Earning the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) demonstrates your mastery of today’s strategic communications practice and your commitment to lifelong learning and ethical standards. The APR Curriculum is on par with a Graduate Degree Level Masters Program.
If you’re ready to take the next step in attaining this valuable distinction is a personal and professional achievement that can lead you to the next level in your career then please contact our APR Chair, JP Arnold, APR for further information.
ELIGIBILITY
Current members of PRSA who are involved in the professional practice of public relations with at least five years of experience, or in the teaching or administration of public relations courses in an accredited college or university are eligible to seek accreditation. Military and armed forces civilian public affairs practitioners also are eligible to pursue the APR+M credential. Earning the APR+M, practitioners must meet the APR standards and additional requirements to demonstrate knowledge, skills and experience unique to military public affairs.
TIMELINE
The most important decisions you will make regarding the APR Process is your timeline. Visit the APR Timeline Page to help you in the process.
APPLICATION
Submit a completed application form and payment ($385) to the Universal Accreditation Board. You will receive notification of eligibility within four weeks. You will have one year from the date you receive authorization to participate and advance through the Panel Presentation and complete the computer-based Examination. (Extensions may granted for an additional fee on a case by case basis.)
STUDY GUIDE, APRPREP Online Course and RESOURCES
Access a variety of preparation resources: APR Study Guide, Online Study Course ($195), Candidate's Instructions for Panel Presentation, recommended reading, local prep courses, mentoring programs, etc.
Visit the National PRSA APR website for additional resources and information.
KSAs - KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIIES
KSAs are the foundation of the APR Exam. You want to incorporate an understanding of the KSAs in your questionnaire and panel as well. To learn more about the KSAs, click here.
PANEL PRESENTATION
The purpose of the panel presentation is to test you on areas the exam cannot. Click here to better prepare you for the panel presentation.
Download Panel Presentation Candidate Questionnaire. Select a public relations plan you have written that reflects your experience, and complete the Questionnaire at your own discretion. Submit copies of the questionnaire to local APR Chair a minimum of 15 business days before your scheduled Panel Presentation date.
Present your portfolio. Respond to interview questions, and allow one-to-two hours for your session.
Panelists score your knowledge, skills and abilities in 12 areas. You will receive notification if you Advance/Not Advance to the computer-based Examination within 3-4 weeks. If you Advance, you receive your candidate ID# to use to schedule the computer-based Examination. If you do not Advance, you can repeat Panel Presentation after 90 days. You can appeal the result after two re-takes of the Panel Presentation.
COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION
Schedule computer-based Examination at a Prometric testing center by using your candidate ID# at least 30 days in advance of your preferred date. You can use as much of the time available as you want to complete the Examination, and will receive an immediate but unofficial pass/did not pass result and feedback on your strengths and weaknesses in tested knowledge, skills and abilities. You will receive an official pass or fail notice within 3-4 weeks. You may retake the Examination if necessary by resubmit payment ($200) and requesting a new candidate ID#. If you pass, the Universal Accreditation Board will grant Accreditation! (Yayy!)
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE PROCESS
1. Have 5 years of PR Experience.
2. Contact our APR Chair, JP Arnold to discuss your intent, your requirements and timeline.
3. Download the FREE APR Study Guide, 5th Edition and get familiar with the 12 KSAs (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) and the RPIE 4-step planning process.
4. Reconnect with the APR Chair for any follow-up questions. Or take the Online APRPREP Study Course.
5. Submit your Accreditation Application Form to the UAB. Once approved, your 1 year deadline starts.
6. Fill out the Panel Presentation Questionnaire and obtain APR Chair Approval to prepare for and present to the 3-person Panel Presentation.
7. The APR Panel will use this APR Panel Guide and Scoring Form to determine if you can advance to the exam.
8. Receive notification by mail if you can proceed to take the 3 hour and 45 minute test with 132 questions.
9. Take the Computer-based Test at a Prometric testing facility. You will receive immediate feedback on if you passed.
10. Maintain your APR by staying a PRSA Member and renewing your APR status every 3 years through these APR Maintenance activities.
