Designation HRPA OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

2016 Guide to the CHRP Designation HRPA OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

1.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents... 1 AN OVERVIEW OF HRPA S CERTIFICATION PROCESS... 3 Certification and the public interest... 4 Membership seperate from certification... 4 Use of designation... 4 The role of adjudicative committees in the certification process... 4 Role of the Registrar in the certification process... 5 Resubmissions and appeals... 5 Official notification of certification status, register entry and the certificate... 6 Rules of Professional Conduct... 6 Privacy Policy... 6 HRPA s policy on mutual recognition of HR designations... 7 Common misunderstandings as to what mutual recognition means... 7 Having the designation in more than one jurisdiction... 7 Recognition by another provincial association... 8 Reinstatement... 7 PRACTICAL MATTERS CHRP DESIGNATION REQUIREMENTS... 8 MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT... 8 COURSEWORK REQUIREMENT... 9 The course by course approach to fulfilling the coursework requirement... 9 HRPA list of approved courses... 10 Required grades... 11 Advanced standing issued for previous courses... 11 Credit for non approved courses... 11 HRPA s Online Academic Program... 12 Challenge exams... 12 The Alternate Route to fulfilling the coursework requirement... 12 EXAM REQUIREMENT... 13

Rationale for the exam requirement... 13 The CHRP Comprehensive Knowledge Exam (CKE1)... 13 Applying for the exam... 13 Testing dates, application deadlines and fees... 14 Accommodations for disabilities... 14 Accommodations for religious observances... 14 Testing locations... 14 Completing and submitting the Exam Registration form... 14 Eligibility to write letters... 14 EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT... 15 JURISPRUDENCE EXAM (WORKPLACE AND EMPLOYMENT LAW)... 15 CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT... 15 2

AN OVERVIEW OF HRPA S CERTIFICATION PROCESSES Beginning in 1990, the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) offered the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation as a warrant of competence for Ontario s HR professionals. In 2013, an in depth professional practice analysis was conducted by HR associations across Canada which led to an update to HRPA s competency framework. This, in turn, made it apparent that a significant update was required to our certification framework such that we now offer three core designations to meet the needs of HR professionals at each level of their career: Entry Level Professional Level Executive Level Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) (Formerly the CHRP Designation) Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) (Formerly the SHRP Designation) The Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) is the name of the new entry level designation. Human Resources professionals at Entry Level act in roles that are mostly administrative in nature, such as a contributing role in a larger HR function, or a sole HR practitioner in a small HR function. Individuals in this level would have responsibilities such as supporting HR initiatives, executing tasks passed down from management, and operating at the tactical and transactional levels. They often have titles such as Human Resources Assistant, Staffing Coordinator, Human Resources Clerk, or Human Resources Coordinator. Completion of the CHRP requirements confers the right to use the title Certified Human Resources Professional and the right to use the initials CHRP after your name. The name of the professional level designation is Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL). Completion of the CHRL requirements confers the right to use the title Certified Human Resources Leader and the right to use the initials CHRL after your name. For more information about this designation, please review the Guide to the CHRL. The name of the executive level designation is Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE). Completion of the CHRE requirements confers the right to use the title Certified Human Resources Executive and the right to use the initials CHRE after your name. For more information about this designation, please review the Guide to the CHRE. Please Note: Updates related to the new certification framework means that the requirements for the designations will be added to over the next 3 5 years. Please consult our implementation timetable for the timing and implementation of the designation requirements. 3

