What Degrees Are RTPI Accredited?
12 Mar, 2024
How Do I Become a Chartered Town Planner?
16 Dec, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- What the RTPI is.
- How to become a Chartered Town Planner.
- Desirable skills for a Chartered Town Planner.
- Where the latest planning jobs are and how to apply for them.
Planning sustainable towns and cities can be an extremely rewarding career for those in the planning sector. Chartered Town Planners play an important role in developing the social and economic needs of communities across the UK. In our latest blog, we’re exploring the Royal Town Planning Institute and how to become a Chartered Town Planner.
What is the RTPI?
The RTPI, otherwise known as the Royal Town Planning Institute, is a chartered institute whose role it is to ensure that professional standards are maintained internationally within the planning sector. As a leading membership organisation, the RTPI is responsible for accrediting world class planning courses throughout the UK and across the globe.
After being founded in 1914, a supplemental Royal Charter was granted to the institute in 1970, and it was then able to call itself the ‘Royal’ Town Planning Institute.
There are currently over 27,000 members within the Royal Town Planning Institute across 88 countries, with the institute referring to itself as the ‘voice of the profession’.
Engaging with governments, experts, advocates and international bodies, the RTPI is responsible for promoting good planning in the public interest, leading on policy, development and research and supporting its members to excel within their role of creating ‘healthy’, ‘sustainable’ and ‘prosperous’ communities.
The institute also puts a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of future generations through its corporate strategy and regularly offers event and training opportunities for its members. ‘Lifelong learning’ and the continuation of professional development is of utmost importance to the institute, which upholds the highest ethics and standards within the industry.
The RTPI also offers a number of apprenticeships and university courses which they have accredited.
How do I become a Chartered Town Planner?
To become a Chartered Town Planner, individuals must apply through one of the RTPIs four Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) routes. These include:
- Licentiate APC.
- Associate APC.
- Experienced Practitioner APC.
- Degree Apprenticeship End Point Assessment.
Licentiate APC
The Licentiate Assessment of Professional Competence is the main route to chartered status within town planning. This route is for graduates who have completed a qualification that has been accredited by the RTPI.
Eligibility for pursuing the Licentiate APC also includes having 2 years minimum experience within professional planning with at least a year of this experience being gained whilst being registered as a Licentiate.
To complete the Licentiate APC, professionals must submit a written piece of 5,500 words to showcase their experience and development.
The submission for the Licentiate Assessment of Professional Competence contains three parts, a Professional Experience Statement, a Professional Competence Statement and a Professional Development Plan.
Associate APC
Another of the four routes to becoming a Chartered RTPI Planner is the Associate Assessment of Professional Competence. This route is for aspiring Chartered Town Planners who do not possess a fully accredited RTPI qualification. In order to apply through the Associate APC route however, individuals must be a current Associate Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and have a minimum of 2 years professional planning experience which has been obtained during registration as an Associate.
To complete the Associate APC, individuals are required to submit a 7,000 word piece that effectively showcases their development and experience within the field. The submission is broken down into three parts including a Professional Competence Statement, a Professional Development Plan and a Practical Experience Statement.
Experienced Practitioner APC
Those pursuing the Experienced Practitioner APC route, will need extensive experience as this is a direct route to obtaining chartered status within town planning.
This route also offers those who have gained qualifications and experience outside the UK the opportunity to become a Chartered Town Planner.
In order to be eligible for the Experience Practitioner APC an individual must possess a minimum of 5-10 years experience within professional planning. Both the educational background and qualification of an individual can determine the exact amount of experience required. All experience however must be obtained after relevant qualifications.
The experience required to pursue the Experience Practitioner APC, based on educational background is as follows:
- Fully or partially RTPI accredited planning degree - 5 years of experience required.
- No RTPI accredited planning degree - 5 years of experience required.
- Non-planning degree - 6 years of experience required.
- RTPI Town Planning Technical Support Apprenticeship - 6 years of experience required.
- Other - 10 years of experience required.
Experienced Practitioner APC candidates must submit a 7,000 written piece that showcases their experience within the sector and how they have developed professionally.
Degree Apprenticeship End Point Assessment
The Degree Apprenticeship End Point Assessment is for apprentices and is the final stage of the Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeship.
This route enables an apprentice to progress to a Chartered Town Planner whilst being able to work alongside planning professionals to gain real-world experience.
As part of the Degree Apprenticeship End Point Assessment, apprentices will complete a Degree Apprenticeship Assessment of Professional Competence.
Desirable skills for a Chartered Town Planner
There are a variety of skills that will benefit a Chartered Town Planner throughout their career. Strong analytical skills such as problem solving and critical thinking are beneficial for assessing complex information and proposing solutions to any issues that might arise within the planning process.
The ability to adapt effectively is also important as within the planning profession, regulations, policies and the requirements of clients are all subject to change. Therefore, Chartered Town Planners must be able to keep up with these changes in order to perform within their role.
Solid communication skills are also important for Chartered Town Planners who are required to effectively liaise with clients, local authorities, developers and members of their local community.
Creative thinking can also help Chartered Town Planners when it comes to finding innovative solutions to any issues and coming up with forward-thinking ideas for urban or rural development.
Planning jobs
If you’re searching for your next interim planning job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Planning recruitment services
As planning recruitment specialists, we support local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with our planning specialist, Josh Draycott, on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
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