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Certification

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. See the list of newly certified individuals.

The National Recreation and Park Association instituted a National Certification Plan in 1981. State certification records for Floridians are maintained by the Florida Recreation and Park Association.

To find out more about certification, click on the question to see the answer. For more information, contact Lori Womack, Director of Professional Development.

• What is Certification?
• Why Become Certified?
• What are the Types of Certification?
• How do I Become Certified?
• How is Certification Maintained?
• Where do I find Certification forms?

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 Florida Recreation and Park Association instituted a Certification Plan in 1982. 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.

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.

Currently there are over 580 certified individuals in Florida. Many agencies are listing certification as a requirement or as a hiring preference. Several agencies will only pay membership fees and conference registrations for employees that are certified.

What are the Types of Certification?
There are currently three categories of certification available in Florida:

• Certified Park & Recreation Professional
• Provisional Park & Recreation Professional
• Associate 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 Certification Application.
• Obtain necessary documentation: employment verification, transcripts, and diploma.
• Submit signed, notarized application with documentation and required fees to the Executive Office.
• Applicant is informed of findings of the Committee.
• 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.

How is Certification Maintained?
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 FRPA or agencies and organizations approved by FRPA. CEUs earned through other agencies, colleges or universities must be petitioned for acceptance. Non-CEU programs will be considered under certain conditions. Click here to download the CEU Petition form.

FRPA's Professional Certification Committee in conjunction with the NRPA, offers certified indivduals an opportunity to earn Professional Service Experience (PSE) Credit. Coupled with the traditional CEU or academic credit, PSE enables individuals to renew professional certification by utilizing their professional activities. For more information or to apply, download the application.

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