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Connecticut ChapterAmerican Planning Association2018 AICP Classroom OverviewUniversity of Connecticut (Storrs)March 10, 2018Robert M. Flanagan, AICP - CZEOCity Planner – City of Bristol

Connecticut ChapterAmerican Planning Association2018 AICP Classroom OverviewUniversity of Connecticut (Storrs)March 10, 2018Robert M. Flanagan, AICP - CZEOCity Planner – City of Bristol

2018 AICP ClassroomOverview Agenda Why AICP?AICP Eligibility RequirementsExam Registration ProcessTest SchedulingExam OverviewExam ElementsExam Preparation MaterialTest Taking Tips CM Program Overview

2018 AICP ClassroomWhy AICP? Nationally-recognized professional standardEstablishes credibility with peers and potentialemployersEmployment advantageLevel above partisan / political fieldCode / standards of ethical behaviorAdditional

2018 AICP ClassroomEligibility Requirements Current member of APA.Be engaged in professional planning, currently or inthe past.Have completed, at the time of applicationsubmission, a specific combination of education andexperience.Must provide confirmation of degree and jobverification from each employer.

2018 AICP ClassroomEligibility RequirementsLevel of Education Accredited graduate degreein planningAccredited bachelors degreein planningNon-accredited graduate degreein planningAny other degreeNo college degreeExperience2 years3 years3 years4 years8 years

2018 AICP ClassroomEligibility RequirementsProfessional Planning Experience Influencing public decision making in the public interestDemonstrate a comprehensive point of view whenimplementing professional tasksInvolving a professional level of responsibility andresourcefulness while applying a planning processappropriate to the project or situation

2018 AICP Classroom Application Response TipsReview the Do’s and Don’ts section of the ExamBulletinSpeak in the first person – don’t speak to what the“team” didRefrain from using bullets and writing in incompletesentencesREMEMBER – Reviewers are required to base theirdecision on your criterion responses. Do not assumeyour application will be approved just because youhave a lot of planning experience

2018 AICP ClassroomEligibility RequirementsTypes of work NOT generally considered professionalexperience: Subdivision designSite design workTraffic engineeringLand surveying or mappingCommunity organization or social workWork at a pre-professional levelElected and appointed officials

2018 AICP ClassroomHow to Register and Take theExam AICP Exam Information bulletin.pdf

2018 AICP ClassroomRegistration Process One Step Process - one form, one feeRegister and submit fee atwww.planning.org/certificationDeadline about 2 months in advanceFee - 495 ( 70 application & 425 exam fee)Education and employer verification requiredEarly Bird Application desirable – chances to resolveissues in same window

2018 AICP ClassroomRegistration ProcessReduced Fee Scholarship CT – 1Fee for first time applicants - 145If previously approved – Fee 75Difference will be promptly refunded if approved forthe scholarship after submitting the registration fee

2018 AICP ClassroomRegistration ProcessReduced Fee Scholarship – Eligibility Criteria Applicant shall submit a written explanation of financial hardshipCriteria Members of ethnic or racial minorities shall be given preference The applicant(s) selected will be otherwise unlikely to take theexam without the reduced fee The applicant’s employer will not subsidize the exam fee

2018 AICP ClassroomRegistration ProcessGI BillMilitary veterans (and their surviving dependents)who are also approved AICP applicants (meaningthey have paid the registration fee to AICP andtaken the exam), can now ask the VeteransAdministration to reimburse them the fee. fee.

2018 AICP ClassroomTest Scheduling Upon application approval, you are notified and sentinfo that includes exam prep resourcesAICP forwards your name to test administrator(Thomson Prometric)E-mail confirmation by AICPThomson Prometric issues Authorization to Test (ATT) 6weeks before testing window

2018 AICP ClassroomUpcoming Exam Testing Windows / Deadlines May, 2017Testing Window: May 10 -23, 2017 (application closed) Registration Deadline: April 28, 2017 November, 2017Application Window Opens: Application Deadline: Early Bird: Testing Window: June 1, 2017June 6, 2017June 30, 2017November 6-20, 2017

2018 AICP ClassroomAbout the Computer-based ExamOn-line CP/assets/AICP Tutorial/index.htm

2018 AICP ClassroomScheduling Your Appointment Schedule exam appointment at www.prometric.com atleast 48 hours before test windowIf attempt fails, call Candidate Service Call Center(CCSC) at 800-796-9853Confirm that you are taking Comprehensive PlanningExamination (CPE)

2018 AICP ClassroomScheduling Your Appointment& Cancellation Requirements Have your ATT on hand when making appointmentYou will be assigned a confirmation #See cancellation requirements, “no show” fees, &transfer procedures to next testing window in theBulletin

2018 AICP ClassroomAbout the Computer-based Exam Arrive 30 minutes before scheduled appointmentMake sure you know where the test center is!2 Forms of ID (Passport, driver’s license, SSA Card, etc.[see Bulletin])Name on ID must match name on your ATT

2018 AICP ClassroomAbout the Computer-based Exam Calculator ProvidedScratch paper providedBring a watch (dumb, not Smart!)Do NOT bring books or reference materialsNO Smart Phones or Smart Watches

2018 AICP ClassroomAbout the Computer-based Exam Testing appointment – 4 hours3 ½ hours for 170 questions20 questions are pre-test and do not count30 minutes for brief tutorial and brief questionnaire atend

