Membership info

The Planning Institute of British Columbia is a membership-based organization. There are currently nearly 1,200 Members of the Institute, in various professional and other categories or classes. PIBC members work in the public service and the private sector, in a wide variety of fields including land use planning, environmental resource management, land development, heritage conservation, social planning, transportation planning and economic development.

Members in all classes enjoy services and other benefits from the Institute, including: access to Institute events & activities; subscriptions to Institute publications - such as Planning West magazine; inclusion on the mailing list for the Institute's electronic news bulletin; access to the Institute's job & resume posting services; access to the Institute's members Consultants List; and access to participation in the Institute's Mentoring Program; among other service benefits. In addition professional & Registered Members have recognition as Registered Planners; participate in the Institute's governance; have access to individual professional errors & omissions liability insurance; and participate in ongoing professional development. Student members have access to planning conference funding; scholarships & other funding; as well as access to participation in the Institute's Mentoring Program.

Membership criteria are determined by the Institute, in cooperation with the national affiliate - the Canadian Institute of Planners - and all membership issues, including new applications and other matters are administered by the Institute's Membership Committee, under the leadership of the Membership Chair. In this section you will find information about the Institute's membership classes, the application processes, and membership resources.

Applying for Membership

Before applying for membership in the Institute, it is first important to determine what category or class of membership you might be eligible for, and which is right for you. Not all individuals may be eligible for some classes of membership.

The Institute has seven classes of Membership. They include:

1. A Full Member is a professional individual who has already applied for and been accepted as a Provisional Member (see below); and, has a degree from a Planning school/program which is formally Recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners, has at least two years of logged and verified professional planning experience, and has completed an Oral Exam interview; OR is a professional individual who has already applied for and been accepted as a Provisional Member; and has a degree in a field related to planning, or a degree unrelated to planning who's application has been sponsored by a current Full Member in good standing of the Institute, and also has four to six years of logged and verified professional planning experience, and has achieved a pass on a Written Examination or portfolio, and has completed an Oral Exam interview. Only Full Members are entitled to use the professional designations/titles 'MCIP' and 'Registered Planner' after their name. (Note: individuals who are not already Provisional Members in good standing may not apply directly for Full Membership.)
2. A Provisional Member is a professional individual who has a CIP-recognized degree in planning; OR is a professional individual who has a degree related to planning, or an unrelated degree and is currently employed in planning and who's application has been sponsored by a current Full Member in good standing of the Institute.
3. A Student Member is currently enrolled in a CIP Recognized Planning degree program, or has a degree from a CIP Recognized Planning program and is enrolled in another degree program.
4. A Retired Member is a professional Member who has a minimum of ten years professional experience, has attained age 55 and is retired from planning practice.
5. A Fellow Member is a long-standing professional Member who has been acknowledged by the Institute and CIP nationally for an outstanding contribution to planning and the profession.
6. An Honorary Member is an exceptional individual that PIBC Council has acknowledged as someone who has significantly assisted the planning profession.
7. An Associate Member is any individual who is not involved in planning, and not qualified for professional membership or any other category of membership but is nevertheless interested in the Institute and planning.

For information about which University degree programs are currently CIP Recognized, please visit the Canadian Institute of Planners website.

If you are interested and qualified, and wish to apply for PIBC Membership, you can download the appropriate Membership Application Forms here.

Fees:Applicants must submit payment for the applicable one-time non-refundable application fees at the time of application. Membership fees are separate, and assessed and invoiced individually following admission to membership.

For information about the current membership fees, please consult the Membership Fee Schedule.

Membership Resources for PIBC Members

Becoming a Full Member:Provisional Members interested and ready to proceed with the process of seeking Full Membership (i.e. submitting your application, Log Book, or seeking Exam information) can access related Membership Resources here.

Mentoring Program:New Provisional Members, professional Members new to British Columbia & the Yukon, and Student Members can find information about the Institute's Mentoring Program here.

Transferring & Changes in Membership Status:Members who are moving to another province or region in Canada and wish to transfer their membership, or Professional Members who are going on leave from their practice for a period of time and wish to change their Membership status to Inactive/Non-Practicing should download, complete and send in the applicable Application Form from here.

Contact the Administrative Director, Dave Crossley, for further information on membership in PIBC and on the other activities of the association. Phone: 604.696.5031, Fax: 604.696.5032 or write to: 110-355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC  V6C 2G8