How To Pass An Hcareer Certificate

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1 HRBP SM AND HRMP SM 2013 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES HANDBOOK THE HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 1

2 CONTENTS THE HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE 3 ACCREDITATION 3 CERTIFICATION EXAMS 3 EXAM DELIVERY 3 NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT 3 QUICK REFERENCE 3 SUMMARY OF THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS 4 TESTING DATES AND APPLICATION DEADLINES 5 EXAM FEES ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT DEADLINE DATES 5-6 HRBP ELIGIBILITY HRMP ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW 6-10 WHAT IS CERTIFICATION? COMPONENTS OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS WHY EARN A CREDENTIAL? PURPOSE OF CERTIFICATION HRBP AND HRMP OVERVIEW HOW DO THE EXAMS DIFFER? CHOOSING THE APPROPRIATE EXAM PROFILE OF A CANDIDATE EXAM OVERVIEW PASSING SCORE APPLY FOR AN EXAM APPLICATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLICATION CONFIRMATION USER ID NUMBER APPLICATION REVIEW SELECTION OF TESTING PERIOD AUTHORIZATION TO TEST LETTER (ATT) ADDRESS CHANGES NAME CHANGES ADDITIONAL FORMS APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINES PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE IN AN HR POSITION DOCUMENTING WORK EXPERIENCE CREDENTIAL READINESS ASSESSMENT (CRA) EXAM APPLICATION AUDIT SPECIAL TESTING ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS PAYMENT METHODS SPECIAL SERVICE FEES EXAM TYPE CHANGE ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATE REVIEW OF EXAM SCORE AFTER APPLYING FOR THE EXAM EXAM ELIGIBILITY APPEAL DECISION DISCIPLINARY AND CERTIFICATION ACTION/APPEALS EXAM TEST CENTERS AND APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING EXAM APPOINTMENT CANCELLATION AND APPLICATION WITHDRAWAL HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 2

3 EXAM REFUNDS MEDICAL OR PERSONAL EMERGENCY REFUND ONLINE GLOSSARY OF HR TERMS 21 ON EXAM DAY FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION MIDDLE INITIAL, SIGNATURE, AND PHOTO HYPHENATED NAMES TEST CENTER RULES REGISTRATION PROCESSES (ALL CANDIDATES) EXAM PROCESSES FOR ALL TEST CENTERS AFTER THE EXAM EXAM SCORING AND OFFICIAL SCORE REPORTS UNDERSTANDING THE SCORE REPORT HOW THE PASSING SCORE WAS SET WHY ARE SCALED SCORES USED RETAKING THE EXAM RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS RECERTIFICATION THROUGH CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RECERTIFICATION BY EXAM RETENTION POLICY 26 VERIFICATION POLICY 26 APPENDIX A - APPLICATION SCREEN SHOTS APPENDIX B - HUMAN RESOURCE BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL (HRBP) BODY OF KNOWLEDGE APPENDIX C - HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL (HRMP) BODY OF KNOWLEDGE APPENDIX D - FORMS APPENDIX E - PROMETRIC REGIONAL CONTACT CENTERS APPENDIX F - CODE OF ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 3

4 THE HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE The HR Certification Institute was established in 1976 as an internationally recognized certifying organization for the human resource profession. The Institute has certified more than 120,000 HR professionals worldwide. HR certification represents a high level of professional achievement valued by employers and organizations in every country. ACCREDITATION The HR Certification Institute was accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) in NCCA is an independent, third party organization that accredits more than 300 programs from 120 organizations in a variety of industries. Certification programs must demonstrate compliance with rigorous standards that represent the best practices in the professional certification industry to earn and maintain accreditation status. For more information on NCCA accreditation, visit CERTIFICATION EXAMS The HR Certification Institute offers different types of certification exams for the human resource profession including: PHR Professional in Human Resources PHR-CA Professional in Human Resources-California SPHR Senior Professional in Human Resources SPHR-CA Senior Professional in Human Resources- California GPHR Global Professional in Human Resources HRBP* Human Resources Business Professional HRMP* Human Resources Management Professional *NOTE: the HRBP and HRMP certification exams are not offered in the US, Alaska or Hawaii. This booklet provides information about the HRPB and HRMP certification programs. For detailed information about the other certification exams, please refer to EXAM DELIVERY HR Certification Institute partners with Prometric for exam delivery. Prometric s full range of test delivery solutions provides convenient locations, flexible delivery models and customized programs. They have one of the largest and most secured test delivery systems in the world, one that delivers tests every day of the week, any week of the year, in approximately 8,000 individual testing centers in more than 160 countries. NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The HR Certification Institute does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age religion, marital status, sexual orientation or any other status that is protected by applicable law. QUICK REFERENCE HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE: 1800 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA USA / Web site: For application or test site questions: exams@hrci.org For refunds: refunds@hrci.org HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 4

5 For login: For all other general information: PROMETRIC: 1501 South Clinton Street, Baltimore MD USA Web site: To schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment: landing.aspx or call a Regional Contact Center (See Appendix E). Holiday site closures, and scroll to holiday schedule at the bottom of the page). For test site closure information: For general information: For test site issues: CERTIFICATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES HANDBOOK This handbook contains complete information about two exams: the Human Resources Business Professional (HRBP) and the Human Resources Management Professional (HRMP). It outlines the eligibility requirements, exam content, application and testing process. Certification candidates must follow all procedures and deadlines in this handbook. Please contact the HR Certification Institute with additional questions. SUMMARY OF THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS Exam candidates follow these steps to earn a global credential from the HR Certification Institute. Each step is outlined in detail in this handbook. 1. Select the appropriate exam based on exam eligibility requirements (pages 4-5) 2. Complete the online application with payment (page 9-10) 3. Send required documentation to the Institute (page 11) 4. Wait for approval of application from the Institute (page 14-15) 5. Take the Credential Readiness Assessment (CRA) (this is a required step in the application process) (page 12) 6. Choose between two testing periods (page 10) 7. Schedule exam date, time and test location, when applicable (page 16-17) 8. Prepare for the exam (page 19-20) 9. Take the exam (page 20-22) 10. Wait for results (page 22-23) 11. Recertify to maintain active status (page 23-24) The HR Certification Institute offers exams during two time periods annually. The chart below outlines the testing dates, the application deadlines and the fees for each exam. All deadlines are postmark dates. The term postmark date refers to the Institute s computer system date/time stamp for online applications. Applications will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m. ET (GMT-5) on the late registration deadline date. HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 5

