Objectives
To recognise prominent and experienced PR professionals
To allow practitioners to attain professional standing
To raise the level of professionalism of the Public Relations practice
To provide a formal certification
Criteria
The Institute of Public Relations Malaysia will accredit Consultants and Senior Consultants, based on their education, their experience, and their contribution to the PR fraternity and Body of PR knowledge. Experience is a key criterion for accreditation, a valued gauge for the professional achievements of the practitioner. In addition, both practitioners and senior practitioners must have a reputation for abiding by the principles of accuracy, truthfulness, decency, tastefulness, and Ethical and Professional Code of Conduct.
Eligible applicants for accreditation must be members of IPRM. Being a member of IPRM does not automatically qualify one as an accredited PR professional.
Steps In Achieving Accreditation
Application of IPRM Membership
Candidates are required to be members of the Institute prior to their application for Accreditation. Current IPRM members to proceed straight to Step 2.
Non-members are required to fill up a Membership application form, together with a Membership fee of RM200, with the annual subscription fee of RM100 and submit to the Secretariat for approval by the Chairperson of Membership.
The Membership form can be submitted together with the accreditation application form. Renewal of IPRM membership is carried out annually in January.
All member application is done online via our IPRM membership platform: HERE
Application Form
Applicants must fill up the application form and submit the application fee together to the Institute. This application form is proof of the applicants’ academic qualifications and work experience, which reflects the eligibility of the applicant who meets all the minimum requirements for accreditation.
The application package can be obtained from the IPRM Secretariat at RM50 per package, inclusive of delivery to applicant, if needed. This package contains.
Alternatively, you can download from the website:
- Information on accreditation
- Application form (Appendix I)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (Appendix II)
- CPD Details (Appendix III)
- Re-accreditation form (see Appendix IV)
- IPRM Code of Conduct (see Appendix V)
- IPRM Annual Report (if available)
- Calendar of all forthcoming courses and programmes (if available)
Project Report – Case Study
The report must include the objectives of the project, its execution processes and evaluation methods. The highlight of the report would be the applicants’ role in the project; how applicants plan, analyse and execute the project. The report should demonstrate the applicants’ knowledge and their ability to apply in their projects.
Panel Interview
Applicants will be interviewed by a panel of representatives from the government, private corporations, public relations practitioners and academics from Public Relations and Communication studies. They will assess applicants’ professional knowledge and skills.
Applicants will be notified of the date of interview after their applications are reviewed by the Board.
Written Examination
Only applicants who fall under the ‘Public Relations Practitioner’ category have to sit for a written examination before the panel interview. The exam is aimed at testing the applicants’ theoretical knowledge, professional ethics, written and analytical skills. The questions will be prepared by an Examination Board and approved by the Accreditation Board.
Referee
Applicants must submit the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees. These referees must show that they are familiar with the applicants’ work and track record, and are able to verify the applicants’ eligibility and professional conduct. Applicants’ relatives are not to be included.
Award of Accreditation
Applicants’ must attain at least an average of 65% in their Project Reports, Written Examination and Panel Interview. If they satisfy all other criterion, they will be granted accreditation by the Board. They will then be allowed to use the “APR” suffix after their designation.
Period of Application
Applications for accredited status are accepted and processed throughout the year.
Timeline for Accreditation
The Accreditation timeline for Tier 1 practitioners as a general guide are as follows：
The Accreditation Timeline for Tier 2 practitioners are as follows:
Ongoing Accreditation courses for applicants – except during May & Nov (Exams).
Check with the Secretariat from time to time.
Fees
Information and Terms
Fees are charged for every application of Accreditation. The IPRM EXCO and the Accreditation Board reserve the right to amend the charges as and when they deem necessary. The fee structure is as follows:
1. IPRM Membership Fee (for non-members) – Total RM 400, fees breakdown as below:
- Accreditation Fee (for 2 years): RM 200
- Membership fee & Annual Subscription: RM 200
- All member application is done online via our IPRM membership platform: HERE or contact us for inquiries.
