AICP Ethics Exam – Latest 2025/2026 Study
Guide | Complete Practice Questions &
Verified Q&A
Who does the "AICP Code of Ethics" apply to? - correct answerThis code applies to all
certified planners. Violating the AICP Code of Ethics can result in the loss of
certification. The code also includes the procedures for filing a complaint. Candidates
should understand how the AICP investigates and resolves alleged violations. Note that
in October 2009, there was an amendment to the Code of Ethics with the addition of
Part D.
Who does the "APA Code of Ethics" apply to? - correct answerThis code applies to all
planners and public officials involved in planning.
Under the AICP code of ethics, what is the primary obligation of a planner? - correct
answerto serve the public interest
"Under the AICP Code of Ethics, a planner's primary obligation is to serve the public
interest. A planner's responsibility to the public interest includes which of the following?
(A) Having special concern for the long-range consequences of present actions.
(B) Providing a citizens group with information not in the public record.
(C) Allowing citizen groups to develop land use alternatives.
(D) Providing high-quality customer service." - correct answerThe answer is "A." A
planner is obligated to have special concern for the long-range consequences of
present actions. None of the other responses are specifically included in the Code of
Ethics.
"Which of the following is NOT considered to be a planner's primary obligation to serve
the public interest under the AICP Code of Ethics?
(A) Have special concern for long range consequences.
(B) A planner must exercise independent professional judgment on behalf of clients and
employers.
(C) Providing opportunities for meaningful citizen participation.
(D) Seek social justice by working to expand choice and opportunity for all." - correct
answerThe answer is "B." Exercising independent judgment is part of the planner's
responsibility to clients and employers, not to the public. Through memorization of the
code of ethics candidates would be able to quickly determine the correct answer.
"A city planner reviewed the rezoning of a property for a 1,000-unit planned unit
development. In your staff report you recommended against the approval of this project.
, The developer approaches the planner and tries to recruit her to join his firm to work on
this multi-phase development. The planner accepts a position with another city instead.
However, this position does not work out as expected and after working 13 months for
the consulting firm, the planner decides to accept a position with the development
company working on the buildout of the planned unit development. How would you
describe the planner's action?
(A) Acceptable, eleven months is sufficient time.
(B) Acceptable, employment in the consulting firm automatically absolved the planner
from any involvement in the project.
(C) Unacceptable, a planner must never accept employment with a firm doing business
in his/her own jurisdiction.
(D) Unacceptable, - correct answerThe answer is "D." According to the AICP Code of
Ethics a planner must wait three years before engaging in work involving their previous
employer. The candidate needs to recall the code to solve this question.
"The Planning Director is approached by a member of his staff with a complaint of
sexual harassment against another employee in the department. What should the
Planning Director do first?
(A) Review the Human Resource Procedures Manual section on Sexual Harassment
and follow the instructions.
(B) File a complaint with the AICP Commission.
(C) Call a staff meeting to discuss the issue.
(D) Talk to the employee to find out what happened." - correct answerThe answer is "A."
The director should begin by consulting the city's procedures manual. The AICP Code
of Ethics does not address sexual harrassment.
What are the four sections of the AICP Code of Ethics? - correct answer"Section A
contains a statement of aspirational principles that constitute the ideals to which we are
committed. We shall strive to act in accordance with our stated principles. However, an
allegation that we failed to achieve our aspirational principles cannot be the subject of a
misconduct charge or be a cause for disciplinary action.
Section B contains rules of conduct to which we are held accountable. If we violate any
of these rules, we can be the object of a charge of misconduct and shall have the
responsibility of responding to and cooperating with the investigation and enforcement
procedures. If we are found to be blameworthy by the AICP Ethics Committee, we shall
be subject to the imposition of sanctions that may include loss of our certification.
Section C contains the procedural provisions of the Code. It (1) describes the way that
one may obtain either a formal or informal advisory ruling, and (2) details how a charge
of misconduct can be filed, and how charges are investigated, prosecuted, and
adjudicated.
