Overview
The Public Relations Society of America is proud to offer public relations professionals the opportunity to become certified through the universal accreditation process. Accreditation indicates that a professional is a knowledgeable, experienced and ethical practitioner.
Universal accreditation is the only international public relations and communications accreditation program professionally administered and independently field tested and graded in the same fashion as bar exams, teachers’ exams and certified public accountant testing. PRSA and 10 organizations in the U.S., New Zealand and Canada are members of the Universal Accreditation Board.
PRSA members and members of Universal Accreditation Board organizations who have at least five years experience in the full-time paid professional practice of public relations or in teaching or administration of public relations in an accredited college or university may apply. A member need not be currently employed to qualify to take the test. Successful candidates are designated APR: Accredited in Public Relations.
Why Accreditation?
The APR designation is a useful credential that indicates that practitioners have a working knowledge of business, communications, media relations and research. Employers today are in search of ethical, credible professionals who can bring value to an organization; the APR designation is an indication that you can do so.
Application Process
There are no longer fall and spring cycles for the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations! Now, candidates may schedule to take the computerized, multiple-choice Examination at their convenience.
Candidates must first declare their intent to prepare for the Examination by completing an application process, prepare for and schedule a Readiness Review and then Advance to take the written examination. Chapter Accreditation chairs can help candidates determine when to apply and sit for Readiness Review, especially if any local preparation sessions are planned.
For Fort Worth members, please contact Kim Speairs, APR - kim@balcomagency.com
Preparation Materials
Listed below are a few URL's for Accreditation resources and preparation materials:
www.prsa.org/_Advance/apr/process.asp
www.prsa.org/_Advance/apr/faqchair.asp
www.prsa.org/_Advance/apr/rrfaq.asp
www.prsa.org/_Advance/apr/rrquest.asp.
www.prsa.org/_Advance/apr/pdf/rrcaninst.pdf
www.prsa.org/_Advance/apr/publications.asp
The ultimate resource for the Examination for Accreditation in public relations is as close as your telephone or computer. If you can't find the answers to your questions from the Web site, www.accreditationboard.org, please contact Kathy Mulvihill, manager of accreditation, at accred@prsa.org. or 212-460-1436.
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