Happy APR Month during April!
Here are some ideas and activities to explore, if you’re interested in getting your APR. And, Mara Woloshin, our wonderful resource, is willing to help; you can email her at mara@woloshin.com; as she puts it, “Have Study Guide, Will Travel.”
• APR Boot Camp Seminar – April 11–14
• Accreditation Power Play Webinar – April 19; 3–4:30 p.m. EDT
• Free Online Course Open House – April 24 (for potential candidates; APR chairs invited to participate)
• Free On-Demand Webinars: Knowing Your Business Is Good PR; Getting Ready for the Readiness Review
Our national accreditation “guru” is listed below – she’s also happy to answer questions!
Kathy Mulvihill
Manager, Accreditation
Public Relations Society of America
phone (212) 460-1436 / fax (212) 995-0757
www.praccreditation.org
___________________________________________________________________________________
What is APR?
APR stands for Accredited in Public Relations, and is the officially recognized way to distinguish yourself among your peers as an expert practitioner in the field.
Once you have earned the accreditation, you may add the initials “APR” to your business card, business signage, or any other place your name appears. This sends a signal to those who see it that you are serious about your work in public relations, that you have achieved a level of distinction in your work, and that you have sworn to uphold the professional and ethical codes of the profession as set by the PRSA and the international APR board.
What is accreditation?
Any full-time public relations practitioner with at least five years experience, who is a member in good standing of PRSA, is eligible to seek accreditation by PRSA. Accreditation is a voluntary certification program for public relations professionals. Accreditation identifies those practitioners who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment in the field. The program seeks to improve the public relations practice. The designation of APR signifies a high level of professional experience and competence.
How do I become accredited?
PRSA members become accredited by taking an exam. Accreditation examinations, which consist of a daylong written and a one-hour oral exam, are offered in Portland each spring and fall. The cost is $385. PRSA members receive a rebate of $110 upon completion of the computer-based Examination. Please note that examination fees are non-refundable or transferable. There is an additional cost for the recommended study materials. The Oregon Capital Chapter offers a monetary incentive to any member who completes the process.
How do I prepare for the exam?
A recommended preparation course is available online throught national PRSA. Local study sessions are also offered in Oregon from time to time. For more information, contact chapter APR Chair Shannon Priem.
Why should I become accredited?
Increasingly, public relations job listings are specifying “APR preferred.”
Senior public relations professionals have been outspoken in support of accreditation, saying, “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,” says Joe S. Epley, APR, Fellow PRSA, and president of Epley Associates, Charlotte, NC.
What happens if I pass?
Congratulations! You are now accredited. You can use the initials “APR” after your name on your business cards and other materials.
What happens if I fail?
If a candidate fails either the written or the oral portion, he or she may retake that portion of the examination during the next examination cycle. The board provides feedback on request to candidates who fail the written portion of the examination. The local accreditation committee provides feedback on the oral exam.
Is accreditation good for life?
Yes, with fulfillment of maintenance of accreditation requirements. Every three years, professionals accredited after January 1, 1993, must accumulate the required number of points in continuing education, professionalism, or service categories.