Costs (as of Jan. 2020; check links below to verify costs)
1. Start the 1-year APR Exam Process: $385.00
2. Take the APRPREP Online Study Course: $195.00 (Member) $295.00 (Nonmember)
3. Attend APR Boot Camp ( final APR steps held throughout the U.S.): $80.00/day; $370/2-day; $450/3-day
4. APR Maintenance Form Processing Fee. $75.00 (Every 3 years after passing APR Exam)
4. Talk to the APR Chair: Just your time.
5. Download the APR Study Guide: FREE.
Additional Information - Exam Retake, Panel Redo, & Extensions
1. Exam Retake. Candidates who do not pass the computer-based Examination may retake the examination within six months from the notification of failure for a reduced fee of $200. No official application is needed. All a candidate needs to do is send the $200 retake fee to Kathy Mulvihill at PRSA HQ, with a short note. The note should indicate that the fee is for a retake of the examination and should include an updated address for examination notification. Once the payment is received, Kathy can re-authorize the candidate in the Prometric system to schedule again. There is no waiting period to retake. However, the candidate needs to issue a payment in order to make the eligibility in the Prometric system active.
2. Panel Redo 90-day Timeline. There is a 90-days waiting period if the APR candidate does not advance the panel. The waiting period is in place to allow the candidate to prepare for a second presentation taking into consideration the comments from the first panel. Candidates may appeal the panel's decision with the UAB.
3. 6 month extension to 1-Year Timeline. The official policy is that extensions are granted to those that have been Advanced from the Panel Presentation. A six-month timeframe for a $50 fee is granted. Extensions for anyone who did not Advance or did not participate in Panel Presentation are considered on a case by case basis.
4. 1-Year $110.00 Exam Rebate. For PRSA members, a $110 rebate is only for those who successfully complete the process within the one-year timeframe. The PRSA member does not need to do anything to start this process as Kathy Mulvihill will process this rebate.
If you’re ready to take the next step in attaining this valuable distinction is a personal and professional achievement that can lead you to the next level in your career then please contact our APR Chair, JP Arnold, APR for further information.
ELIGIBILITY
Current members of PRSA who are involved in the professional practice of public relations with at least five years of experience, or in the teaching or administration of public relations courses in an accredited college or university are eligible to seek accreditation. Military and armed forces civilian public affairs practitioners also are eligible to pursue the APR+M credential. Earning the APR+M, practitioners must meet the APR standards and additional requirements to demonstrate knowledge, skills and experience unique to military public affairs.
TIMELINE
The most important decisions you will make regarding the APR Process is your timeline. Visit the APR Timeline Page to help you in the process.
APPLICATION
Submit a completed application form and payment ($385) to the Universal Accreditation Board. You will receive notification of eligibility within four weeks. You will have one year from the date you receive authorization to participate and advance through the Panel Presentation and complete the computer-based Examination. (Extensions may granted for an additional fee on a case by case basis.)
STUDY GUIDE, APRPREP Online Course and RESOURCES
Access a variety of preparation resources: APR Study Guide, Online Study Course ($195), Candidate's Instructions for Panel Presentation, recommended reading, local prep courses, mentoring programs, etc.
Visit the National PRSA APR website for additional resources and information.
KSAs - KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIIES
KSAs are the foundation of the APR Exam. You want to incorporate an understanding of the KSAs in your questionnaire and panel as well. To learn more about the KSAs, click here.
PANEL PRESENTATION
The purpose of the panel presentation is to test you on areas the exam cannot. Click here to better prepare you for the panel presentation.
Download Panel Presentation Candidate Questionnaire. Select a public relations plan you have written that reflects your experience, and complete the Questionnaire at your own discretion. Submit copies of the questionnaire to local APR Chair a minimum of 15 business days before your scheduled Panel Presentation date.
