The CPHR Paths
There are five paths to the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHRTM) designation.
To earn the CPHR designation, you must maintain an active membership with CPHR BC & Yukon for the full course of the CPHR path. Learn more about membership.
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Path 1: 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 applied HR experience within the past 10 years.
Path 2: Non-Degree
Requirements include:
- Must first meet coursework requirements before being able to register for the National Knowledge Exam (NKE)
- National Knowledge Exam PLUS
- 8 years of applied HR experience.
Path 3: Accredited
Requirements include:
- CPHR BC & Yukon accredited degree program in Human Resources from one of the schools below that satisfies the professional competencies PLUS
- Three years of applied HR experience within the past 10 years.
OR
- CPHR BC & Yukon accredited Post-Baccalaureate diploma or Post-Degree diploma from one of the schools below that satisfies the professional competencies PLUS
- Three years of applied HR experience within the past 10 years PLUS
- Proof of Bachelor degree in any field or discipline
OR
- CPHR BC & Yukon accredited certificate/diploma program in Human Resources from one of the schools below that satisfies the professional competencies PLUS
- Eight years of applied HR experience within the past 10 years.
Please note: An accredited degree in HR meets the requirements of both bullets 1 and 2 above.
To apply for certification through Path 3, please send official transcripts demonstrating an average of 70%, the exam exemption form and fee payment to cphr@cphrbc.ca. 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.
Schools that currently have agreements with CPHR BC & Yukon that are valid for Path 3 include:
- Acsenda School of Management (BBA-HRM option; graduated May 2014 or later)
- BCIT (HRM diploma program; graduated May 2013 or later)
- Camosun College (BBA (HRML) degree program or Post-Degree Diploma; graduated December 2012 or later)
- College of New Caledonia (Post-Diploma in Human Resources Management program; graduated August 2016 or later)
- Douglas College (Post-Degree Diploma in HRM, Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Advanced HRM or BBA Concentration in HRM; graduated May 2020 or later)
- Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (BBA degree program; graduated December 2018 or later)
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University (BBA degree program with a specialization in HR or a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in HR; graduated May 2012 or later)
- Okanagan College (BBA (HRM) degree program, Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in HRM; graduated May 2013 or later)
- Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies (HRM certificate program; graduated May 2016 or later)
- Thompson Rivers University (BBA (HRM) degree program or Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in HRM; graduated May 2017 or later)
- Trinity Western University School of Business (BBA degree program with a specialization in HR; graduated April 2019 or later)
- University of the Fraser Valley (BBA (HRM) degree program; graduated May 2017 or later)
- University of Northern British Columbia (BComm (HRM) degree program; graduated May 2017 or later)
- Vancouver Island University (BBA (HRM) degree program; graduated May 2017 or later)
CPHR Canada and the member associations, including CPHR BC & Yukon, are constantly reviewing and accrediting post-secondary programs in each region, requirements may vary slightly province to province. For a full list of accredited post-secondary schools across Canada, please refer to cphr.ca.
Path 4: Masters
Requirements include:
- Masters Degree in Human Resources recognized through a recognition agreement, Memorandum of Understanding, or otherwise approved by CPHR BC & Yukon PLUS
- Three years of applied HR experience within the past 10 years.
To apply for certification through Path 4, please send official transcripts demonstrating an average of 70% in the accredited degree and complete the exam exemption form and fee payment.
Please note: no current agreements under this path as of July 2020. Updates will be posted as they are approved.
Path 5: Executive Level
- Bachelor degree in any field or discipline PLUS
- 10 years of senior professional HR experience & have held an executive position
To apply for certification through Path 5, please contact the CPHR registrar.
Transfer
CPHR Association Transfer
- Inter-provincial transfer of a CPHR (or alternate designation) holder in good standing of another province deemed to be substantially equivalent or greater than CPHR BC & Yukon certification requirements.
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 (i.e. AHRI, CIPD, HKIHRM, SHRM, CHRL or CHRE) or greater than CPHR BC & Yukon certification requirements.
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.
Questions? Please contact the CPHR registrar.