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CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Purpose
The American Institute of Certified Planners, the professional institute of the American Planning Association inaugurated the AICP Continuing Professional Development Program (CPDP) on January 1, 1992. This voluntary program is to recognize the continuing education efforts of certified planners. As in other professions, a planner cannot attain a permanently definitive level of competence that will last throughout a career. The CPDP's purpose is to stimulate all certified planners to pursue systematic programs of continuing education. AICP will set professional development standards and provide certificates to document their attainment by members. A minimum of sixty (60) hours of professional development must be obtained within a three-year period, or less, for each certificate. The date of the first hour of credit submitted for a certificate and the date of the sixtieth hour must not span more than three consecutive years. The accumulation of credits may begin on any date in 1992 or later. If 60 hours are accumulated in less than three years, application for a certificate should be made promptly. Credits earned after the closing date of a certificate may be applied toward a new certificate covering the next three-year period. Eligible Professional Development Activities Continuing professional development consists of learning experiences which enhance and expand the skills, knowledge and abilities of professional planners to render competent professional service. This definition covers technical, and personal, growth and development activities that are related to the practice of planning. Each activity must be justified in terms of individual needs for professional development. If uncertain, about the relevance or eligibility of a particular activity, call Tim Akers of the AICP staff (202-872-0611) prior to participating in it. Professional development activities must be programs or courses which are:
The following types of organizations are appropriate providers of professional development activities for planners.
What Constitutes a Contact Hour The CPDP uses contact hours as the method of obtaining credit. A contact hour is based on actual classroom hours, or an amount of time spent in actual learning, generally within a classroom setting. The following formula is to be used as a guide in assigning contact hour credit for academic activities: Each 1 semester credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours, e.g. a 3 credit course is equivalent to 45 contact hours, and each 1 quarter credit hour is equivalent to 10 contact hours, e.g. a 5 quarter hour course is equivalent to 50 contact hours. Also, each full Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is equivalent to 10 contact hours. How to Apply for the Continuing Professional Development Certificate AICP provides an interactive webpage where you can maintain your record of continuing education units completed. See: http://www.planning.org/cpdp/procedure.htm Periodic Audits of Hours Claimed To insure the integrity of the program, AICP staff will periodically audit the documentation for a random sample of submitted logs. Therefore, all documentation related to a current log or certificate should be maintained for the duration of the certification period. No fee is required for participation in the program in addition to AICP member dues. Each certificate will be valid for the three-year period covered by the approved log of credit hours. New certificates will be issued for each successive three-year period in which at least 60 hours of credit have been earned. Certificates will be appropriate for framing and display. For further information, contact Tim Akers, at the AICP National Office, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, (202)872-0611.
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