For those considering accreditation in public relations (APR), the Greater Fort Worth PRSA chapter has multiple resources to assist, guide and encourage you on your journey. We offer support for achieving the APR because we recognize the process is one that results in career enhancement, lifelong learning, and, ultimately, the consistent practice of high professional and ethical standards.

One way we support those considering APR is through our chapter’s local accreditation mentorship program (LAMP). LAMP exists to pair a public relations practitioner who is undergoing accreditation with a mentor. That mentor is a ready resource to answer questions and to provide assistance and general guidance. If you would like more information about Accreditation, please contact our chapter’s APR Committee Chair, Jeremy Agor, APR. He will respond to you shortly. 

Overview

The Public Relations Society of America is proud to offer public relations professionals the opportunity to become certified through the universal accreditation process. Accreditation indicates that a professional is a knowledgeable, experienced and ethical practitioner.

Universal accreditation is the only international public relations and communications accreditation program that is professionally administered and independently field tested and graded in the same fashion as bar exams, teachers’ exams and certified public accountant testing. PRSA and 10 organizations in the U.S., New Zealand and Canada are members of the Universal Accreditation Board.

PRSA members and members of the Universal Accreditation Board organizations who have at least five years’ experience in the full-time paid professional practice of public relations or in teaching or administration of public relations in an accredited college or university may apply. A member need not be currently employed to qualify to take the test. Successful candidates are designated APR.

The following Greater Fort Worth chapter members have achieved the prestigious APR designation.

  • Jeremy S. Agor, APR
  • Scott L. Baradell, APR
  • Kay F. Barkin, APR, Fellow PRSA
  • Andra Bennett House, APR
  • Sandra R. Brodnicki, APR
  • Kimberly Liane Brown, APR
  • Jessamy Brown, APR
  • Samra Jones Bufkins, APR
  • Tom C. Burke, APR
  • Greg Caires, APR
  • Kay Colley, PhD, APR
  • Richie Escovedo, APR
  • Amiso M. George, APR, Fellow PRSA
  • Robert T. Hastings, Jr., APR+M, Fellow PRSA
  • Marlo Kysiak, APR
  • Elizabeth T. Lamb, APR
  • William M. Lawrence, APR, Fellow PRSA
  • Jeffrey J. Meador, APR
  • Catherine L. Mueller, APR
  • Carol H. Murray, APR
  • Julie O’Neil, PhD, APR
  • Margaret C. Ritsch, APR, Fellow PRSA
  • Kenneth B. Ross, APR
  • Susan H. Schoolfield, APR
  • Anthony Spangler, APR
  • Kimberly L. Speairs, APR
  • Paul Sturiale, APR
  • Linda Ld Thornton, MA, APR
  • Laura Van Hoosier, APR
  • Gigi Westerman, APR, Fellow PRSA
  • Andrew H. Wilson, APR
  • Julie H. Wilson, APR

Why Accreditation?

The APR designation is a useful credential that indicates that practitioners have a working knowledge of business, communications, media relations and research. Employers today are in search of ethical, credible professionals who can bring value to an organization; the APR designation is an indication that you can do so.

Application Process

APR candidates must first declare their intent to prepare for the examination by completing an application. The second step is then to prepare for and schedule a Readiness Review before a panel of APR professionals. Once the candidate receives notification to proceed, the candidate can advance to a computer examination. APR candidates can schedule both the Readiness Review and the computerized, multiple-choice examination at their convenience.

Basic Process & Materials

  1. Submit the Application.
  2. Answer the Readiness Review Questionaire and prepare your portfolio.
  3. Review the Readiness Review Process.
  4. Schedule and participate in the Readiness Review process.
  5. On notification of “advance,” schedule the computer-based exam.
  6. Complete the computer based exam. (View this helpful demo – most questions are “situational” to a given scenario in which the candidate selects the most appropriate answer.)

APR Online Study Course

If you are studying for the APR, you can consider the APR Online Study Course. This interactive multimedia course is designed to help APR candidates prepare for the APR examination. Course content geared toward the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) measured during the examination is presented through a variety of interactive methods, including multimedia module introductions, asynchronous activities, case study analysis, projects, directed discussions, self-correcting quizzes and simulations. It provides opportunities for self-study, collaboration and teamwork — all situations that public relations professionals encounter in their day-to-day work. A discount is available for groups of five or more. You can find more information about the online process with this preparation source. If you have questions about the online course, please fill in the form above, and the chapter’s Accreditation Committee Chair will respond shortly.

Helpful Links

The official PRSA Candidate Process Chart

Accreditation Website

Accreditation FAQs

The Second Edition APR Study Guide: www.praccreditation.org/documents/aprstudyguide.pdf

Readiness Review Questionnaire: www.praccreditation.org/becomeAPR/Written_Sub.html

Readiness Review Panel (candidate instructions): www.praccreditation.org/documents/RRCandidateInstructions.pdf

Demo of APR Computer-Based Exam: www.praccreditation.org/aprdemo/index.htm

The ultimate resource for the Examination for Accreditation in public relations is as close as your telephone or computer. If you can’t find the answers to your questions from the Web site, www.accreditationboard.org, please contact Kathy Mulvihill, manager of accreditation.

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