Certification and the public interest HRPA is the regulatory authority for human resource (HR) professionals in Ontario. The overarching objective of HRPA s certification processes is to ensure that those HR professionals who are certified by HRPA possess sufficient knowledge and skills to perform important occupational activities at a level of competence that is required to protect the public interest. There are a number of interests to balance in setting the certification standard. It s important to exclude individuals who are deemed not qualified to do the work, but the standards must not be so strict as to unduly restrain the right of qualified individuals to offer their services to employers or clients. HRPA is committed to providing registration practices that are transparent, objective, impartial and fair. Our certification processes are designed so that individuals who immigrate to Ontario from other countries do not encounter unnecessary barriers to certification. HRPA s Office of the Registrar is the contact point for all matters relating to certification. Should you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar. Membership separate from certification At HRPA, membership (registration) and certification are separate and distinct. HRPA has a tiered registration approach. Because membership is a requirement for certification, the requirements for certification are in addition to the requirements for membership. In order to be admitted as a member, you must: 1. Meet the criteria for a category of membership 2. Complete an application form including questions related to good character 3. Attest that you have read and agree to abide by HRPA s Rules of Professional Conduct 4. Pay membership dues Use of designation Certified Human Resources Professional is a protected title in Ontario. The use of the title and the initials CHRP are governed by legislation. The Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013, establishes right to title and makes it an offence to use the designation in Ontario if you are not a member of HRPA. The role of adjudicative committees in the certification process A key feature of professional regulation in Ontario is that regulatory decisions are made by committees comprised of members of the profession. The Registrar does not make these decisions; he or she enables effective and efficient decision making by the committees and executes those decisions. However, in order that the regulatory committees are not burdened with the making of routine decisions, the Registrar is empowered to make certain decisions within established parameters. 4

The essential work of adjudicative committees is to make judgments. Although frameworks, definitions, criteria and standards assist them in making consistent decisions, these cannot entirely remove the gray areas. For example, in the assessment of experience for the Alternate Route, a determination needs to be made as to whether the activities of a candidate are at a professional level. No matter how many words are used to describe what professional means, there will always be a gray area in the delineation of what is professional. Making determinations in such gray areas is the role of the committees. Role of the Registrar in the certification process The Registrar is the contact point for all matters regarding certification and acts as a go between for members pursuing certification and the relevant committees. All application forms and documents are forwarded to the Office of the Registrar where staff ensure that the documentation is complete and in order. If there is a question as to whether or not a certification requirement has been met, the application is forwarded to the appropriate committee for review and decision. The committee will forward its decision to the Office of the Registrar who communicates the decision to the member. The Registrar is also the official record keeper for all regulatory records and is responsible for the integrity and security of all registration and certification documents. The Registrar maintains HRPA s official member register which includes each member s name, registration number, category, status and disciplinary information (if any). Resubmissions and appeals Each requirement in a certification process involves a decision or determination as to whether the requirement has been met. Not all individuals who apply will successfully meet any given requirement; some individuals will fail courses and exams, others will have their achievements and experience found to fall short of the established standard. Some of these determinations are based on the judgment of panels, others involve mechanical scoring processes. Although HRPA takes every measure to ensure that decisions (assessments and determinations) are transparent, objective, impartial and fair, the possibility of error exists in all human endeavours. HRPA has put in place options for resubmission as well as an appeal process. Resubmissions and appeals are different processes. A resubmission allows you to review and revise the application based on the feedback you have received from the panel and re submit your application for another assessment. In an appeal, the idea is to consider the possibility that the initial decision was somehow flawed, that pertinent facts were not appropriately considered, or that the appropriate process was not followed. It is not an opportunity to get a second opinion on the same set of facts that were assessed for the original decision. Detailed information about the appeals process is available on our website. 5

