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Eligibility Criteria

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Candidates applying for PRC must satisfy the educational and practical requirements established by the Certification Board. PRC is awarded at two (2) levels of experience and knowledge. Each discipline is designated at one of two PRC levels depending on the depth and breadth of knowledge and work experience required for the position.

PRC Level Definitions:

When used to describe a researcher's skill level, the PRC program's levels are applied using these definitions:

• Expert: Has thorough expertise in topics defined on the job category section. The program requires that this level holds 5+ years in a senior level or equivalent position in the research profession or related field. Titles in this category typically include Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Owner, Executive Vice-President, Senior Vice-President, Vice-President, Senior Analyst, Director and the like.
  
• Practitioner: Has a working knowledge and comprehension of topics defined in job category. The program requires that this level holds 3-5 years in the current or equivalent position in the research profession or related field. This job category requires advanced skills; general application of concepts and principles; frequent use and general knowledge of industry practices, techniques and standards. Titles in this category typically include Manager, Supervisor, Analyst, Sales Staff and the like.
  

For each level of knowledge, a certain criteria must be met in order to gain certification. See below for application requirements.

Expert Candidates applying for PRC at the Expert level are expected to have a thorough and detailed knowledge and comprehension of topics classified for this level. Applicants must also meet the following criteria:

• A $250 non-refundable application fee.
• Intent to sit for the PRC exam within 12 months. Registration form and a $150 exam fee must be submitted two weeks prior to your preferred exam date.
• 5 years + in a senior level or equivalent position in opinion & marketing research.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Please include a separate document in support of your career skill development.
• Membership in at least one professional marketing research organization (MRA, IMRO,QRCA or AAPOR) that adheres to a code of ethics. If you do not hold membership in those listed here, we ask that you sign MRA's Code of Marketing Research Standards.
• Attendance to at least one industry conference in the last three years or at least five hours of business or research industry education in the last year.
• No known ethics violations in past three years.

In addition, those Certified at the Expert level are expected to earn 14 Contact Hours of education over the course of 2 years to maintain proficiency in their job category.

Practitioner Candidates applying for PRC at the Practitioner level are expected to have a working knowledge and comprehension of the topics classified for this level. Topics at the Practitioner level are central or mainstream and arise frequently in day-to-day professional practice. Applicants must also meet the following criteria:

• A $200 non-refundable application fee.
• Intent to sit for the PRC exam within 12 months. Registration form and a $150 exam fee must be submitted two weeks prior to your preferred exam date.
• Three years + in current or similar position in opinion & marketing research.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Please include a separate document in support of your career skill development.
• Membership in at least one professional marketing research organization (MRA, IMRO, QRCA or AAPOR) that adheres to a code of ethics. If you do not hold membership in those listed here, we ask that you sign MRA's Code of Marketing Research Standards.
• Three professional letters of recommendation attesting to your research experience.
• No known ethics violations in past three years.
• Attendance to at least one industry conference in the last three years or at least five hours of business or research industry education in the last year.

In addition, those Certified at the Practitioner level are expected to earn 18 Contact Hours of education over the course of 2 years to maintain proficiency in their job category.