NRPA Certification Information Page

What is Certification?

Certification attests that an individual has met qualifications determined by an agency or association. The primary purpose of certification is to ensure that the personnel employed in recreation, park resources and leisure services has met standards of performance.

The purpose of this plan is to:

• Establish minimum standards for certification in the profession,

• Provide recognition of individuals who have qualified, and

• Afford a guarantee to employers that certified personnel have attained stated educational and/or experience qualifications.

Certification is the term applied to the process whereby an individual voluntarily submits his/her credentials for review based upon clearly identified competencies, criteria, or standards. The primary purpose of certification is to ensure that personnel employed in recreation, park resources, and leisure services meet high standards of performance.

The National Recreation and Park Association instituted a National Certification Plan in 1981. State certification records for Hoosiers are maintained at the Indiana Park and Recreation Association office at P.O. Box 888 Cicero, Indiana, 46034.

Why Become Certified?

Attainment of certification is a guarantee to employers of minimum levels of education and experience. The certified individual is recognized as committed to continued professional development. On a large scale, the certification of practitioners raises the quality of service statewide and aids in public recognition of the profession.

What are the Types of Certification?

There are currently four categories of certification available in Indiana:

• Certified Park & Recreation Professional

• Provisional Park & Recreation Professional

• Associate Park & Recreation Professional

• Retired Park & Recreation Professional

Each category is recognized nationally, and has separate education and experience requirements, making certification an attainable goal for those employed in recreation, park resources and leisure services. Certification as a Professional requires successful passage of the National Certification Examination. In order for an individual to be eligible for the exam, one must be certified by the state Professional Certification Committee at the Provisional Park & Recreation Professional Level. All eligible individuals must take the exam in the year they are eligible to sit or certification will be withdrawn.

How do I Become Certified?

• Complete the NRPA CPRP Exam Application/Computerized Test Application Form

• Obtain necessary documentation: employment verification, transcripts, and diploma.

• Submit signed, notarized application with documentation and required fees to IPRA.

• Applicant will receive testing site info from NRPA (applications processed o 15th of each month).

• IPRA will be notified of exam results.

• Certificate is ordered and mailed to successful applicants.

Persons holding current certification from states having a NRPA approved certification plan are accepted under a policy of reciprocity with the payment of appropriate fees and proof of current certification.

Certification is a continuous process designed to keep the individual current with new developments, techniques and standards of practice in the field. To this end, it is necessary to earn twenty hours of approved Continuing Education Units or approved academic credit in lieu of CEUs during each 24-month certification period. Acceptable CEUs are job-related and are issued by IPRA or agencies and organizations approved by IPRA. CEUs earned through other agencies, colleges or universities must be petitioned for acceptance. Non-CEU programs will be considered under certain conditions.