The Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) certification is a mastery-level certification program for park and recreation management and administration professionals. The CPRE is offered by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), with the first examination conducted at their 2011 Congress and Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia.1
As a result of a survey of professionals in the recreation industry in 2010, the Job Task Analysis Committee, the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certification Committee, and the National Certification Board of the NRPA concluded that a certification promoting and recognizing advanced skills and competencies in the parks and recreation field was warranted.2
Candidates who qualify to apply for the Certified Park and Recreation Executive certification are those who have a current CPRP certification and have either a Bachelor’s degree and five years of full time manager experience or a Master’s degree or higher and four years of full time manager experience.3 The candidates must also pass the three hour, 150 question exam that covers topics, such as communication, finance, operations, human resources, and planning.4
A professional may be either a CPRP or a CPRE, but not both at one time. When a candidate achieves a CPRE certification, they no longer have a valid CPRP certificate.5
- 1. Keating, Michael. “Association launches park/recreation credential program.” Govpro. 7 Aug. 2011. < http://govpro.com/parks_recreation/content/NRPA-certification-20110807/ > 10 Aug. 2011.
- 2. “New Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) Certification.” The National Recreation and Park Association. < http://www.nrpa.org/cpre/ > 10 Aug. 2011.
- 3. Ibid.
- 4. Op.cit., Keating.
- 5. Op.cit., “New Certified Park and Recreation Executive Certification.”
