Public Relations Licenses and ProfessionalsPublic Relations PioneersThe field of public relations has the opportunity to connect its past and present to build a powerful future, making the public relations profession a approved profession. Since the days of public relations pioneers like Edward Bernays (1891 - 1995), considered the "father of public relations" and Ivy Lee (1877 - 1934) also considered the "father of public relations", public relations practitioners public authorities fought desperately. to gain respect and maintain legitimacy in the eyes of the public and other professional groups. Bernays is of particular interest because he pioneered the public relations industry's use of traditional press techniques with the addition of psychology and other social sciences to design public persuasion campaigns. that it took an expert to "obtain consent", as he called it, Bernays spent many years trying to get the public relations vocation authorized, elevating it, in his words, "to the level of a occupation ". in 1992, he even introduced an eloquent bill to establish registration and licensing for public relations practitioners. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass, but the licensing proposal was actively considered, leaving room for expansion. require a specialization that can only be acquired and recognized through a minimum of training, a certification process and the required accountability to their profession and the public. This process is known as licensing. Real estate agents, lawyers, doctors and accountants must be licensed to present themselves as professionals to the public and practice their profession. The state of Michigan has more than 1,000 licensed professions and trades. It doesn't say much to the public relations practitioner that under the letter "P" on the Michigan license list, his or her profession is not listed. They fail to gain recognition within a group that includes pet groomers and package delivery services (see Table 1).Table 1 - MICHIGANS DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES LICENSED REQUIRED* (UNDER THE LETTER “P”)List provided by the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industrial ServicesTable 1 - Professions/Professions Licensed in Michigan Under “P” Consider the standards by which you select a professional.