One Path to AICP: What APA’s 2026 Changes Mean for Planners
Beginning in 2026, the American Planning Association (APA) is introducing an updated AICP certification process. The new structure expands the time available for each step of certification, giving candidates greater flexibility and improved access as they work toward becoming AICP certified.
Instead of two short testing and assessment periods each year, APA will move to one extended annual window for the exam and experience assessment. This change is designed to reduce barriers, create more scheduling options, and better support planners pursuing professional certification.
Key 2026 AICP Timeline
- Standard Exam Registration Window: May 4 – August 31, 2026
- Standard Exam Testing Dates: May 4 – September 30, 2026 (immediate results provided)
- Experience Assessment Submission Window: April – November 30, 2026
APA will also conduct a special pilot exam window as part of its ongoing effort to keep the AICP exam current and fair:
- Pilot Exam Registration: October 1 – October 30, 2026
- Pilot Exam Testing: November 2 – November 28, 2026 (results delivered 4–6 weeks after testing)
Candidates who pass the pilot exam will receive full credit toward certification and become AICP Candidates.
After successfully passing the exam, planners can submit their Experience Assessment during the current window or during any future assessment window once they have completed the required professional planning experience.
Why APA Is Making This Change
The previous structure, two short certification windows each year, created several challenges for members pursuing AICP certification. High demand during limited testing periods often strained testing centers and remote proctoring systems. Candidates who completed their experience requirements outside the designated windows sometimes had to wait months to move forward. Additionally, the narrow timelines made it difficult for many members to balance exam preparation with professional and personal commitments. In some cases, scholarship recipients were even unable to use their awards within the limited timeframe.
The new extended window approach addresses these issues by creating a more accessible and flexible certification process.
Benefits for AICP Candidates
The expanded certification timeline offers several advantages for members pursuing AICP:
Greater scheduling flexibility
Candidates will have a longer period to take the exam and submit their experience assessment, making it easier to plan around work and personal commitments.
More testing opportunities
With a longer testing window, members will have a better chance of securing an exam seat and may have the opportunity to retake the exam within the same cycle if needed.
A quicker route to certification
Candidates who become eligible to submit their experience assessment will no longer have to wait months for the next assessment period.
Improved work-life balance
More time for preparation and testing helps candidates integrate certification into busy professional schedules.
Faster issue resolution
Expanded windows reduce the pressure and delays that often occur when certification steps must happen within very limited timelines.
AICP Certification Diversity Scholarship
APA will continue to support equity and access in the certification process through the AICP Certification Diversity Scholarship. The program will continue to award 100 scholarships each year, distributed in two rounds of 50.
- Application periods: February and June
- Notification: The month following each application period
These scholarships help ensure that planners from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue AICP certification.
These changes reflect APA’s commitment to making professional certification more accessible, flexible, and responsive to the needs of today’s planning professionals. For members considering AICP certification, the new process provides more opportunities to take the next step in their planning careers.