Association launches park/recreation credential program
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has launched a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) program. It is a mastery-level certification program for park and recreation management and administration professionals.
The CPRE credential is an additional platform to the industry’s Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) program. The CPRE is intended to promote and recognize advanced skills and competencies related to the professional practice and delivery of park and recreation programs and services. Individuals who wish to earn a CPRE must hold a current CPRP certification, meet specific requirements for education and experience, and successfully pass an exam covering a comprehensive set of topics, including communication, finance, human resources, operations and planning.
Today, there are more than 3,900 Certified Park and Recreation Professionals in the United States who may be eligible for the new CPRE certification.
“In addition to ensuring that individuals have the skills required to enter the field, we recognize the importance of providing high-level development opportunities for professionals as they advance in their careers and become innovators in their communities,” said Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, chief of membership and professional development for NRPA. “Achieving a CPRE says to the public, ‘I’m committed to my profession, and I’ve got the experience and knowledge to help me reach the highest standards of service in my community.’”
An NRPA spokesman told Govpro.com: “The CPRE is a professional development opportunity for high-level professionals — and is meant to encourage the highest standards in the field — and new community innovations.”
The first CPRE examination will be conducted during NRPA’s 2011 Congress and Exposition in Atlanta, in early November. Additional online testing will begin in spring 2012.
To learn more about NRPA’s CPRE program, contact Julie Johnson at
[email protected], or go to the
CPRE site.
The NRPA is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
