Continuing Education Opportunities – February & March 2026

Keep your planning skills sharp by diving into exciting topics like APA’s 2026 Trend Report, creative housing solutions, and clean energy incentives. Opportunities to earn Law and Sustainability & Resilience CM credits are available in the coming weeks, so be sure to mark your calendar. Find more information on upcoming webinars and Washington Planners’ Forums below.

Small & Shared Spaces: Creative Solutions for Housing Needs

Date: February 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
CM Credits: 1.5 CM [Pending]
Cost: $50
Location: Online

Organizer: MRSC

Register: https://mrsc.org/training/upcoming-trainings/small-shared-spaces-creative-solutions-for-housing-needs

Description: As housing affordability challenges continue to grow across Washington, communities are exploring innovative solutions to meet the demand for more accessible and diverse housing options. Many residents are turning to smaller living spaces—such as micro-apartments and tiny homes—or shared housing models like co-living communities. Recent state legislation is encouraging or requiring local governments to accommodate these alternative housing types.This webinar will highlight how several Washington jurisdictions are creatively supporting the development of small and shared housing. Presenters will share real-world examples, policy strategies, and lessons learned from implementing these approaches in their communities.

Risk Management Guidelines & Recommendations for Private Sector Planners

Date: February 13, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
CM Credits: 1.5 CM | 1.0 Law CM
Cost: $50
Location: Online

Organizer: Planning Webcast Series - APA Private Practice Division and APA Planning and Law Division

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O262PtyfScSD8buF5NlSAA

Description: The APA Private Practice and Planning Law Divisions are co-sponsoring this webinar on risk management guidelines and professional liability. The session presenters include two attorneys, an insurance agent, and a private sector planner. They will discuss risk management guidelines and liability issues for planners and other design professionals, and how to obtain liability insurance.

Let's Break It Down: Simplifying Complex Information (2 Parts)

How do you distill a mountain of data into exactly what your audience needs to know? Simplifying complex information is no easy feat, but during this Upskilling series, planners will learn and practice implementing tested strategies for parsing the most important messages and tailoring content to the recipient. Join Rachel Shindman, AICP, and Andy Rutz in "Let's Break it Down: Simplifying Complex Information," a two-part Upskilling series on February 17 and 20.

Part 1

Date: February 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
CM Credits: 1.0 CM
Cost: Free
Location: Online

Organizer: APA National

Register: https://planning.org/events/eventsingle/9323252/

Description: Learn how to categorize audience, information, and presentation types and receive strategies for crafting clear, unbiased communications. Leave with an understanding of the key considerations and approaches toward effectively communicating high-level planning information to a wide range of audiences.

Part 2

Date: February 20, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
CM Credits: 1.5 CM
Cost: $75 APA Members / $100 Nonmembers
Location: Online

Organizer: APA National

Register: https://planning.org/events/eventsingle/9323275/

Description: Ready to put your skills into action? In the hands-on training, participants will practice communicating sample data sets to multiple types of audiences, including elected officials, internal staff, and external constituents. Leave with transferable tools most applicable to your role and a sense of confidence in your ability to foster data-driven decision-making. (Note: You must attend the webinar in order to take the trainings. A link will be provided if you are unable to attend on February 17.)

Planning with the Future

Date: February 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
CM Credits: 1.0 CM
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Organizer: APA National – Foresight Team

Register: https://planning.zoom.us/webinar/register/8217695446257/WN_t_eDGRKkS3q8TRec6Mvfsw#/registration

Description: Join the APA Foresight team for the start of a new educational program designed to help planners navigate uncertainty and prepare for what's ahead. This free webinar introduces the fundamentals of foresight for planning practice and shows how planners can use the 2026 Trend Report as a practical tool, not just a publication. Participants will explore what foresight means in a planning context, how APA conducts horizon scanning, and how to interpret and use emerging trends and signals, all while maintaining an inclusive approach to shaping the future. The session will also preview upcoming training and learning opportunities available in the months ahead. Stay connected and explore upcoming events at planning.org/foresight.

Making the Most of Clean Energy Incentives in Washington State

Date: March 26, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
CM Credits: 1.0 CM | 1.0 Sustainability & Resilience CM [Pending]
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Organizer: MRSC

Register: https://mrsc.org/training/upcoming-trainings/making-the-most-of-clean-energy-incentives-in-washington-state

Description: This webinar will discuss how to unlock substantial savings for clean energy projects at any stage—whether your entity is exploring possibilities, currently developing a project, or ready to seek a credit for projects that have recently been completed. We’ll describe the process for maximizing federal credits while they remain available, with topics including the elective pay framework, strategies for combining multiple funding streams, and the current landscape and challenges for clean energy incentives. We'll also share information about free services available through the Washington Clean Energy Tax Assistance (WA CETCAP) program, including a real-world case study from King County highlighting their experience navigating federal clean energy incentives with the assistance of the WA CETCAP program.

Washington Planners’ Forums

The Planners’ Forums are a combined effort on behalf of the Department of Commerce, the Planning Association of Washington, and the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association to educate and support planners throughout our state with new and important topics to planning. More information about Planners’ Forums can be found on the Department of Commerce’s website.

The following Planners’ Forum events are coming soon: