Top 11 Public Affairs Specialist Certifications

Certifications are an important part of the public affairs specialist job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and proficiency in the field. They help employers identify qualified candidates who have achieved a certain level of expertise in their specialty. Certifications also provide potential employers with an assurance that the specialist is knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced enough to handle complex public affairs tasks. Additionally, certifications can be used to strengthen resumes or CVs when applying for positions and can help individuals stand out from other applicants.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain how some of the top certifications for Public Affairs Specialists can contribute to a career in public affairs.

What are Public Affairs Specialist Certifications?

Public Affairs Specialist Certification is a professional certification program designed to provide practitioners with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in public affairs. It is offered by the American Association of Public Affairs Professionals (AAPAP). This certification program is intended to improve the quality of public affairs activities, build capacity for public affairs professionals, and enhance the profession’s reputation and credibility.

The certification program consists of four levels: Level 1-Certified Public Affairs Practitioner; Level 2-Certified Public Affairs Strategist; Level 3-Certified Public Affairs Analyst; and Level 4-Certified Public Affairs Executive. Each level requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of public affairs principles and practices, as well as their ability to apply those principles in real-world situations. The certification also requires successful completion of an assessment exam that covers topics such as media relations, crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, lobbying, government relations, and more.

Earning the Public Affairs Specialist Certification can help practitioners gain credibility within their field, stand out among their peers, and add value to their organization or agency. It can also lead to career advancement opportunities or higher salaries. Additionally, having this certification can help individuals better understand the complexities of public affairs work so they can be more effective in their roles.

Pro Tip: When considering a public affairs specialist certification, look for programs that offer a comprehensive curriculum that includes courses in communications, media relations, public policy, and research. Additionally, look for a program with an extensive network of instructors and alumni who can provide you with guidance and support throughout the certification process.

Related: What does a Public Affairs Specialist do?

Top 11 Public Affairs Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Public Affairs Specialists today.

1. Certified Public Affairs Professional (CPAP)

Certified Public Affairs Professional (CPAP) is a professional certification offered by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of professional excellence in public affairs. The CPAP certification is intended to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of public affairs.

It typically takes three years to complete the requirements for the CPAP certification. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as public relations principles, media relations, crisis management, and government relations. Applicants must also have at least two years of professional experience in public affairs or related fields.

The cost for the CPAP exam varies depending on whether you are a PRSA member or not. For non-members, the cost is $495; for members, it is $395. Additionally, there are other fees associated with taking the exam such as application fees and study materials fees.

Once you have completed all of the requirements and passed your exam, you will be eligible to use the CPAP designation after your name. This designation will demonstrate your commitment to excellence in public affairs and can help you stand out from other professionals in your field.

2. Certified Government Relations Professional (CGRP)

Certified Government Relations Professional (CGRP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). It is designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate expertise in government relations, public policy and advocacy. The CGRP certification is a voluntary credential that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to their profession and mastery of the core competencies required for success in government relations.

The CGRP certification requires applicants to pass an examination that covers topics such as: federal and state legislative processes, public policy development, lobbying techniques, coalition building, grassroots advocacy, and media relations. Applicants must also have at least two years of experience in government relations or related fields.

To obtain the CGRP certification, applicants must first register with ASAE and pay a fee of $395 USD. After registering, applicants have one year to complete the exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and can be taken at any Prometric testing center around the world. Once applicants pass the exam, they will receive their CGRP certification within four weeks of completion.

The cost for obtaining the CGRP certification includes the registration fee ($395 USD) plus any additional costs associated with taking the exam (such as travel expenses).

3. Certified Public Policy Analyst (CPPA)

Certified Public Policy Analyst (CPPA) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). The CPPA designation is designed to recognize public policy professionals who have demonstrated mastery of the principles and practices of public policy analysis.

The CPPA requires applicants to have a minimum of three years of relevant experience in public policy analysis, as well as a master’s degree in public administration or related field. Candidates must also pass an exam that covers core topics such as research methods, program evaluation, budgeting, and policy development.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be taken at an approved testing center. It typically takes about four hours to complete the exam. The cost of the exam is $250 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will need to submit an application for certification along with several supporting documents such as your resume and transcripts. You will then be required to pay a one-time fee of $100 USD for your certification. Once your application has been approved, you will receive your official CPPA certificate from ASPA.

