Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)
Those with this credential have qualified by achieving any one of the following combinations of education and experience:

1. A bachelor's degree from an NRPA/AALR Accredited Program verified by official transcript, and successful completion of the CPRP Examination; OR
   

2. A bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited educational institution (without NRPA/AALR accreditation), verified by official transcript, with a major in recreation, park resources and leisure services and no less than two years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources and leisure service position following the degree, and successful completion of the CPRP examination; OR
   

3. A bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited educational institution, verified by official transcript, with a major other than recreation, park resources and leisure services and no less than five years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources and leisure position following the degree, and successful completion of the CPRP examination.  

Provisional Park and Recreation Professional* (PPRP)
This level is for those who meet the educational qualifications but have insufficient experience to qualify for the CPRP level. It may be achieved by any of the following three combinations of education and experience:

1. A bachelor's degree from an NRPA/AALR accredited program verified by official transcript, with a major in recreation, park resources, and leisure services; OR
   

2. A bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited educational institution verified by official transcript, with a major in recreation, park resources, and leisure services; OR
   

3. A bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited educational institution, verified by official transcript, with a major other than recreation, park resources and leisure services and no less than three years full time experience (following the degree) in a recreation, park resources, and leisure service position.

*PPRP is intended to be a temporary status which can only be used until a candidate has had an opportunity to sit for the CPRP Exam. If a candidate fails the exam, they may reapply for provisional status, but they may not remain in this status for more than three years after the date of their first application for certification.

Associate Park and Recreation Professional* (APRP) 
This level is for those with less than a four-year degree. It may be achieved by any of the following three combinations of education and experience:

1. An associate (two-year) degree from a regionally accredited educational institution, verified by official transcript, with a major in recreation, park resources and leisure services and are working full time in the field; OR
   

2. An associate degree from a regionally accredited educational institution verified by official transcript with a major other than recreation, park resources and leisure services and no less than two years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources and leisure services position following the degree; OR
   

3. A high school diploma or equivalency certificate verified by official documentation and no less than four years of full-time experience in a recreation, park resources, and leisure service position following the diploma or certification.

*An associate must seek CPRP status should they complete the necessary education and experience requirements. Those professionals who are qualified for CPRP or PPRP may not remain in a APRP status.