PRSSA chapters are chartered by the PRSA National Board of Directors and must meet the following criteria:

• The chapter's university must offer a sequence of at least five courses in public relations.

• The chapter must have a minimum of 10 students, at least one of whom has completed a public relations course. The rest have to exhibit an interest in taking public relations classes, either in writing or by enrolling in such a class.

• At least eight students have to be at or below the junior level.

• The students must elect a faculty advisor, who must be a full-time instructor of public relations and a member of the Public Relations Society of America.

• The students must elect one or two professional advisors, both of which have to be members of PRSA. At least one of the professional advisors must have at least five years of experience in the profession or be accredited by PRSA.

• The chapter's application must be endorsed by the president and four members of the sponsoring PRSA chapter.