4. Certified Political Strategist (CPS)

Certified Political Strategist (CPS) is a professional designation given to individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of political strategy. It is an advanced certification that requires a combination of training, experience and education. The CPS certification is offered by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC).

To become certified as a CPS, one must first meet certain educational requirements. This includes having earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, as well as completing at least 24 semester hours in political science or related fields. In addition, applicants must have completed at least two years of full-time professional experience in the field of political strategy.

The AAPC also offers an online course for those interested in becoming certified as a CPS. This course covers topics such as campaign strategy, media relations, fundraising and public opinion research. Upon completion of the course, applicants are required to pass an exam administered by the AAPC to receive their certification.

The cost for the CPS certification program varies depending on whether you choose to take the online course or attend classes in person. The online course costs $695 and includes all study materials and access to the online exam. If you choose to attend classes in person, there may be additional fees associated with travel and lodging expenses.

It typically takes between two and four months to complete the CPS certification process once all requirements have been met.

5. Certified Public Affairs Manager (CPAM)

Certified Public Affairs Manager (CPAM) is a professional certification program for public affairs professionals. It is offered by the Public Affairs Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the field of public affairs. The CPAM designation recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the areas of public policy, communications, and advocacy.

The CPAM program consists of three parts: an online course, an exam, and a portfolio review. The online course provides an introduction to public affairs management and covers topics such as strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, message development, media relations, advocacy campaigns, and more. The exam is a two-hour multiple choice test that assesses knowledge of the topics covered in the online course. Finally, applicants must submit a portfolio demonstrating their professional accomplishments in order to receive their certification.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete all requirements for the CPAM designation. Applicants must pay a fee of $495 to register for the program and take the exam; additional fees may apply if applicants require additional time or assistance completing their portfolios.

6. Certified Government Relations Manager (CGRM)

Certified Government Relations Manager (CGRM) is a professional certification program offered by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC). The CGRM certification is designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of excellence in government relations management. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a commitment to professionalism, knowledge, and ethical conduct.

To become certified as a CGRM, applicants must meet certain requirements including having a minimum of five years of experience in government relations management, passing a written examination, and completing continuing education credits. The exam covers topics such as public policy analysis, legislative process, lobbying techniques, media relations, and ethics.

The cost to become certified varies depending on the level of membership with the AAPC. For non-members it typically costs around $500 for the application fee and exam fee combined. The cost for members is usually lower.

It typically takes about 6 months from start to finish to complete the CGRM certification process. After submitting an application and paying all necessary fees, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule their exam date. Once they pass their exam they will be officially certified as a CGRM and receive their certificate in the mail.

7. Certified Public Policy Consultant (CPPC)

A Certified Public Policy Consultant (CPPC) is a professional designation given by the National Association of Public Policy Analysis and Management (NAPPM). This certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in public policy analysis and management.

The CPPC credential requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as public policy, research methods, data analysis, economic theory, and communication skills. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions, essay questions, and case studies. Applicants must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their knowledge of public policy issues.

It typically takes two to three months to complete the application process for the CPPC certification. To apply for the CPPC credential, you must first complete an online application form and pay a fee of $250. You will then need to submit your portfolio and take the exam at a designated testing center.

Once you have passed the exam, you will be issued a certificate from NAPPM that verifies your status as a Certified Public Policy Consultant. The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on the type of training you receive prior to taking the exam; however, it generally ranges from $1,500-$2,000 USD.

8. Certified Political Campaign Manager (CPCM)

A Certified Political Campaign Manager (CPCM) is a professional credential offered by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC). The CPCM certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to manage successful political campaigns.

The CPCM program requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of campaign experience, including at least one year in a supervisory role. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as campaign strategy, fundraising, communications, research and data analysis, budgeting, compliance and ethics.

To become certified, applicants must complete an online application form and submit it along with the appropriate fee. The fee for the CPCM program is $500 for members of AAPC or $750 for non-members.

Once the application is approved and the fee has been paid, applicants will be sent an invitation to take the exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions covering all aspects of political campaign management and must be completed within three hours. Once the exam has been successfully completed, applicants will receive their certification within four weeks.

9. Certified Public Opinion Researcher (CPOR)

A Certified Public Opinion Researcher (CPOR) is a designation given to individuals who have met educational and professional requirements in the field of public opinion research. This certification is administered by the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR). To become a CPOR, an individual must complete a specific set of educational and professional requirements, including completing at least two years of full-time experience in the field of public opinion research. Additionally, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as survey design, sampling methods, data analysis, and report writing.

