About PSB
In 2012, the Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada (PSB) was established to administer the certification process of professional planners on behalf of the Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations (PTIAs), which regulate the planning profession across Canada, and the Canadian Institute of Planners.
Vision: Public trust in the planning profession and planning education in Canada.
Mission: Deliver a rigorous and measurable assessment of competency for individuals and academic institutions seeking planning certification or accreditation across Canada.
Currently, the PSB administers the certification process for all PTIAs except l’Ordre des urbanistes du Québec (OUQ). PSB is a separately incorporated body, headed by an independent Board of Directors, and operates under agreements with its members to provide the following services:
Certification:
- Assessment of applications for PSB’s processes and eligibility for Candidate membership in the PTIAs (and therefore CIP)
- Verification of mentorship and sponsorship of work experience
- Delivery of courses and examinations leading to credentialing as a professional planner
Accreditation of University Academic Planning Programs:
- Administering accreditation reviews of university planning degree programs based on the accreditation program principles, policies and administrative arrangements
PSB is an independent organization, incorporated under the laws of Canada, and governed by its own Board of Directors. We operate under shared services agreements with CIP and the seven participating PTIAs, according to guidelines determined as part of the Planning for the Future (PFF) project. Our founding members are:
- Canadian Institute of Planners
- Atlantic Planners Institute
- Licensed Professional Planners Association of Nova Scotia
- Ontario Professional Planners Institute
- Manitoba Professional Planners Institute
- Saskatchewan Professional Planners Institute
- Alberta Professional Planners Institute
- Planning Institute of British Columbia
Other Planning Links:
There are many other groups involved, either directly or indirectly, in planning in Canada and around the world. The list below, while far from exhaustive, gives you a flavour of the many different planning stakeholders. Please note that CIP maintains reciprocal agreements with two of the bodies listed below (from Australia and the US); potential Candidate members who are already certified through one of the two can follow the special Reciprocal Agreement registration process with PSB. 
- Planning Institute of Australia*
- American Institute of Certified Planners*
- New Zealand Planning Institute
- Planning Accreditation Board
- Ordre des urbanistes du Québec
- Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
- Engineers Canada
- Architecture Canada
- Canadian Association of Planning Students
- Association of Canadian University Planning Programs
- Canadian Urban Institute
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities
- International Society of City and Regional Planners
- Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians
* Denotes an organization with which CIP has a reciprocal agreement.