6 TESTING DATES AND APPLICATION DEADLINES NOTE: the HRBP/HRMP certification exams are not offered in the US. TESTING DATES REGISTRATION DATES LATE REGISTRATION DATES* March 1-31, 2013 October 29, 2012-January 9, 2013 Not applicable for this period September 1-30, 2013 April 1 - June 12, 2013 June 13 - July 17, 2013 *Subject to a 75 USD late fee. EXAM FEES HRBP HRMP HR Exam Pricing 275 USD 375 USD Association Member Pricing** 250 USD 350 USD NOTE: the exam fee includes a 75 USD nonrefundable administrative fee. Fees are subject to change without notice. Applications postmarked after the registration deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET (GMT-5), but postmarked on or before the late deadline will incur a 75 USD nonrefundable late fee. **Association Member Pricing is for a person who is a member of an approved partner association. A dynamic list may be found at Exam candidates must provide their current membership number on their application form at the time it is submitted to receive the reduced pricing. ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT DEADLINE DATES The Credential Readiness Assessment (CRA) must be taken as part of the application process. Testing Period Last Registration Date Last Date to Take CRA Last Date to Choose Testing Period March 1-31, 2013 January 9, 2013 January 31, 2013 February 15, 2013 September 1-30, 2013 July 17, 2013 July 31, 2013 August 15, 2013 If a candidate does not take the CRA by the above date, the candidate will only receive a partial refund. If a candidate does not choose a testing period by the above date(s), the Institute will select the testing period. If the candidate cannot test during this selected testing period, the candidate will only receive a partial refund. HRBP ELIGIBILITY A minimum of 1 year of professional-level experience in an HR position with a Master s degree or global equivalent HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 6

7 A minimum of 2 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with a Bachelor s degree or global equivalent A minimum of 4 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with a high school diploma or global equivalent HRMP ELIGIBILITY A minimum 4 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with a Master s degree or global equivalent A minimum of 5 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with a Bachelor s degree or global equivalent A minimum of 7 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with a high school diploma or global equivalent IN ADDITION, HRMP candidates must demonstrate their knowledge of employment law in one of the following ways: Having a national or local certification (such as PHR, SPHR, GPHR, CHRP, etc.) that includes knowledge of employment laws, OR Having a Bachelor s degree (or global equivalent) or higher in Human Resources, OR Completing a university or college-level course in employment law, OR Completing a formal training class or certificate program in employment law sponsored by a university/ college, HR association, or other approved training provider CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW WHAT IS CERTIFICATION? HR certification is a career-long commitment that demonstrates mastery of essential HR knowledge. Candidates who earn certification show they are committed to staying current in the HR field. Passing the exam is only one part of the certification process. Candidates must also show they have the required education and work experience to be eligible to apply for the exams. After passing the exam, recertification requirements ensure that HR professionals continue to remain knowledgeable of and current with changes in the field. COMPONENTS OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS A professional certification program, such as the HRBP and HRMP programs, has a variety of components that differentiate it from other training or educational programs. Three of the main components are: Certified professionals have demonstrated their knowledge and skill by possessing both experience and education in the professional field. Certified professionals have passed a rigorous exam. Certified professionals demonstrate continued mastery of knowledge and skill through recertification. It requires experience and/or educational requirements in addition to passing the exam. HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 7

8 It requires recertification, which ensures that the certified HR professional stays current in the HR field through continuing professional development. It allows the certified HR professional to use the appropriate credential (letters) after his or her name, such as Diego Lopez, HRBP, or Masako Okada, HRMP. WHY EARN A CREDENTIAL? In 2010, the HR Certification Institute conducted a study of more than 1,500 HR professionals working around the world that found several important advantages to earning certification listed below: Hiring managers often consider an HR applicant s professional certification when making hiring decisions. Many organizations prefer to hire HR-certified professionals because they have demonstrated their knowledge and skill. Business leaders frequently find HR-certified professionals to be highly motivated, strong performers who are more knowledgeable of the HR field. Certification shows commitment to the industry and to continued professional development. Earning a credential fulfills an individual s personal and professional goals. The Value of HR Certification Around the World study, 2010 Certification validates the individual s professional knowledge and helps the industry and the organization become more successful. All of the HR Certification Institute s exams are voluntary, although some organizations or employers may have policies that encourage their employees to earn certification. HR professionals should decide if attaining certification meets their needs and the needs of their employers. PURPOSE OF CERTIFICATION The HRBP and HRMP certifications complement local and national HR certifications, rather than replace them. The HRBP and HRMP certifications focus on HR concepts that are common to most geographic locations. Holding these credentials shows a broader range of understanding of the HR challenges that organizations face in today s global environment. HRBP AND HRMP OVERVIEW The HR Certification Institute offers certification exams for HR professionals working in countries throughout the world: HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL (HRBP)*: this exam is for HR professionals who mainly provide HR services in one country. HRBP candidates are involved in recruiting, compensation and benefits, training and HR administration. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL (HRMP)*: this exam is for senior-level HR professionals mainly working in one country. HRMP candidates are involved in talent management, strategy, service delivery, and policy-making activities. Each exam measures a candidate s mastery of a specific HR body of knowledge. See Appendices B and C for descriptions of the content focus for each exam. *The HRBP and HRMP certification exams are not offered in the US, Alaska or Hawaii. HOW DO THE EXAMS DIFFER? The HRBP exam assesses general knowledge of the HR field in several functional areas (domains). NOTE: HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 8

9 Eligible candidates must take the HRBP Credential Readiness Assessment (CRA) as part of the registration process (see page 12). The percentage of questions on the exam from each domain is noted in parentheses. HR Administration (22%) Recruitment and Selection (22%) Employee Relations and Communication (20%) Compensation and Benefits (14%) Training and Development (15%) Health, Safety and Security (7%) The HRMP exam assesses more advanced knowledge of the HR field in several functional areas (domains). NOTE: Eligible candidates must take the HRMP Credential Readiness Assessment (CRA) as part of the registration process (see page 12). The percentage of questions on the exam from each domain is noted in parentheses. HR as a Business Leader (32%) People Development and Talent Management (29%) HR Service Delivery (23%) Measurement (16%) CHOOSING THE APPROPRIATE EXAM An HR professional can hold one or both of these certifications at the same time. Candidates should carefully review the eligibility requirements and body of knowledge for each exam and choose the program that best reflects their professional role and responsibilities. Having the appropriate professional HR work experience and educational background contributes significantly to success on the exams. PROFILE OF A CANDIDATE A careful assessment of the individual s skills, knowledge and responsibilities within the HR field is critical when deciding which certification to seek. Below is a summary of typical candidates for the HRBP and HRMP exams. HRBP The Human Resources Business Professional (HRBP) certification is designed for the HR professional who: Focuses on implementing HR programs; Handles operational matters; Reports to another HR professional within the organization; Has at least one to four years of professional-level work experience, depending on education, handling a wide range of general HR responsibilities; Holds a job that focuses on HR department responsibilities rather than on the whole organization; and Follows policies and guidelines for decision-making. Seeks to gain credibility through increasing HR knowledge and experience HRMP The Human Resources Management Professional (HRMP) certification is designed for a senior HR professional HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 9

10 who: Designs and plans programs in addition to implementing programs; Has authority in the HR department; Has at least four to seven years of wide-ranging and complex HR experience; Has extensive HR generalist knowledge; Can judge complicated situations using HR knowledge acquired over many years; Understands the business beyond HR and has influence within the overall organization; and Seeks to strengthen the HR profession and gain credibility through increasing HR knowledge and experience. EXAM OVERVIEW HRBP HRBP exam questions refer to HRBP Body of Knowledge (see Appendix A). The listing on page 7 shows the percentages of questions in each functional area covered in the exam. The exam has 170 multiple-choice questions and includes 145 scored questions and 25 pretest* questions. Pretest questions are not counted in the final score. Each question lists four possible answers. There is only one correct answer for each question. Candidates have three hours and 15 minutes (3.25 hours) to complete the exam. Please note that seat time on the appointment confirmation from Prometric is longer than the actual exam time. This allows extra time for the exam tutorial and post exam survey. HRMP HRMP exam questions refer to HRMP Body of Knowledge (see Appendix B). The listing on page 7 shows the percentages of questions in each functional area covered in the exam. The exam has 130 multiple-choice questions and includes 105 scored questions and 25 pretest* questions. Pretest questions are not counted in the final score. Each question lists four possible answers. There is only one correct answer for each question. Candidates have two hours and 30 minutes (2.5 hours) to complete the exam. Please note that seat time on the appointment confirmation from Prometric is longer than the actual exam time. This allows extra time for the exam tutorial and post exam survey. *The HR Certification Institute is committed to offering exams that contain current and relevant content. The Institute ensures this goal is achieved by reviewing current questions and developing new ones to reflect changes in the industry. All of the Institute s exams include new questions that have not been used on previous versions of the exam. These items are known as pre-test items. Including pre-test items allows the Institute to gather valuable data about the new questions before they are included in the candidate s overall score. The HR Certification Institute does not identify the pre-test items and scatters them throughout the exam so that candidates will answer them with the same care in which they address scored questions. HOW THE EXAMS ARE DEVELOPED The HR Certification Institute follows certification-industry best practices to create and update all of the exams it offers. Practicing HR professionals are involved in every step of the exam development process which is overseen by the testing organization, Prometric. Following are the steps taken to develop the exams: Step 1: The exams are based on a body of knowledge, which is created by a small group of practicing HR HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 10

11 professionals and then validated by a much larger group through a practice analysis study. Step 2: Certified HR professionals write the exam questions (also known as items ), based on the body of knowledge. Step 3: The questions go to another group, the item-review panel, which checks for accuracy and proper coding. Step 4: Approved questions are then pre-tested for reliability. Step 5: Exam forms are created and reviewed by an exam forms-review panel. Step 6: A passing score for each exam form is determined. PASSING SCORE The passing score for each exam is at least 500. The maximum possible score is 700. For more information about scoring, please see Scoring and Official Score Reports and How the Passing Score Was Set in this handbook on page 22. APPLY FOR AN EXAM Candidates must meet both HR work experience and education requirements to qualify for each exam, as described on pages 4-5. NOTE : if the candidate resides in one of the following countries, additional requirements are required due to the United States trade sanctions: Bosnia, Belarus, Burma/Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kosovo, Lebanon, Liberia, Macedonia, Montenegro, North Korea, Serbia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Zimbabwe. This list of countries may change at any time based on United States trade sanctions. For more details, please visit APPLICATION APPLY AND SCHEDULE EARLY The HR Certification Institute contracts with Prometric to deliver and administer the exams. For more information about Prometric, see page 3. The Institute encourages you to apply early. Follow these steps: Candidate submits application online. (A sample online application form is in Appendix A.) The Institute reviews the application to determine if the candidate meets all eligibility requirements. If determined to be eligible, the candidate will receive an with a login link to take the Credential Readiness Assessment (CRA). Candidate takes the CRA and the results are sent to the Institute. NOTE: the candidate doesn t have to achieve a certain score to continue with the application process but the CRA must be taken. The Institute processes receipt of CRA information and an is sent to the candidate so that a testing period can be selected. The candidate receives an notification that the Authorization to Test (ATT) letter (complete with scheduling the test date, time and location instructions) is available in the online profile within five business days if the first testing period was selected. If the second testing period was selected, then the notification that the ATT letter is available will be sent approximately five months prior to the opening of the testing period. Appointments at Prometric test centers are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Candidates should complete the application process early to increase the chance of getting their first choice for test date and location. HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 11

