AALEP ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL

Accreditation is offered by the Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the European Union (AALEP) as a service to those who find added value in a voluntarily obtained credential that provides recognition by peers that they have training and knowledge in the practice of government relations, have experience in applying that expertise competently, maintain appropriate professional development, agree to abide by ethical standards of practice, and are able to communicate effectively.

Not all Public Policy Advocates/GR Practitioners may need or seek accreditation, and the lack of accreditation should never be construed by itself as evidence of lack of education, expertise, or competence as a Public Policy Advocate/ GR Practitioner. However, holders of the AALEP credential have voluntarily applied for this status, have submitted materials that have been carefully reviewed by peers and found to be deserving of the credential, and must periodically undergo further review to maintain this status. Accreditation is not a guarantee of any sort that the Public Policy Advocate’s/Government Relations Practitioner's client or any third party will be satisfied with the work undertaken by the accredited individual, and the Public Policy Advocate/Government Relations Practitioner, not AALEP, is responsible for his or her own work.

In order to be accredited by AALEP as a Public Policy Advocate/Government Relations Practitioner, Applicants are required to demonstrate their readiness to be accredited through the submission of a portfolio combining education, experience and expertise.

The Accreditation consists of the following 7 components:

1. Contact Information
2. Covering Letter: The letter which should not exceed 1,500 words should summarize the materials submitted in the application and provide the reasons why the applicant feels he or she has met the criteria for accreditation. The covering letter is the opportunity to highlight particular qualifications and also to note and explain aspects which might be out of the ordinary. The covering letter should help understand how the combination of education, experience, and professional competence required of a professionally accredited Public Policy Advocate/Government Relations Practitioner is demonstrated in the application materials. It also serves as an indication of the applicant’s communication skills.
3. A résumé or CV: The résumé or CV should provide, a broad overview of credentials. A reduced Résumé or CV is perfectly acceptable.
4. List of Degrees Earned and Courses taken (Field of Degree, Year of Degree was earned and the Institution it was earned from)
5. A detailed list of practical relevant experience
6. A list of professional development activities
7. 2 Supporting letters from persons of substantial stature and firsthand knowledge of the work and skills of the applicant are required. These letters should address the issues of experience, competence, written and oral communications skills, professional growth, and any other relevant topics.

Application Fee: € 250 for EU citizens € 350 for Non-EU citizens. Application Fee is Non-Refundable. Accreditation is only for individuals, not organizations

Annual Maintenance Fee: € 150

Re-Application Fee: (Unsuccessful applicants may reapply once within 12 months at this rate.) € 200

For further information, please contact AALEP secretariat

aalep@numericable.be