NAP awards two levels of accreditation above its basic membership level: Registered Parliamentarian (RP) and Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP). Membership in NAP is a pre-requisite for credentialing.
REGISTERED PARLIAMENTARIAN®
Registered Parliamentarian (RP) status demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of parliamentary procedure and a thorough familiarity with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. This knowledge helps RPs provide quality instruction to others learning about parliamentary procedure; enables them to respond quickly and confidently to questions and situations that arise during the conduct of business in the organizations they serve or in which they participate; and allows them to quickly find details or supporting documentation of any parliamentary topic.
The Legacy Registration Examination
The NAP Commission on Credentialing has determined that as of December 31, 2021, the legacy Registered Parliamentarian® (RP®) examination will be retired, and beginning on January 1, 2022, the new RP credentialing system will be used by all new RP candidates. Read more.
RP status is offered to NAP members who successfully complete the registration examination. The examination contains five parts:
•Research (open book with a 30-minute time limit)
•Motions and related concepts
•Meetings, sessions and related procedures
•Officers and elections, voting, boards and committees, and related procedures
•Rules of the assembly and related procedures
Five research questions are presented, and the 300 questions in the remaining four sections of the exam are taken from a set of 1,200 questions published by NAP and available for order. An applicant may retake an examination on any part or parts not passed. The registration re-examination must be taken within nine months. If not successfully completed within that time, the entire examination must be retaken to attain the designation of Registered Parliamentarian®.
Taking the Legacy Registration Examination
To take the registration examination, the member should download the Registration Exam Application Form or contact NAP Headquarters to request a blank form. The form must include the contact information for your monitor and you must indicate whether you plan to take the exam with an in-person monitor or with a virtual monitor. Taking the exam with a virtual monitor requires pre-approval from NAP. The examination may be taken at any time; however, the application and examination fee must be postmarked no later than 30 days prior to the date of the examination.
Examination fees are $200 for the full exam, $25 for Part I, and $50 for Parts II – V.
Maintaining RP® Status
Members who have achieved RP® status retain that status by successfully completing continuing education units over a six-year period and maintaining their RP® membership with NAP. More information and reporting forms can be found on the Documents page under Member Resources.
PROFESSIONAL REGISTERED PARLIAMENTARIAN®
Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP) status indicates that a member has the knowledge and practical skills to successfully deliver parliamentary services. Building on the expertise demonstrated at the Registered Parliamentarian level, the PRP designation shows that the member can provide quality parliamentary services and has agreed to adhere to the Code of Professional Responsibility adopted by NAP. PRPs are also eligible to participate in NAP’s professional referral service.
Obtaining PRP Status
PRP status is granted to a Registered Parliamentarian® who has been registered for at least one year and successfully completes a Professional Qualifying Examination demonstrating competency and skills in these areas:
•Serving as a professional parliamentarian and/or professional presider at conventions and meetings
•Working with an organization’s governing documents
•Engaging in parliamentary research and writing opinions
•Serving as an instructor/consultant
•Applying the ethical and business practices of a professional parliamentarian
Taking the Professional Qualifying Examination
The Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) is offered in conjunction with NAP’s Biennial Convention, National Training Conference, and at other times upon approval of the Professional Development Committee. Six or more participants are required, all of whom must have been a Registered Parliamentarian for at least one year prior to registering for the PQE. See the event calendar for exams currently scheduled, or contact NAP Headquarters to inquire about or arrange a class.
Maintaining PRP Status
Once a member earns the Professional Registered Parliamentarian designation, he or she must maintain this status through a combination of practical experience and continuing education. PRPs must submit a record of their parliamentary service and continuing education achievement. In addition, the member must successfully complete the Professional Renewal Certification (PRC) every six years or equivalent PRC Modules. More information regarding the renewal requirements and the PRP points form/worksheet are available on the Documents page under Member Resources.
Professional Renewal Certification
The Professional Renewal Certification (PRC) is offered in conjunction with NAP’s biennial convention, in conjunction with the National Training Conference, and at other times upon approval of the Professional Development Committee. Six or more participants are required. See the event calendar for events currently scheduled, or contact NAP Headquarters to inquire about or arrange a class.
