Professional Development Info

Do You Have All Your Needed CMs for 2024-2025?

Just a reminder – December 31, 2025, is the deadline for submitting CM credits for the 2024-2025 CM reporting period.  If you can get all your training completed and logged by that date, your name will be entered into a drawing to win a free registration to the APA National Conference in Detroit, April 25-28, 2026!

If you are unable to complete your CM requirements by the 12/31/25 date, you will have until April 30, 2026, to meet your CM obligations. Those who do not meet the grace period deadline will experience a lapse in their ability to use their AICP credential, and there are penalties to reinstate it. 

Taking the AICP Exam is Now More Accessible Than Ever!

Expanded Testing Window

APA has heard from planners that they want more opportunities to take the AICP exam. For those who need more time to prepare – you’re in luck because beginning next year, you’ll have way more flexibility. Instead of being limited to taking the exam in the months of May and November, APA anticipates one longer window to accommodate test takers from April through September. Future years may see the testing window expanded even further.  Now, you can take the test in a way that better aligns with your personal and professional obligations. Benefits of this new approach:

• More time to prepare at your own pace
• More chances to test when it works for you
• Even the option to retake the test within the same period, if needed.

You can take the AICP exam whenever you are ready – whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional.  First you take the test, then upon passing, you become an AICP Candidate. The next step is to complete your experience assessment – this window has also expanded and will run from April through November so you can now move through the certification process faster. Once your assessment is accepted, you become AICP!

Since APA introduced this streamlined approach five years ago, participation has jumped by 30%. Clearly flexibility works! 

Ready to Get Started? Have Any Questions?

APA WA has plenty of resources to help you prepare and APA offers office hours to answer all your certification questions. Check with the Chapter’s Professional Development Officer (PDO) for Washington Chapter Exam prep resources (Nancy Eklund, AICP, at [email protected] or 206-850-1779).

Ready to Earn a Higher Salary?

Earning your AICP Certification is more than a title – it will change your professional career and increase your odds of earning a higher annual salary. It is the only independent verification of a planner’s qualifications. With AICP you show employers and colleagues that you not only have the education, experience, and skills required to make an impact in your community, but you also commit to the AICP Code of Ethics that sets you apart. AICP planners gain an edge in the job market and can boost their salaries. Yes, AICP pays off! According to the APA 2025 Salary and Benefits Survey, AICP respondents earn 31 percent more on average than non-certified planners. You’ll also join a network of professionals from around the country committed to ethical practice and lifelong learning. And let’s be honest - achieving your AICP is a major personal milestone worth celebrating.

So, what are you waiting for?  Find a study-buddy, prepare those flashcards, and sign up for a review session.  You’ve got this!

Karen Wolf, FAICP, AICP Immediate Past President

Nancy Eklund, AICP, WA APA Professional Development Officer