Policy for the use of AI within APC applications
Policy on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in writing membership applications and professional assessments .
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly prevalent both in planning practice and academic work. Planners and students use AI as part of their day-to-day work and studies. This use of AI has been extended to candidates going through the Assessment of Professional Competency (APC). The Membership team uses Turnitin software to detect for any plagiarism and the use of AI in APC submissions. Recognising that more planning will be using AI tools in their everyday practice, we want to provide clear guidance to future APC candidates about what is acceptable and what candidates are asked to do to meet the requirements of the AI policy.
We have benchmarked similar membership bodies and how our partner universities regulate the use of AI by candidates, to develop a policy which for the use of AI which we feel is suitable to the RTPI’s APC. Candidates will also be required to complete an AI self-declaration form as part of their submission from Round 4, November 2026. Webinars on the new process are scheduled for 30 July and 23 September and will be available to book shortly.
AI policy for APC applications and declaration
- Purpose of the policy
- Scope
- Definition of artificial intelligence (AI)
- The RTPI’s policy statement on use of AI
- Permitted use of AI
- Prohibited use of AI
- Declaration requirement
- Assessment, verification and review
- Misconduct and sanctions
- Alignment with professional practice
- Review and updates
- AI use declaration form for candidates
1. Purpose of the policy
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is committed to maintaining the integrity, fairness and credibility of its membership admissions and professional assessments.
This policy sets out the RTPI’s position on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI tools, in relation to:
- Membership applications.
- Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
- Associate, Chartered, and other professional membership routes.
- Any written, recorded, or submitted evidence used to demonstrate professional competence.
This policy is intended to provide clarity for applicants, assessors, volunteers, and RTPI officers and staff, while recognising the evolving role of AI in professional practice.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all applicants submitting applications to join or upgrade their membership to Associate, Legal Associate and Chartered Planner in the RTPI, including but not limited to:
- Written APC submission documents, including statements, reflective accounts, and competency evidence.
- Reflective journals, records of experience, and examples of professional work.
- Any supplementary material submitted as part of a membership or upgrade application.
It applies regardless of the submission format (online portal, written upload, or alternative arrangements).
3) Definition of artificial intelligence (AI)
For this policy, Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to digital tools or systems that can generate, modify, analyse, or summarise content, including but not limited to:
- Generative AI tools (e.g. large language models such as ChatGPT or equivalent systems).
- AI-assisted writing, summarisation, or content-generation tools.
- AI tools that rewrite, paraphrase, or structure text beyond basic proofreading.
4) The RTPI’s policy statement on use of AI
All membership applications and professional assessments must represent the applicant’s own knowledge, experience, judgement, and reflective practice.
AI tools must not prepare or generate the applicant’s personal professional competence.
5. Permitted use of AI
The RTPI recognises that AI tools are increasingly embedded in professional environments. Limited use of AI is therefore permitted only where it does not undermine the authenticity of the assessment, including:
- Proofreading for spelling, grammar, and formatting clarity.
- Formatting assistance (e.g. structuring text, headings, or layout).
- Word-count checks or readability suggestions.
- Feedback, or areas to address and improve upon.
Any permitted use of an AI tool within a candidate's submission is supplementary or supportive. It shall not be used to write or create the substantive part of the candidate’s application.
6. Prohibited use of AI
The following uses of AI are not permitted in any RTPI membership application or professional assessment:
- Generating substantive content, answers, reflections, or competency evidence
- Drafting or rewriting sections that are intended to demonstrate personal experience, judgment, or professional competence
- Producing examples, case studies, or reflective narratives on behalf of the applicant
- Presenting AI-generated content as the applicant’s own work
What does substantive content mean?
Substantive content in relation to a candidate's APC submission uses AI tools to generate or create original experience-based material that demonstrates a candidate's own professional knowledge, judgement, or reflective practice.
Candidates are not permitted to use AI tools for such prompts:
- ‘Based on my CV, create a case study that meets the APC competency requirements’.
- ‘Generate another example within my case study that meets competency C5’.
- ‘Write a paragraph that explains how my work meets competency C2’.
7. Declaration requirement
Applicants must declare whether AI tools have been used in the preparation of their submission.
The declaration must:
- Identify the type of AI tool used.
- Describe the nature of its use (e.g. proofreading, formatting support).
- Confirm that all substantive content reflects the applicant’s own professional experience and judgement.
- What steps did the candidate take to ensure the quality of their work after using an AI tool.
Failure to make a truthful declaration may constitute misconduct, and the member might be referred to our Conduct and Discipline Panel (C&P) or the Membership Application Investigation Panel (MAIP).
8. Assessment, verification and review
The RTPI reserves the right to:
- Review submissions for authenticity and consistency.
- Use proportionate methods to investigate suspected misuse of AI.
- Seek clarification from applicants where AI use is unclear.
- Refer cases of suspected misuse to C&D or the MAIP Panel.
- The use of AI detection tools may be considered, but decisions will not rely solely on automated outputs.
9. Misconduct and sanctions
Misuse of AI may constitute a breach of RTPI’s Code of Professional Conduct.
Depending on severity, outcomes may include:
- Warn the member as to their behaviour.
- Reprimand the member.
- Suspend the member’s membership of the Institution.
- Terminate the member’s membership.
10. Alignment with professional practice
The RTPI acknowledges that AI may be used appropriately within professional planning practices, but this depends on the member's employer's policy or contract. However, membership assessment is a test of individual competence rather than organisational capability.
Applicants must therefore demonstrate:
- Their relevant knowledge.
- Their relevant work experience.
- How they have applied their work experience to meet the requirements of the membership class applied for.
11. Review and updates
This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect:
- Developments in AI technology.
- Sector standards and regulatory expectations.
- Feedback from assessors, candidates, and governance bodies.
This declaration must be completed and submitted alongside your APC or Associate application. Please ensure this declaration is added to your PDP submission and uploaded as a single document.