How to Become a Professional Learning Consultant

Who Can Apply?

Experienced college educators and current AP and Pre-AP teachers can apply to become a professional learning consultant.

Courses Accepting New Consultants for 2027:

• AP Art and Design
• AP Art History
• AP Business with Personal Finance
• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP Cybersecurity
• AP English Literature and Composition
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Italian Language and Culture
• AP Japanese Language and Culture
• AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics (must be authorized to teach both courses)
• AP Statistics

Please note: Only applications for the courses listed above will be considered. Applications submitted for other courses will not be reviewed and must be resubmitted if the course is added to the list at a later time.

Consultant needs may change throughout the year, so please continue to check back to see if your course is added.

Applicant Requirements

All applicants must: 

• Demonstrate working knowledge of College Board systems and programs, including:
  • The AP course and exam description (CED) or Pre-AP course framework
  • Effective use of AP or Pre-AP Classroom
• Have experience facilitating professional learning in both in-person and virtual settings
• Be able to commit to required training outside the school day, which may include:
  • An initial 2-day in-person training
  • Additional in-person trainings (may be required when courses are revised) 
  • Virtual meetings
  • Independent onboarding activities
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively integrate technology and instructional resources into professional learning, including AP Classroom
• Have previously participated in College Board-sponsored professional learning (e.g., Summer Institute, workshop, AP Annual Conference)
• Demonstrate alignment with the mission of the College Board and the goals of the AP and Pre-AP programs

Recent experience as an AP Reader in the relevant course is preferred but not required.

Application Schedule and Guidelines

Applications for select courses are accepted from early June through October 1 each year.

When the application is open, you must provide:

• Your résumé or CV.
• An original, current AP Course Audit syllabus or equivalent syllabus for your college-level course.
  • If you submitted an original syllabus for the AP Course Audit, you can use that in your application.
  • College Board sample syllabi, unit guides, or other provided resources will not be accepted.
  • If you submitted a sample syllabus for the AP Course Audit, you’ll need to write and submit an original document with your application that demonstrates all curricular requirements aligned to the most recent course and exam description (CED).
  • You only need to submit this document with your application, and it does not impact your Course Audit authorization status.
• Professional references
• A detailed lesson plan for the sample activity outlined in the application.

Before applying, review the Professional Learning Consultant Training and Endorsement Policy to ensure you understand the professional learning consultant commitments.

If you’re selected to be a professional learning consultant, you’ll receive an invitation in early December for a late January or early February training.