Do professional land use planners need to be licensed?
California, like most states, does not require a professional license or certification for planners; however, many are certified by either the American Planning Association (APA) or the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP). The APA provides testing to award successful applicants with an American Institute of Certified Planners registration (AICP). A more rigorous review and testing program is provided by the ABCEP to award successful applicants as Certified Environmental Professionals (CEP). This certification requires a four-tier process, including an examination and oral interview. The CEP certification has 5 categories. Professionals ranging from botanists to air pollution control specialists can become CEPs. Kim Tschantz, owner of Cypress Environmental and Land Use Planning, is the only CEP in the Monterey Bay area.