2. Accreditation Pack:
- An Accreditation Package can be purchased from the IPRM Secretariat at RM50 each. Interested applicants would have to either purchase it at the Secretariat premises or send a cheque or postal order to this address:Institute of Public Relations Malaysia
Aras 10, Kompleks Kementerian Penerangan, Komunikasi & Kebudayaan, No. 49, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 4, 62100 Putrajaya.
The name of the sender and return address must be stated clearly. Alternatively, the completed accreditation pack can be emailed (iprm.org.my@gmail.com) for convenience.
3. Administration Fee:
- An administration fee of RM 100 is payable upon submission of application form for accreditation. This fee is non-refundable, regardless of the status of application.
4. Exam Fee:
- The fees for the written exam (only for public relations practitioners) is RM200.
5. Accreditation Fee:
- Once the applicants have been successfully accredited, they will pay and accreditation fee of RM 200 for the two-year accreditation period.
6. Appeal Fee:
- Applicants who appeal will need to pay RM 100. This fee is non-refundable regardless of the status of the appeal.
7. Re-accreditation Fee
- After the accreditation expires, applicants who would like to re-accredit themselves will have to submit a re-accreditation form, together with a payment of RM100 for administrative charges, RM200 for accreditation charges. The total amount paid for re-accreditation would be RM300 (excluding IPRM annual subscription fees).
Frequent Asked Questions
An Accredited Public Relations Professional reflects that the individual has demonstrated broad PR knowledge, experience and professional judgement in the field. The Accreditation programme will raise the level of professionalism of PR in Malaysia.
The Accreditation Board, which comprises of three teams: Interview Panel, Education Board and Appeal Committee. Members of the Accreditation Board are appointed by the IPRM Executive Council (EXCO). Each team will follow through the procedures for each applicant to ensure consistency. The Board is also in-charge of approving written exam questions, grading of the papers, and reviewing appeal cases.
Public Relations practitioners or Consultants who have between 3-5 years of fulltime experience in the area of Public Relations andSenior Consultants/Managers who have more than eight years of full-time experience in PR. Applicants must be members of IPRM.
IPRM ascribes to the general consensus of “Professionalism ” as stated by Cutlip, Center and Broom in Chapter 3 of their widely used textbook, “Effective Public Relations”:
- Requires specialised educational preparation to acquire skills and knowledge which are based on well-researched theories.
- Practitioners provide one-of-a-kind services which are recognised by the masses.
- Social responsibility and public service are upheld over other interests.
- Practitioners bear personal responsibility for their actions and strategic decisions.
- Adopts self-governing practice, normally by an association of colleagues, by abiding to code of ethics or standard of performance.
The “Professional” standard that is attained through the IPRM accreditation process will be based on the above principles.
All member application is done online via our IPRM membership platform: HERE
All payment must be made online through the platform.
An invoice & official receipt will be provided to you via email upon payment.
For any inquiries, please contact us.
While application can be any time of the year, the Accreditation process is flexible. However tests are generally conducted during the months of May and November each year, to ensure that accreditation process is completed by June and December.
The areas covered in the Accreditation examinations include:
- Strategic thinking
- Communications audit principles
- Written communication (styles and techniques)
- Project management
- Presentation skills
- Budgeting and cost control
- Time management
- General knowledge on Malaysia‟s socio-political condition
- Human Resource
You can record your work onto a CD-ROM and send it to the IPRM Secretariat. Alternatively contact any of the IPRM EXCO or your local IPRM chapter for details.
The cost for IPRM members would only comprise of the RM 200 accreditation fees (for two years), RM 100 administrative fees and RM 200 examination fees. For non-members, an extra RM 200 will be charged for application of the membership fees (RM 100) and annual subscription fees (RM 100).
Accredited professionals are allowed to use the “APR” suffix after their designation. This, they will hold for two-years, while obtaining 20 CPD points within the time span, in order to qualify for re-accreditation.
Yes. Applicants who do not succeed the first time are allowed to re-apply. The Appeal Committee will review the application.