Membership FAQ

There are many routes to becoming a professional planner in Canada and the pathway largely depends on where you reside. Please visit our Becoming a Planner page for more information about the process. 

In Canada, the Provincial or Territorial Institutes or Associations (PTIAs) regulate the planning profession, this means the path to certification differs across different regions. CIP does not certify planners. 

In Quebec, the l’Ordre des urbanistes du Québec (OUQ) administers its own certification process, and for the rest of Canada, the Professional Standards Board (PSB) administers the certification process for professional planners on behalf of the PTIAs. 

All are welcome to be a part of CIP, no matter where you reside. Find the best membership type for you on our Membership Eligibility page to determine which membership category suits your qualifications and professional status, or complete this membership questionnaire, which will direct you to the correct membership application form.

To become a member, visit our Membership Eligibility page to determine which membership category suits your qualifications and professional status, or complete this membership questionnaire which will direct you to the correct membership application form.

Membership fees vary depending on your membership category, starting at FREE for all students. Please refer to our Membership Types & Fees page for the latest pricing information. 

We’re glad you asked! MCIP® is a registered trademark of CIP, and only individuals who have met all the professional requirements of their Provincial and Territorial Institute and Association (PTIA), and who are members in good standing with their PTIA and CIP, are permitted to use MCIP in their professional title. 

If you are not already a professional planner, please visit our Becoming a Planner page for more information about the process.

International planners who are full members of the American Planning Association (APA) or Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) may apply to become an International Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and use the MCIP-I title. The benefits are the same as a Professional member.

There is also a reciprocal agreement in place between APA and PIA that provides advanced standing with the Professional Standards Board, if you wish to certify as a professional planner in Canada. 

Please note that membership with CIP does not grant legal registration to work and/or practice in Canada.

Most international planners may join the Canadian Institute of Planners as a Public Subscriber, and stay up-to-date on all things related to Canadian planning, including access to educational resources on-demand.

If you are practicing planning outside of Canada and are interested in certifying as a Canadian planner, please visit our Becoming a Planner page for more information about the process.

Any student with an interest in planning can join CIP for free! Apply here.

You can easily update your contact information by logging into the Member Area and selecting the “contact information” tab. Since this is a national system your contact information will be updated with both CIP and your PTIA (if you also belong to Ordre des urbanistes du Québec (OUQ), please contact them directly).

International and Quebec members may contact our Member Services team for any changes related to membership.

All other Canadian members may contact their Provincial and Territorial Institute or Association (PTIA) to inquire or request a change in membership category.

Professional planners should be registered with the Provincial and Territorial Institute or Association (PTIA) where they work. To request a transfer from one PTIA to another, please contact your current PTIA to start the process.

Please note that you may also join more than one PTIA at a time. This is especially valuable if you work in more than one province and/or territory.

To request a transfer to CIP’s international membership category, please contact your Provincial and Territorial Institute or Association.

The Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations (PTIAs) are responsible for updating and maintaining CPL reporting guidelines.

CIP and the PTIAs share a national Member Area where planners can update and track their annual Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) requirements.

CIP is a recognized CPL provider for l’Ordre des Urbanistes du Québec (OUQ). However, members from Quebec must record their CPL units directly with l’OUQ.

Please contact your PTIA for assistance.

Members can access CIP’s searchable Resource Library or log in to the Member Area to access the CPL HUB which contains webinars, conference presentations, and more on-demand.

As the legal regulators of the profession, Provincial and Territorial Institutes or Associations (PTIAs) are responsible for the review, enforcement, and discipline related to member conduct. Visit our Professional Codes of Conduct & Ethics page for more information.

Professional and Candidate members are required to purchase Professional Liability Insurance (except in Quebec, which has some exceptions). 

Professional planners strive to deliver the best possible services to their clients; however, as a professional you still face risks. Eligible CIP members have access to comprehensive Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O) through BMS Canada. Access all your documentation related to BMS in your Member Area. 

E&O insurance protects you against liability or allegations of liability for injury or damages that have resulted from a negligent act, error, omission, or malpractice that has arisen out of your professional capacity as a planner. 

To learn more about E&O, please log in to the Member Area to access your documentation or contact BMS at 1-844-294-2714 or cip.insurance@bmsgroup.com. 

If you are part of the BMS Professional Liability Insurance program, when you learn about a claim that has been filed against you, you must report it immediately.

Prompt claims notification is very important. Claims, actual or potential, must be reported immediately to the claims adjusting firm, Crawford. Please do not correspond directly with your client until after speaking with your claims adjustor. If you are unsure, always err on the side of caution and report a claim.

To report a claim, please contact Crawford at: BMSclaims@crawco.ca or 1-877-805-9168.