The Assessment of Professional Competence combines a minimum of two years professional experience with an RTPI accredited degree.This ensures graduate planners achieve, and can demonstrate, a professional level of learning and competency outcomes.
Before applying for the APC, a graduate must be a Licentiate Member of the RTPI for a minimum of one year.
"The APC encourages planners to consider the wider context of planning beyond their own role" Grahame Bloomfield, Senior Planner at Bidwells LLP
Updated APC Guidance now available for 2013
The guidance for the APC has been updated to provide additional information for candidates. Areas where candidates had difficulty last year have been extended and new tips provided. There is no change to any aspect of the assessment criteria. Download the new guidance here.
How to apply
To apply to become a Chartered Town Planner, a Licentiate must prepare a 5000 word submission demonstrating their experience as a planner and how they have developed their competency.
There are three parts to the submission. Each part has equal weight. These are:
- Practical Experience Statement. This details the Licentiate members experience.
- Professional Competence Statement. One or two case studies that demonstrate the Licentiate members competence against a set of criteria.
- Professional Development Plan. This sets out the Licentiate members strategies to improve their knowledge and skills in the future.
The RTPI guidelines, Preparing your APC submission 2013, provide detailed instructions on how to complete the APC. The guidelines are updated every three months to provide uptodate support to candidates. Licentiate members should ensure they have access the most recent guidelines.
APC applications are accessed by experienced Chartered Town Planners from all areas of the profession and across the UK.
Applications are accepted four times, and should be emailed to membership.applications@rtpi.org.uk. Applications are accepted up to midnight on the closing date. The next submission dates are:
- 25 January 2013
- 26 April 2013
- 26 July 2013
- 25 October 2013
Resumbissions are accepted on different dates from first time submissions. As submissions are made by email and the turnaround time for resubmissions is relatively short, the closing date for resubmissions will be midnight on Sunday. The next resubmission dates are:
- 8 January 2013
- 7 April 2013
Results are posted to applicants by the results date for each round (approximately 8 weeks from submission). The actual results date for each round is contained in the guidance.
Fees
There is a £230 assessment fee payable at the time of application. Fees can be paid online or by cheque.
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Flickr