Official notification of certification status, register entry and the certificate Once a candidate has met the CHRP requirements, official confirmation is sent to the candidate. This letter of confirmation, signed by the Registrar of HRPA, is an official document and can be used wherever confirmation of status is required. At the same time as the letter of confirmation is sent, the member s information is updated in HRPA s online public register of members. The register is a record of all members of HRPA with their membership status, business contact information, registration history, etc. Finally, a certificate is issued attesting to the fact that the individual named on the certificate has met all the requirements for the CHRP. The name on the certificate must be the member s legal name and will be the same as the name in the HRPA database. The certificate remains the property of HRPA and must be returned if the individual ceases to be certified. Rules of Professional Conduct Adherence to the HRPA Rules of Professional Conduct is a condition of membership in HRPA. The Rules of Professional Conduct include the following obligations for all members of the Association: 1. That all information provided by the member in the context of registration and certification be complete and accurate. 2. That the member shall not engage in, or assist others, in any manner of dishonesty or cheating. 3. That the member shall not disclose the content of any test used by the Association in the context of certification. Breaches of the above rules are considered professional misconduct and may lead to disciplinary action. Privacy Policy As a regulatory body, HRPA is responsible for safeguarding the personal information that it collects in the context of its certification processes. Please refer to our website for more information on HRPA s Privacy Policy. Any concerns regarding the privacy of information collected, stored, and accessed in the context of HRPA s certification process should be directed to HRPA s Chief Privacy Officer, Claude Balthazard. Please note that by law, HRPA s register must be accessible to the public and may be consulted on line. 6

HRPA s policy on mutual recognition of HR designations Please refer to HRPA s website for the most up to date information about HRPA s Mutual Recognition Policy. Common misunderstandings as to what mutual recognition means Mutual recognition means that an individual who earned their designation in one province may have it recognized in another province with no additional material training, experience, examinations or assessments. However, an individual who earned a CHRP outside Ontario can t use that designation in Ontario unless they meet certain requirements set out by HRPA (these requirements are administrative and not material in nature): apply for membership with HRPA including the payment of dues provide evidence of good character agree to abide by HRPA s Act, Bylaws and Rules of Professional Conduct provide evidence of good standing in the jurisdiction of origin provide proof of professional liability insurance if they intend to offer their services as independent practitioners Having the designation in more than one jurisdiction An individual may hold their CHRP designation in two or more jurisdictions simultaneously. HRPA can t deny membership to qualified applicants based on residency, nor can we stop a member who doesn t live or work in Ontario from pursuing the CHRP here. Once an individual who held the CHRP in another jurisdiction has their designation recognized by HRPA, they are subject to HRPA s continuing professional development (CPD) requirement. Recognition by another provincial association If you are currently a member of HRPA and wish to have your designation recognized by another provincial HR association, please contact the provincial HR association and inquire about their process and procedures for recognition of your designation in that province. Reinstatement A member s designation can be suspended or revoked, most often for non payment of fees. HRPA s Reinstatement Policy provides detailed information about how a member can have their designation reinstated after it has been suspended or revoked. Please note that if you resign your designation, you will have to re apply and meet the requirements in place at that time in order to re earn your designation. 7

PRACTICAL MATTERS CHRP DESIGNATION REQUIREMENTS The requirements in HRPA s certification framework have their foundation in the Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013. Currently, the CHRP designation has three requirements: HRPA membership in good standing Successful completion of the prescribed coursework requirement Successful completion of the prescribed knowledge exam You must be a member of HRPA and you must have completed the coursework requirement before you are eligible to attempt the knowledge exam As of spring 2016, a Job Ready program must also be successfully completed, and as of summer 2016, an HR law exam must also be successfully completed. Please visit our website for more information about the new certification requirements and when they will be implemented. The requirements for maintaining the CHRP designation are as follows: Maintain their membership in good standing with HRPA Meet the ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) requirement Abide by the HRPA Rules of Professional Conduct MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT The requirement of membership in HRPA to obtain and maintain designations follows directly from the Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013. Professions require that the regulatory body have ongoing jurisdiction over its members. HRPA members are bound by HRPA s Rules of Professional Conduct and are subject to discipline by the Association. This is the rationale that is embedded in law. Once begun, individuals must maintain continuous membership with HRPA until the certification process is complete. Individuals who lapse their membership with HRPA while their certification is still in progress may apply for reinstatement, however they will be subject to the reinstatement policy in effect at that time. HRPA s membership year runs from June 1 to May 31 each year. Fees are pro rated, ensuring that new members who join throughout the membership year do not pay for months that have already passed. Please visit the Member Centre of HRPA s website for more information about types of membership, fees, and to sign up as a member of HRPA. 8

COURSEWORK REQUIREMENT To some extent the coursework requirement and the exam requirement overlap in that both relate to the discipline specific knowledge foundation that CHRPs must possess. Although the coursework requirement ensures that candidates have been exposed to the requisite discipline specific knowledge, it is difficult to guarantee a reasonably consistent standard across educational institutions. The exam requirement provides that common standard across academic institutions. Coursework makes a unique contribution to CHRP certification in the following ways: 1. Formal training requirements are a fundamental aspect of what it means to be a profession 2. Formal training is still the best way to acquire foundational knowledge and skills in HR 3. Formal training programs are important to the socialization process that reinforces the identity of the profession There are two ways to meet the coursework requirement for the CHRP: the course by course approach or the Alternate Route. Coursework Requirement Course by course Alternate Route The course by course approach to fulfilling the coursework requirement The CHRP coursework requirement consists of successful completion of nine courses which form the core curriculum in HR: Human Resources Management Organizational Behaviour Finance and Accounting Human Resources Planning Occupational Health and Safety Training and Development Labour Relations Recruitment and Selection Compensation 9

There are various ways of getting credit for these nine courses: Successful completion of approved courses offered by colleges and universities across Ontario Successful completion of courses offered by HRPA Achievement of equivalent score on challenge exams offered by HRPA Other forms of course equivalency, or Any combination of the above Courses must be completed within 10 years before writing the knowledge exam in order to be considered for eligibility. For each course, HRPA s Academic Standards Committee has developed standard course templates that are the basis for course approval and describe the topics that such courses are required to cover. For approval, courses must have substantial coverage (80%) of the standard topics. This approach still gives educational institutions and individual instructors a fair degree of flexibility in shaping the content of their courses. HRPA list of approved courses HRPA maintains a list of approved courses. These courses have been reviewed by HRPA s Academic Standards Committee and deemed to meet HRPA s standards. More than 40 post secondary schools across Ontario have one or more courses approved by HRPA. Approval is based on two criteria: 1. That the course has a robust assessment or grading component; and 2. That the content of the course covers 80% or more of the required topics in the standard course template. Sometimes an educational institution will carve up the pie in a manner that is somewhat different than HRPA s standard course outlines. In such cases, students may be required to take two or more courses to cover the required topics. This will be indicated with a + sign in the approved course listing where possible. Individuals may find that the course numbers listed in HRPA s list of approved courses do not match their course numbers. The list of approved courses includes the most recent information provided to HRPA. Educational institutions are responsible for contacting HRPA when their course codes change. Educational institutions do change course numbers from time to time; it may be that the course number corresponds to a course which was approved at the time. 10

Required grades HRPA requires that an average of 70% or better is achieved across all nine courses with no single course grade below 65%. Individuals who require multiple courses to achieve a grade in one subject area are advised that HRPA employs the following policies: 1. Where numerical grades are granted by the educational institution, HRPA takes the average of the two grades. Where a minimum of 65% is achieved, the individual course may be accepted towards eligibility. However, the overall average of 70% in all 9 courses with no course grade less than 65% still applies. 2. Where letter grades are granted by the educational institution, HRPA refers to the numerical range assigned by the educational institution. HRPA will accept the highest numerical value within the assigned range for the letter grade. This is applied to each course, and then HRPA takes the average of the two grades. Where a minimum of 65% is achieved, the individual course may be accepted towards eligibility. However, the overall average of 70% across all nine courses with no course grade less than 65% still applies. Advanced standing issued for previous courses HRPA accepts advanced standings for courses when they are granted by an educational institution whose human resources courses are approved by HRPA. To be accepted, individuals must forward an original transcript to HRPA, showing the exemption and an original transcript for which the original course on which the exemption is based. The original course for which the exemption is based must have been taken with the last 10 years and the grade achieved must be at least 65%. Advanced standing will not be accepted if the original course on which the advanced standing is based is not an HRPA approved course. Credit for non approved courses The fact that a course does not appear on HRPA s list of approved courses does not necessarily mean that the course cannot be counted towards the coursework requirement. Individuals who have taken equivalent courses in another jurisdiction can apply to have their courses approved by submitting a Credit for Non Approved Courses Application form along with required supporting documentation to HRPA for review by the Academic Standards Committee. You must be a member of HRPA if you wish to have your course(s) reviewed. Requests for review of courses should be sent to the Office of the Registrar. Individuals who, for legitimate reasons, do not have access to the documentation required in the application should contact HRPA s Office of the Registrar. HRPA will only grant approval status to courses offered by accredited educational institutions. The criteria that must be met for a course to be approved are available on HRPA s website. 11

