for the AICP exam. This 4-hour workshop focused on helpful tips on how to study and identified test preparation strategies. The major topic areas of the exam were outlined, and sample test questions were presented.
To view the workshop recording, please use the link below:
AICP Exam Part I Workshop Recording Link UTA 6-29-24
AICP EXAM Part II WORKSHOP Recording $50
This 6-hour workshop, which was held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, features the nation's leading AICP Exam Preparation Instructor, Dr. Jennifer Cowley, FAICP, who provided a deep dive on how to approach questions on the exam and guided participants through the thought process to identify the best answer. The Part II workshop recording may be purchased for $50.
To purchase the recording, please use the link below:
LINK to Purchase Recording of the AICP Exam Part II Workshop August 3, 2024
Once the purchase is complete in Eventbrite, a link to the recording will be included on the attendee event page.
ADDITIONAL STUDY INFORMATION:
- A summary of The Practice of Local Government Planning by ICMA (aka the “Green Bible”)
- Summary notes from various Planning topics.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Richard Luedke, AICP
Texas Chapter Professional Development Officer
rluedke@cityoflewisville.com
(817) 938-4409
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Other materials not specifically endorsed by the Chapter or APA:
Practice Exams (PlanningPrep.com)
Practice Quizzes and Material (PlanningPeeps.com)
Florida APA - Treasure Coast Section AICP Resources
The Treasure Coast Section of the APA Florida Chapter has prepared an AICP Exam Study Links page with information about the exam. The page includes exam study links from other APA Chapters.