If you are of a like mind – passionate and practical with a firm belief in the benefits of a solid planning process in the public interest – your path to acquiring this expert, valued designation is mapped out below.
Also learn more about Accredited Programs & Student Scholarships in this section, as well as how to get involved in OPPI’s Career Path Program Committee. If you want to grow and enhance your experience, learn more about OPPI Membership options.
Membership Categories
OPPI Full and Candidate members must complete their annual Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) credits and maintain a strong ethical standard of practice by adhering to OPPI’s Professional Code of Practice, subject to oversight by OPPI’s Complaints and Discipline Committees.
Full Member
You are a practicing planner who has fulfilled the requirements to be eligible to use the designation “Registered Professional Planner” or “RPP.”
Full Member (Out of Province)
You are a Full member of CIP and another Canadian planning institute in the province where you live and work. You pay your CIP fee and insurance through that home affiliate, but can become a Full member (out of province) of OPPI.
Candidate Member
You have been accepted by the Professional Standards Board, the national body that handles applications for membership, as eligible to begin the formal process of becoming a Full member. In this category, you are working toward your RPP designation.
Pre-Candidate Member
You intend to become a Candidate member but do not yet qualify for Candidate membership. This may include having a recognized planning degree, but are not yet working in planning. This may also include not having a recognized planning degree, are working in planning, but have been working in planning less than 5 years.
Student Member
You are enrolled full-time in a secondary or post-secondary school and have an interest in planning.
Retired Member
You are a Full member who is not engaged in the activity of planning for gain.
Lifetime
Lifetime membership is automatically granted to Retired Members who have been retired for three years or more and who have been Full members in good standing for more than 35 years. As a Lifetime member, you are entitled to use the designation “Registered Professional Planner (Lifetime)” or “RPP (Lifetime).”
Non-Practicing Member
You are not engaged in the activity of planning for gain. As a Non-Practicing member, you are only eligible to use the designation “Registered Professional Planner (Non-Practicing)” or “RPP (Non-Practicing).” As you are not practicing for gain, you are not eligible to use an RPP seal. Non-Practicing members are entitled to vote on OPPI matters, act as a sponsor or mentor, but are not eligible to be elected as a Director of the Institute. Non-Practicing members are also exempt from the Institute’s Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) requirement for up to five years.
Public Subscriber
You are a non-planner and do not practice or intend to practice planning, but do have a general interest in planning and in OPPI.
Are you still unsure which category you fit into?
Explore our category questionnaire! See what member category you may fall under based on how you would categorize your interests.
Membership Fees
| CATEGORY OPPI Membership Fees | OPPI FEE | PROCESSING FEE | ERRORS & OMISSIONS INSURANCE FEE (PST only) | PST | HST | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Member | $510.00 | $0.00 | $81.00 | $6.48 | $66.30 | $663.78 |
| Candidate Member | $510.00 | $0.00 | $81.00 | $6.48 | $66.30 | $663.78 |
| Full Member (Out of Province) | $510.00 | $0.00 | Not Available | $0.00 | $66.30 | $576.30 |
| Pre-Candidate | $510.00 | $0.00 | Not Available | $0.00 | $66.30 | $576.30 |
| Public Subscriber | $0.00 | $0.00 | Not Available | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Retired Member | $155.00 | $0.00 | $81.00 | $6.48 | $20.15 | $262.63 |
| Non-Practicing Member | $155.00 | $0.00 | $81.00 | $6.48 | $20.15 | $262.63 |
| Student Member | $0.00 | $0.00 | Not Available | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Reinstatement and Appeal Fee | $380.00 | $0.00 | Not Available | $0.00 | $49.40 | $429.40 |
- After July 1 – OPPI membership fees are prorated (50 per cent).
- Insurance fees are not prorated.
- Total amount does not include CIP fee and tax.
How to Apply for Membership
- Go to OPPI’s online application webpage.
- Watch for a confirmation email from OPPI that your application has been reviewed.
- Once you’re approved for the membership category that best suits your needs, you can begin exploring the different resources that OPPI has to offer.
Path to RPP Certification
Step 1
Foundations First
Complete your high school-level education, such as the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) if you are originally from Ontario.
Step 2
Plan Your Future
Enroll in a degree program that is accredited by the Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada (PSB)* In Ontario, six universities offer such programs:
Step 3
Join as a Student
Become a student member while completing your studies! Student Members enjoy lower membership fees, networking and volunteer opportunities and continuing educational opportunities while completing their program. Student Members from accredited planning programs are also eligible for scholarships offered by OPPI.
Step 4
Become a Candidate
Once you have completed your accredited planning program and are working in a responsible planning role, apply to the Professional Standards Board to begin the certification process for a Candidate Membership. They will review your application and progress to date and contact OPPI. OPPI will then invite you to apply to become a Candidate Member.
Step 5
Become an RPP
Complete the process to move from Candidate to Full Member. On average, many candidates may take three or more years to become an RPP. However, candidates have seven years to complete the certification process. If successful, you can begin practicing as a recognized Registered Professional Planner in Ontario!
Step 6
Launch Your Career
Enjoy a career of varied and endless opportunity, in roles such as:
- Junior/Senior Planner
- Community Planner/Urban Designer/ Senior Urban Planner
- Transportation Planner
- Environmental Planner
- Policy Advisor
- Heritage Coordinator/Heritage Planner
- Municipal Planner
- Manager/Director of Planning
RPP
* If you hold an academic degree that is not in planning BUT you have a university degree and are currently working in a responsible planning role for five years or more, you can apply for Candidate Membership via the Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) route.