Getting Your RPP: Lessons, Advice, and Encouragement for Emerging Planners

By Anika Munir

It can feel intimidating to begin the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) process, especially when you are not sure where to start or whether you are ready to take that next step. However, if you are already doing planning work, I strongly believe it is worth taking advantage of the opportunity to earn your RPP designation.

For many planning professionals, the RPP process is introduced during school through presentations, workshops, or professional development events. However, in the rush of university life, it can be easy to miss important details, forget to take notes, or leave with questions still unanswered. After graduation, the process can feel even more confusing when you are trying to balance work, professional growth, and figuring out what comes next in your career.

That is why members of the School of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Association (SURPA) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), including myself (Anika Munir, Senior Development Coordinator at Dunpar Homes), and Ali Ahmed, Land Use Planner at Davies Howe LLP, planned an event called “Get Your RPP: A 101 Panel and Presentation on Becoming a Registered Professional Planner.”

The event was open to current students, recent graduates and alumni who are interested in starting the RPP process, learning more about the steps involved, and hearing directly from professionals who have gone through the process themselves.
The event began with a slide deck presentation, where Ali Ahmed explained the process and broke down the steps required to obtain the RPP designation. This was extremely useful because it gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions, understand the different pathways to getting an RPP, and think about the route that may work best for them.

Then the next part was a panel discussion with 3 incredible professionals who have gone through the RPP process themselves. The three professionals included: Tanjot Bal, Uzo Rossouw and Alex Beheshti. All three of them shared stories and advice on the RPP process.

One of the key points shared was that OPPI/PSB now offers a study guide for RPP candidates, which is available on the OPPI website. The panel also highlighted that there are several resources available to help candidates better understand and navigate the RPP process which were not their before.

They also explained the difference between a mentor and a sponsor. They emphasized that candidates should use both mentors and sponsors as opportunities to learn more about the planning profession, explore different career paths, and receive guidance throughout the process.

They also noted that candidates should be thoughtful when choosing a mentor, and if they face challenges finding either one, they should reach out for support to OPPI since they can be connected to someone who can help them.
Something I really enjoyed about this panel was how transparent the panellists were. They explained that finding a mentor can be like finding a best friend or a partner you should not feel like you have to stick with the first person you meet, or you ask to be your mentor. Sometimes the first person you ask is a great fit, but that may not always be the case.

They encouraged attendees to have informal coffee chats first to see how the interaction and conversation feel. If the conversation does not flow, the interests do not align, or it feels like a checklist item, it is okay to keep looking for someone who is a better fit. They really emphasized using the mentorship piece of the RPP process to learn, grow and really build a relationship.
Something they advised is that we should really lean on others. People we graduated with, colleagues in the industry and we should form study groups, talk to individuals who went through the RPP exam process. This way we feel less intimidated and scared and can ask what methods worked to study and can collectively study and prepare together.

They also emphasized the importance of beginning the RPP process as soon as you are eligible. Their main advice was that life will always be busy, and if you keep waiting for the “perfect” time, it may never feel like the right moment to start. So just start when you can.

A helpful tip they shared which many of us do not think about, especially for new graduates and soon-to-be alumni in the room to keep in mind, was to ask about RPP support during the interview process when applying for full-time roles. They suggested asking whether the employer would be willing to cover or contribute to the costs associated with the RPP process. This not only helps reduce the financial burden on new planners but also shows the employer that you are serious about your professional growth and committed to the planning profession.

While the RPP process can seem overwhelming at first, the event made it clear that no one must go through it alone. There are resources available, people willing to help, and a strong planning community to lean on.

For anyone considering starting the RPP process, take the first step, ask the questions, find your people, and trust that you belong in the planning profession.