Present your portfolio. Respond to interview questions, and allow one-to-two hours for your session.
Panelists score your knowledge, skills and abilities in 12 areas. You will receive notification if you Advance/Not Advance to the computer-based Examination within 3-4 weeks. If you Advance, you receive your candidate ID# to use to schedule the computer-based Examination. If you do not Advance, you can repeat Panel Presentation after 90 days. You can appeal the result after two re-takes of the Panel Presentation.
COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION
Schedule computer-based Examination at a Prometric testing center by using your candidate ID# at least 30 days in advance of your preferred date. You can use as much of the time available as you want to complete the Examination, and will receive an immediate but unofficial pass/did not pass result and feedback on your strengths and weaknesses in tested knowledge, skills and abilities. You will receive an official pass or fail notice within 3-4 weeks. You may retake the Examination if necessary by resubmit payment ($200) and requesting a new candidate ID#. If you pass, the Universal Accreditation Board will grant Accreditation! (Yayy!)
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE PROCESS
1. Have 5 years of PR Experience.
2. Contact our APR Chair, JP Arnold to discuss your intent, your requirements and timeline.
3. Download the FREE APR Study Guide, 5th Edition and get familiar with the 12 KSAs (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) and the RPIE 4-step planning process.
4. Reconnect with the APR Chair for any follow-up questions. Or take the Online APRPREP Study Course.
5. Submit your Accreditation Application Form to the UAB. Once approved, your 1 year deadline starts.
6. Fill out the Panel Presentation Questionnaire and obtain APR Chair Approval to prepare for and present to the 3-person Panel Presentation.
7. The APR Panel will use this APR Panel Guide and Scoring Form to determine if you can advance to the exam.
8. Receive notification by mail if you can proceed to take the 3 hour and 45 minute test with 132 questions.
9. Take the Computer-based Test at a Prometric testing facility. You will receive immediate feedback on if you passed.
10. Maintain your APR by staying a PRSA Member and renewing your APR status every 3 years through these APR Maintenance activities.
Costs (as of Jan. 2020; check links below to verify costs)
1. Start the 1-year APR Exam Process: $385.00
2. Take the APRPREP Online Study Course: $195.00 (Member) $295.00 (Nonmember)
3. Attend APR Boot Camp ( final APR steps held throughout the U.S.): $80.00/day; $370/2-day; $450/3-day
4. APR Maintenance Form Processing Fee. $75.00 (Every 3 years after passing APR Exam)
4. Talk to the APR Chair: Just your time.
5. Download the APR Study Guide: FREE.
Additional Information - Exam Retake, Panel Redo, & Extensions
1. Exam Retake. Candidates who do not pass the computer-based Examination may retake the examination within six months from the notification of failure for a reduced fee of $200. No official application is needed. All a candidate needs to do is send the $200 retake fee to Kathy Mulvihill at PRSA HQ, with a short note. The note should indicate that the fee is for a retake of the examination and should include an updated address for examination notification. Once the payment is received, Kathy can re-authorize the candidate in the Prometric system to schedule again. There is no waiting period to retake. However, the candidate needs to issue a payment in order to make the eligibility in the Prometric system active.
2. Panel Redo 90-day Timeline. There is a 90-days waiting period if the APR candidate does not advance the panel. The waiting period is in place to allow the candidate to prepare for a second presentation taking into consideration the comments from the first panel. Candidates may appeal the panel's decision with the UAB.
3. 6 month extension to 1-Year Timeline. The official policy is that extensions are granted to those that have been Advanced from the Panel Presentation. A six-month timeframe for a $50 fee is granted. Extensions for anyone who did not Advance or did not participate in Panel Presentation are considered on a case by case basis.
4. 1-Year $110.00 Exam Rebate. For PRSA members, a $110 rebate is only for those who successfully complete the process within the one-year timeframe. The PRSA member does not need to do anything to start this process as Kathy Mulvihill will process this rebate.
