Pass the APA American Planning Association AICP Questions and answers with CertsForce

TheAICP Code of Ethics(2022), Section E, Procedure 1, states, “A charge of misconduct may be filed by any person,” and Procedure 2 allows the complainant to “request confidentiality, which the Ethics Officer will honor to the extent possible.” Option C (may request confidentiality) is correct. Options A and B (APA or AICP membership) are incorrect, as anyone can file a complaint. Option D (filed anonymously) is not allowed, as the Ethics Officer needs the complainant’s identity, though it can be kept confidential. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms, “Complainants may request confidentiality when filing a misconduct charge, but anonymous filings are not permitted,” supporting option C.

Overlay analysis involves superimposing multiple maps, aligned to a common coordinate system, to analyze relationships between geographic features (e.g., land use and flood zones). Option C (an overlay) correctly describes this technique, widely used in GIS and planning. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Research and Assessment Methods,” defines an overlay as “the process of superimposing two or more maps to analyze spatial relationships between features.” Option A (theme) refers to a map layer, not the process. Option B (buffer) is a proximity analysis tool, not superimposition. Option D (merge) combines datasets but doesn’t involve spatial superimposition. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) states, “Overlay analysis superimposes maps to show relationships between features in the same geographic space,” supporting option C.

The success of a planning department’s work program is best measured by outcomes tied to its goals. Option B (percentage of benchmarks achieved) directly reflects the department’s progress on planned objectives, such as completing projects or meeting targets. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Administration and Management,” states, “The best measure of a planning department’s annual success is the percentage of benchmarks achieved, reflecting goal attainment.” Option A (applications processed) measures workload, not success. Option C (time reduced) is a process metric, not an outcome. Option D (budget returned) indicates underspending, not success. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms, “Success is best measured by the percentage of benchmarks achieved in the work program,” supporting option B.

A planning director’s role typically includes responsibilities directly related to land use, development, and environmental planning, such as floodplain management, which involves zoning, permitting, and ensuring development complies with flood regulations. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Administration and Management,” lists “floodplain management” as a core responsibility of planning directors, as it falls within their purview of regulating land use and development. In contrast, a city manager oversees broadermunicipal operations, including economic development (A: job growth/decline), financial management (C: property tax rates), and overall strategic planning (D: strategic goal setting). TheCPC Study Manual(2024) notes that “planning directors are responsible for managing land use policies, including floodplain management,” while city managers handle fiscal and administrative duties like tax rates and economic strategies. Thus, option B is the correct answer.

Form-based codes (FBCs) focus on the physical form and design of buildings rather than their use, which is a key distinction from Euclidean zoning. Euclidean zoning, named after the 1926 caseVillage of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., primarily regulates land use (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial) and includes standards like parking ratios, use regulations, and setback restrictions to separate uses and control density. In contrast, form-based codes emphasize the shape, scale, and design of buildings to create a cohesive urban environment. Building typologies—standards that define the types of buildings (e.g., mixed-use structures, townhouses) based on their form and placement—are a hallmark of FBCs and are not typically found in Euclidean codes, which focus on separating uses rather than prescribing building forms. According to the APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Areas of Practice,” FBCs are noted for their emphasis on “regulating the physical form of development rather than land use,” directly supporting the inclusion of building typologies as a distinguishing feature. Additionally, theForm-Based Codes Institute(referenced in APA study materials) defines FBCs as prioritizing “building types and their relationship to the street,” which aligns with option D.

InDolan v. City of Tigard(1994), the Supreme Court ruled that exactions (e.g., requiring land dedication for a bike path as a condition of development approval) must have a “rough proportionality” between the government’s demand and the development’s impact, building on the “nexus” test fromNollan v. California Coastal Commission(1987). Option A (rough proportionality) is correct. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under“Fundamental Planning Knowledge,” states, “Dolan v. City of Tigardestablished the ‘rough proportionality’ test for exactions, ensuring they are proportional to the development’s impact.” Option B (cannot use public domain) is incorrect, as the case focused on exactions, not public domain. Option C (state-approved comprehensive plan) is unrelated. Option D (allowable use cannot be denied) misrepresents the ruling, which dealt with conditions, not outright denial. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms, “Dolanintroduced the rough proportionality requirement for exactions,” supporting option A.

The City Beautiful movement emerged from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair (Columbian Exposition), which showcased grand architecture and civic design, inspiring planners to apply these principles to cities. Option A (Chicago World’s Fair) is correct. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Fundamental Planning Knowledge,” states, “The City Beautiful movement was a direct result of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, which promoted civic beauty and order.” Option B (Hoover Commission Report) relates to government efficiency in the 1940s. Option C (Nash’s plan for London) influenced Regency-era planning, not City Beautiful. Option D (Olmsted’s Central Park) predates the movement and focuses on naturalistic design. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms, “The City Beautiful movement originated from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair,” supporting option A.

In planning, goals are broad, aspirational statements of desired outcomes, while objectives are specific, measurable steps to achieve those goals. Option A (achieve accessibility and mobility for all citizens) is a broad, overarching goal that reflects a community-wide vision for transportation. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Plan and Policy Development,” defines goals as “broad statements of intent, such as ensuring accessibility and mobility for all,” and objectives as “specific, measurable targets.” Options B (level of service D), C (35% fare box recovery), and D (meet ADA requirements by 2001) are specific and measurable, making them objectives. For example, level of service D is a quantifiable standard, and fare box recovery is a financial target. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) states, “Atransportation goal might be to enhance accessibility for all, while objectives include specific metrics like fare recovery or infrastructure standards,” supporting option A.

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) programs aim to protect specific areas (e.g., farmland, historic sites) from development by allowing landowners to sell development rights to other areas where growth is desired. Option B (protecting an area from development) accurately reflects this goal. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Plan and Policy Development,” defines TDR as “a tool to protect areas from development by transferring development rights to designated receiving areas.” Option A (extinguishing development potential) is incorrect, as TDR preserves potential by relocating it. Option C (vesting rights) is unrelated to TDR’s purpose. Option D (slowing development) is a secondary effect, not the primary aim. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) states, “TDR programs are designed to protect areas from development by redirecting growth,” supporting option B.

Constitutional amendments impact planning through legal principles. The First Amendment (A) affects planning via free speech (e.g., sign regulations). The Fourth Amendment (C) relates to property searches (e.g., code enforcement). The Fourteenth Amendment (D) ensures due process and equal protection in zoning and land use decisions. The Second Amendment (B), concerning the right to bear arms, has no direct relevance to planning practice. The APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Fundamental Planning Knowledge,” states, “The First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments are significant to planning, but the Second Amendment has no direct application.” TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms, “The Second Amendment is not relevant to planning, unlike the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth,” supporting option B.