Exam FAQ

As of January 1, 2013, CHRP Candidates (those who have successfully completed the National Knowledge Exam ®) will be subject to an experience assessment to complete their designation rather than the NPPA exam. Find out more about the Experience Assessment.

How do I say CHRP?
Like MBA or CGA, CHRP should be pronounced by saying each letter separately

What exams are required to obtain the CHRP designation?
Currently, to obtain a CHRP designation, you must pass two separate exams:

1. The National Knowledge Exam® (NKE)
2. The National Professional Practice Assessment® (NPPA)

Beginning on January 1st, 2013 you will be able to achieve the CHRP designation by meeting the requirement of the Experience Assessment in place of the NPPA. After two more sittings in October 2012 and June 2013, the NPPA will be removed as part of the CHRP certification process and the Experience Assessment will be the required route to certification.

What is the NKE?
The National Knowledge Exam® (NKE) assesses one’s understanding of the Required Professional Capabilities (RPCs) as they relate to academic knowledge.

• Starting with the June 2013 administration of the exam, the number of questions on the NKE will increase to 160 questions from the current 150 questions. The time allowed to complete the exam has been extended by 15 minutes. The total time allowed to complete the NKE will now be 3 hours and 15 minutes.
• The exam is based on knowledge of the seven functional dimensions of HR.
• Once you have passed the exam, you are recognized as a CHRP Candidate.
• Exam writers can write the exam as many times as needed, but must pay the exam fee for each sitting.

More details about NKE content and structure can be found on www.chrp.ca.

What is the NPPA?
The National Professional Practice Assessment® (NPPA) measures one’s understanding of the Required Professional Capabilities (RPCs) using a situational judgment test.

• The multiple choice assessment is made up of 65 scenarios covering seven functional dimensions of HR.
• Each scenario describes a critical incident relating to different HR function(s).
• Exam writers can write the exam as many times needed within five years of passing the NKE

More details about NPPA content and structure can be found on www.chrp.ca.

Beginning on January 1st, 2013 you will be able to achieve the CHRP designation by meeting the requirement of the Experience Assessment in place of the NPPA. After two more sittings in October 2012 and June 2013 the NPPA will be removed as part of the CHRP certification process and the Experience Assessment will be the required route to certification.

Where and when do I write the CHRP exams?
Both the NKE and the NPPA are held across Canada in June and November. For current exam dates, please refer to BC HRMA’s online calendar.

Within BC, exams are written in Burnaby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George and Victoria. If you are in a remote location or traveling out of province or country, there is an option to arrange a proctor. Please contact chrp@bchrma.org.

Is there a deadline to register for the exam?
Exam registrants must register for the NKE or NPPA two months in advance. More information about exam dates and deadlines is available from the Canadian Council of Human Resources Association (CCHRA) or refer to BC HRMA’s online calendar.

What is the cost of the exams?
The cost of National Knowledge Exam® (NKE) is:
$250 + $60 provincial application fee + $37.20 HST = $347.20

The cost of National Professional Practice Assessment® (NPPA) is:
$500 + $60 HST = $560.00

The cost of the Experience Assessment is (effective January 1, 2013):
$500 + $60 HST = $560.00

Pre-payment is required for both of the exams and the Experience Assessment.

If I do not show up on the day of the exam, will I be refunded my exam fee?
No, if you do not attend on the day of the exam, you forfeit your exam fee.

Can I defer writing the exam?
Yes, you may defer writing the exam by completing a deferral application form and forwarding proof of your extenuating circumstance. There may be a fee of $100 to defer writing the exam until the next sitting. Completed deferral forms MUST be received seven business days prior to the exam date. Any deferral requests received after the cut off will be considered ‘no shows’ and lose the option to defer your exam to the next sitting. Please note our deferral policy.

If you are considering deferring the NPPA, a reminder that the assessment of experience will replace the NPPA completely after the final sitting of the NPPA exam in June of 2013. Find out more about this change.

What are the prerequisites for the NKE?
The Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA) policy states all registrants must be a member of an authorized provincial HR association in order to write the exam. Association membership must be renewed on an annual basis.

What are the prerequisites for the NPPA?
To write the NPPA you must be a CHRP Candidate (have successfully completed the NKE within the past five years).

