Become Accredited
To become a Just Communities AP, candidates must complete the Just Communities Foundations Course and pass the Just Communities AP exam. The exam measure knowledge about all aspects of the Just Communities standard, including the Protocol, Action Guide, and certification requirements.
This course is designed specifically for resident leaders; urban planning, design and development professions; sustainability consultants; and municipal leaders involved in all aspects of land use, infrastructure and real estate planning, design, and development.
Step 1: Take the Just Communities AP Foundations Course
The Foundations Course immerses attendees in the approach and tools required to launch and manage a Just Communities project within a neighborhood, district, or campus. The course provides participants with the essential knowledge and perspective they will need to successfully pass the AP exam and become a Just Communities Accredited Practitioner (AP).
The course provides an introduction to principles and strategies related to racial equity, climate resilience, environmental justice, community development, civic engagement, urban planning and design, sustainability, clean energy, public health, economic development, collaborative governance, collective impact, data analysis, and strategic planning.
Step 2: Take the Just Communities AP Exam
To earn the Just Communities AP credential, you are required to pass an online exam with a score of at least 80%. After you’ve passed the exam, you are now an official Just Communities AP, valid for two years.
Upcoming Courses
- Live Online
We offer occasional 2-day online courses. The next course is July 18-19. Registration will be opening in June. - In-person
We offer customized one-day training for community serving organizations, developers, anchor institutions, and public agencies. Contact us to learn more.
Coming Soon: Self-Paced Online Learning
We’re revising our learn-at-your-own-pace online course which is perfect for busy professionals eager to advance their sustainability career. We’re hoping to have this course ready Summer 2024.
Apply for an Accredited Professional Scholarship
Through the Accredited Professional Scholarship Program, we support motivated individuals who otherwise would not be able to afford the cost of becoming an Accredited Professional. PSE is deeply committed to ensuring that the AP program is accessible to diverse stakeholders, especially frontline resident leaders and practitioners of color who have been marginalized in white-dominated planning, design, and development professions. The goal of the AP program is to diversify and expand the number of people in positions to influence and drive planning and investments in their communities. The AP Scholarship Program covers the costs of an in-person or online Just Communities Foundations Course and the AP Exam.