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Frequently Asked Questions About Accreditation
Here are the answers to the most-asked questions about the Universal Accreditation Program:
What is Accreditation?
What is the Universal Accreditation Board?
What is the purpose of Accreditation?
Why become Accredited?
How old is the Universal Accreditation Program?
Who is eligible?
What is the fee to take the Examination for Accreditation
in Public Relations?
Is Accreditation good for life?
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation in Public Relations is a voluntary certification program
for public relations professionals, administered by the Universal Accreditation
Board.
What is the Universal Accreditation Board?
The Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) comprises one chair and representatives from each public relations participating organization. Each member serves a three-year term. The UAB oversees the Accreditation program and provides a balanced blend of backgrounds in a number of public relations specialties. This group of senior-level Accredited members meets several times a year. Day-to-day operations are administered at PRSA Headquarters. Responsibilities of the Universal Accreditation Board include the following:
- Develops and implements policy for the program
- Develops and maintains the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations
- Reviews appeal cases
- Grants Accreditation
What is the purpose of Accreditation?
The purpose is to unify and advance the profession by identifying those
who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment
in the field. The program seeks to improve public relations practice.
The designation Accredited in Public Relations (APR) signifies a high
professional level of experience and competence.
Why become Accredited?
Increasingly, job listings are specifying APR preferred. Senior public
relations professionals have been outspoken in support of Accreditation. "APR
is a symbol of professionalism. It demonstrates that individuals have
the knowledge, ethics and experience that set them apart. It also demonstrates
that they care about their own profession and that they are dedicated
to enhancing their own personal abilities." Joe S. Epley, APR,
Fellow PRSA, Chairman and CEO, Epley Associates, Charlotte, NC.
How old is the Universal Accreditation
Program?
The program originated in 1964 and was administered by PRSA until 1998,
when the Universal Accreditation Program was formed to administer the
Examination. 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
FederationSouthern Public Relations Federation, Texas Public Relations
Association and Asociación de Relacionistas Profesionales de Puerto
Rico (Puerto Rico Public Relations Association)
Who is eligible?
Members of participating organizations who are involved in the professional
practice of public relations, or in the teaching or administration
of public relations courses in an accredited college or university.
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.
What is the fee to take the Examination
for Accreditation in Public Relations?
The fee is $385. Several of UAB’s participating organizations offer
their members a rebate for a portion of the examination fee as a member
benefit. Check with your organization’s chair for details on the
rebate.
Is Accreditation good for life?
Yes, with fulfillment of Maintenance of Accreditation requirements and
continued membership in a participating organization. Every three years,
PRSA members Accredited after January 1, 1993 and participating organization
members Accredited after January 1, 1998, 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.
Code of Professional
Standards for the Practice of Public Relations