Chartered Membership is the benchmark to which all other membership classes are related. Upon election to this class, members can use the designation MRTPI after their names. This designation signifies to the public that its holder has knowledge, skills and competence in spatial planning in appropriate depth and detail and that he/she is subject to regulation through a code of conduct that specifies standards of professional ethics.

Routes to gaining Chartered Membership

In 2005, the Institute introduced the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), a structured route to Chartered Membership for graduates of RTPI-accredited higher education qualifications. This replaces the Standard Entry Route which will be phased out in 2009. There are currently a number of routes for gaining Chartered Membership which depend on the academic qualifications and/or professional experience of applicants.

Which route should you take?

• Are you a graduate with an RTPI-accredited intensive Masters degree completed in one year full-time (or two years part-time)? Did you graduate in or after 2005? You must use the APC ROUTE.

• Are you a graduate with another RTPI-accredited undergraduate or postgraduate qualification? Did you graduate in or after 2006? You must use the APC ROUTE.

• Are you a graduate with another RTPI-accredited undergraduate or postgraduate qualification? Did you graduate before 2006? You must use the STANDARD ENTRY ROUTE.

• Are you a graduate with a non-accredited qualification with some planning content? You may need to use the SPECIAL ENTRY ROUTE.

• Are you a full (chartered or equivalent) member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) or the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)? You must use the SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT for Chartered Membership.

• Are you a qualified planner from an EU member state? You must apply for an INITIAL ASSESSMENT of your academic qualifications and practical experience.

MEMBERSHIP ROUTES EXPLAINED

Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) Route

All candidates who graduated from their accredited qualifications from 2006 onwards (or, for graduates on one-year Masters qualifications, from 2005 onwards) will take the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) as their route to Chartered Membership. Graduates who have fully completed their accredited courses and are now working towards the APC will first need to apply to become Licentiates of the RTPI.

The APC Route requires the equivalent of at least two years of full-time relevant spatial planning experience, one year of which must be post-qualifying. The Licentiate is expected to keep a log book reflecting on work undertaken and skills developed and a regularly-updated professional development plan. Once the Licentiate has gained the required number of years of structured experience, he/she has to submit a written report reflecting on this experience for assessment by Institute-nominated assessors. A mentor will be available to offer the Licentiate advice and guidance over the course of the period of practical experience.

Standard Entry Route

A candidate applying through the Standard Entry Route for Chartered Membership must at the time of application be able to demonstrate the following;

• that he/she has successfully completed an undergraduate or postgraduate course accredited for the purpose of meeting the Institute's academic requirements (or the Institute's former Final Examination), AND
• that he/she has had the equivalent of at least two years of full-time relevant town planning experience, one year of which must be post-qualifying

The Standard Entry Route will be phased out by 31 December 2008. After this date, all applications for chartered status will be through the APC.

Further information is available from membership@rtpi.org.uk

APPLICATION FORM FOR STANDARD ENTRY (pdf)

APPLICATION FORM FOR STANDARD ENTRY (word)

GUIDANCE ON APPLYING

Special Entry Route

Planners who do not hold an RTPI-accredited qualification may be able to gain Chartered Membership through the Special Entry Route. To be eligible through this route, an applicant must be able to demonstrate the following;

• that he/she has an academic qualification(s) with acceptable planning content at graduate or graduate equivalent level, AND
• that he/she has at least the equivalent of ten years of †full time, relevant town planning experience at an acceptable professional level.Five of the ten years must have been gained post-qualification.

The Special Entry Route will be phased out by 31 December 2008 and candidates will have to pursue chartered status through the initial education route (the APC) or the Associate Membership route.

Further information is available from membership@rtpi.org.uk

APPLICATION FORM FOR SPECIAL ENTRY

REFEREES' FORM

GUIDANCE ON APPLYING

Special Arrangement for PIA, CIP and NZPI Members

A special arrangement exists for full (chartered or equivalent) members of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) or the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) to apply for Chartered Membership.

Membership of the Institute is subject to the successful completion of the distance learning Certificate in UK Planning Law and Practice offered by Leeds Metropolitan University.

The special arrangement does not apply to other classes of membership of the CIP, NZPI and PIA.

Details of applying through this route are available from membership@rtpi.org.uk

Initial Assessment Procedure for Planners from EU Member States

Suitably qualified planners from other EU member states can apply to be considered for Chartered Membership within the terms of the EU Directive on the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications. Candidates may be required to undergo an adaptation procedure.

Qualified nationals of EU member states should contact the Institute for an initial assessment of their academic qualifications and professional experience. This process includes the assessment of the former for equivalence to UK higher education qualifications in spatial planning and the latter for relevance for Chartered Membership.

Details of applying through this route are available from membership@rtpi.org.uk

Author:

Dushy Large

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

09-Jan-07

Categories:

How to Become a Member 

Sections:

Join the RTPI

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