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Canadian Institue Of Planners

Shaping our Communities
Sustaining Canada's Future.

Membership FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Membership with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP).
If your questions are not answered, please send Member Services your questions: membership@cip-icu.ca
 
  1. How do I renew my annual membership?
  2. How do I pay my membership fees online? Do I get a receipt?
  3. How do I reinstate my membership because it lapsed?
  4. I just passed my RPP exam, when can I start using the MCIP® title?
  5. How do I report my Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) credits?
  6. Can I put my membership on hold because I’m going on leave?
  7. How do I go about changing my membership category to retired?
  8. What student category do I apply to if I am an international student coming to Canada to study?
  9. How do I transfer my membership to another province and/or territory? Is it possible to have a membership with more than one Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations (PTIA)?
  10. I am moving back to Canada, so how can I transfer my International Professional membership?

How do I renew my annual membership?

For Ontario, Québec, and International members, CIP issues the invoices in November for the membership dues for the upcoming year. Once the invoices are issued, you can renew your membership in 4 easy steps.

Step 1: Log into the CIP Member Console.
Step 2: Click on Profile to ensure your information is up-to-date.
Step 3: Return to Member Console and click on My current and past invoices.
Step 4: Select the most recent membership invoice and choose your preferred method of payment.

Please note: If you’re a canadian resident living outside of Ontario and Quebec, please directly contact the appropriate Provincial and Territorial Institute and Association (PTIA).
 

How do I pay my membership fees online? Do I get a receipt?


If you’re an Ontario, Quebec or International member, please sign in to the Member Console. You will see 4 different sections in My Member Console. Under the red section, Invoices and Receipts, click on "My current and past invoices" and you will see a list for all your issued invoices. The outstanding invoice will be the first one at the top. Click on "Pay", located on the far right, and you’ll see the itemized invoice. On the bottom left, press "Submit" and then you will be able to apply credit card payment.

A receipt will be issued by the system once the payment is complete. To access the receipt, go back under the red section of the Member Console to Invoices and Receipts, then click on My Insurance and Receipts to locate the PDF.

If you’re a canadian resident living outside of Ontario and Quebec, please directly contact the appropriate Provincial and Territorial Institute and Association (PTIA).

How do I reinstate my membership because it lapsed?


If you’re a resident living outside of Ontario and Quebec, please directly contact the appropriate Provincial and Territorial Institute and Association (PTIA) to reinstate your provincial membership. At that time, your CIP membership will be automatically reinstated as well.

If you’re an Ontario or Quebec resident, please send an email to membership@cip-icu.ca and the Officer, Member Services will be able to further assist you with your particular situation.
 

I just passed my RPP exam, when can I start using the MCIP® title?


Congratulations on attaining this professional milestone! Each individual Provincial and Territorial Institute and Association (PTIA) will communicate with CIP to inform us of new RPP graduates. At that time, CIP will update the national database and send an email to all new graduates. Once that is done and it is confirmed that your account is in good standing, you will be eligible to use the registered trademark MCIP® title in your professional signature.
 

How do I report my Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) credits?

The Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations (PTIA) oversee the CPL requirements for their members. This includes the reporting, compliance, and tracking. Please look at our CPL reporting page to see the specific details.
 

Can I put my membership on hold because I’m going on leave?

If you are going on a leave of absence (parental, medical, sabbatical, or other), it isn’t possible to put the membership on hold; however, you may change your membership type to Non-Practicing. This change would first need to be done with your Provincial and Territorial Institute and Association (PTIA). Once the changes have been made by your PTIA, please inform CIP and we will update your membership status with CIP.
 

How do I go about changing my membership category to retired?

Congratulations on taking your retirement! You have two options:

1- Update and maintain your membership with both CIP and your Provincial and Territorial Institute and Association (PTIA). To do so, please reach out directly to your PTIA to change your status to Retired. Once completed, please inform CIP and we will update your membership category in the national database.

OR

2- Only update and maintain your CIP membership. As a retired member, it is not mandatory to be a member of your PTIA. If you wish to have a retired membership solely with CIP, please inform CIP and we will make the necessary update to your membership.

Please note: The registered MCIP® title cannot be used once you are retired. CIP does not have a retired designation i.e. MCIP (ret.) is not official and cannot be used.
 

What student category do I apply to if I am an international student coming to Canada to study?

All students (including non-domestic students) enrolled in an accredited planning program (see full list here) in Canada are entitled to a free CIP Student Membership. If you are currently studying planning outside of Canada, you are eligible for a CIP Public Associate Student Membership. Take a look at our Student Members page for more information.

How do I transfer my membership to another province and/or territory? Is it possible to have a membership with more than one Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations (PTIA)?

The transfer between provinces and territories is overseen by your current PTIA and you must contact them directly to start the transfer process. It is also possible to add a secondary and tertiary PTIA membership for an additional fee, please contact the new PTIA you wish to join directly.
 

I am moving back to Canada, so how can I transfer my International Professional membership?

If you are an International Member in good standing with CIP, you can transfer to a Provincial and Territorial Institute and Association (PTIA). Please email your request to Member Services, and once you move and have a permanent Canadian address, CIP will start processing your transfer.