The process for obtaining a CPOR certification typically takes around six months to complete. Applicants must first submit an application to AAPOR along with transcripts from any relevant courses taken and proof of two years of professional experience in the field of public opinion research. Once the application is approved, applicants may take the CPOR exam which consists of three parts: multiple choice questions, written essays, and an oral presentation. After passing all three sections of the exam, applicants receive their CPOR certification.

The cost for obtaining a CPOR certification varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of AAPOR. For non-members, the cost is $400 for applications submitted before August 1st and $450 after August 1st. For members, the cost is $300 for applications submitted before August 1st and $350 after August 1st.

10. Certified Media Relations Specialist (CMRS)

A Certified Media Relations Specialist (CMRS) is a professional certification program offered by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The program provides specialized training and education to help media relations professionals develop their skills in developing and executing successful media relations strategies.

The CMRS program consists of three courses: Introduction to Media Relations, Advanced Media Relations, and Professional Practices. Each course is self-paced and takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. The cost of the CMRS program is $395 for PRSA members or $495 for non-members.

To become certified, an individual must successfully complete all three courses, pass a final exam with at least 70% accuracy, and submit a signed Code of Ethics form. Once these requirements are met, the individual will be awarded the CMRS designation.

11. Certified Strategic Communications Professional (CSCP).

Certified Strategic Communications Professional (CSCP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). It is designed to recognize and reward professionals who have achieved excellence in their field.

The CSCP program requires a minimum of two years of experience in strategic communications or related fields, such as public relations, marketing, digital media, advertising, or corporate communications. The program also requires applicants to pass an online assessment that covers topics such as strategy development, message design and delivery, stakeholder engagement, and evaluation and measurement.

It typically takes about three months to complete the CSCP program. During this time, applicants must complete all required coursework and assessments. After completing the program requirements, applicants must submit their application for review by the IABC Certification Board. If approved, applicants will receive their CSCP certification within four weeks of submitting their application.

The cost for the CSCP program varies depending on whether you are an IABC member or non-member. For members, the cost is $495 USD; for non-members it is $695 USD. This fee includes access to all course materials and assessments as well as one year of IABC membership (for non-members).

Do You Really Need a Public Affairs Specialist Certificate?

The short answer to this question is: it depends. A public affairs specialist certificate can certainly be beneficial for those looking to pursue a career in this field. It can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the field. That being said, it’s important to consider whether or not a certificate is necessary for the job you’re looking for.

In some cases, a certificate may be required in order to qualify for certain positions or promotions. Additionally, having a certificate may give you an edge over other applicants when applying for certain jobs. If you are considering pursuing a career in public affairs, it’s worth researching what type of certificate would be most beneficial and whether or not it would be necessary for the position.

On the other hand, if you already have experience and training in the field of public affairs, then a certificate may not be as important as gaining more experience through internships or professional development courses. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if obtaining a public affairs specialist certificate is worth your time and money. If it will help get you closer to achieving your career goals, then it could certainly be worthwhile!

Related: Public Affairs Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Public Affairs Specialist Certifications

Q1: What certifications are available for Public Affairs Specialists?

A1: The American Public Affairs Association (APAA) offers the Certified Public Affairs Specialist (CPAS) certification, the Advanced Certified Public Affairs Specialist (ACPAS) certification, and the Master Certified Public Affairs Specialist (MCPS) certification.

Q2: How do I become a Certified Public Affairs Specialist?

A2: To become a CPAS, you must have at least two years of experience in public affairs or related field and pass an exam administered by APAA. You must also complete 30 hours of continuing education every three years to maintain your certification.

Q3: What is the cost of obtaining a Certification?

A3: The cost varies depending on the level of certification you are seeking. For CPAS it is $450, for ACPAS it is $595 and for MCPS it is $795. There are additional fees associated with taking the exams as well as membership fees.

Q4: How long does it take to obtain a Certification?

A4: It depends on how quickly you can study and prepare for the exam. On average, it takes about six months to complete all requirements and obtain a CPAS certification. It may take longer if you need to retake any portions of the exam or if you need additional time to study.

Q5: Are there any other certifications related to public affairs that I should consider?

A5: Yes, there are many other related certifications such as Accredited Public Relations Professional (APRP), Certified Government Relations Professional (CGRP), Certified Political Strategist (CPS), and more. Each of these certifications has its own set of requirements and benefits so research them further to determine which one best fits your career goals.