Our citizens depend on parks and recreation to improve their quality of life, promote community, and encourage wellness. It is important to show your community that you are as committed to them as they are to us. Becoming a certified park and recreation professional shows the community that you are dedicated to service, education, and professional excellence.
As you begin your path toward certification we thought you might find it helpful to hear study tips from other park and recreation professionals just like you that have become certified.
• “To prepare for the CPRP examination, I took advice from professionals in other states, as to which information on the exam was significant. I did not limit my preparations based on my career experiences; I utilized collegiate textbooks, the CPRP Study Guide, and resources borrowed from complementary professions. I additionally registered for the workshop offered at the NRPA Congress. It provided effective one-on-one interaction with certified and non-certified professionals from all over the United States to discuss the exam topics in detail.”
--Christie Mills, CPRP, CTRS – Douglas County Parks & Recreation, GA
• “My main focus for studying consisted of the CPRP Study Guide. I took it section by section and completed the practice questions at the end of each chapter. I took the practice exam both before and after I read the book so I would know what I needed to focus on more. I reached out to others in the field for opinions of the test and received some great study suggestions on the NRPA Linkedin group. ”
--Jason Tryon, CPRP – Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation, NC
• “To best prepare yourself for the CPRE examination, look at the reference materials/books provided. While you want to review all of the content areas referenced in these books, it is best to concentrate on the content area(s) where you feel you have had the least exposure.”
--Tim Leiwig, CPRE – Tallahassee Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs, FL
• “I found studying for the CPRE exam to be as simple as looking back on my 20+ years in the Parks and Recreation industry. I balanced my study time between updating myself on current trends and reviewing the responsibilities of various positions I have held in my career.”
--Darin Budak, CPRE, CSFM – City of Bakersfield Recreation & Parks, CA