Become a CPHR

There are many paths to the CPHR designation in BC & Yukon. These paths reflect the varied education and experience we see in the profession today.

Degree

Requirements include:

• Must first meet coursework requirements before being able to register for the National Knowledge Exam (NKE)
• National Knowledge Exam PLUS
• Bachelor degree in any field or discipline PLUS
• Three years HR experience within the past 10 years.

Diploma

Requirements include:

• Must first meet coursework requirements before being able to register for the National Knowledge Exam (NKE)
• National Knowledge Exam PLUS
• Diploma in any field or discipline PLUS
• Four years of HR experience within the past 10 years.

Certificate

Requirements include:

• Must first meet coursework requirements before being able to register for the National Knowledge Exam (NKE)
• National Knowledge Exam PLUS
• Certificate in any field or discipline PLUS
• Five years of HR experience within the past 10 years.

High School

Requirements include:

• Must first meet coursework requirements before being able to register for the National Knowledge Exam (NKE)
• National Knowledge Exam PLUS
• Eight years of HR experience within the past 10 years.

Accredited

Requirements include:

• Complete a CPHR BC & Yukon post-secondary program within the noted timeframe and with the minimum GPA

• Waive the National Knowledge Exam by applying for an NKE Waiver. First send your official transcript(s) to our Registrar.

• Three years of HR experience required for Degree program, Post-Baccalaureate diploma or Post-Degree diploma within the past 10 years.

• Four years of HR experience required for Diploma program within the past 10 years.
• Five years of HR experience required for Certificate program within the past 10 years.

To apply for certification, create an online profile first (if you aren’t already a member with us). Then send official transcripts demonstrating an average of 70%, the NKE waiver form and fee payment to [email protected].

A summary of steps can be found here.

You can save 25% off the exam exemption fee if you apply within 12 months of graduation.

How to Claim the NKE Waiver

Schools that currently have agreements with CPHR BC & Yukon can be found here.

CPHR Canada and the member associations, including CPHR BC & Yukon, are constantly reviewing and accrediting post-secondary programs in each region, and requirements may vary slightly province to province. For a full list of accredited post-secondary schools across Canada, please refer to cphr.ca.

9 Foundational HR Courses

• Complete the 9 Foundational HR Courses PLUS
• National Knowledge Exam PLUS
• Either three, four, five or eight years of HR experience within the past 10 years.

To apply for certification, please contact the CPHR registrar.

Executive Level

• Diploma, Certificate or Bachelor degree in any field or discipline PLUS
• 10 years of senior professional HR experience & have held an executive position

To apply for certification, please contact the CPHR registrar.

Please note: one must apply for the waiver within five years of graduation.

Schools that currently have agreements with CPHR BC & Yukon that are valid include:

• Acsenda School of Management (BBA-HRM option)
• BCIT (HRM diploma program) or (Certificate in Human Resource Management and must have completed all courses in Section 1 and 2 plus one elective of the current course matrix.  Note: BUSA 4800 Management Policy and FMGT 1152 Accounting for the Manager are required.) 
• Captus Institute, CPHR Academic Program (effective January 1, 2022)
• Camosun College (BBA (HRML) degree program or Post-Degree Diploma)
• College of New Caledonia (Post-Diploma in Human Resources Management program)
• Douglas College (Post-Degree Diploma in HRM, Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Advanced HRM or BBA Concentration in HRM)
• Fairleigh Dickinson University (Master of Administrative Studies – Human Resources Specialization)
• Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (BBA degree program)
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University (BBA degree program in management or a BA in HRM)
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University (BBA degree program with a specialization in HR or a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in HR)
• Okanagan College (BBA (HRM) degree program, Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in HRM). Or Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in HRM.
• School of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (BA (Honours) in Business Human Resource Management) part time.
• Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business (BBA HR program)
• Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies (HRM certificate program)
• Thompson Rivers University (BBA (HRM) degree program or Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in HRM)
• Trinity Western University School of Business (BBA degree program with a specialization in HR)
• University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business (BComm in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, HR Option)
• University Canada West (MBA program, HR elective)
• University of the Fraser Valley BBA (HRM) degree program
• University of Northern British Columbia BComm (HRM) degree program
• Vancouver Island University BBA (HRM) degree program
• Yorkville University (BBA – HR Concentration degree program)

CPHR Canada and the member associations, including CPHR BC & Yukon, are constantly reviewing and accrediting post-secondary programs in each region, and requirements may vary slightly province to province. For a full list of accredited post-secondary schools across Canada, please refer to cphr.ca.

