Career Liftoff: Taking Flight On The APR Express!

April is APR Month!

PR Professional’s Standard Of Excellence

Continue your professional development by earning PRSA’s Accreditation in Public Relations (APR).

The Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential is the profession’s gold standard. It’s a mark that signals strategic expertise, ethical leadership, and a commitment to lifelong growth. For Boston-area PR professionals, the path to APR runs directly through PRSA Boston.

Earning the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential is a milestone career achievement for serious public relations practitioners looking to distinguish their expertise, knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to their employer, clients, colleagues—and themselves.

Start Your APR Journey

Why APR Matters Now

The public relations profession is evolving faster than ever. AI is reshaping workflows. Stakeholder expectations are rising. The communicators who will lead the next decade aren’t just talented — they’re credentialed, strategic, and trusted. The APR isn’t a vanity credential. It’s validation that you’ve mastered the knowledge, skills, and abilities that separate practitioners from strategic leaders.

Here are some facts about the APR:

Since 1964

APR is the longest-established post-graduate PR certification in the country.  Since 1964, this voluntary Accreditation certification program for the public relations profession has been available to members of PRSA and related participating organizations with at least five years of paid, full-time experience in the practice or teaching of public relations.

5,000 APR holders

Why are there more than 5,000 APR holders? Because the accreditation allows them to

  • Assert their professional competence
  • Communicate their professional expertise and their personal and professional dedication and values
  • Reflect their progressive public relations industry practices and high standards

A national community of credentialed practitioners across the dynamic PR industries

Salary Booster

APR holders report meaningful career advancement. “The ROI on the APR was incredible… my salary increased by about 40% within the first two or three years.” (Jacque Coe, APR, Fellow PRSA).

It takes a professional—someone with exceptional experience, broad expertise, and strong dedication and values—to thrive in the public relations industry. The APR certifies that you’re working with the best.

Get Started

Start Your Journey Today

Learn more about the APR process below.

1. Do Your Homework

Here are a few ways you can learn more about the process:

2. Talk to Our APR Team

Our APR Committee is here to help any questions you may have about the process. Let them know you’re interested using the form below and they can work with you all the way through!

    3. Fill Out the Application

    Ready to get started? Log into the PRSA website and complete your application.

    4. Give Your Panel Presentation

    The next step is to complete the panel presentation questionnaire and to prepare and deliver a 1- to 2-hour capabilities presentation to a panel of local APR judges.

    5. Take the Exam

    Your next step is to schedule and take the monitored online APR exam. Both the panel presentation and the exam must be satisfactorily completed within one year of filing your application.

    6. Earn and Keep Your Accreditation

    This is not a “one-and-done” certification process, but a lifelong accreditation process. You will be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain your accreditation.