Application Process

Becoming a Candidate Member

The most common path of entry to LPPANS as a Professional Planner is to begin as a Candidate. There are three paths to becoming a Candidate for LPP. In all three cases, the criteria which an applicant must meet have been standardized across Canada in order to facilitate movement of Professional Planners across the country and are assessed by the Professional Standards Board (PSB).

The Professional Standards Board is a third-party assessor for the certification process of professional planners on behalf of LPPANS. The PSB makes recommendations to the LPPANS Board; however, all decisions for admitting an applicant as a Candidate or as fully Licensed member, rest with the LPPANS Board.

The criteria for becoming a Candidate member are detailed on the PSB website and are also outlined below. The three paths are:

• Accredited Degree. This route to membership is through successful completion of a university degree in planning from a program formally accredited by the planning profession. You must be employed in planning. In order to apply, you need:
  • Candidate application form
  • Official confirmation of employment
  • Official job description
  • Accredited degree official transcripts
  • Payment of assessment fee to the Professional Standards Board
• Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR). This alternate route is available for planners who hold any four-year academic degree other than a university degree in planning from a program formally accredited by the planning profession. You must be employed in planning with the equivalence of five years experience. In order to apply, you need:
  • Candidate application form
  • Official confirmation of employment
  • Official job description
  • Official transcripts
  • Cover letter, portfolio and resume confirming employment experience
  • Payment of assessment fee to Professional Standards Board
  • Please review the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Portfolio Development Guide before beginning your application.
• Reciprocal / Advanced Standing. This specific route is available for certain planners who hold professional membership in and are already fully professionally certified by a foreign professional planning organization. While this route does not permit transfer of membership from those organizations, it does provide a route for such qualified individuals to become certified in Canada. In order to apply, you need:
  • Application form
  • Official confirmation of employment
  • Official job description
  • Official transcripts
  • Foreign professional membership confirmation
  • Payment of assessment fee to the Professional Standards Board

For all three pathways to your LPP, the steps in becoming a Candidate member are as follows:

• Apply online for an assessment of your qualifications and pay the applicable fees. You can preview a copy of the application, but you must complete your application online.
• Following successful assessment by the PSB, Your application will be reviewed by the LPPANS board and you will be notified of your acceptance.

From Candidate to Licensed Professional Planner

Step 1—Candidate

Step one to becoming an LPP is to become a Candidate member. Once you have been accepted as a Candidate member within LPPANS, you have seven years to become a fully licensed professional planner (LPP). Note: Most Candidates with an Accredited Degree complete the process in 1 to 3 years. Most Candidates under the other two routes complete the process in 5 to 7 years.

Step 2—Mentorship

Your mentorship period will last a minimum of one year and is designed to help you with your professional growth and your development of specific competencies.

Step 3—Logging Work Experience

The Sponsor, which you will have identified on your application form to be a Candidate member, will monitor you during this stage of logging your work experience.

Step 4—Ethics and Professionalism Course

All candidates are required to complete the Ethics and Professionalism Course and Test administered through the Professional Standards Board and pay the PSB the applicable fee.

Step 5—The Professional Examination

The Professional Examination, administered through the Professional Standards Board, is the final step towards achieving your LPP designation. There is also a fee for the professional examination.

Step 6—Acceptance by LPPANS as an LPP

Once you have successfully completed steps 2 to 6 with the Professional Standards Board, the LPPANS Board will review your file and notify you of the final decision.

Requirements for Candidates

Candidates must be members in good standing in order to complete the requirements as a Candidate and become an LPP. As a Candidate member:

• You may not use the designation LPP.
• You must adhere to the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct.
• You must complete annual Continuous Professional Learning requirements.
• You must pay all assessed membership fees.

Transfer From Another Province—Candidate or Registered Professional Planner

If you are a Candidate or Full Member (RPP/MCIP) with another province and are moving to Nova Scotia, you can transfer your membership to LPPANS and maintain your Candidate or Full Member status. The process to transfer your membership is as follows:

• Contact your current provincial regulatory body. The membership transfer must be initiated by your current affiliate. They will provide a form for you to fill out, which they will send to us for processing.
• Once your application has been received and reviewed, we will contact you to fill out and submit the LPPANS application form.
• Your application will be reviewed for approval by the LPPANS board. There are no additional fees for transfer from another province if you have already paid your membership fees for the year.
• NOTE: To be eligible for transfer into LPPANS, you must be a member in good standing with your current regulatory body.

Secondary Affiliation—Candidate or Registered Professional Planner

If you are a Candidate or Full Member (RPP/MCIP) with another province and you wish to also obtain a license in Nova Scotia, you have the option for secondary affiliation with LPPANS. This allows you to register and practice in multiple provinces. The process is as follows:

• Complete the Application for Secondary Membership form and submit it to us at registrar@lppans.ca. Your home province will be contacted to confirm your status as a current member in good standing.
• Once your application has been received and reviewed, fill out and submit the LPPANS application form.
• Your application will be reviewed for approval by the LPPANS board. Once approved, you will be assessed the membership fees for LPPANS.

Student Membership

To become a student member with LPPANS, complete the Student Application Form. Note that if you a student at Dalhousie University in an accredited planning program, the form must be signed by the department head. Submit the form to admin@lppans.ca, where your application will be reviewed. Once approved, you will be assessed the student fees.

Pre-Candidate Membership

Pre-Candidate membership is intended for individuals that are intending to pursue application as a Candidate within the next two years. To become a pre-candidate member with LPPANS, complete the Pre Candidate Application Form. Note that acceptance as a pre-candidate does not guarantee acceptance as a Candidate. Submit the form to admin@lppans.ca, where your application will be reviewed. Once approved, you will be assessed the pre-candidate fees.

Timelines and Decisions for Assessment of Applications

It depends on your route of entry and how quickly we receive the necessary documents from third parties. Accredited Degree applications are usually processed in 4 to 5 weeks; Reciprocal Agreement applications may take 4 to 5 weeks; and PLAR applications may take 6 to 7 weeks.

All decisions are communicated in writing to the applicant via the email address provided. Please keep your email contact information current with us.

Applications for registration as a Candidate may be refused for failure to pay required fees and dues; failure to provide required documents; or failure to meet the criteria for Candidate membership (for example, not having a job in planning).

Applications for full licensing may be refused for failure to pay required fees or dues, failure to complete mandatory Continuous Professional Learning, failure to meet the national competency standards as assessed through the Candidate process, and failure to abide by the Professional Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics.