CLRP™ Paper Requirements

The CLRP™ Paper will be discontinued on 8/1/2026

Certification candidates can initiate the paper process until August 1, 2026; all requirements must be met by December 31, 2027. 
No extensions will be granted. Please read the Press Release for additional details.

Steps for Writing Your CLRP™ Paper

  1. Submit verification form. 
  2. If a topic is ready for consideration, include an outline to be reviewed.
  3. Topic/Outline will be reviewed by committee.
  4. Notification of Topic/Outline approval.
  5. Prepare and write paper. Prior to submitting, have a colleague review and comment, then revise, rewrite then proofread.
  6. Submit draft of paper.
  7. Paper will be then reviewed by the Academy Essay Review Committee.
  8. You will receive recognition of approval or notice to revise and resubmit.
  9. Receive certification of CLRP™.

Deadline

The paper is targeted to be due within six months of completion of all three Academy programs. Though no firm deadline, National PELRA has seen higher success rate completing papers closer to completing the required courses. 

Length

The CLRP™ Paper must be at least 6 pages and no more than 12 pages single-spaced or at least 12 pages and no more than 24 pages double-spaced.

Format

The paper format includes the title page with the title of the paper and the author's name. It is written in the style of an article for a professional journal. The author's full name, title, address, phone number and email address must appear at the end of the paper. Cite sources as appropriate.

Subject

Your paper must discuss, in depth, a subject related to one or more of the three Academies, and the academy/academies referenced should be included within the body of your paper. You are encouraged to select a topic that interests you and one that allows you to make a contribution to the field of labor relations. Be creative! Try to relate the topic to an experience in labor relations. Some suggested topics are:

Scope of Bargaining

  • Contracting Out
  • Impact vs. decision bargaining
  • Tests of good faith bargaining
  • Mandatory vs. permissive subjects

Preparation for Negotiations

  • Effective presentations in closed sessions
  • The importance of accurate costing
  • Assembling a total package

Labor Contract / Collective Bargaining Agreement Provisions

  • How a contract is organized
  • Appellate process in the labor contract
  • Legal provisions and their importance
  • Writing clear and unambiguous contract language

Arbitration

  • Rules of contract construction
  • Preparing an arbitration case
  • The Arbitration Hearing
  • Standards of proof

Negotiations

  • Effective techniques
  • negotiating pitfalls and how to avoid them
  • Impasse procedures
  • Interest-based bargaining
  • Work actions (strikes, sick-outs, slow-downs)

Final Paper

The final paper must be emailed to the assigned Committee member to complete the final approval process.  The final paper will be made available to other National PELRA members as it will be posted with past CLRP™ papers in a members-only resource library. Also, and with your permission, outstanding papers may be submitted for publication to professional journals or periodicals.