Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR)
This alternate route is available for planners who hold any academic degree other than a university degree in planning from a program formally accredited by the planning profession. 
The specific membership requirements for admission under this route require an individual planner to:
- Be employed in planning (for information on what constitutes employment in planning, please see our FAQ),
- Hold a four-year undergraduate degree (other than a degree in planning from an accredited program),
- Have achieved and demonstrated the equivalent of at least a cumulative five years of responsible professional planning experience gained through employment in planning (in Canada or abroad), and
- Have successfully completed the PLAR process, demonstrating the basic standards of competency and knowledge.
Individuals seeking admission to Candidate membership under this route must demonstrate, through an application and PLAR assessment process with PSB, basic standards of competency and knowledge, and achieve credit toward certification based on a combination of past experience, professional development, and education. Under this route, the PLAR process involves the applicant:
- Documenting and demonstrating that they have a minimum of five years of responsible professional planning experience,
- Successfully demonstrating appropriate equivalencies to the competency standards through presentation of a PLAR Portfolio. This will include a listing of post-secondary and other qualifications (e.g. university degrees and professional qualifications, matching academic courses and / or work experiences to the required competencies) and completion of the PLAR Self-Assessment Grid (pdf).
- NOTE: Your portfolio must be submitted electronically through our candidate portal
A separate PLAR Portfolio Development Guide (pdf) outlining the details and requirements of the PLAR process is available to applicants seeking Candidate membership through the PLAR route, and should be reviewed carefully.
Please note: We are accepting electronic transcripts that are directly sent and issued from your university or their third party to certification@psb-planningcanada.ca
Degree Evaluation
If the degree you wish to submit with your application was obtained outside of Canada, the United States or Australia, you must arrange to have it evaluated. Evaluation by one of the following bodies is required:
- Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials Tel: 416-962-9725 Website: cicic.ca
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) Tel: 780-427-2655 Website: learning.gov.ab.ca/iqas
- World Education Services Canada (WES): International Credential Evaluation Tel: 414-972-0070Website:https://www.wes.org/ca/
There are three cost components to consider (excluding your investment in your degree):
- PSB’s fees
- Membership fees assessed by your Provincial/Territorial Institute or Association (PTIA)
- Incidental expenses you may incur (e.g., meals/coffee with your Mentor, any seminars or workshops you may attend as part of your mentorship, etc.)
| Item | PLAR |
|---|---|
| PSB Application Fee (non-refundable) | $650.00 |
| Ethics & Professionalism Course and Examination | $450.00 |
| Professional Examination | $500.00 |
| Total | $1,600.00 |
Our fees are subject to GST/HST, and that is not reflected in the above table. Please see our FAQs for more details or contact us at certification@psb-planningcanada.ca for more details.