American Planning Association - Pennsylvania Chapter Pennsylvania Planning Association Pennsylvania Planning Association
American Planning Association - Pennsylvania Chapter American Planning Association - Pennsylvania Chapter Pennsylvania Planning Association
American Planning Association - Pennsylvania Chapter American Planning Association - Pennsylvania Chapter American Planning Association - Pennsylvania Chapter
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AICP Exam

Becoming an AICP
The Professional Development Committee has developed a summary of the benefits of being an AICP, eligibility requirements to take the AICP exam, the basics of the application process, study materials, and testing tips. Please click here for this helpful starting point to becoming an AICP.

Taking the AICP Exam
The testing windows for the AICP Exam are every May and November, with applications typically due 5 to 6 months in advance. The most current information is available at: http://www.planning.org/certification/. For questions regarding the AICP Exam, please email aicpexam@planning.org.

Studying for the AICP Exam
The PA Chapter's Professional Development Committee (PDC) offers several different forms of help to those studying for the AICP Exam. These include a spring in-person prep session, fall webcast prep session, free online materials, and study manuals available to borrow or purchase, as well as links to additional websites for further guidance.

February 25, 2012
AICP Exam Prep Session
Presented by the PA Chapter of APA
Giant Food Store Blue Mountain Commons - Community Room, Second Floor
Directions link: http://www.giantfoodstores.com/shareddev/storelocator/storeinfo.html?storenum=6447
Fee: PA Chapter Members - no charge; Non-Members - $15.00
Registration is required. Please RSVP by February 20. Click here for the registration form.

The annual spring prep session will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012, and is conducted by several PDC members. Testing tips and review of test topics are provided over 7 hours in-person. Details on the spring prep session scheduled for February 25th can be found by clicking here. 

Past prep session presentations are also available:

2012 AICP Exam Review Webinar Series
As a complement to the Certification Maintenance (CM) focused Chapters, Divisions, and Universities webinar series, several webinars have been developed that are focused on preparation for the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exam. Experienced instructors from the Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina chapters will present these free sessions during February and March 2012.

The sessions will take place starting February 10th and continue through March 30th on Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00 am EST. Content will include: exam overview, spatial analysis, functional areas, public participation and social justice, plan making and implementation, research and quantitative methods, planning law, AICP Code of Ethics, and planning history and theory.

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

Additional topics will be presented on the following dates:

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees: Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees: Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer
If you have immediate questions about the 2012 AICP Exam Review webinar series, please contact Lauren Blackburn, Vice President for Professional Development for the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association. You may reach Lauren by email at lblackburn@ci.davidson.nc.us. If you have questions about the webinar cooperative in general, please contact Chris Brown, Professional Development Officer for the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association. Chris is the Continuing Education Planning Webcast Series Coordinator for the cooperative and may be reached at christopher.alex.brown@gmail.com.

Free Online Materials
The PA Chapter and its PDC have developed a set of study notes to help planners who are preparing to take the AICP Exam. The notes are based on several sources and address case law, theory, planning processes, public participation techniques, urban design, housing, budgeting, growth management techniques, zoning, subdivision/land development ordinances, transportation planning, recreation planning, economic development, environmental issues, quantitative analysis techniques, and demographics. The notes are a comprehensive starting point for someone preparing for the AICP Exam, and were compiled over several years by Lee Slusser and Dave McFarland, and were last updated in 2007. Many thanks to those who contributed to these notes.

Other Online Study Materials

APA AICP Exam Study Manual
The APA AICP Exam Study Manual is available to borrow from the PA Chapter of APA. The manual is the 1.0 version however it contains an addendum with the material that was added to the 2.0 version. The manual contains a hard copy text and a CD with questions (note the CD is available with only 1 of the PA Chapter's copies). PA Chapter members $10.00. Non-members $20.00. The manual may be borrowed for a three week period. To borrow the manual, complete and return the AICP Exam Study Manual Agreement and Order Form with payment. Questions, contact the Chapter office at info@planningpa.org or 717-671-4510.

Chapter Presidents Council (CPC) 2009-2010 AICP Study Manual
The 2009-2010 CPC AICP Study Manual is available for purchase from the PA Chapter. The manual is on CD. PA Chapter members $20.00. Non-members $30.00. To purchase a copy, complete and return the CPC Study Manual Order From with payment. Questions, contact the Chapter office at info@planningpa.org or 717-671-4510. Quantities are limited so please order early.

Study Materials from Other States