Starting in 2011, a minimum of a Bachelors Degree from an accredited University or College is required to write the NPPA exam. Proof must be provided by the exam registration deadline.

If you received your degree within Canada, you will need to contact the university’s registry and have your transcript sent directly to Trish Andrea, CHRP Registrar, at BC HRMA. The transcript fee varies, and is typically in the range of $10-$15.

If your degree is from outside of Canada, you will need to have a basic report completed by either of the following:

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

The cost for a basic report is approximately $125.

Please note: If you earned the CHRP designation prior to the degree requirement, you do not need a degree unless you fail to maintain the designation.

A reminder that the assessment of experience will replace the NPPA completely after the final sitting of the NPPA exam in June of 2013. Find out more about this change.

How do I prepare for the exams?
Exam preparation varies, based on your education, experience, and study preferences. BC HRMA and the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA) each provide resources to help you prepare for the National Knowledge Exam® (NKE) and National Professional Practice Assessment® (NPPA).Information on preparation workshops and self-directed learning resources are available in the CHRP Exam Centre.

When are the CHRP prep courses and facilitated learning sessions offered?
NKE preparation courses and NPPA facilitated learning sessions are offered in the winter and summer of each year. Dates are posted on the online calendar.

Is the CHRP Knowledge Exam Preparation Course Required?
The CHRP Knowledge Exam Preparation course offered by BC HRMA is optional. The goal of the Knowledge Exam Preparation Course is to assist candidates preparing to write the NKE by providing a high-level theory review and strategies for writing and preparing for multiple choice exams.

BC HRMA recommends exam writers have taken at least one academic introductory HR course. A list of academic institutions that have programs that the CHRP is available on BC HRMA’s website.

Can I study on my own to prepare for the exams?
Information on preparation workshops and self-directed learning resources are available in the CHRP Exam Centre.

In addition, a list of academic institutions that have programs that support the CHRP is available on BC HRMA’s website.

Why does it take 2 months to get my exam results?
Exam results are mailed about eight weeks after each exam session. This includes the time needed to receive exams, verify all exam documents have been returned, as well as the time to process and score exams. It also allows time for the results to be reviewed and test accuracy verified.

The CCHRA uses the Angoff method in the scoring process for the NKE and NPPA. The Angoff method is considered a best practice in professional credentialing. This method uses a panel of subject matter experts to review each test item to determine the overall level of difficulty. This means that while the “cut-score” (passing mark) may vary from one exam to the next exam, it is a reflection of the level of difficulty of the items on the exam. The panel meets before each exam session to set the cut score for that specific version of the exam.

Can I have my exam rescored if I feel there has been a mistake?
Exam writers can have their exams manually rescored by CCHRA should they feel their exam result does not properly reflect their performance. A fee of $52 will be charged for this service.

If the result of the manual rescore is different from the original mark received, the adjustment will be made and the fee will be returned to the exam writer.

The deadline for submitting a manual rescoring request is one month following the receipt of results letters. Please send a written request and a cheque for the appropriate fee to: CCHRA, 130 Slater Street, Suite 1025, Ottawa, ON K1P 6E2.

Please note that manual rescoring seldom changes the score. In fact, unless the answer form was bent or folded (something that the CCHRA looks for when receiving them and before sending them to the data centre) or had a lot of erasing and smudging, a change in the score is highly unlikely. Machine scoring is very accurate.

Once I get my CHRP designation what do I need to do?
Holders of the CHRP designation are required to maintain their association membership through annual renewal. Holders of the CHRP designation are required to recertify every three years. To recertify, each CHRP has the choice to either:

1. Submit information on professional development in last three years through a recertification log

OR

2. Write and pass the National Professional Practice Assessment at the next sitting (Please remember that after two more sittings in October 2012 and June 2013 the NPPA will be removed as part of the CHRP process, thus removing this option.)

As a CHRP member, you will also be charged professional dues of $105 plus HST annually in addition to your membership dues. These fees enable BC HRMA to maintain, monitor and promote the CHRP designation throughout BC ensuring we increase the value of holding the designation. The remainder of the fees allows BC HRMA to work in conjunction with the CCHRA to maintain the standards and continuously raise the profile of CHRP at a national level. One hundred per cent of professional dues collected are reinvested in the CHRP designation.