12 TERMS AND CONDITIONS You must agree to the following statements on the application form: 1. Global Privacy Policy 2. Code of Ethical and Professional Responsibility 3. I acknowledge that I have not been involved in any criminal or civil agency inquiry, investigation, or proceeding related to my responsibilities as an HR practitioner. 4. I declare that all of the information that I have provided on all pages of my application are true and accurate. I understand that misrepresentation or incorrect information provided to the HR Certification Institute may result in disciplinary action, including revocation of my eligibility or credential. APPLICATION CONFIRMATION You must provide an active address in your application to ensure you receive all communications from the HR Certification Institute including notifications, confirmations and reminders. Within 24 hours of processing payment, you will receive an auto-generated confirming receipt of the application. This confirmation does not indicate that you are eligible to take the exam. (See Application Review below.) NOTE: Check the junk mail or spam folder if the confirmation does not appear in the inbox and ensure s settings accept s from hrci.org. You may also check your application status in your online account. USER ID NUMBER You are assigned a 12-digit User ID number. This number will appear on your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter and will be used as the Eligibility ID to schedule an exam appointment through Prometric. This number will also be used to access your record online and to communicate with the HR Certification Institute. APPLICATION REVIEW Your application may be denied and therefore set to ineligible for several reasons: Missing payment Late application Incomplete application Missing documentation Failure to meet eligibility requirements The Institute will communicate with you about application issues and help to resolve them, if possible. If the HR Certification Institute denies an application because you did not meet the eligibility requirement or did not submit sufficient documentation, a 100% refund of the exam will automatically be made to the original method of payment. NOTE: Administrative fees, late fees, and special fees are nonrefundable. Fees are subject to change without notice. SELECTION OF TESTING PERIOD Once you have taken the CRA, you will receive an notification with your application login. You must choose between taking the exam in the current testing period or the subsequent one. This determination must be made by February 15, 2013 for the spring testing period, March 1-31, 2013 and August 15, 2013 for the winter testing period, September 1-30, You may not transfer between the two testing periods. Once a selection has been made, you must take the exam during that testing period. Any changes would need to be handled as a withdraw of the application (see Additional Deadline Dates and Cancellations on page 4) HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 12

13 AUTHORIZATION TO TEST LETTER (ATT) You will receive an notification after selecting a testing period indicating that your ATT letter is accessible in your online profile. Your ATT letter contains detailed information for scheduling your exam appointment. Your ATT letter will remain available in your online profile until four weeks after the end of the exam period and may be used as a receipt. If you selected the first testing period, you will receive the five business days after making the selection. If you selected the second testing period, you will receive the approximately five months prior to the opening of that testing ADDRESS CHANGES The HR Certification Institute sends certificates, and all other mailed correspondence, to your mailing address. It is therefore important that the most current contact information be updated in your profile record. NAME CHANGES You may not make changes to your legal name on file after submitting their application. To make a change to a legal name, you must send a scanned copy of a certified or notarized document or government-issued ID at least five business days before your scheduled exam appointment via at global@hrci.org. The Institute does not return documents; therefore, you should not send the original, certified or notarized documents. Please see Retention Policy on page 24. ADDITIONAL FORMS Appendix D in this handbook includes copies of important forms you may need during the certification processes. These forms are also available on the Institute s web site, APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINES The HR Certification Institute exam applications must be submitted online by the published deadline. Applications will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m. ET (GMT-5) on the dates specified on page 4. You are responsible for meeting all application deadlines. The Institute encourages you to complete the online application as early as possible to avoid delays due to increased web site traffic around the deadlines. Appendix A includes a sample online application to help you prepare the required materials. PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE IN AN HR POSITION You must be able to demonstrate that your professional-level work experience is in an HR position to meet the exam eligibility requirements. Professional-level work experience can be demonstrated by having: Direct supervision of those who deliver HR services; OR overall accountability for a specific HR function. Independent decision-making about important matters; and advanced HR knowledge. An HR position is defined as a position in which at least 51% of the daily activities are directly related to HR. You must include your exact job title on the application. Select 999 on the position code if your specific job title is not listed in the job codes. If you select 999, you must also submit a completed Qualifying HR Work Experience Form (see Appendix D) and an official job description as part of your application. The supporting documentation must also include the number of years that you have been working in a professional- level HR position. The required years of professional HR work experience does not need to be current or sequential. However, recent experience will be more helpful for the exam. To review the list of approved job titles, go to HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 13

14 DOCUMENTING WORK EXPERIENCE All candidates must complete the Qualifying HR Work Experience section of the application to document that the amount of work experience meets the eligibility requirement. DOCUMENTING KNOWLEDGE OF EMPLOYMENT LAWS (HRMP Candidates only) 1. Holding a local or national HR certification that covers Employment Law 2. Holding a Bachelor s degree (or global equivalent) or higher in Human Resources 3. Completing a college or university-level course in Employment Law 4. Completing a an education or training program in Employment Law* You are required to select from one of these four options during the application process. You will need to submit documentation if you are selected for audit. *Criteria for a course that meets the employment law requirement: May be delivered in a classroom setting or virtually Must provide a comprehensive review of employment laws that include the major functional areas of HR (hiring, pay/benefits, employee/labor relations, termination, health and safety) Must cover foundational knowledge ( legal updates do not qualify) Must be conducted by a qualified expert in the field of employment law (such as an attorney or professor with appropriate credentials) Must contain a minimum five (5) hours of instructional time (not including breaks, registration or evaluation periods) Must provide a certificate of successful completion Likely sources are associations (local HR associations, American Chambers of Commerce), law firms, colleges and universities, training firms that specialize in HR topics CREDENTIAL READINESS ASSESSMENT (CRA) Candidates for the HRBP and HRMP exams are required to complete a Credential Readiness Assessment (CRA) prior to scheduling their exam appointment. This assessment will give you an indication of your readiness to take the HRBP or HRMP exam and can be taken online wherever you have access to a computer. The CRA has two parts. One part asks you to report your on-the-job experience in the areas covered on the exam. The second part consists of multiple choice questions like the ones you will see on the real exam. There is no minimum score required on the CRA; it is provided to inform and guide the candidate s preparation. Candidates will receive a Statement of Preparation Level (SPL) for each domain (topic area) covered on the exam after completing the assessment. The SPL provides an overview of performance in each of the domains and gives an indication of how the candidate will perform on the real exam. After reviewing the results, candidates may register for the current testing period or delay registering until the next available testing period. Once you have been deemed eligible to test, you will receive a link with instructions on how to access the CRA. You will be expected to complete it within 30 days. Candidates must complete the assessment and receive their SPL before they are able to select a testing window and schedule their exam appointment. See page 4 for deadlines. NOTE: Your performance on the CRA is not a guarantee of how well you will perform on the real exam. It is a tool to show you the types of questions you will be asked and to help determine how much additional preparation you may want to consider. HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 14

15 EXAM APPLICATION AUDIT The HR Certification Institute conducts random audits of its applications to verify the accuracy of the information submitted. The Institute may select candidates for audit at any point in the application or certification process, and will notify candidates by if they are selected. If selected, you must complete the Audit Documentation Form (see Appendix D) and submit it with the required documents which may include your job description(s), official certificates of attendance, transcripts or diplomas, if applicable. If you cannot provide this information, your application will be denied, your application set to ineligible and you will not be approved to test. SPECIAL TESTING ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS The HR Certification Institute accommodates candidates with disabilities who need special arrangements to take the exams. We will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services. Examples include but are limited to: extra time, a reader and separate testing area. Prometric, the company that gives our exams, may not be able to fulfill all special accommodation requests made by candidates. Prometric will not be able to comply with the request if the operating conditions, local laws, or customs make the request unlawful, impossible or economically unfeasible. You must request special accommodations when you complete the application by marking the appropriate box on the application form and submitting the Special Testing Accommodation Request Form (Appendix D). A person with a professional license or credential must complete the Documentation of Disability-Related Needs section. Their description must include the type of disability, an explanation of past accommodations made for the disability, and the specific testing accommodations requested. You have five days to submit the Special Testing Accommodation Request Form (Appendix D) from the time you complete your application. If you submit the request after you have scheduled an appointment, you must cancel that appointment at least three business days before it is to occur or forfeit all fees. Once the accommodation has been set up, you will receive a new ATT letter and may schedule a new appointment. PAYMENT METHODS The HR Certification Institute accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express, money order, certified check, cashier s check or a company/organizational check. Certified or cashier s checks must be made payable to HR Certification Institute, in USD and drawn on a US bank. The Institute does not accept cash, personal checks or wire transfers. The Institute will not review an application until all fees have been received. You may complete the online application and send payment via certified check or money order via mail. Include a photocopy of the application summary page and include the User ID for each candidate with the check. NOTE: A single check may be used to pay for multiple candidates. The Institute will return certified checks, cashier s checks and money orders without proper candidate identification to the sender. Please refer to the mailing address on page 2. SPECIAL SERVICE FEES The special service fees below are nonrefundable. HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 15

16 EXAM TYPE CHANGE The Exam Type Change fee is 50 USD. This is in addition to the +/- 100 USD charge or refund based on the type of change requested. You may opt to change the exam they are scheduled to take (for example, changing from the HRBP to the HRMP) one time per exam period by following these steps: 1. Verify eligibility for the new exam type. 2. Submit the Exam Type Change Form (Appendix D) to the HR Certification Institute at least 10 business days before the scheduled exam date. The Institute may not be able to change exam types if the form is submitted late. By submission of this form, you authorize the Institute to cancel the original test date while processing the change request. 3. Pay the exam change fee. 4. Pay additional fees if changing to a more expensive exam. If you change to a less expensive exam, the Institute will refund the difference in fees within five business days after the change request has been processed. 5. Take the new CRA once notified by of a new login. 6. Select a testing period. 7. Schedule a new exam appointment time, date and location once the notification has been received that a new ATT letter is available. Note: The HR Certification Institute will not process exam change requests until you have submitted all required fees. ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATE The fee for an additional certificate is 25 USD. To request for an additional copy of your certificate, complete the Additional Certificate Request Form (Appendix D) using its instructions and send it to the Institute. REVIEW OF EXAM SCORE The fee for a review of the exam score is 50 USD. You may request a review of their exam score up to two months of taking the exam. Complete the Review of Exam Score Form (Appendix D) and send it to the Institute using the information on the form. The results of the review will be ed within ten business days of the receipt of the request. AFTER APPLYING FOR THE EXAM PROCESSING TIME FOR APPLICATIONS AND FORMS TYPE OF APPLICATION Application that does not require additional documents Application that requires an official job description and Qualifying Work Experience Form Applications with a Special Accommodation Request Form Application that is selected for audit APPLICATION PROCESSING TIMEFRAME (once the application is received and complete) 24 hours 10 business days 10 business days 10 business days HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 16

17 Exam Type Change Form Cancellation/Refund Request Form 5 business days 5 business days APPLICATION CATEGORIES Application Category Why this category? Next steps Consequence Incomplete The application is missing information OR you didn t pay the fees. Waiting for Documents Under Review Eligible Ineligible The application requires additional documentation i.e. Qualifying HR Experience Form to verify eligibility. Some part of the application needs to be reviewed by the Institute. The Institute approves the application. The Institute denies the application. Submit the additional information and/or pay the application fee by the end of the registration period. You have five business days from the application submission date to send additional documentation. Wait for the Institute approval. If selected for the audit, you must complete the Audit Documentation Form and submit the necessary documentation. An notification will be sent to you that your ATT letter is available in your online profile. The Institute will notify you in writing and refund the exam fee. The Institute will not refund the administrative fee or late fee, if applicable. The Institute will cancel application if you do not submit additional information and/or pay the fees. The Institute will cancel application if you do not submit the additional documentation within five business days. The Institute will deny the application if you do not provide the necessary information to complete the review. EXAM ELIGIBILITY APPEAL PROCESS You may appeal an eligibility decision in writing to the HR Certificate Institute Director of Administration & Client Relations. To make an appeal, complete the Exam Eligibility Appeal Form (See Appendix D) and pay the 35 USD fee within 10 business days of the application decision. The appeal must include the following: The Exam Eligibility Appeal Form and payment. A detailed letter explaining the nature of the appeal and a description of the additional documentation submitted to support the claim. New official documentation such as an updated job description or other required documents. NOTE: Letters from a supervisor are not acceptable as new official documentation. HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 17

18 EXAM ELIGIBILITY APPEAL DECISION The HR Certification Institute s Director of Administration & Client Relations will review the appeal and render a decision via within 10 business days after the application fee is processed. The Institute may deny an application and set it to ineligible, if any of the following is determined: The experience fails to meet the eligibility requirements. The information on the exam application has been falsified. The work experience or other information on the exam application has been misrepresented. The test site rules are not followed. DISCIPLINARY AND CERTIFICATION ACTION/APPEALS An individual who has already earned a designation may have it revoked for the same reasons noted above as part of a disciplinary action in violation of The HR Certification Institute s Code of Ethical and Professional Responsibility (See Appendix F). EXAM TEST CENTERS AND APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING You may schedule your exam appointment once you have received your ATT letter. If you selected the second testing period, you will receive your ATT letter approximately five months prior to the opening of that testing period. TEST CENTER LOCATIONS The HR Certification Institute partners with Prometric to deliver the certification exams. Prometric will notify you of any changes in the test site availability due to bad weather, technical issues, or other unscheduled events. SCHEDULE EARLY The HR Certification Institute encourages you to schedule your exam appointment date as soon as you receive your notification that the ATT letter is available in your online profile. Scheduling early increases the chance of receiving the preferred testing date, time and location. Exam appointment dates at the end of each testing period may be difficult to obtain due to the increased volume of test takers during this time. The HR Certification Institute will only refund you 50 percent of your exam fee if you are unable to schedule an exam appointment because the test sites are full. Refer to the Exam Cancellations and Refunds sections of this handbook for more information. EXAM SCHEDULING Exam appointments may be scheduled online or by phone. When scheduling an appointment, have the following information ready: Your Name exactly as it is printed on your ATT letter Your User ID number as it is listed at the top of your ATT letter Prometric refers to it as an Eligibility ID. Your Daytime phone number The name of the exam sponsor (HR Certification Institute) The exam for which you are registered (HRBP or HRMP) Your preferred appointment date, time and location. Have one to two alternate dates, times and locations in case your preferred ones are not available. Online scheduling is better because it is faster and more efficient. You must have an address to schedule online. To schedule online, visit and click on Schedule a Test. Note: Candidates HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 18

19 scheduling an appointment during the last two days of the exam period must schedule by phone. Phone scheduling is also available by the appropriate Regional Contact Center. See Appendix E for more information about Regional Contact Centers. Keep the confirmation number Prometric provides after the appointment is scheduled. This number is different from the User ID number and is required to confirm, reschedule or cancel an appointment. EXAM DATES AFFECTED BY SEVERE WEATHER AND LOCAL OR NATIONAL EMERGENCIES If there is severe weather, a local emergency or a national emergency near the testing center, go to www. prometric.com/sitestatus for updates on closures or delays, or contact your Regional Contact Center for international test site information (Appendix E). You will not be assessed a rescheduling fee if Prometric cancels an exam due to severe weather or a local or national emergency. EXAM RESCHEDULES, RESCHEDULE FEE, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS NOTE: You can only reschedule an exam appointment to another date in the same testing period. If you want to reschedule to another testing period, you will need to pay the full application and exam fees and may only receive a partial refund, if applicable, of the exam fees paid. RESCHEDULING PROCESS AND FEE The HR Certification Institute does not charge a rescheduling fee to you if you reschedule an exam appointment before the testing period begins. If you reschedule your exam appointment after the testing period begins, you must pay Prometric s nonrefundable fee of 85 USD each time you change an appointment. You are not guaranteed a new appointment if you try to reschedule. You must reschedule your exam appointment at least three business days before your original appointment or all fees will be lost. To reschedule your exam appointment, contact Prometric at or the Regional Contact Center (Appendix E). TO RESCHEDULE YOUR EXAM APPOINTMENT: 1. Go to 2. Select "Start." 3. Enter country and state. 4. Select "Reschedule or Cancel an Exam." 5. Enter Prometric's Confirmation Number and the first four letters of your last name. 6. Select the option "I want to reschedule my appointment." 7. Choose "schedule an exam" from the applicable test site location. 8. Confirm new exam appointment. 9. A new confirmation will be sent by with the new appointment date Prometric will send a confirmation with the new appointment information. If you do not receive the confirmation , contact Prometric immediately. It is your responsibility to verify with Prometric that the rescheduled exam appointment has been processed. HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 19

20 EXAM APPOINTMENT CANCELLATION AND APPLICATION WITHDRAWAL Note: If you withdraw your exam application, you may not reapply for the same exam in the same registration period. You will need to reapply in the next registration period and pay all applicable fees. You must cancel your appointment at least three business days before your exam appointment. You will not be able to cancel if you are within three business days of your exam appointment and you will forfeit all fees paid. Keep a copy of the cancellation notice if completed online. If cancellation is completed via phone, the HR Certification Institute encourages you to confirm the transaction online at TO CANCEL YOUR EXAM APPOINTMENT AND WITHDRAW FROM THE TESTING PERIOD: 1. Go to 2. Select "Start." 3. Enter country and state, if applicable. 4. Select "Reschedule or Cancel an Exam." 5. Enter Prometric's Confirmation Number and the first four letters of your last name. 6. Select the option "I want to cancel my appointment." 7. Select "Yes, I want to cancel my appointment." 8. Save the Cancellation Summary as proof that you cancelled the appointment at least three business days before the exam appointment. 9. Submit an Exam Refund Request Form to the HR Certification Institute. You must request a refund by the last day of the exam period. 10. Allow 10 days to receive a refund for the eligible portion of your fees TO WITHDRAW FROM THE TESTING PERIOD IF NO APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN MADE: 1. Submit an Exam Refund Request Form to the HR Certification Institute. You must request a refund within 30 days of the end of the exam period. If your request is not received within 30 days, you will not receive a refund. 2. Allow 5 business days to receive a refund for the eligible portion of your fees. NOTE: It may take up to two billing cycles for a refund to be reflected on a credit card statement. EXAM REFUNDS NOTE: The following fees are nonrefundable: 75 USD administrative fee, 75 USD late fee, 85 USD reschedule fee (if applicable) and any of the special fees. The HR Certification Institute gives refunds in the same method in which they paid. Allow five business days processing time from when the Exam Refund Request Form is submitted. It may take up to two billing cycles for the refund to be reflected on a credit card statement. If you are deemed ineligible by the Institute to take the exam, you will receive a 100% refund of the exam fee. If you withdraw your exam application at least three business days before your exam appointment, you may receive a partial refund (50 percent) of the exam fee. If you qualify for an exam fee refund, cancel your exam appointment, if applicable, request a refund by submitting a completed Exam Refund Request Form (Appendix D) to the HR Certification Institute within 30 days of the end of the exam period. If you do not follow these instructions, you forfeit all fees. You are considered a no show and will not receive a refund if you: Arrive more than 15 minutes late for the appointment. Do not appear for the exam appointment. Do not have proper identification. HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 20

