Accreditation in Public Relations

Accredited public relations professionals is a public relations professional certification provided by Universal Accreditation Board.

Accredited in Public Relations/APR

Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is a voluntary certification program for industry professionals, and is considered the mark of distinction for those who demonstrate commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice. Those who earn the APR demonstrate a broad knowledge, strategic perspective, and sound professional judgment of modern public relations. Currently there are more than 5,000 public relations professionals who hold the APR.

The Accreditation program was established in 1964. Its fundamental purpose is to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment in the field.

Qualifications

The Accreditation process is designed for professionals with five or more years of industry experience. To earn the APR, candidates first must complete a written submission to a series of questions on professional experience, their company or organization and readiness to complete the program. If the written submission is approved, the candidate schedules a Readiness Review with a panel of seasoned public relations professionals and presents a portfolio of work. The final element is successfully passing a computer based Examination, which tests the candidate on knowledge, skills and abilities in the practice of public relations.Those who earn the Accreditation can retain the designation for life. However, every three years APRs must complete a maintenance application that details qualifying professional development activities, as well as keep current membership in one UAB member organization.

Membership

The Accreditation process is administered by the Universal Accreditation Board, a consortium of nine leading public relations organizations. The public relations organizations that are members of the Universal Accreditation Program include the Agricultural Relations Council, Florida Public Relations Association, Maine Public Relations Council, National School Public Relations Association, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Religion Communicators Council, Southern Public Relations Federation, Texas Public Relations Association and Asociación de Relacionistas Profesionales de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Public Relations Association).

ee also

*Professional certification

External links

* [http://www.praccreditation.org/index.html APR web site]