HRPA s Online Academic Program HRPA s Online Academic Program provides the courses required to meet the coursework requirement in a convenient, online format through our Online Academic Program. Challenge exams For the purposes of meeting HRPA s coursework requirement, an alternative to specific course requirements are the challenge exams. Challenge exams are similar to a final exam in the subject. They enable an applicant to achieve credit in a required subject area without completing or re taking a full academic course, thereby crediting the applicant for previous academic or experiential knowledge in a subject. The challenge exam sittings are typically held three times per year in February, May and October. Challenge exams for all nine courses are offered at each sitting, however a maximum of three subjects can be written per sitting. Challenge exams are typically recommended when: A course grade does not meet HRPA's minimum grade requirement A course was taken more than 10 years ago An individual has extensive job related or academic experience in a subject area Please review the Challenge Exam section of our website for more information about the exams, administration, deferral and withdrawal policies. The Alternate Route to fulfilling the coursework requirement HRPA has provided alternate ways of meeting the CHRP coursework requirement. These alternate routes are intended for experienced HR professionals or those with advanced education in HR. To provide the greatest flexibility, a points based system was developed. This system gives points for experience, formal training, coursework and other relevant designations. Fifty points are needed to pass the Alternate Route and meet the coursework requirement to be eligible to write the knowledge exam. Requirements that can be met through the Alternate Route Successful Alternate Route applicants are: Deemed to have met the coursework requirement Eligible to write the CHRP Comprehensive Knowledge Exam (CKE1) There are two streams for Alternate Route applications: 1. Education and HR Designations o No adjudication required, processed by the Office of the Registrar o Can be submitted at any time 12

2. Education, HR Designations and/or Experience o Must be reviewed by a panel of the Experience Assessment Committee (adjudication required for the experience component) o Deadline for submission is the last business day of each month Detailed information about the Alternate Route streams and how to apply is available in the Guide to the Alternate Route. EXAM REQUIREMENT Once the membership and CHRP coursework requirements have been met, the candidate is eligible to write the knowledge exam. Coursework credits are valid for a period of 10 years. There are no exceptions or alternatives to the exam requirement. Every individual seeking to earn the CHRP designation from HRPA must pass the knowledge exam. Rationale for the exam requirement The exam requirement was established to ensure that those individuals certified by HRPA have the requisite discipline specific knowledge to perform in human resources roles at the required level. The exam requirement ensures that all individuals certified by HRPA have the basic knowledge required to perform as a human resources professional. Should an individual fail the knowledge exam, there are no limits on the number of times the exam may be re written. The CHRP Comprehensive Knowledge Exam (CKE1) The CKE1 assesses candidates understanding of the required professional capabilities (RPCs) as they relate to academic knowledge. Academic knowledge refers to basic facts, policies, practices, methods, legislation, etc. Detailed information about the format, structure and content of the CKE1 is available on the Exam Central section of HRPA s website. Applying for the exam To be eligible to sit for the CKE1, candidates must have fulfilled the membership and coursework and requirements before the exam registration deadline. Upcoming dates are available in the Exam Central section of HRPA s website. Registering and submitting supporting documentation early for the exam is essential as it allows adequate time for your transcripts to be assessed so that, in the event of a missing course grade, you may have the opportunity to rectify your documentation in time to write the exam. 13

