additional certifications and ACCREDITATION

Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)

The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification is granted to individuals employed in the recreation, park resources and leisure services profession who meet high standards of performance.

Initial Certification Application Form

Description

The designation of Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is a program offered through the National Recreation and Park Association, and is designed for park and recreation professionals who wish to advance their career. Achieving and maintaining this nationally-recognized certification illustrates a commitment to professional growth as well as an intricate understanding of key concepts within the field of parks and recreation.

APRA occasionally partners with the Illinois Recreation and Park Association (IRPA) for one to two virtual exam prep programs consisting of six sessions each to train and prepare praticipant to sit for the CPRP exam. The virtual prep course parallels the learning modules found in the CPRP study guide: Human Resources, Communications, Finance, Programming, and Operations. 

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the exam (not the prep course), you must meet the following NRPA eligibility requirements:

Have received, or is set to receive, a Bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT), or 

Have a Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited education institution (from a non-COAPRT accredited program), with a major in recreation, park resources, or leisure services, and no less than 1 year of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources, or a related profession that encompasses each domain of the job analysis, or

Have a Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited education institution, with a major other than recreation, park resources, or a related profession, and no less than 2 years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources, or a related profession that encompasses each domain of the job analysis, or

Hold an associate's degree from a regionally accredited education institution and no less than 4 years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources, and a related profession that encompasses each domain of the job analysis, or

Hold a high school diploma or equivalency certificate from a regionally accredited institution and no less than 6 years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources, or a related profession that encompasses each domain of the job analysis

Note: Students who have not yet graduated from a COAPRT accredited program but are in their final semester may be able to qualify for exam status. They may complete the CPRP exam prior to completion of the internship requirement and academic degree attainment. Certification may be granted upon passing the CPRP exam and after submission of documentation verifying graduation. All students must apply through the NRPA office.

Professionals from varying special interest groups and levels of experience (must meet one criteria above) are encouraged to pursue CPRP designation to stay at the forefront of the parks and recreation profession. Additionally, CPRP certification is a pre-requisite for Certified Park & Recreation Executive (CPRE) eligibility.

CEUs: Program is not approved for CEUs (Continuing Education Units are for certifications such as CPRE, CPRP, CTRS).

Please contact NRPA directly with eligibility questions contact NRPA directly before registering for the promo bundle.

Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE)

The Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) certification can be achieved by individuals employed in the recreation, park resources and leisure services profession who meet high standards of performance at a mastery (middle to upper management level).

To attend CPRE training sessions and sit for the exam, you must meet one the following NRPA eligibility requirements:

• Hold a current Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certification, or have held CPRP certification whose expiration date is within two years of the date of application for the CPRE, AND
• Hold a master's or higher degree from a regionally accredited education institution, and 3 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR
• Hold a bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the Council On Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT) accredited program and 4 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR
• Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited education institution (from a non-COAPRT accredited program), with a major in recreation, park resources, or a related professional and 5 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR
• Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited education institution, with a major other than recreation, park resources, or a related profession and 6 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR
• Hold an associate degree from a regionally accredited education institution and 8 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalency certificate from a regionally accredited institution and 10 years of professional full-time manager experience.

Please contact NRPA directly with eligibility questions contact NRPA directly before registering for the promo bundle.

Serve and Earn!

Did you realize that by serving you can earn PSE's Professional Service Experience Credit.

PSE credit enable individuals to renew professional certifications by utilizing their professional activities, including Elected Officers, Committee Chairperson and Committee Members, Speakers and Presenters.

Have a recent name change and need to update your certifications?