21 Do not cancel the exam appointment at least three business days before the scheduled exam appointment. If you do not schedule an exam appointment with Prometric and do not request a refund within 30 days of the end of the testing period, you are considered a no-show candidate and will not receive a refund. MEDICAL OR PERSONAL EMERGENCY REFUND You may request a refund using the Exam Refund Request Form (Appendix D) if a medical or personal emergency prevents you from rescheduling or withdrawing from your exam appointment. Send the completed form and documentation of the medical or personal emergency to the HR Certification Institute within 30 days of the end of the testing period to be considered for a refund. The HR Certification Institute will review each request and inform you of the decision via . Requests sent after this timeframe will not be considered. WHAT IS CONSIDERED A MEDICAL OR PERSONAL EMERGENCY? A medical or personal emergency is an unplanned event within three business days of the exam appointment that prevents you from taking the exam. Minor medical events or personal obligations that may happen on or near the exam date are not considered medical or personal emergencies. If you miss your exam appointment because you are too busy or are unprepared, you will not receive a refund. Work emergencies are not considered a personal emergency. ACTIVITY DEADLINE DATE REFUND AMOUNT Withdraw application At least three business days before 50% of the exam fee the exam appointment Medical or personal emergency if NO appointment is missed Within 30 days of the end of the testing period with official documentation 50% of the exam fee Medical or personal emergency if appointment is missed No-show candidates Candidates who do not cancel their appointment with Prometric at least three business days before the exam appointment and do not have a medical or personal emergency Candidates who do not submit an Exam Refund Request Form within 30 days of the end of the testing period Within 30 days of the end of the testing period with official documentation Reviewed on case-by-case basis No refund No refund No refund PREPARING FOR THE EXAM No two candidates come to the exam with the same knowledge base as HR experience and educational background vary. Most candidates spend time studying and preparing for the exams. The exams measure how well a candidate can apply their HR knowledge and experience. Therefore, it is not possible to train for or teach to the exam by reading certain books or memorizing specific information. The best way to prepare is to HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 21

22 review and study the HR content in each functional area (domain) of the body of knowledge for the selected exam (Appendices A-C). The HR Certification Institute does not endorse any study course or product. We recommend you use multiple reference materials when studying for the exam. Please refer to our web site for more information, ONLINE GLOSSARY OF HR TERMS The HR Certification Institute has developed a large glossary with hundreds of HR terms that are commonly used by HR professionals. Each term has a brief definition. Many of the HR terms appear in the exam questions as well as in the optional answers. There is no fee to access the glossary. It is available online to all exam applicants. The glossary is a useful tool which will help candidates become more familiar with HR terminology. ON EXAM DAY The HR Certification Institute s exams are administered in highly secure testing centers. Only approved candidates are admitted to the test centers to take the exams. Upon arrival, you must present proof of your identity. If you are without a valid, government-issued photo ID must cancel their appointment with Prometric at least three business days before their exam appointment to avoid losing all fees paid. FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION The following are acceptable forms of government-issued identification: Valid driver s license Valid military identification card Valid passport Valid national identification card Voter s registration card (Puerto Rico test sites only) You must have proper identification to take the exam. If your primary ID does not have your photo or signature, you must show a second ID that contains your signature and photo. The name on the second ID must be the same as the one on the first ID. The following are acceptable forms of secondary identification: Valid employer identification card Valid credit card with signature Valid bank Card with photo You must use a passport as the official ID if you are not testing in their own country. Please contact global@hrci. org with any questions related to identification. If you arrive at the test center without the required identification, you will not be permitted to take the exam and your fees will NOT be refunded. MIDDLE INITIAL, SIGNATURE, AND PHOTO Applications do not require your middle name initial. If you include your middle name initial, it must match the form of identification presented at the test center. If your ID includes your whole middle name, your middle name must start with the same letter listed as your middle name initial on your application. Your signature must match the signature on the ID. The picture on the ID must match the person presenting it. HYPHENATED NAMES If your last name is hyphenated, your ID must match at least one of the last names. Additionally, your signature HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 22

23 must match the signature on the ID and the picture on the ID must match the person presenting it. EXAMPLE: Name on application Name on ID Acceptable Chi Xing Lu Sandy X. Lu No Chi Xing Lu Chi X. Lu Yes Cynthia Chi Xing Lu Chi Xing Lu No Cynthia Lu Cynthia X. Lu Yes TEST CENTER RULES The following rules are enforced at all test centers to ensure a secure, fair and consistent test experience for all test-takers. Please review the steps on What to Expect located at Prepare-for-Test-Day/Pages/what-to-expect.aspx so that you are aware of the check-in process at the test site. NOTE: Prometric cannot provide a completely noise-free and distraction-free test environment. Other exams are administered at the same time as the HR Certification Institute exams. You may hear noise, including typing, coughing and people walking. The test center provides background sound, known as white noise, to minimize distracting sounds. You can request a noise-reducing headset from Prometric. Also, you can bring disposable earplugs in a sealed package. The exam site administrator will inspect earplugs before you can enter the testing room. REGISTRATION PROCESSES (ALL CANDIDATES) Arrive at the Prometric Test Center (PTC) at least 30 minutes before your exam time. You must have a valid, unexpired, government-issued ID with both your photograph and your signature. If you miss your appointment or do not have a valid photo ID, you cannot take the exam and will lose all your fees. If you are late for your appointment, you may not be admitted to the test facility. You will be asked to empty your pockets and turn out your pockets. You will be scanned prior to each entry into the test room, including returns from breaks. You will still be required to turn your pockets out, and the scan will be done immediately afterward. The scan will be done in full view of the TCA DVR camera so it will be recorded, and any candidate complaints or escalations can be properly investigated. All candidates will be required to submit to the scans. Any candidates refusing to be scanned will not be permitted to test. This is the same policy that exists today with the turning pockets out procedure. You cannot leave the test center or use a mobile device during the test or during a break. Your exam will not count if you leave the test center or use a mobile device. Study materials may not be reviewed during the examination or during any break and will result in your examination being terminated and your score will be invalidated. You cannot look at study materials after you arrive at the test site facility, or during a break. You can keep the following property in a locker during the test: Watch Outerwear/Sweater (unless being worn for the entire exam) Mobile Device Medical Supplies (such as inhalers, tissues, eye drops, cough drops) Food or Drink Purse/Bag Hat You cannot smoke or take a smoke break during the exam. Religious headwear may be worn into the testing room. It will be inspected by a Test Center Administrator HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 23

