RESTON, Virginia, April 5 /PRNewswire/ --

- Scope of Registration Includes All Business and Support Activities Within PRA

PRA International (Nasdaq: PRAI), a leading global clinical research organization, announced today that the company has received ISO 9001:2000 registration for its global, integrated management system following an extensive and comprehensive audit by Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQi).

The ISO 9001:2000 registration confirms the company's commitment to quality, and serves as acknowledgement of PRA's customer-first focus.

The scope of the registration includes all business and support segments within PRA, including the design, development and conduct of clinical trials, information technology, quality assurance, business development, human resources, and finance. This important distinction also certifies that PRA achieved each of the requirements of the standard in all of the company's operations worldwide.

ISO 9001:2000 is the latest international standard for Quality Management Systems set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It is recognized globally as the guideline for establishing and maintaining an effective quality program. Companies seeking registration must demonstrate their ability to consistently provide products or services that meet customer and regulatory requirements to the satisfaction of an independent third party auditor. The BVQi audit team thoroughly examined the company's business processes, data and records, interviewed employees and monitored the work in process at PRA's offices throughout the world.

"I am very proud of PRA International and our achievement of this important milestone and wish to congratulate every PRA employee," said Pat Donnelly, PRA President and Chief Executive Officer. "PRA has always stressed the importance of quality and reliability of its services. ISO 9001:2000 registration is compelling evidence of PRA's ongoing commitment to be the best in our industry. I believe PRA's achievement furthers our aim to develop long-term customer relationships by earning their confidence in our clinical development services."

Don E. Hall, Lead Auditor at BVQi, called PRA a truly global company.

"Things were so impeccably consistent, if it were not for the accents of the people in some locations, I would have never known that I was in a different office," he said. "In the over 200 companies visited and the 400 audits that I have conducted, I have also never been associated with a more professional group."

PRA International

PRA International is one of the world's leading clinical development organizations, with over 2,500 employees working from offices in North America, Europe, South America, Africa, Australia and Asia. PRA delivers services to its clients through a unique approach called Project Assurance(SM), which represents the company's commitment to reliable service delivery, program-level therapeutic expertise, global access to knowledge, and involved senior management.

BVQi (NA), PRA International's partner in the ISO 9001:2000 certification process, has certified over 52,000 companies around the world and stresses the need for continuous improvement as well as their commitment to adding value throughout the process.

To learn more about PRA International, please visit http://www.prainternational.com or call our World Headquarters at +1-703-464-6300.

CONTACT: Brian Roberts of PRA International, +1-703-464-6323, RobertsBrian@PRAIntl.com

Web site: http://www.prainternational.com

Brian Roberts of PRA International, +1-703-464-6323, RobertsBrian@PRAIntl.com