"Accreditation is a benchmark of professional competency, but it also gave me a sense of personal accomplishment. Because I work in higher education, it provides additional strong validation among my peers. I 'wear' my APR proudly."
~Philip Poole, APR
Executive Director of University Communications
Samford University
As one benefit of membership, RCC members may seek accreditation in public relations. The voluntary APR designation identifies communicators who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment in planning and managing public-relations activities. To earn accreditation, candidates must demonstrate mastery of a specified body of public relations knowledge.
Candidates for accreditation need to:
- Compile a portfolio showing the range of their public relations work.
- Complete a questionnaire about their public relations experience.
- Participate in a two-hour readiness review before a panel of accredited practitioners. This panel judges candidates on 16 areas of knowledge, skills and abilities in the public relations body of knowledge.
- Pass a computer-based examination covering 44 other areas of knowledge, skills and abilities in the public relations body of knowledge.
The accreditation process is managed by the independent Universal Accreditation Board.
RCC is one of nine communications/public relations organizations represented on the board.
For more information:
- Visit the Universal Accreditation Board web site for application forms, provides study resources, and answers frequently asked questions.
- Follow APR on Twitter
- Become a fan of APR on Facebook
If you have questions about APR, contact our RCC liaison, Brian Gray, APR, at momentum@ncea.org.