Guide | Complete Practice Questions &
Verified Q&A
Who does the "AICP Code of Ethics" apply to? - correct answerThis code applies to all
certified planners. Violating the AICP Code of Ethics can result in the loss of
certification. The code also includes the procedures for filing a complaint. Candidates
should understand how the AICP investigates and resolves alleged violations. Note that
in October 2009, there was an amendment to the Code of Ethics with the addition of
Part D.
Who does the "APA Code of Ethics" apply to? - correct answerThis code applies to all
planners and public officials involved in planning.
Under the AICP code of ethics, what is the primary obligation of a planner? - correct
answerto serve the public interest
"Under the AICP Code of Ethics, a planner's primary obligation is to serve the public
interest. A planner's responsibility to the public interest includes which of the following?
(A) Having special concern for the long-range consequences of present actions.
(B) Providing a citizens group with information not in the public record.
(C) Allowing citizen groups to develop land use alternatives.
(D) Providing high-quality customer service." - correct answerThe answer is "A." A
planner is obligated to have special concern for the long-range consequences of
present actions. None of the other responses are specifically included in the Code of
Ethics.
"Which of the following is NOT considered to be a planner's primary obligation to serve
the public interest under the AICP Code of Ethics?
(A) Have special concern for long range consequences.
(B) A planner must exercise independent professional judgment on behalf of clients and
employers.
(C) Providing opportunities for meaningful citizen participation.
(D) Seek social justice by working to expand choice and opportunity for all." - correct
answerThe answer is "B." Exercising independent judgment is part of the planner's
responsibility to clients and employers, not to the public. Through memorization of the
code of ethics candidates would be able to quickly determine the correct answer.
"A city planner reviewed the rezoning of a property for a 1,000-unit planned unit
development. In your staff report you recommended against the approval of this project.
, The developer approaches the planner and tries to recruit her to join his firm to work on
this multi-phase development. The planner accepts a position with another city instead.
However, this position does not work out as expected and after working 13 months for
the consulting firm, the planner decides to accept a position with the development
company working on the buildout of the planned unit development. How would you
describe the planner's action?
(A) Acceptable, eleven months is sufficient time.
(B) Acceptable, employment in the consulting firm automatically absolved the planner
from any involvement in the project.
(C) Unacceptable, a planner must never accept employment with a firm doing business
in his/her own jurisdiction.
(D) Unacceptable, - correct answerThe answer is "D." According to the AICP Code of
Ethics a planner must wait three years before engaging in work involving their previous
employer. The candidate needs to recall the code to solve this question.
"The Planning Director is approached by a member of his staff with a complaint of
sexual harassment against another employee in the department. What should the
Planning Director do first?
(A) Review the Human Resource Procedures Manual section on Sexual Harassment
and follow the instructions.
(B) File a complaint with the AICP Commission.
(C) Call a staff meeting to discuss the issue.
(D) Talk to the employee to find out what happened." - correct answerThe answer is "A."
The director should begin by consulting the city's procedures manual. The AICP Code
of Ethics does not address sexual harrassment.
What are the four sections of the AICP Code of Ethics? - correct answer"Section A
contains a statement of aspirational principles that constitute the ideals to which we are
committed. We shall strive to act in accordance with our stated principles. However, an
allegation that we failed to achieve our aspirational principles cannot be the subject of a
misconduct charge or be a cause for disciplinary action.
Section B contains rules of conduct to which we are held accountable. If we violate any
of these rules, we can be the object of a charge of misconduct and shall have the
responsibility of responding to and cooperating with the investigation and enforcement
procedures. If we are found to be blameworthy by the AICP Ethics Committee, we shall
be subject to the imposition of sanctions that may include loss of our certification.
Section C contains the procedural provisions of the Code. It (1) describes the way that
one may obtain either a formal or informal advisory ruling, and (2) details how a charge
of misconduct can be filed, and how charges are investigated, prosecuted, and
adjudicated.
