You may have noticed that I now have the initials APR behind my name. APR stands for Accreditation in Public Relations and it is an internationally recognized professional designation that fewer than two percent of public relations practitioners possess!
I had been working toward this goal for about two years and successfully earned my APR in June 2018. The rigorous process included presenting my portfolio to a panel of three accredited peers and sitting for a national examination. Not everyone passes the panel presentation or the exam on their first try, but thankfully I was prepared for both and did not have to repeat anything.
What does it mean to have an Accreditation in Public Relations?
The Accreditation program aims to improve the practice of public relations by assessing competence in 60 areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the profession. The Examination is designed for public relations professionals with at least five to seven years of job experience and a bachelor’s degree in a communication field. I earned my APR after having eight years of professional experience.
Why does having an Accreditation in Public Relations matter?
Earning the APR reflects a mastery of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in the increasingly complex profession of public relations. Achieving this designation demonstrates my commitment not only to the profession, but also to a strong code of ethics and to the betterment of my clients. I must maintain my APR credential through continuing professional development, providing leadership to the profession, and serving the local community.
I personally wanted to earn my APR because I knew it would allow me to stand out in the industry as a young professional, it would show my clients that I’m serious about my education and ongoing development, and it would provide me with the knowledge and confidence to take on a wide range of public relations and marketing projects.
More about the Accreditation in Public Relations Program
The APR program is overseen by the Universal Accreditation Board, established in 1998 and now comprised of nine national, regional, and industry-specific public relations organizations. The program is administered by the Public Relations Society of America, which previously operated its own accreditation program beginning in 1964. Today, there are more than 4,500 active Accredited practitioners worldwide who have successfully pursued this voluntary certification.
To learn more about the Universal Accreditation Board and the APR designation, please visit http://www.praccreditation.org/.
