The American Institute of Certified Planners provides the only nationwide, independent verification of planners’ qualifications. Certified planners pledge to uphold high standards of practice, ethics, and professional conduct. As a nationally recognized certification, AICP members demonstrate to employers and colleagues that they have the academic qualifications, relevant work experience, and mastery of essential skills required to serve their community effectively.
From 2013 to 2018, AICP members were also able to apply for Advanced Specialty Certifications (ASC) in environmental planning (CEP), transportation planning (CTP), or urban design (CUD).
Once certified, professional planners may place the designation "AICP" after their name to indicate their membership in AICP, and their mastery of the principles, skills, knowledge, and experience determined by the organization as essential for a professional planner
