Accreditation/PR

 

Top 10 Reasons to Become Accredited in Public Relations and Earn your APR.

How to Hire a Senior Communication Professional, by Everett Tackett, APR

APR is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice, and who are selected based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective and sound professional judgment. The purpose of accreditation 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.

To qualify, the Universal Accreditation Board recommends a candidate have at least five years experience, while employed on a full-time basis, in the paid professional practice of public relations, or the teaching or the administration of public relations courses in an accredited college or university.

The Universal Accreditation Board last year rolled out the new exam following an entirely different process than previous versions. The new process consists of an intensive readiness review measuring the candidates¹ depth of experience in the profession. During the readiness review, candidates submit a detailed questionnaire and present a portfolio of their work to a panel of accredited professionals. The panel determines if the candidates are prepared for the written exam.

 

Once the candidates successfully advance through the readiness review, they must pass a three-hour-long written exam measuring their understanding of the four-part public relations process, ethical conduct, communications theory, history of the profession and advanced communications concepts.

 

The Phoenix Chapter plans to conduct the readiness review twice every year during the spring and the fall, so there's limited opportunity to earn this important credential.

 

The Phoenix Chapter is committed to providing the prospective candidates with the support they require to prepare for the test. The chapter needs prospective candidates to step forward and take the test to grow the ranks of its accredited members. A strong participation in accreditation promotes professionalism in the local PR community and elevates the presence of the profession in the local business environment.

 

The chapter will begin orientation and training in April and will give the exam in June. You can do this and the chapter is here to assist!

 

For more information, please visit the Accreditation Board Web site at http://www.accreditationboard.org/. For local information, contact Dana Arnold, APR, at (480) 368-7999 or dana@olsoncomm.com.