Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute, shown by the letters MRTPI after your name, is the main professional qualification for UK town planners. It takes time and effort to get, so it's fair to ask whether it pays off. This guide explains what chartership involves, how the routes work, and what employers advertising on PLANNINGJOBS.COM actually ask for.
What chartered membership means
Chartered Town Planners have shown the RTPI that they can apply planning knowledge and professional judgement at a professional level, and they commit to its code of conduct and to ongoing learning. In practice, that means planning-related CPD (the RTPI requires at least 50 hours over any two-year period) and an annual professional development plan.
Chartership is popular and growing. The RTPI reported in January 2026 that submissions for chartered membership rose by almost 30% in 2025, and that it had 15,606 Chartered Members at the end of the year.
Do employers ask for it?
Yes, increasingly so as you go up the levels. On 23 October 2026, 30 of the 47 live adverts on PLANNINGJOBS.COM (64%) mentioned the RTPI or chartered status, either as a requirement, a preference, or something the employer will support you towards.
- Graduate and Planning Officer roles usually ask for an accredited degree or for you to be working towards chartership. Many councils and consultancies offer support, such as paid study time or covering fees.
- Senior roles often say chartered or "close to chartership".
- Principal, Associate and management roles usually require it, particularly where you'll appear at inquiries, sign off decisions or lead client work.
Some council career grades use chartership as a trigger for moving up the grade. In consultancies, being chartered is generally expected before promotion to Associate.
The routes to chartered membership
All routes go through the RTPI's Assessment of Professional Competence (APC): a written submission assessed by two trained assessors. Which route you take depends on your qualifications and experience.
| Route | Who it's for | Experience needed | Written submission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licentiate APC (L-APC) | Planners with a fully RTPI-accredited qualification, registered as Licentiates | At least 2 years (full-time equivalent), with at least 1 year as a Licentiate | About 5,500 words |
| Associate APC (A-APC) | RTPI Associate members | At least 2 years, all as an Associate | About 7,000 words |
| Experienced Practitioner APC (EP-APC) | Planners and related professionals with extensive experience, including those who qualified outside the UK | 5 years with a planning degree, 6 with a non-planning degree, 10 for other backgrounds | About 7,000 words, plus 5 to 10 examples of work |
The written submission is made up of a practical experience statement, a professional competence statement and a professional development plan. You also need a sponsor who is a Chartered Town Planner, and people who can confirm your experience. A first submission that doesn't meet the standard is usually deferred rather than failed, with feedback on what to add.
Rules, fees and submission dates change, so check the details on the RTPI website before you start.
Is it worth it?
For most planners who plan to stay in the profession, yes. The main benefits are practical:
- More roles open to you. With most senior adverts asking for MRTPI, not being chartered limits your options above Senior level.
- Progression and pay. Chartership is often the step that unlocks Principal and Associate roles, which is where pay rises fastest. Our salary guide puts a typical Senior Planner on £40,000 to £55,000 and a Principal on £47,000 to £66,000; see Senior vs Principal for how the work changes.
- Credibility at inquiries and with clients. Chartered status signals that your professional judgement has been independently assessed.
- Mobility. It is recognised by councils, consultancies and developers across the UK.
The costs are time, effort and annual membership fees. Many employers pay the fees and give study time, so ask about it at interview.
It may matter less if you work in a closely related field, such as some transport, environmental or surveying roles, where another professional body is the norm. Even then, some adverts ask for MRTPI or eligibility for it.
Tips for getting through the APC
- Start early. Note down cases and decisions as you go, so you have material when you write the submission.
- Choose case studies that show your own judgement. Assessors want to see what you decided and why, not what the team did.
- Find a sponsor who will read drafts. A chartered colleague who gives honest feedback is worth more than a quick signature.
- Use the RTPI's guidance and webinars. They set out exactly what assessors look for.
- Stick to the word count. Submissions outside the limits can be rejected before assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become chartered?
On the Licentiate route, the minimum is two years of professional experience after an accredited qualification, but many planners take longer. The Experienced Practitioner route needs five or more years.
Can I get chartered without a planning degree?
Yes. The Experienced Practitioner route accepts non-planning degrees and other backgrounds, with longer experience requirements.
Does chartership mean a pay rise?
Not automatically, but it often unlocks promotion or a higher point on a career grade. It also opens up more senior adverts, which is where the bigger pay increases are.
Will my employer pay for it?
Many do, especially councils and larger consultancies. It's a reasonable thing to ask about when you're offered a role.
See roles that support chartership on our graduate and assistant planner jobs and planner jobs pages.