APR

by: Christina Miner

Becoming an accredited as a Public Relations professional is very important. In the public relations field anybody off the street can open a public relations firm and say that they know what they are doing. The best way to separate you from the average public relations professional is by becoming accredited.

There are six steps to getting your APR (accredited in public relations). The first step is to nationally apply to begin the APR process. The second step is to complete the readiness review questionnaire. The readiness review questionnaire has three sections with several questions for each section. The first section is called “your organization and your role.” The second section is about “your experience” and the third section is “your assessment of your readiness for the written portion of the examination.” The next step after answering the questions in the readiness review questionnaire is to request a readiness review. The fourth step in to participate in a readiness review. The fifth step is to schedule your computer based examination. And the sixth and final step in the APR process is to take your examination.

According to the Public Relations Society of America, Oklahoma City Chapter website accreditation “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 website also states that becoming accredited is a way to move up in the professional world of public relations. More job listings are becoming specified for APR preferred.

April is accreditation month at PRSA so they are currently invited all public relations professionals to look into taking the next level in their professional career. PRSA is hosting several events to promote accreditation such as Open House Webinars and Accreditation Power Play, one-day seminar in New York City.