CPHR Association Transfer

CPHR Canada requires that Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation holders maintain membership in CPHR BC & Yukon or the association responsible for CPHR certification in their province of residence. When a member moves to another province, they are required to become a member of the association in their new province of residence.

An official Confirmation of Good Standing must be submitted to CPHR BC & Yukon prior to the change in residence. CPHR BC & Yukon will forward the transfer form to the new association which will complete the CPHR holder’s enrolment as a professional member in their province. A transfer fee is payable to CPHR BC & Yukon.

Persons holding the CPHR designation that move into BC are required to apply for membership concurrent to the transfer of their designation from their former provincial associations. Provincial memberships are non-transferable. Please note that any lapse in membership longer than 60 days between the expiry of a former provincial membership and gaining membership in CPHR BC & Yukon may result in the revocation of the transferee’s designation. CPHR Membership Application Form.

Exceptions:

• When a CPHR BC & Yukon member holding the CPHR designation resides in another province for a limited time while maintaining their residency in BC.
• When a CPHR BC & Yukon member holding the CPHR designation resides outside of Canada.
• When a CPHR BC & Yukon member is relocating to Ontario, a $25 transfer fee and HRPA Confirmation of Good Standing form are required.

International / Non-Resident Transfer

• Recognition of a CPHR equivalent designation holder in good standing of another jurisdiction with whom CPHR BC & Yukon or CPHR Canada enjoys a Mutual Recognition Agreement or is deemed to be substantially equivalent.
  
  OR
• International prospects having satisfied a certification path approved by CPHR BC & Yukon and deemed to substantially meet or exceed the conditions of CPHR BC & Yukon certification requirements.

To apply for certification through International/Non-resident transfer, please contact the CPHR registrar.

If you are earning the CPHR designation you are required to submit proof that your bachelor’s degree is from an accredited Canadian college or university or the equivalent from a non-Canadian institution. Search a directory of accredited Canadian institutions.

If you received your degree within Canada, you will need to contact the university’s registry and have your transcript sent directly to the address below. The transcript fee is about $10 to $15.

CPHR Registrar
CPHR BC & Yukon
1101-1111 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 2J3
Canada

If your degree is from outside of Canada, you must have a report completed by either of the following:

• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
• World Education Services

The cost for a basic report is about $125.

There are nine HR courses required for anyone who wishes to write the National Knowledge Exam (NKE). CPHR Canada added these requirements to ensure that registrants for the NKE have a foundational knowledge of the CPHR Competency Framework. The coursework requirement builds on the credibility of the CPHR designation by establishing a standard for the educational needs of a CPHR.

To pursue the designation, one must first be a member. If you do not have an HR focused education you must complete the coursework requirement.

The coursework requirement may be met in the following ways:

• Through an accredited HR program.
• Completion of an HR Certificate or HR Diploma that covers the foundational courses*
• Continuing Education courses in HR*
• HR courses already completed within your non-HR post-secondary program*
• The CPHR Academic Program

*Please check the Equivalency Lists for Courses and Programs that have been approved. And please note that bullet points can be mixed and matched.

If your coursework is not in the pre-approved database you would need to apply for a Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR) through Captus Press. Captus Press would perform your assessment and notify CPHR BC & Yukon of the results. There are fees associated with this assessment and you can contact Captus Press directly for more details.

FAQ – Coursework Requirement

The National Knowledge Exam® (NKE) assesses one’s comprehension of the academic knowledge related to professional competencies across nine functional areas of human resources as outlined in the CPHR Competency Framework. Find out more about the NKE content and structure below.

Exam Dates and Locations

*A Special Note Regarding Upcoming NKEs

The National Knowledge Exam will only be offered once a year, each fall.

Writers can choose their preference for writing the exam via a test centre or remote proctoring. Once registered send an email to [email protected] advising of your preference.

