additional certifications and ACCREDITATION

Through national certification you can join thousands of people who are committed to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of park and recreation programs.

NRPA recently announced upcoming changes to the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) eligibility requirements for 2023. To create opportunity and equitable access to the professional certification programs and to ensure the eligibility requirements remain current, the National Certification Board approved a revision to the minimum eligibility requirements for the CPRP and the CPRE examinations.

The revised eligibility requirements will come into effect on January 1, 2023. A 6-month grace period will be implemented until June 30, 2023, during which time applicants for the CPRP or CPRE examinations may qualify under either the revised eligibility requirements, or the former eligibility requirements. After June 30, the former eligibility requirements will no longer be a valid means of qualification.

To review the eligibility requirements and find frequently asked questions, visit https://www.nrpa.org/cprp-and-cpre-eligibility-updates/



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

To attend a CPRP exam prep program and sit for the exam, 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.

If you have any questions about eligibility, 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.

If you have any questions about eligibility, 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.

LEARN MORE HERE
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