Certification

** Please note certification changes took place at the beginning of 2008.  Please see below.

The National Recreation and Parks Association instituted a National Certification Plan in 1981. The purposes of this plan are:

  To establish national standards for certification in the recreation, park resources, and leisure service profession;

  To provide recognition of individuals who have qualified;
and to afford a guarantee to employers that certified personnel have attained stated education and experience qualifications.

  Certification is one way to achieve individual recognition, enhance self-esteem, and gain respect of parks and recreation peers and the public. Certification enhances the credibility of the individual and the profession as well as providing a reward system for those individuals who achieve a high level of professionalism.

The examination is one of the principal requirements for certification as a "Certified Park and Recreation Professional." It is designed to assess the core knowledge of job-related tasks common to entry-level professionals.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

You may download PDF versions of Certification Initial and Renewal Applications here. Application forms, applicable fees and any required documentation should be mailed to:

National Recreation and Park Association

Attn:  Sharon Mannion

22377 Belmont Ridge Road

Ashburn, VA  20148-4501

		CPRP Initial Application Form 2008
		Re-Certification Application
		** Equivalancy Petition
		** Re-Entry Application
		** CPRP Historical File (CPRP information on record)
		** Study Guide Order Form
		** Candidate Handbook (explanation of the process)

** NEW Beginning in 2008 **

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)

Those with this credential have qualified by achieving any one of the following combinations of education and experience:

New Standards for CPRP to Go Into Effect: January 1, 2008

Effective January 1, 2008 the standards for Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) are:

     Hold a bachelor’s degree from an NRPA accredited program, verified by official transcript and pass the CPRP examination; OR

     Hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited education institution (without NRPA Accredited Program), verified by official transcript, with a major in recreation, park resources or leisure services, have no less than one-year of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources or leisure service position that encompasses each domain of the job analysis following the degree, and successfully pass the CPRP examination; OR

     Hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited education institution, verified by official transcript, with a major other than recreation, park resources or leisure services, have no less than three years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources and leisure position that encompasses each domain of the job analysis following the degree, and successfully pass of the CPRP examination; OR

     Hold a high school diploma, equivalency certificate, or associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, verified by official transcript/documentation, have no less than five years of full time experience in a recreation, park resources, or leisure services position that encompasses each domain of the job analysis following the diploma/degree, and successfully pass the CPRP examination.

Students who have not yet graduated from an NRPA accredited program with a major in recreation, park resources and leisure services but are in their final semester may be able to qualify for exam status. They may complete the CPRP exam prior to the completion of the internship requirement and academic Degree attainment. Certification may be granted upon passing the CPRP exam and after submission of official transcript/documentation verifying graduation. All students must apply through the NRPA office.

Due to changes in the certification criteria, as approved by the NCB in February 2007, no new applications will be accepted after January 1, 2008 for the Provisional Park and Recreation Professional (PPRP) or the Associate Park and Recreation Professional (APRP). Current designees will be evaluated for potential inclusion in the CPRP program using the aforementioned criteria. Designees that do not meet the stated criteria may retain their designation by continuing to earn CEUs and applying for renewal.

 

CHECK MEMBER CEU'S

Click on the Download button below to view member CEU's (CEU's are as of February 18, 2008)