For those that choose a test centre as their preference, this is not a guarantee. In the event a test centre is unavailable, the registrant would be assigned to remote proctoring. CPHR Canada and Meazure Learning will continue to monitor the availability of test centres and will source seats following the close of registration. Test Centres will be sourced within a 2-hour driving distance (one-way) from each registrant. If a test centre seat is not available within a 2-hour driving distance (one-way), they will be booked for a live, remote proctored exam. A remote proctored exam can be taken anywhere in the world. The exam can be taken at one’s home, office, etc.

Writers will be assigned a time to write their exam. Writers will receive their assigned time, as well as additional information and instructions, approximately 3 weeks prior to the exam date(s).

Registration and Fees

To register for the National Knowledge Exam you must be a member of CPHR BC & Yukon. For more info on how to become a member, visit our membership page.

If you are already a member and have completed the course requirements you can register for the exam ONLINE. Online is the quickest and easiest way to register for the exam. Registration is open.

If you are unable to register online than you can submit the manual forms that can be found below to [email protected] for processing.

• CPHR Application Form
• CPHR Exam Registration Form

Registration includes:

• $60 CPHR Application Fee
• $550 NKE Registration Fee

Please note: CPHR BC & Yukon fees such as the NKE registration fee are non-refundable. See below for information on exam deferral.

NKE Support

If you are looking for resources to support you to prepare for the NKE, visit the Knowledge Hub and look under Exam Centre section. If you have further questions, start with the CPHR FAQ.

Exam Accommodation

Do you require an accommodation to complete the exam? If yes, please complete the NKE Accommodation Request Form and submit to [email protected] at the time of exam registration. Please download the NKE Accommodation handbook for more details.

Exam Content & Structure

The National Knowledge Exam (NKE) assesses one’s understanding of the Competency Framework as they relate to academic knowledge. Academic knowledge refers to basic facts, policies, practices, methods, legislation, etc. It is information that can be written into procedures and transferred fairly accurately during the learning process. Examples of academic knowledge include: the rights and responsibilities of management and labour during union organizing and negotiation processes; the various methods of training and developing staff; and human rights, employment equity and pay equity legislation.

Question Content

The NKE’s questions are based on the content in the following nine HR-related areas, or functional dimensions, under which the Competency Framework is organized.

Below, the percentages provide guidelines on the extent to which each area of knowledge is emphasized within the NKE.

• Strategy 11%
• Professional Practice 12%
• Engagement 11%
• Workforce Planning and Talent Management 11%
• Employee & Labour Relations 11%
• Total Rewards 11%
•  Learning and Development 11%
• Health, Wellness, and Safe Workplace 11%
• HR Metrics, Reporting and Financial Management 11%

Question Structure

The NKE is comprised of 160 questions including 10 questions which are added to the exam to allow new questions to be pre-tested. Pre-test questions will not affect the score and are used in examinations as an effective and legitimate way to test the validity of future examination questions. They are placed randomly throughout the exam.

Exam writers have 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the 160 questions on the NKE.

The questions are multiple choice. Research has shown that exams using four-option multiple-choice questions to test academic knowledge are valid and preferred because they:

• Provide more flexibility and adaptability
• Tend to be more reliable than other formats
• Can accommodate a wide range of skills, knowledge and abilities to be measured
• Provide better sampling
• Have lower chance scores
• Can be scored using efficient technology

Question Creation

Questions included in the exam are developed by an Operational Plan of Item Writers. This panel is coordinated by CPHR Canada and the Exam vendor. The panel members are considered “best in class” for their respective areas of HR expertise.

Exam Day

Permissible and Non-Permissible Items

A scan of each writers’ workspace and surrounding area will be conducted by the proctor prior to the start of your exam to ensure none of the following non-permitted items are present. This may be conducted with a cell phone with a front facing camera. The cell phone will be required to be removed from the testing area once the scan is complete.

Permitted items

• Government issued photo identification*
• Computer or laptop*
• Mirror or reflective surface to show the proctor your monitor to ensure there are no notes or writing attached to the monitor.*
• Water in a clear, unmarked container

*Required items

Non-permitted items

• “Scrap paper”
• Writing utensils
• Notebooks, textbooks or other reference materials
• Electronics (besides computer being used to write exam; this includes items such as cell phones, tablets, watches of any kind, headphones)
• Bags, purses
• Food
• Visitors

Exam Deferrals

After the exam registration deadline has passed, exam fees are non-refundable. You cannot cancel your exam registration, you must defer to the next exam sitting. If you choose not to defer, you will be considered a “no show” for the exam and you will forfeit your exam fee.

• Prior to the exam registration deadline – you may choose to either cancel your exam registration or defer to the next examination date.
• Up to the registration deadline – you may defer to the next sitting at no cost.
• Between the registration deadline and 14 days prior – you may defer to the next sitting but will be charged a deferral fee of $100 + GST.
• Within 14 days prior to the exam – you may defer to the next sitting but will be charged a deferral fee of $225 + GST, except in cases of illness or bereavement (official verification required). CPHR BC & Yukon will review the application and determine whether you qualify based on illness, bereavement or other special circumstances.
• Within 5 business days of the exam date – deferrals are not allowed unless there is verified proof of extenuating circumstances such as serious illness or loss of immediate family. Please contact [email protected] as soon as possible should such a situation arise. Cancellations within 5 business days of the exam date for any other reason are considered to be no-shows and the full exam fee will be forfeited.

If you wish to defer writing the exam, you must submit a CPHR Exam Deferral Form. Once your application for deferral has been approved, you will be registered for the next exam sitting.

Registrants who defer to a future sitting and then cancel their registration any time prior to this sitting will forfeit their initial exam fee plus any deferral fee paid.

A maximum of two deferrals are allowed before the CPHR application process is terminated. Membership fees are non-refundable.

Exam Attempts

Candidates who fail the NKE three times are required to wait a full year before attempting the NKE for a fourth, and final, time. A fifth attempt may be permitted following a review process by your provincial HR association.

Exam Results

Exam results are emailed approximately eight weeks after each exam session. It also allows time for the results to be reviewed and the quality of the exam verified.

Overall scores are reported as scaled scores to ensure consistent reporting of scores between different versions of the NKE. It is achieved through mathematically converting raw scores into scaled scores with the passing scaled score always equal to 500.

Exam Scoring

The NKE is a multiple-choice assessment of knowledge in human resources. Of the 160 questions on the examination, 150 are designated as operational (intended to be scored), and 10 unscored are included for field test purposes. A candidate’s total score is calculated as their number of correct answers.

Candidate responses are extracted from the line test delivery tool, and imported into a scoring and reporting software. Then, a preliminary item analysis study is conducted in which the statistics that describe the quality of each question is used to identify if any questions demonstrate unsatisfactory measurement properties. Such questions are then reviewed one-by-one by experts in human resources, and these experts decide whether or not the questions should be scored. Thus, the number of questions that ultimately are scored may not equal 150. Once these decisions are made, they are recorded in the answer key and an additional item analysis study is conducted to verify that the decisions were recorded correctly.

Using the approved answer key, the answer records are then scored and equated. Equating is a statistical process used to be sure that everyone is held to the same passing standard. This is necessary because there are multiple versions of each exam, and these versions may vary slightly in difficulty. Thus, scores that result from this process account for the number of scored questions answered correctly by each individual as well as the difficulty of the version of the NKE used in the given test administration, such that scores represent the proficiency of each candidate relative to the standards established for the NKE. These scores are then scaled to a distribution that ranges from 200 to 800, with the criterion-referenced passing standard anchored at 500. A scaled score is a score that has been mathematically transformed from one scale to another scale that is used for reporting purposes. This transformation is similar to converting from pounds to kilograms. The weight of the object has not changed, only the units being reported. The scaling is performed by multiplying the raw score for each candidate by the expected standard deviation of the scaled-score distribution and then adding a constant that places the passing standard at 500.

Manual Re-scores

Scanned exam scores are very accurate, however manual re-scores are available for those who believe that there has been an error in the scoring of their exam. Requests for manual re-scores will be accepted for 60 days following the release of exam results. Please allow at least two weeks for processing of your request.

To request a manual re-score for the NKE, print a copy of the request form, complete and send along with payment of $65 CDN, to the address indicated on the form.

CPHR BC & Yukon provides resources to help you prepare for the National Knowledge Exam® (NKE).

Online Prep Courses

The Captus Online NKE Prep Course is the only online learning course fully endorsed and recognized by CPHR BC & Yukon. If you’re looking to prepare to take the National Knowledge Exam, we recommend you invest in this online course. Read more about the important features of the NKE Prep Course from Captus.

More Resources

Test your knowledge with practice questions from a sample NKE exam.

There are several textbooks related to human resources management that may be useful when studying for the NKE.

Learn more about the CPHR Pathways and then choose the preparation options that are best suited to you.

The Validation of Experience (VOE) Assessment is the final step in earning the CPHR designation.

The VOE ensures that human resources professionals who obtain the CPHR designation have the knowledge and skills required to practice human resources competently and ethically.

Applicants must:

• Be a member in good standing with CPHR BC & Yukon
• Agree to abide by the CPHR BC & Yukon Code of Ethics & Standards of Professional Conduct
• CPHR Candidates have 10 years to complete the VOE after passing the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) or being exempt from writing the NKE.

Educational Requirements

Ensure you submit official transcripts of the highest level of education achieved.

Education received outside Canada needs to be assessed through one of these organizations:

• World Education Services (WES)
• International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES)

Experience Requirements

The number of years required is based on the level of education as listed below:

• Applicants with a degree need 3 years’ work experience
• Applicants with a diploma need 4 years’ work experience
• Applicants with a certificate need 5 years’ work experience
• Applicants without a degree/diploma/certificate need 8 years’ work experience

Note: For every type of education achieved maximum 1 year of HR experience may be in an administrative role.

Experience must be obtained within 10 years from the VOE submission deadline.

Demonstrate 8 specific examples that correspond to the competency framework at the advisory HR level using the STAR method.

The majority of the work experience, 51% or more, must be advisory HR level.

 Resources for Completing the VOE

• VOE Handbook
• VOE Form
• VOE Checklist
• Competency Framework

Submission Deadlines

• February 15 – Results sent out in April
• May 15 – Results sent out in July
• September 15 – Results sent out in November

Fees

• $100 CPHR Experience Assessment Review Fee
  • Payable at the time a VOE form is submitted for review
• $400 CPHR Validation of Experience Assessment Completion Fee
  • Payable upon successful completion of the experience requirement

Notification of Receipt of Submission & Results

Applicants will be notified by CPHR BC & Yukon upon the receipt of their assessment via email.

Applicants will be notified of the results of their VOE Application within 8 weeks from the submission deadline. Unsuccessful applications will be notified of gaps in their experience assessment and options available to them. There is no limit to the number of times an individual may apply.

Looking for more details? Visit our comprehensive VOE FAQ.

Recorded VOE Information Session

If you choose to pursue the CPHR designation by being part of an accredited program you will need to send your official school transcripts demonstrating an overall cumulative average of 70%, complete the exam waiver form and pay the exam waiver fee of $483 to [email protected].

 You can save 25% off the exam exemption fee if you apply within 12 months of graduation.

Step-By-Step Process For Graduates From Accredited Schools

1. Be a Student Member of CPHR BC & Yukon while at school. 
2. Complete your Accredited degree, certificate, or diploma with a minimum overall cumulative 70% pass mark (GPA or Average Letter Grading will vary from school to school). 
3. Must apply for waiver within five years of graduation.
4. Send your Official Transcripts to the CPHR Registrar via email [email protected] or hard copy to our Vancouver address. (You can do this yourself or ask your school to send it).

The CPHR Registrar will review and send you the appropriate form. There is an exam waiver fee payable. The CPHR Registrar  will confirm your fee and the process to pay it. If you are a new graduate or have graduated within the last 12 months you will save 25% off the exam exemption fee which is regularly $460+GST= $483 (this includes one-time $60 certification application fee). So the reduced fee is $345+GST=$362.25.

Once your NKE waiver application is fully processed, you will be sent confirmation. Congratulations – at that stage you are a CPHR Candidate!

Future Steps

1. Maintain your CPHR BC & Yukon membership to maintain your CPHR Candidate status. (You will be able to take advantage of the New Graduate Membership rate on your first renewal after graduating). 
2. The final step on your path to become a fully qualified CPHR is to attain 3 years with a degree or 8 years of HR experience without a degree, depending on the path you follow. See Validation Of Experience section above.