Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association

The National Recreation and Parks Association instituted a National Certification Plan in 1981. The Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association general membership adopted the Connecticut certification plan for recreation, park resources, and leisure service personnel on March 31, 1983. The plan affords a means of attesting to the education and experience qualifications of personnel employed for compensation in recreation, park resources and leisure service, in public, quasi public, and private employment. Membership in the CRPA is not a prerequisite for certification.

Certification may be established in Three (2) categories:
CPRP - Certified Park and Recreation Professional
PPRP - Provisional Park and Recreation Professional

Certification Renewal Form * Good after March 2008
Renewal Costs = $45 for NRPA members $55 for Non NRPA members

*NRPA is now offering an additional study resource for candidates preparing to take the Certified Park and Recreation Professional examination. A 75-question online practice exam that matches the blueprint of the CPRP test is now available for individuals to purchase from www.nrpa.org/certification. The practice exam conforms to the specifications of the CPRP exam in terms of format, content and average difficulty level and includes some retired test questions. Once purchased, a practice exam can be accessed for up to 90 days. Upon completion of the exam, an individual will receive the practice exam in its entirety, including both the user's selected answers and the correct answers. This online practice exam, in addition to the Official Study Guide for the CPRP Examination, is an excellent learning tool and study resource for park and recreation professionals who plan to take the CPRP examination. This practice test is $55 for NRPA members and the study guide is $33.50 for NRPA members

Hold a bachelor’s degree from an NRPA accredited program, verified by official

Hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited education institution (without NRPA Accredited Program), verified by official transcript, with a major in recreation, park resources or leisure services, have no less than one-year of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources or leisure service position that encompasses each domain of the job analysis following the degree, and successfully pass the CPRP examination; OR

Hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited education institution, verified by official transcript, with a major other than recreation, park resources or leisure services, have no less than three years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources and leisure position that encompasses each domain of the job analysis following the degree, and successfully pass of the CPRP examination; OR

Hold a high school diploma, equivalency certificate, or associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, verified by official transcript/documentation, have no less than five years of full time experience in a recreation, park resources, or leisure services position that encompasses each domain of the job analysis following the diploma/degree, and successfully pass the CPRP examination.

Students who have not yet graduated from an NRPA accredited program

with a major in recreation, park resources and leisure services but are in their

final semester may be able to qualify for exam status. They may complete the

CPRP exam prior to the completion of the internship requirement and academic

Degree attainment. Certification may be granted upon passing the CPRP exam

and after submission of official transcript/documentation verifying graduation.

Due to changes in the certification criteria, as approved by the NCB in February 2007, no new applications will be accepted after January 1, 2008 for the Provisional Park and Recreation Professional (PPRP) or the Associate Park and Recreation Professional (APRP). Current designees will be evaluated for potential inclusion in the CPRP program using the aforementioned criteria. Designees that do not meet the stated criteria may retain their designation by continuing to earn CEUs and applying for renewal.