Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)
"Receiving my APR not only continues to open doors to new clients and career opportunities, but has also provided me a solid foundation to ensure the work I do is of the highest quality. Maintaining accreditation requires me to continually challenge myself to learn more. I'm a better PR practitioner for pursuing and maintaining my APR credential. Everyone in our field should pursue it!"
- David B. Oates, APR, Principal, Stalwart Communications
What is Accreditation?
Why Earn an APR?
Steps to Becoming Accredited
Who to Contact
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation in Public Relations is a voluntary certification program for public relations professionals, administered by the Universal Accreditation Board. The designation signifies a high professional level of experience and competence, and is a mark of distinction for those who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and demonstrate broad knowledge, strategic perspective, and sound professional judgment. Increasingly, job listings are specifying APR preferred, and senior public relations professionals have been outspoken in support of Accreditation.
Those eligible for the program must be members of UAB Participating Organizations, such as PRSA, 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.
Learn more about Accreditation
Why Earn an APR?
- APR designation demonstrates your knowledge, experience and ethical judgment in PR
- APR designation confers credibility and signifies longevity in the profession
- APR Preferred job listings are increasing nationwide – it is a symbol of excellence and professionalism
- Salary surveys consistently show APRs earn up to 25% more than their non-accredited peers
- Accreditation is a satisfying personal achievement
Steps to Becoming Accredited
Apply: Complete the APR Application and submit it to the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) with the exam/application fee. UAB will inform your local APR Chair that you are eligible for your Readiness Review. Exam fee is $385 for PRSA members; $110 will be refunded to PRSA members upon completion of the exam. Allow at least one month for processing. Your PRSA membership must be active to qualify for application.
Schedule Your Readiness Review: Schedule your Readiness Review with your local APR Chair. The San Diego chapter holds Readiness Reviews on the first Saturday in June and December of each year, so plan accordingly. Go to the Events web page for specific deadlines.
Written Submission Form: At least 15 business days prior to your scheduled Readiness Review, submit your Written Submission Form (essay questions) to your local APR Chair. Special instructions: Mail four hard copies and e-mail one soft copy to your local APR Chair (address listed below). Please do not exceed one page per answer, typed, double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman. Clearly note the corresponding questions and your name on the document. E-mail copy should be a single IBM-compatible, Microsoft Word file. Your local APR Chair will then provide your Written Submission Form to your Readiness Review panelists.
Prepare Your Portfolio and Attend Readiness Review: The Readiness Review is a comprehensive interview/discussion with a panel composed of three local APR professionals who will assess your Written Submission Form, professional experience, portfolio and overall readiness to advance to the computer-based examination. Learn more about Readiness Review and Portfolio Preparation.
Computer-Based Examination: When you advance from the Readiness Review, the UAB will notify you by letter that you are authorized to take the computer-based examination at a local Prometric testing center at your own convenience. Candidates have approximately one year to take the exam from the date of applying for Accreditation. The computer-based examination is multiple choice and takes approximately three hours and 45 minutes to complete.
Studying: Preparation Sources, including study guides, recommended textbooks and an online study course are available on the Universal Accreditation Board website. The local Chapter hosts a study course each year, taught by a team of experienced APRs from the San Diego Chapter.
The study course covers approximately 70% of the competencies covered in the computer-based examination. You can take the local study course even if you have not yet submitted an APR Application or advanced from the Readiness Review. For 2008, the fee is $100 for first-time Chapter Members; $120 for non-Chapter Members; and $50 for returning students. The study course is widely credited for the San Diego Chapter's high pass rate on the computer-based exam, which is currently among the highest of any PRSA Chapter in the United States.
Maintenance: Once you receive the APR credential, it is good for life with the fulfillment of Maintenance of Accreditation requirements and annual membership in an approved partner organization, such as PRSA (a.k.a., UAB Participating Organizations). Every three years, APR professionals must accumulate 10 points toward continuing education, professional development or public service and submit a $50 maintenance fee. Learn more about what activities qualify for Maintenance of Accreditation.
Who to Contact - San Diego Chapter
For more information about the APR process in San Diego, contact:
Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR
APR Co-Chair, San Diego PRSA Chapter
President, Falcon Valley Group
11702 Pickford Road
San Diego, CA 92131-3641
Phone: 619-997-2495
Email: glf@san.rr.com
Sara Wacker, APR
APR Co-Chair, San Diego PRSA Chapter
Account Manager, Allison & Partners
2210 Columbia Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-533-7975
Email: sara@allisonpr.com
Who to Contact - National
Kathy Mulvihill
National PRSA Accreditation Manager
Phone: 212-460-1436
Email: kathy.mulvihill@prsa.org
