Membership FAQs
Full members of OPPI use the designation "Registered Professional Planner" (RPP). An RPP is a planner who has the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to understand complex social, legal, and economic issues. The designation is highly regarded by government, private industry, public and non-profit agencies, and academic institutions.
Oral Interview (Exam A)
An oral interview (Exam A) is the final step for a Provisional member who wishes to become a Full member of OPPI. The purpose of this interview is for the applicant to demonstrate his or her understanding of professional conduct, principles and responsibility.
Q: What are the basic requirements?
A: To become an RPP a planner has a four-year university degree (usually in planning or a related area), acquired a minimum of two years of relevant planning experience, met rigorous examination standards as set by OPPI, and been elected as a Full member of the Institute.
Q: What is expected of Full members?
A: Registered Professional Planners are required to follow OPPI's Professional Code of Practice. If a planner fails to live up to the Code's ethics and a client complains, OPPI will investigate the matter and, if necessary, discipline the planner.
Q: Can I use RPP after my name if I am not a member of OPPI?
A: Planners who are not members of OPPI may practise in Ontario, but they may not call themselves Registered Professional Planners and OPPI does not regulate their activities or ethics.
Q: What are the pre-requisites for sitting Exam A?
A: Pre-requisites include fulfillment of a written exam (i.e., Exam B) unless exempt, as well as validation by OPPI of the member's logged work experience.
Q: How much experience is required?
A: The amount of required cumulative experience varies and is determined based upon the member's academic credentials and work history. The minimum is 24 months of relevant planning experience.
Q: When and where are these final interviews held?
A: Oral interviews (Exam A) are held throughout Ontario and OPPI attempts to hold these in convenient locations.
Q: Do I need to apply?
A: A qualified Provisional member may request an oral interview by completing the application for to sit the oral examination.
Q: What happens after I apply?
A: First: Requests received at OPPI by the 1st Friday of the month will be acknowledged as received for review during the month.
Second: Volunteers who sit on the OPPI District and Provincial Membership Committees of OPPI review most documents and requests related to membership, including exams. These reviews occur monthy.
Third: The Chair of the District and/or Provincial Membership Committee(s) approves all requests for Exam A. Based on Membership Committee recommendations, a status report of the review will be sent out to the candidate at the end of the same month.
In general this process takes approximately 8 weeks.
Q: Who conducts each interview?
A: A panel of Full Members of the Institute conducts the exam.
Q: What are the results?
A: A candidate must pass Exam A to become a Full member.
If you have other questions about membership, please contact us at membership@ontarioplanners.on.ca.