Chartered Professionals
in Human Resources

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.

Accredited Schools Link

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Path 1: Degree

Requirements include:

Path 2: Non-Degree

Requirements include:

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). Or Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in HRM; graduated May 2022 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.

Accredited Schools Link