NEW YORK, August 10, 2006 – The Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), the leading certification body for public relations professionals, today released April-June quarterly results for the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations, as well as year-end results for the Examination’s third fiscal year. The computer-based Examination with the Readiness Review step was introduced on July 1, 2003; therefore, the UAB’s reporting year ends June 30.

April - June 2006 Results & Quarter-to-Quarter Comparisons

Activity	Apr-Jun 2005	Apr-Jun 2006	% Change
Candidate applications approved by UAB	93	86	-8%
Candidates participating in Readiness Review	60	94	+57%.
Candidates Advanced from Readiness Review	52	78	+50%
Candidates completing the computer-based Examination	50	50	—
Candidates passing the computer-based Examination	30	37	+23%
Computer-based Examination Pass Rate	60%	74%

“Our quarter-to-quarter comparisons are encouraging,” said 2006 UAB Chair Mary Graybill, APR. “Though our application rate for the quarter was off slightly, more candidates are successfully advancing through the process and earning Accreditation. Our pass rate is up. It is gratifying to note, too, that the number of candidates passing the computer-based Examination has increased every single quarter, year over year, since we introduced it.”

2005-2006 Year- End Results & Year-to-Year Comparisons

Activity	Jul 04 - Jun 05	Jul 05 - Jun 06	% Change
Candidate applications approved by UAB	300	284	-5%
Candidates participating in Readiness Review	206	212	+3%
Candidates Advanced from Readiness Review	173	181	+5%
Candidates completing the computer-based Examination	164	195	+19%
Candidates passing the computer-based Examination	100	148	+48%
Computer-based Examination Pass Rate	61%	76%

“In FY 2006, we welcomed an average of about three new APRs per week. Our yearly results show that significantly more candidates took and passed the computer-based Examination in FY 2006 than in FY 2005,” said Graybill. “This speaks to the outstanding work our Accreditation Chairs, coaches and other volunteers are doing to prepare candidates for the Examination. As the Examination enters its fourth year, we look forward to welcoming more newly Accredited public relations professionals, and to success rates that continue to rise.”

The Universal Accreditation Board was established in 1998 by a coalition of public relations professional organizations including the Agricultural Relations Council, Asociación de Relacionistas Profesionales de Puerto Rico, Florida Public Relations Association, Maine Public Relations Council, National School Public Relations Association, Public Relations Society of America, Religion Communicators Council, Southern Public Relations Federation and Texas Public Relations Association. Each organization contributes resources and senior-level volunteer members who represent all segments of the public relations profession.

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