2018 AICP ClassroomAbout the Computer-based Exam Positive experienceSystem easy to useComputers were fast enough that it did not take longfor questions to appearEasier and quicker to go back to questionsTest environment comfortable; Prometrics peoplehelpfulEasy to concentrate in cubiclesPersonalized

2018 AICP ClassroomTest Taking Tips Plan to go through the exam 2-3 timesFirst, go through the exam and answer all the “easy”questions.Mark questions you cannot immediately answer andgo on at once to next question.After first run-through take a breath!Go through second time and answer all questions –or a third time for the really tough ones.Enter your best guess – there is no penalty

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:The industry classification system that replaced the U.S.Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system is:(A) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).(B) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) TheNew Standard(C) Industrial Classification system (NSIC)(D) None of the above.

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:The industry classification system that replaced the U.S.Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system is:(A) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).(B) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)The New Standard(C) Industrial Classification System (NSIC)(D) None of the above.

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:Which of the following court cases are concerned with takings?I. Nollan v. California Coastal CommissionII. Associated Homebuilders v. City of LivermoreIII. First English Evangelical Lutheran Church v. County of LosAngelesIV. Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council(A) I only(B) I and II(C) I and III(D) I, III, and IV

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:Which of the following court cases are concerned with takings?I. Nollan v. California Coastal CommissionII. Associated Homebuilders v. City of Livermore*III. First English Evangelical Lutheran Church v. County of LosAngelesIV. Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council(A) I only(B) I and II(C) I and III(D) I, III, and IV*Livermore upheld the legality of an initiative requiring that building permits beissued only if adequate educational, sewer, and water facilities are provided

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:Which of the principles of the AICP Code of Ethics andProfessional Conduct are applicable to instances of sexualharassment?I. A planner must not commit a deliberately wrongful act, whichreflects adversely on the planner’s professional fitness.II. A planner must respect the rights of others and must notdiscriminate.III. A planner must have special concern for the long-rangeconsequences of present actions.A. I and IIB. I, II, and IIIC. I and IIID. II and III

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:Which of the principles of the AICP Code of Ethics andProfessional Conduct are applicable to instances of sexualharassment?I. A planner must not commit a deliberately wrongful act, whichreflects adversely on the planner’s professional fitness.II. A planner must respect the rights of others and must notdiscriminate.III. A planner must have special concern for the long-rangeconsequences of present actions.A. I and IIB. I, II, and IIIC. I and IIID. II and III

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:Between July, 2005 and July, 2006, the population of whichstate grew by almost 580,000, more than any other state?A.B.C.D.TexasNevadaArizonaCalifornia

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:Between July, 2005 and July, 2006, the population of whichstate grew by almost 580,000, more than any other state?A.B.C.D.Texas*NevadaArizonaCalifornia* Texas's population surged because of an influx of displaced people from Louisianafollowing Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:This Supreme Court decision removed the "substantiallyadvances" test for takings cases:A.B.C.D.Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. (1926)Agins v. City of Tiburon (1980)Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council (1992)Lingle v. Chevron USA (2005)

2018 AICP ClassroomSample Question:This Supreme Court decision removed the "substantiallyadvances" test for takings cases:A. Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. (1926)B. Agins v. City of Tiburon (1980)C. Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council (1992)D. Lingle v. Chevron USA (2005) ** Agins v. Tiburon had created the "substantially advances" test, but Lingle v.Chevron removed it

2018 AICP ClassroomStudy Tips Start early and continue to refreshFlash cards for rote knowledgeMemorize significant dates and eventsTake practice testsFocus on your weak areasThink in terms of a National perspective

2018 AICP ClassroomStudy Tips Know current trendsRead current material – i.e. Planning Magazine andJAPAStudy the AICP Code of EthicsFocus on citizen participation issuesU.S. Census – Go to www.census.govExam includes 2010 Census questions

2018 AICP ClassroomExam Overview Shift since 2000 - AICP slowly and deliberatelyshifting the focus to be more oriented to testing theapplication of planning knowledge and experienceReduced emphasis on rote memorization of facts andfiguresMore decision making on the part of examinees

2018 AICP ClassroomExam Overview Great breadth of subject matter, not depthTest knowledge and skillsKnowledge – 40% - history, law, ethics, land use, etc.Skills – 60% - demonstrate ability to work within aplanning process, formulate goals, recognizeappropriate quantitative research methods, etc.Many questions require professional judgment,intermixed with technical knowledge

2018 AICP ClassroomExam Overview Need familiarity with the public planning process:planners’ roles; responsibilities of planning commissionsand zoning boards; zoning and decision making; publichearing process; citizen participation“What would you do” planning process questionsEmphasis on agency management; policy and decisionmaking; citizen participation; & ethics

2018 AICP ClassroomOutline of Exam Subject Matter I. History, Theory and Law [15%]II. Plan Making and Implementation [30%]III. Functional Areas of Practice [25%]IV. Spatial Areas of Practice [15%]V. Public Participation & Social Justice [10%]VI. AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct [5%]

2018 AICP ClassroomPreparing for the ExamResources through APA AICP Exam Tutorialhttp://planning.org/ offsite/certification/tutorial/Selected readings – APA web sitePlanning magazinehttp://www.planning.org/planning/