Testing dates, application deadlines and fees The Comprehensive Knowledge Exam is scheduled twice per year in June and November. Registration deadlines typically fall approximately eight weeks prior to the exam date. Accommodations for disabilities It is HRPA s policy to provide reasonable testing accommodations for candidates with documented disabilities. Reasonable accommodation refers to any adjustment to the examination materials or testing environment that permits a qualified applicant with a disability to perform, without undue hardship to the institution providing accommodation. Documented disabilities are those for which there is a diagnosis by a qualified professional. The purpose of accommodations is to provide equity, not advantage. Any requested modification that would substantially alter essential elements of the examination will not be granted. As a general principle, it is desirable to retain as much of the original examination materials and testing environment and make the accommodations specific to the disability or disabilities in question. Please review HRPA s Accommodation Policy for more information. Accommodations for religious observances Requests for religious accommodation must be made at the time of registration. For those who cannot write the exam on a Saturday, the alternate test day is the Monday following the Saturday. Testing locations HRPA currently has more than 25 testing locations across the province of Ontario. In addition, individuals who are writing in remote and out of province locations can be accommodated on an individual basis. When registering for the exam, choose the city closest to you. Exact location details will be sent out in your eligibility to write letter approximately one month before the exam. Completing and submitting the Exam Registration form CKE Registration is only available online through the Exam Central section of our website. You must have an HRPA Member ID login and password to log in to the online event registration system. If you do not have an HRPA Member ID login and password, you must first obtain one by applying for membership with HRPA. Detailed information about registration and applicable policies and deadlines, including those related to transcript submission, is available on Exam Central. Eligibility to write letters Registrants who are deemed eligible to write the exam are sent an eligibility to write letter by email approximately three weeks to one month prior to the exam date. The eligibility to write letter must be presented along with valid, government issued photo identification on the exam date before you will be 14

permitted to write the exam. The exam proctors are instructed not to provide examination packages to those who fail to present the required documentation and identification on the exam date. If you have not received an eligibility to write letter up to two weeks prior to the exam date and you have not heard from HRPA, please contact the Office of the Registrar immediately. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT Starting in February 2016, HRPA will be introducing a Job Ready program for the CHRP designation. The program will serve to give candidates some real life HR skills as some of these candidates may have had little experience up to that point. Additional information will be posted to our website as soon as it s available. JURISPRUDENCE EXAM (WORKPLACE AND EMPLOYMENT LAW) Starting in June 2016, HRPA will be introducing jurisprudence exam, a multiple choice exam (approx. 100 questions) which will assess basic knowledge of employment and workplace law in Ontario. Additional information will be posted to our website as soon as it s available. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The purpose of HRPA's CPD requirement is to ensure that designated members participate in ongoing professional development activities that: Enhance their abilities as an HR practitioner and strategic business partner Contribute to the acquisition of new knowledge Build familiarity with contemporary HR issues Reinforce essential skills related to HR practice Contribute to the development of new skills that enhance performance as a HR professional CHRP members are required to obtain 66.67 hours of professional development activities for every three year CPD cycle. There is no requirement to obtain a certain number of hours each year but certified members are strongly encouraged to design a personal professional development plan that outlines an annual schedule. Advanced planning is very strongly encouraged and will ensure that meeting the CPD requirement is manageable and a professionally enriching experience. CPD hours can be earned through continuing education, leadership activities, instructional activities, completion of significant work projects and/or initiatives, and research or publication. Members are expected to choose professional development activities that will best meet their own professional development needs. For more information about CPD, please visit the Continuing Professional Development section of HRPA s website. 15