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What are Professional Service Experience Points?

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We hear about them at almost every session we attend at the NRPA and/or IPRA/IAPD Annual Conferences.  At each session the chair or host announces, "Who needs their CEU card stamped?"    Those who have attained their Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP), or the new Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE) certifications know that in order to renew their certification they must complete 2.0 CEUs every two years for the CPRP and every three years for the CPRE. CEUs are generally obtained by attending National and State conference sessions, workshops, taking NRPA distance learning  courses or State organization webinars, and/or taking academic  courses that keep  professionals up-to-date on trends, techniques, laws, etc. These learning opportunities teach us new skills such as leadership, marketing, grant writing. In some cases, they even move us toward a degree.
 
But....did you know there is another way to earn credit toward your re-certification? According to the NRPA website, professionals can earn Professional Service Experience (PSE) points through service provided to the parks and recreation profession as a conference speaker, committee member or chair,   by writing articles for professional magazines or newsletters, just to name a few.

While only .5 PSEs can be used toward each recertification, the many people that give their time to NRPA or their state organization are allowed this added benefit for their volunteer work.  This is just one more reason to donate time to your national or state organization and make a difference in the recreation profession.  Click here for complete CEU and PSE information. 

For NRPA members, NRPA also offers a CEU tracking system through their online Certification Center.  Click here  to create an account and profile.  Under your certification, CPRP or CPRE, click under renew to track your CEUs.

Written contribution by,
Mary Lester, CPRP
IPRA Member
 
Wintrust Financial
 
536 East Avenue, LaGrange, IL 60525 | Phone: 708-588-2280 | Fax : 708-354-0535