24 (TCA) before entry into the testing room is permitted. EXAM PROCESSES FOR ALL TEST CENTERS Everyone will receive a 15 minute tutorial on the computer testing technology prior to the exam. You can submit comments about specific exam items during the exam by following the instructions on the exam. The HR Certification Institute will review all comments but will not respond to comments. You cannot ask questions about exam content of anyone. Exams are monitored and may be recorded as audio and/or video. The HR Certification Institute has the right to cancel any test score obtained in a questionable manner. You cannot disclose, publish, reproduce or transmit any part of the exam, in any form, by any means, verbal or written, for any purpose, without the expressed written permission of the HR Certification Institute. Violation may result in civil or criminal prosecution. AFTER THE EXAM EXAM SCORING AND OFFICIAL SCORE REPORTS The HR Certification Institute sends all exam score reports electronically through its vendor, Prometric. It is very important that you keep your address updated in your online profile. Candidates for the HRBP or HRMP exam will receive an with the official score report approximately six weeks after the testing period If you do not receive an official score report within eight weeks after the end of the testing period, you should send an to the HR Certification Institute at global@hrci.org. If you pass the exam you will receive your certificate through the mail around these same timeframes. The HR Certification Institute does not release any test questions for reasons of test security. Test results or scores will not be released via telephone. UNDERSTANDING THE SCORE REPORT Our exam vendors, Prometric and Professional Examination Service (PES), follow careful procedures to make sure that the score reports are correct. The score report informs you if you have passed or failed the exam. A scaled score of at least 500 is needed to pass. If you fail, you will receive their individual scaled score indicating how far away from the passing point you were. This information may help you understand how to prepare for a similar version of the exam in the future. You also receive an explanation of your performance level on each of the topic areas (domains) covered on the exam. If you pass the exam, you may use these explanations to guide future professional development activities. If you failed to achieve a passing score, you can use the explanations to guide future study efforts. You may request a review of your exam score (see page 14). However, given the quality control procedures that are in place, it is unlikely that your score will change. HOW THE PASSING SCORE WAS SET The HR Certification Institute does not determine the passing score arbitrarily. It uses the statistical Angoff method to decide how many questions the candidate must answer correctly to pass the exam. The Angoff method is commonly used to set passing standards in the credentialing industry. For each exam, a group of randomly selected HR experts discusses the qualifications for each certification. The group also reviews HR tasks covered on the exam, and makes a recommendation for the standard that a minimally qualified candidate must meet in order to pass by rating each item. As an example, an item rated as HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 24

25 50 percent indicates that the panel expects half of the candidates could answer the question correctly. This is a more difficult question than one that is rated as 80 percent. The panel comes to a consensus on the rating for each question and the overall passing rate for the exam. WHY ARE SCALED SCORES USED The purpose of scaled scores is to report scores for all candidates consistently and fairly. Using this model, scores are converted to a common scale to account for the difference in difficulty on multiple forms (or versions) of an exam. There are multiple forms of the exams for security reasons. As the HR Certification Institute develops new forms, some questions in each domain (or content area) are replaced. These changes may cause one version to be slightly more difficult than another. To account for these differences, the HR Certification Institute uses a process known as equating. The goal of equating is to ensure all exams are scored fairly. The passing point for the exams is set at 500 regardless of the form of exam the candidate takes. USE OF THE CREDENTIAL PLACEHOLDER how to use it once the exam is passed RETAKING THE EXAM If you do not successfully pass the exam, you must wait until the next exam period and pay the all applicable fees to take the exam again. RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Recertification is an important part of any respected certification program and it is required to maintain the certification after passing the exam. Recertification helps to ensure the validity and credibility of the HR Certification Institute s exams by requiring that individuals holding the certifications remain updated and informed about recent developments and advances in the HR industry. If you are certified by the HR Certification Institute, you must recertify your designation every three years by completing 60 hours of HR-related continuing professional development activities or by successfully passing the exam again. If you do not recertify on time, you may no longer use your credentials or represent yourself as certified. If you hold multiple credentials from the HR Certification Institute, you are required to earn 60 credits in total. Please note: there may be some specific requirements for the type of credit the candidate must earn depending on the credential held. For more information see the HR Certification Institute s Recertification Handbook RECERTIFICATION THROUGH CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT To maintain their designation(s), candidates must accumulate 60 hours of HR-related, continuing education credits through a combination of the activities listed below. HR education courses or classes, in a classroom or virtual environment On-the-job projects that involve gaining new HR-related skills or knowledge Training and Instruction (teaching HR-related skills or knowledge) Research and publishing in the HR field Leadership, using HR skills in a volunteer capacity Professional membership in an HR-related national or international society Refer to handbook The most popular method for recertifying is by earning continuing education credits, but recertification is not limited to this method. HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 25

26 RECERTIFICATION BY EXAM If you prefer, you can recertify by taking the same exam again. To recertify by taking the exam again, you must: Take the exam before your current certification expires; Wait at least 12 months from the date that you became certified (or recertified) before taking the test again. The exam fees associated with initial certification are the same for recertification. For more information about recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute web site at global and refer to the HR Certification Institute s Recertification Handbook. RETENTION POLICY The HR Certification Institute retains paper documentation for six months. After six months, the HR Certification Institute will shred those documents. You should retain copies of all documentation sent to the Institute. VERIFICATION POLICY The HR Certification Institute will verify your certification for your potential or current employer in two ways: 1. Employers can check our Directory of Certified HR Professionals. 2. Employers can receive written verification For more information, please see HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 26

27 APPENDIX A APPLICATION SCREEN SHOTS HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE hrci.org/global PAGE 27

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