The Universal Accreditation Board oversees the program. The members of the UAB serve three-year terms. This group of senior-level Accredited members, with backgrounds in a number of public relations fields, meets four times a year to develop new test questions, review marginal tests and appeals, and set overall policies and philosophical direction. The written test is scored initially by a professional testing service. Ultimately, the UAB grants or denies Accreditation.
Candidates can plan to use a computer or type or handwrite their answers.
All candidates are required to sign a letter of agreement at the test site which covers the use of computer equipment, maintenance of Accreditation and other issues. Most of the candidates pass the examination the first time. Maintenance of Accreditation requirements must be fulfilled on an ongoing basis. Every three years, Accredited members must accumulate the required number of points in continuing education, professionalism or service categories as part of the Maintenance of Accreditation program. This further strengthens the value of the APR credential and keeps our members actively involved in the currents of the profession.