AAPL
AAPL
Professional Development

Certification

Recognized throughout the industry as indicators of competency, proficiency and professionalism, AAPL offers three certifications proven to enhance a member's credibility in the industry and to increase earning potential for landmen. Recent compensation survey results indicate certified individuals earn more than those without certification.

Maintaining Certification Education 

Prepare To Apply

Before beginning the online application process, please read the following:

  1. Review requirements in the chart below and determine the level of certification in which you are qualified.
  2. Order official university or college transcript (not required for RL or RPL, unless degree will be used to fulfill required credit years).
  3. Identify sponsors who can collectively verify your full work history to meet the minimum required credit years. You will need to submit each sponsor’s member number.
  4. Complete the affidavit for RL, RPL or CPL application. 
  5. Register for the required RPL or CPL exam after the application has been approved by the Certification Committee. 
  6. Applications may be edited by returning to this page and clicking the "Apply” button. Do not edit applications after submitting payment.
  7. Certification application fees are non-refundable.
Qualification Questionnaire  
RPL Questionnaire
CPL Questionnaire
Application Affidavit
RL Affidavit
RPL Affidavit
CPL Affidavit

Certification Requirements

 

Registered
Landman

Registered Professional
Landman

Certified Professional
Landman
Active Membership At Present 1 Year 1 Year
Degree Requirement N/A None, if primarily engaged in landwork for immediate past 4 years Bachelor's Degree
"Credit Year" Requirement – Must be Engaged in Landwork for: At Present 5 total credit years     (immediate past 2 years primarily engaged in landwork if applying with bachelor's degree or 4 years without a bachelor's degree) 10 total credit years (immediate past 2 years primarily engaged in landwork)
Max No. of Education "Credit Years" N/A 3 credit years 5 credit years
Sponsor Requirement 1 RPL or CPL 2 (1 RPL and 1 CPL or 2 CPLs) 3 CPLs
Testing Home Study Guide and Exam A score of 70 or above on all parts of exam A score of 70 or above on all parts of exam
 
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RPL/CPL Certification Exam Reviews

AAPL’s in-person RPL/CPL Certification Exam Reviews are fast-paced, intensive studies of the topics covered by the CPL and RPL certification exams. Lectures are interactive, enhanced with problem-solving sessions and provide opportunities to connect with other regional land professionals. They are highly acclaimed as a thorough land review and a proven means of preparation for the CPL and RPL exams. If you are already certified as an RPL/CPL, you can take this course to earn up to 6 CEUs plus 1 ethics CEU on the first day and up to 18 CEUs plus 1 ethics CEU over the full three days. AAPL's CPL/RPL Study Guide is included with registration and is a $50 value. Register two weeks before a review to save 20% off registration! 

Upcoming In-Person Exam Reviews

The Opportunity for Land Professionals

How does a landman fit into today's energy industry? In 2022, AAPL developed an outreach video titled The Path of the Landman — Powering the World to help tell the historical of the land professional and the opportunities that exist for land professionals in the energy industry. View a clip of the video below or watch the complete video on AAPL's YouTube channel.