Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. Certificants are all required to earn 2.0 CEUs during each two-year certification period. 

**Don't confuse continuing education units with continuing education credits (CEC), or contact hours. A CEC is a different form of measurement and is accepted by other certification bodies. Contact hours may not meet CEU standards. If you have obtained CEC credits please visit NRPA.org to download a CEU petition to convert to CEU’s.**

To apply for individual CEUs click HERE     /    To apply for CEUs for your agency click HERE

How to earn CEUs?

1. Attendance at conferences and events (i.e. Annual Conference, IPRA workshops, etc.) that offer CEUs to its participants. 
2. Completion of IPRA's Skills Development Webinar Series (without leaving your home or office!).
3. Academic credits can be transferred to CEU equivalents by taking the total number of classroom instructional hours and dividing by ten. For example, a 3 credit course that meets once per week for three hours for 15 weeks equals 45 hours of classroom instructional time. Divide 45 by 10 to achieve the 4.5 CEU equivalents. 
4. Professional Service Experience Points (PSE) can be earned through service you provide to the parks and recreation profession (i.e. Committee Chair, speaking at a conference, serving as an accreditation visitor, etc.)  For more information about the PSE program click here. 
5. If you, as an individual, are planning to attend an educational program that does not offer CEUs, you may request that CEU equivalents be awarded to you within 30 days of attending the seminar. 

Who tracks my CEUs?

The quick answer is you do! Individuals are responsible for keeping track of their CEUs and for providing documentation of them when applying for renewal. 
The NRPA  Online Certification Center will assist you with tracking any CEUs obtained during your certification cycle.  
NRPA ONLY tracks NRPA CEUs for the certificants it administers.  
For questions or further information on certification, please contact us! 

Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)  CPRP certification is the national standard for all parks and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession. 

Qualifications to sit for the CPRP Examination

• Have just received, or are set to receive, a Bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation(Students who have not yet graduated from an COA accredited program with a major in recreation, park resources, and leisure services but are in their final semester on campus may be able to qualify for exam status)

• Have a Bachelor’s degree from any institution in recreation, park resources, or leisure services; and also have no less than 1 year of full-time experience in the field

• Have a Bachelor’s degree in a major other than recreation, park resources, or leisure services; and also have no less than 3 years of full-time experience in the field

• Have a high school degree or equivalent, and have 5 years of full-time experience in the field

Important Information

• CPRP Certification is achieved by successfully passing the CPRP Certification Examination

• CPRP Examination can be taken at computer-based testing facilities throughout the US

• CPRP Examination is a 150 question exam – 25 questions are pre-test

• CPRP Certification lasts for 2 years

• Renewal is achieved by obtaining 2.0 CEUs within the 2 year certification cycle.  CEUs must be achieved in topics highlighted by the CPRP core competencies and job tasks (i.e. programming, general administration, and operations management

• Exam fees - $255 NRPA Members/$299 Non-NRPA Members

• Study materials include CPRP Study Guide, CPRP Practice Exam, IPRA Prep Course, NRPA Prep Webinar 

• (1) year of part-time work experience in the field (20 hours+ per week) = 6 months of full-time work experience in the field.

Additional NRPA CPRP Details            CPRP Prep Course Registration 

Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE)  The CPRE establishes a national standard for managerial, administrative and executive parks and recreation professionals.  CPRE certification places you in the company of an elite group of parks and recreation managers and executives and connects you to the latest trends and information.

Qualifications to sit for the CPRE Examination

• Have a current CPRP Certification 

• Have a Bachelors degree and 5 years of professional full-time manager experience (or)

• Have a Masters degree or higher and 4 years of professional full-time manager experience.

Important Information

• CPRE Certification is achieved by successfully passing the CPRE Certification Examination.

• CPRE Examination can be taken at computer-based testing facilities throughout the US beginning March 2012.

• CPRE Examination is a 150 question exam – 25 questions are pre-test

• CPRE Certification lasts for 3 years

• Renewal is achieved by obtaining 3.0 CEUs within the 3 year certification cycle.  CEUs must be achieved in topics highlighted by the CPRE core competencies and job tasks (Communication, Human Resources, Policies, etc.)

• Exam fees - $340 NRPA Members/$399 Non-NRPA Members

• Reference materials are listed in the CPRE Candidate Handbook to assist with examination preparation.

Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) - CPSIs are individuals certified to inspect playgrounds for safety hazards and to ensure compliance with national standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  The CPSI Course is a preparatory tool for the CPSI Certification Examination.

Important Information

• CPSI Course is a 2-day course offered two times a year in Illinois with a third-day exam.

• CPSI Examination can be taken in coordination with a CPSI Course or at computer-based testing facilities throughout the US.

• CPSI Examination is a 100 question exam (currently must achieve a 70 to pass)

• To become certified individuals must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

• CPSI Certification lasts for 3 years

• Renewal is achieved by successfully passing the CPSI Examination

• For further information on Illinois event, contact Leesa Johnson leesa@ilipra.org 

Additional NRPA CPSI Details

Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) -The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) offers the premier certification program in swimming pool operations, the Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) certification. The AFO program provides the most comprehensive and up-to date training for pool operators and includes information on water chemistry, disinfection, mechanical systems, operations, healthy pools and safety.

• Candidates planning to become AFO certified should be 18 years of age.
• There are no education or experience prerequisites for taking the AFO Course and Exam.