Accreditation

The Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential is valuable to those practitioners who earn it; to the agencies, clients and organizations they represent; and, perhaps most important, to the public relations profession itself.

Recognized Standard.  Established in 1964, the Accreditation Program is the profession's only national post-graduate certification program. It measures a public relations practitioner's fundamental knowledge of communications theory and its application; establishes advanced capabilities in research, strategic planning, implementation and evaluation; and demonstrates a commitment to professional excellence and ethical conduct. The skills acquired through the process are applicable to any industry or practice area. More than 5,000 professionals from the agency, corporate, association and education fields hold the APR mark.

Promotes Lifelong Learning. All APRs are required to complete continuing education programs, pursue volunteer work or pursue other professional development activities to keep their skills sharp and their accredited status active.

Career Enhancement.  Unlike other professional certifications, such as CPA, Accreditation in Public Relations is a voluntary demonstration of competency; as such, it reflects a strong commitment to the profession. Earning accreditation also provides a distinction that can set individuals apart and open doors to career advancement and higher compensation.

For more information about the examination, click here. 

For information about the process of obtaining accreditation through PRSA/Pittsburgh, contact Jeff Worden, APR, accreditation@prsa-pgh.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Eligibility

Members of partner organizations who have at least five years of paid, full- time experience in the professional practice of public relations, or in the teaching or administration of public relations courses in an accredited college or university are eligible for Accreditation. Also, non-members who belong to member organizations of the North American Public Relations Council (NAPRC) and who meet the same requirements as Members are eligible. Please contact PRSA Headquarters for details.

Fees

The fee for PRSA members to take the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations is $275. The fee for members of other Partner Organizations is $385. The fee for non-members equals the fully allocated cost of administering the Examination. Additionally, non-member must pay an annual maintenance fee equal to PRSA member dues ($225).

With fulfillment of Maintenance of Accreditation requirements, Accreditation is good for life. Every three years, professionals Accredited after January 1, 1993 must accumulate the required number of points in continuing education, professionalism or service categories as part of the Maintenance of Accreditation Program. This further strengthens the value of the APR credential and keeps professionals actively involved in the currents of the public relations profession.