Information you need to know to work as a Community Planner

Who is the licensing body responsible for Community Planners in Alberta?

In order to call yourself a Registered Professional Planner or RPP, you must be a registered member of the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Registered Professional Planner.

What are the requirements for internationally educated Community Planners?

Apply to the Professional Standards Board (PSB) for initial assessment. The PSB is the national body that reviews applications for membership. Applicants must be currently employed in planning. For an overview of the steps to becoming a Registered Professional Planner, review the Road to becoming a RPP page on the PSB website.

There are two membership routes for internationally educated Community Planners:

• Reciprocal Route – Formal reciprocal membership agreements are held with the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB), American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). Submit the Reciprocal Assessment form to PSB.
• Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) Route – for planners with 5 years of responsible professional planning experience. Submit the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition form to PSB.

Application requires:

1. Current Professional Work Information – your current employer must send a letter confirming your employment, as well as a job description, directly to PSB.
2. Post-Secondary Education Information – have Official Transcripts sent directly to PSB from the university you attended. For degrees received from outside Canada, the US or Australia, you must have your degree credentials assessed by either the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) and have the report sent directly to PSB. Attach a photocopy of your degree to your application form so PSB can begin the evaluation process.
3. Planning Work Experience Summary Information.
4. Mentor Information – indicate the name of the fully certified member of a Provincial/Territorial Institute or Association who has agreed to serve as your mentor.
5. Sponsor Information - indicate the name of the fully certified member of a Provincial/Territorial Institute or Association who has agreed to serve as your sponsor.
6. Confirmation of Foreign Professional membership – to be sent directly to PSB if you are applying under the reciprocal route.
7. Portfolio – if you are applying under the PLAR route. The portfolio includes the competency self-assessment and evidence grid, attachments to demonstrate academic course work and work experience, and a resume.

Once PSB has assessed an applicant as eligible, apply to the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI) for Candidate Membership.

What are the training requirements for Community Planners?

Once an applicant becomes a Candidate Member, there are more steps to follow to become a Registered Professional Planner. Steps 2, 3 and 4 can be completed concurrently.

Step 2 is Mentorship. Mentorship is designed to help applicants with professional growth and the development of specific competencies. Applicants must meet with their mentor at least 4 – 6 appointments over the course of one year.

Step 3 is Logging Work Experience. Your employer Sponsor will monitor and observe your work performance and then review and validate your Record of Practical Work Experience.

Step 4 is completing the Ethics and Professionalism Course. This is an online course offered by the Professional Standards Board (PSB). The course is self paced with continuous intake; you must write the test within 6 months of enrolling. For more information, see the Ethics and Professionalism page on the PSB website. The final step is to complete the Professional Examination with a minimum score of 80%. It is a formal, multiple choice exam that is offered twice each year – once in the Spring and once in the Fall.

What are the accepted English language proficiency tests and where can I be tested?

There are no formal English requirements for Community Planners; however, Community Planners must have a high level of English in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in order to be successful in the profession. To learn more about where to take an English language proficiency test in Alberta, visit English Language Proficiency Tests and Locations.

What resources and supports are available for internationally educated Community Planners?

Directions for Immigrants offers workplace communication groups to help you integrate into the Canadian work environment. The Clear Communication for Business workplace communication group is designed to help internationally educated professional fine-tune their communication skills with colleagues, supervisors, and clients. In one week, you will learn through role-play and scenarios the nuances and expectations of the Canadian business culture. Topics include active listening, assertiveness, conflict resolution, problem solving, and teamwork. Visit Clear Communication for Business for more information.

What information resources are available for Community Planners in Alberta?

• Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI)
• Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP)
• Professional Standards Board (PSB)

Additional Occupational Information

• Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) / Community Planner
• Opportunity Alberta
• Occupations in Alberta