Description

Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) certification establishes a national standard for managerial, administrative, and executive park and recreation professionals. This is a nationally accredited mastery-level certificate, and its the highest level a park and recreation professional can achieve.

What is this program? The Discounted Exam Registration is a special program that allows IPRA, an affiliate member of NPRA, to offer IPRA Professional Members the opportunity to register for the CPRE exam at a reduced rate. The purpose is to promote the CPRE designation and its importance for industry standards, and advocate for IPRA members to pursue CPRE for career advancement.

Registration is available Thursday, January 1 - Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

How much does it cost? Below is a cost comparison between IPRA and NPRA, which indicates a savings to IPRA members when registering with IPRA. Optional study guide, which is same cost as ordering through NPRA, may be added to purchase.

How does it work? Registrant exam eligibility will be confirmed with NPRA monthly until March 31, and once confirmed, NPRA will provide candidates with information on how to schedule and sit for the exam. Upon approval, candidates have 1 year to take the exam. Please Note: IPRA does not approve eligibility nor schedule the exam for candidates.

When do I get the book? If you ordered a study guide, it will ship directly from IPRA Headquarters at the end of each month until March 31.

Candidates are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements here (effective January 2023) or read below prior to registering for the exam:

Hold a current Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certification, or have held CPRP certification whose expiration date is within two years of the date of application for the CPRE, AND

Hold a master's or higher degree from a regionally accredited education institution, and 3 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR

Hold a bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the Council On Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT) accredited program and 4 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR

Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited education institution (from a non-COAPRT accredited program), with a major in recreation, park resources, or a related professional and 5 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR

Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited education institution, with a major other than recreation, park resources, or a related profession and 6 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR

Hold an associate degree from a regionally accredited education institution and 8 years of professional full-time manager experience, OR

Hold a high school diploma or equivalency certificate from a regionally accredited institution and 10 years of professional full-time manager experience.