Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best planning director certifications
Planning director certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an planning director to employers. However, not all planning director certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a planning director are Certified Planning Engineer (CPE), Certified Planner (AICP), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Below is a list of the best planning director certifications. Obtaining an planning director certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
8 best certifications for planning directors
| Rank | Planning director certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Planning Engineer (CPE) | AAPM |
| 2 | Certified Planner (AICP) | APA |
| 3 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
| 4 | AICP Certified Planners | APA |
| 5 | Program Management Professional (PgMP) | PMI |
| 6 | Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI |
| 7 | Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) | IEDC |
| 8 | Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | CFP |
8 best planning director certifications
1. Certified Planning Engineer (CPE)
Our AAPM Global Board of Standards issues the CPE Certified Planning Engineer - Board Certification to qualified applicants who have met our commission requirements of: Education, Training, Experience, Industry Knowledge, Ethics, and Continuing Education.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
2. Certified Planner (AICP)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
4. AICP Certified Planners
AICP Certified planners are members of APA's professional institute, AICP. They have demonstrated a commitment to high standards of professional practice and a mastery of theories and tools of planning. To become certified, an APA member must meet requirements for education and experience, pass the AICP Comprehensive Planning Examination, and pledge to uphold ethical standards and engage in ongoing professional development. The AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct helps certified planners uphold those ethical standards.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. Program Management Professional (PgMP)
Project Management Institute's newest credential is specifically developed to acknowledge the qualifications of the professional who leads the coordinated management of multiple projects and ensures the ultimate success of a program. You will benefit from the many advantages of this new designation. Candidates earning this credential will be internationally recognized as professionals with the knowledge and experience to make and implement the important decisions and accomplish the strategic objectives that enhance business results.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
6. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
7. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)
Economic development organizations need professionals who possess the expertise to combat new challenges that emerge in a constantly changing industry. The CEcD designation represents demonstrated competency in economic development wilth a high degree of knowledge, significant skills and considerable experience in the field.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
The CFP certification process, administered by CFP Board, identifies to the public that those individuals in the U.S.who have been authorized to use the CFP certification mark have met rigorous professional standards and have agreed to adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a planning director?
The best planning director certification is Certified Planning Engineer (CPE). The Certified Planning Engineer (CPE) is awarded by the American Academy of Project Management. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this planning director certification:
- To become a certified Certified Planning Engineer (CPE), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 2 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for planning directors?
The most in-demand planning director certification is Certified Planner based on all active job postings. Having this planning director certification will give you access to more planning director jobs with higher salaries.
The most common combination of planning director certifications include: Certified Planning Engineer (CPE), Certified Planner (AICP), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Online courses for planning directors to earn certifications
1. Product Management (Part Time)
Balance business viability, technical feasibility, and customer desire to lead products and features toward long-term success. Learn from a seasoned expert. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
2. Digital Marketing (Part Time)
Build confidence and capability to apply modern marketing strategies on the job. Drive growth with multichannel campaigns powered by data and customer insight. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
3. Predictive Analytics for Business
Learn to apply predictive analytics and business intelligence to solve real-world business problems...
4. Marketing Analytics
Gain an in-depth understanding of Google Analytics and marketing analytics. Analyze data and build models with Excel, Data Studio, and create informative data visualizations with Tableau...
5. Strategic Planning Skills
Strategic Planning Skills...
6. Strategic Planning Basics for Human Resources
Learn to collaborate with your organizational leaders on the development and implementation of a strategic plan...
7. Product Manager
Envision and lead the product strategy of industry-defining products, and learn to successfully bring them to market. Influence the execution of product development as a Product Manager, one of the most highly-coveted roles in technology...
8. Data Product Manager
Leverage data to build products that deliver the right experiences, to the right users, at the right time. Lead the development of data-driven products that position businesses to win in their market...
9. The Complete Business Plan Course (Includes 50 Templates)
Everything You Need to Make a Great Business Plan by an Award Winning Business School Prof, VC & Successful Entrepreneur...
10. How To Write A Simple And Successful Business Plan
Learn how to effectively write a simple and successful business plan that attracts attention. (template included)...
11. Digital Marketing
Gain real-world experience running live campaigns as you learn from top experts in the field. Launch your career with a 360-degree understanding of digital marketing...
12. AI for Business Leaders
Master the foundations of artificial intelligence so you can strategically implement AI in your company. Leverage machine learning technologies to power corporate growth, increase efficiency, and enhance customer experiences...
13. Business Plan: Outlines , Templates & Case Study
Learn Business Planning & Lean Thinking to develop a Complete Business Plan...
14. Open To buy- Retail Merchandising Planning
Merchandise Financial Planning...
15. Business Analytics
In this program, you will learn foundational data skills that apply across functions and industries. You will learn to analyze data and build models with Excel, query databases using SQL, and create informative data visualizations with Tableau...
16. AI Product Manager
Learn to develop AI products that deliver business value. Build skills that help you compete in the new AI-powered world...
17. Strong & Effective Marketing Plan (Plan Template & Example)
Innovative approach for a winning offline and digital marketing plan (important part of your business plan)...
18. Financial Planning Coaching Certification Holistic Coaching
Financial Planning Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Professionals in Holistic Financial Planning Coaching...
19. Growth Product Manager
Hone specialized Product Management skills in growth strategy. Lead experimentation and data-driven decision-making in your organization to drive products to reach the next level of scale, impact, and profitability...
20. Product Strategy
Learn how to build a bullet-proof vision & strategy for any digital product idea. By the end of this course, you’ll know how to identify the right problems to solve, map out business models for capturing revenue, and successfully pitch your strategy to stakeholders...