AALEP ACCREDITATION: EVERYTHING YOU’VE WANTED TO KNOW

The AALEP Accreditation is voluntary; it is not the same as certification, which, in other professions, may be required before one can practice. AALEP accreditation is for those who feel it will help them professionally.

Do I qualify to be accredited?

Individuals with an advanced degree in Government Relations, or a related field and three years of qualified work experience are eligible to apply. To be accredited, Applicants  demonstrate that they meet those two criteria, that they are competent GR practitioners at a level commensurate with those criteria, that they have good communication skills, and that they are committed to ongoing professional development. Also, accredited GR Practitioners agree to abide by AALEP Ethical Guidelines for GR Practice.

Individuals who have at least three years of paid, full- time experience in the professional practice of GR , or in the teaching or administration of GR courses   are eligible for Accreditation. Also, Non-members in AALEP who meet the same requirements are eligible.

Do I take a test?

Applicants do not have to take a test or exam. The AALEP’s accreditation programme is portfolio-based, rather than examination-based.

What materials do I need when I apply?

Your Application must include a CV or résumé, a cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements for accreditation, a list of degrees earned, a detailed list of relevant work experience, examples of GR work you have done, a list of professional development activities you have recently undertaken, and contact information for two people who will serve as references.

What should my references be and what will they be asked

Your references should be people who are familiar with your work and who can speak about your professional competence, communications skills, and commitment to professional development and ethical practice.

How is my Application Reviewed

Each application is reviewed by at least three members of the AALEP Accreditation Committee. Reviewers have been trained on the accreditation guidelines and how to evaluate applications against the criteria for accreditation. Reviews are handled confidentially, and committee members recuse themselves from any applications for which they may have a conflict of interest.

What if my Application is unsuccessful?

The long-term goal of the Accreditation Committee is to accredit GR Practitioners, not to exclude them. However, it is the responsibility of each applicant to demonstrate that she or he meets the criteria. If an applicant is unsuccessful in doing so, the applicant receives a letter from the committee indicating what will be needed to achieve success in a future attempt. Reapplying is easy, in the sense that an applicant does not have to start from scratch, and the cost is minimal. However, unsuccessful applicants should carefully consider and fully address the information the committee has provided in the letter before reapplying.

How much does it cost?

There is a € 250 charge to apply for accreditation for EU/EEA citizens ( and € 350 for Non-EU/EEA citizens) and an annual fee of € 150 to maintain accreditation. However, this annual fee is easily recouped through savings available to accredited members, who receive a 20% discount on Continuing Education courses and a 20% discount on registration fees for the Conference on GR Practice. Unsuccesful applicants may reapply once within 12 months at a special rate of € 200.

Why should you apply for accreditation?

The programme is voluntary. Accreditation is not licensure. That is, one does not have to have accreditation to practice GR the way one must be licensed to practice law, for example.

But the important word after “voluntary” is “professional.” Accreditation brings value to both members of the profession and those who benefit from the work of professional GR Practitioners.

Viewed from the profession, accreditation testifies that there is a body of knowledge known as “GR” that accredited practitioners must be well versed in that knowledge at an advanced level, and must have applied it competently and ethically through practice for several years to be considered a professional. And, as rapidly as the theory and practice of GR evolves, so must professional GR Practitioners continually stay abreast of new developments in their areas of expertise.

Of course, one does not have to be accredited to have these qualities, but accreditation is one witness to the wider world that GR Practitioners are professionals, akin to architects, doctors, engineers, and lawyers.

Why is this important? Many issues and the policies of governments are crucially influenced by government relations. Sound GR practice informs sound decisions, leading to better policymaking and better outcomes. Incorrect or unethical use of GR can produce misleading results, poor advice, and bad choices.

That is, the practice of GR is a job for skilled professionals. Accredited GR Practitioners are recognized by their peers as combining education, experience, competence, and commitment to ethics at a level that labels them as professionals. In addition, accreditation provides a measure of assurance to employers, contractors, and collaborators of GR professionals and is a mark of accomplishment to society at large.

AALEP invites all qualified GR professionals to become accredited

Professional Recognition

Professional recognition might be defined as the formal acknowledgement of an individual’s professional status and right to practice the profession in accordance with professional standards and subject to professional or regulatory controls. In broader terms, professional recognition extends to all qualifications, activities and behaviors that support an individual’s professional status.

Simply put, professional recognition enhances a person’s professional status and/or qualifications which supports their credibility. It distinguishes an individual from others for job selection, achievement, or promotion. And, it creates a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that comes from recognition by one’s peers.

Professional recognition should be viewed as a component of lifelong learning as it serves us well to become members of learning communities in the pursuit of continuous improvement. A focus on increasing our skills and knowledge leads to competency development that results in professional recognition--recognition that is meaningful and noteworthy and that serves to build a career full of rich personal contacts and business opportunities.