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American Planning Association AICP Exam Topics

American Planning Association AICP Exam Overview :

Exam Name: American Institute of Certified Planners
Exam Code: AICP
Certifications: American Planning Association American Institute of Certified Planners Certification
See Expected Questions: American Planning Association AICP Expected Questions in Actual Exam

American Planning Association AICP Exam Objectives :

Section Weight Objectives
Research and Assessment Methods 11% This topic includes conducting research and acquiring knowledge through various methods such as qualitative and quantitative research, experiential methods, and oral histories. It covers data and source interpretation and evaluation, focusing on relevance, validity, and reliability. Additionally, it addresses spatial analysis, community engagement, and data collection strategies.
Fundamental Planning Knowledge 15% This topic encompasses the history of planning, planning movements, and their influence on contemporary planning. It also includes patterns of human settlement, foundational legal principles of planning, and planning theory. Moreover, it covers terminology and practices in related professions and the core values of planning.
Communication and Interaction 13% This topic covers effective communication, including clear and concise visual, written, and spoken concepts, and strategies for non-discriminatory electronic media. It emphasizes listening, comprehension, and reflecting needs and ideas in the planning process. Additionally, it includes leadership, social justice, and culturally appropriate communication in planning.
Plan and Policy Development 15% This topic focuses on preparing to plan, including scoping, goal setting, and identifying key issues. It covers the formulation and drafting of policies, vision, goals, and objectives. Additionally, it involves stakeholder and community inclusion, mediation of conflicting interests, and applying innovations and best practices in planning.
Plan Implementation 12% Plan implementation includes developing and interpreting rules, regulations, policies, and programs. It focuses on aligning and activating funding options and assessing project consistency with adopted plans. This topic also covers developing strategic partnerships, drafting action steps, monitoring, and evaluating plans for effectiveness.
Administration and Management 6% This topic covers project or program management, including RFPs, grants, budget preparation, and staff allocation. It includes internal organizational management, such as team building, staff training, and financial management. Additionally, it addresses managing external relationships, transparency, and mentoring staff to optimize skills.
Leadership 6% Leadership in planning includes supporting plan-making, advocacy, and commitment to action. It covers ethical aspects of advocacy, accountability to the profession, and promoting the public interest. This topic also involves a comprehensive approach to problem-solving, coaching and mentoring, and promoting the value of planning to others.
Areas of Practice 12% This topic includes comprehensive and long-range planning, geographically-focused subarea planning, and current planning. It covers sustainability and resilience planning, transportation mobility, and infrastructure and service planning. Additionally, it addresses hazard mitigation, natural resources planning, economic development, and urban design.
AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 10% This topic focuses on the planner's overall responsibility to the public, emphasizing serving the public interest with high standards of professional integrity. It includes responsibility to clients and employers, ensuring diligent and competent performance of work. Additionally, it covers responsibility to the planning profession and adherence to AICP rules.
Official Information https://www.planning.org/aicp/

Updates in the American Planning Association AICP Exam Topics:

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