Public Relations Institute of Australia

• Continuous Professional Development
  • Why Undertake Continuous Professional Development?
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Development

Why undertake Continuing Professional Education?

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) aims to increase the professionalism of public relations practice in Australia by encouraging all professional members of the PRIA, (Associates, Members and Fellows) to undertake a minimum of 20 hours of appropriate study per year.

The CPE program is to ensure that all practitioners will remain informed of current issues and developments in the profession, and the skills and techniques required to maintain a high level of competency throughout their career.

At least 10 of the 20 hours must be in a structured learning environment - formal courses, lectures, seminars, classes, etc. The remaining 10 hours can be in appropriate unstructured self-development areas, such as readings and discussion. Many professional members will already meet most, or all, of the requirements of CPE.

The PRIA supports CPE through the development of annual CPE programs to ensure sufficient opportunities are available for members. CPE endorsement and credits are incorporated into PRIA events, such as lectures, seminars, functions, meetings, and the Annual Conference.  Occasional papers are available on the PRIA Website, and CPE Books are sold at a discount to members.

What is appropriate CPE?

Appropriate CPE subject matter falls into two categories:

• extended learning in the public relations field itself, and
• extended learning in the practitioner’s current field of specialisation or employment.

Seven main categories of CPE activities

1. Formal Courses (minimum of 1 hour) - Lectures & seminars conducted by the PRIA including conventions; in-house training sessions by employers; and courses provided by other recognised educational, professional or industrial bodies.
2. Formal Individual Study - includes correspondence and off-campus courses, programmed learning courses and audio-courses.
3. Formal Discussions - includes committees, discussion groups and meetings organised by the PRIA as well as professional, educational or industrial bodies involved in the preparation and review of professional material.
4. Preparation of Lectures - of a relevant nature for presentation at PRIA or other professional, education or industrial functions.
5. Written Materials - preparation of articles or papers on public relations or professional research study projects for publication.
6. Board and Institute - active involvement with either the National Board or State and Territory Institutes by serving on committees or sub-committees.
7. Unstructured CPE - reading of relevant books, periodicals, journals, technical bulletins, and research reports, as well as discussions with specialists on relevant matters.

How do I claim CPE points and my PRIA Annual Certified Practitioner Certificate?

Members are required to keep a record of CPE activities and all relevant supporting documents for 12 months for verification purposes. You may download a copy of the form below.

Members who complete their annual CPE obligations will be issued with a Certified Practitioner Certificate to recognise their completion of the PRIA’s recommended level of professional development for each year that their CPE records are submitted.

If you need further information about CPE, please contact your local Institute, or the National Secretariat: national@pria.com.au or phone (02) 9331 3346.

• Form for recording CPE (149Kb)

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