The CPP Course is for practising planners and for professionals in associated disciplines with an interest in the practice of planning. The Course is designed for practitioners of approximately five years' planning-related experience and while there are no formal requirements for enrolling in a Course unit, a minimum of two years’ prior work experience in a planning-related field are strongly recommended. Individuals may choose to undertake a single Course unit (based on a particular interest), or may choose to undertake more than one unit.

Satisfactorily completion of the CPP Course requires finishing four units (including the relevant assessment). Corporate members of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) who wish to earn the designation Certified Practising Planner (CPP) are required to complete the Course in order to receive certification. (Note that individuals who are not eligible for Corporate membership of PIA cannot become CPPs.)