Certification & Continuing Education Units (CEU)
Show Your Commitment to the Parks & Rec Industry
Through national certification, you join thousands of people who are committed to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of park and recreation programs.
WRPA partners with the NRPA headquarters to coordinate certifications for industry professionals. Learn more below about the different types of certification below.
WRPA maintains the responsibility of assigning CEUs for WRPA sponsored trainings and for petitioning for CEUs. Check out our calendar of upcoming events and trainings to see if you would like to sign up and earn any CEUs.
CEU Attendance Verification
Proof of attendance must come from the host of the course, a room host, or the instructor. WRPA will incorporate Certificates of Attendance within your thank you for attending emails.
If you are petitioning prior to attendance, remember CEUs will not be awarded until proof of attendance is received by NRPA. We will accept a letter/email from the host verifying attendance, certificates of attendance, a signature of the instructor or room host next to the class on the program or brochure, or you can type a list of the courses you are planning to attend (including dates/times) and have the instructor or room host sign next to each class. Here is NRPA's official CEU Equivalency Petition.
Types of Certification
 Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certification
The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification is the national standard for all parks and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession. Attaining the CPRP designation shows that you have met education and experience qualifications, and illustrates your commitment to the profession as well as your knowledge and understanding of key concepts within parks and recreation.
Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) Certification
The Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) establishes a national standard for managerial, administrative, and executive parks and recreation professionals. This mastery-level credential focuses on the practical knowledge and current real-world skills necessary in today’s changing park and recreation environment.
Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification
The National Recreation and Park Association offers the industry-leading certification program in playground safety, the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification program. The CPSI certification program provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date training on playground safety issues including hazard identification, equipment specifications, surfacing requirements, and risk management methods.
Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification
The National Recreation and Park Association offers the premier certification program in swimming pool operations, the Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) certification. The AFO program provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date training for pool operators and includes information on water chemistry, disinfection, mechanical systems, operations, healthy pools, and safety.
CAPRA Agency Accreditation
NRPA's Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) provides quality assurance and quality improvement of accredited park and recreation agencies throughout the United States by providing agencies with a management system of best practices. CAPRA is the only national accreditation of park and recreation agencies and is a valuable measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management, and service to the community. Achieving CAPRA accreditation is the best way to demonstrate that your agency and your staff provide your community with the highest level of service.
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