You may have heard about all the hype lately surrounding HR. On the other hand, your knowledge of this ubiquitous role may be woefully inadequate. If you’ve ever wondered what requirements exist for those looking to call themselves an HR practitioner, allow me to enlighten you.
I am now prepping for a big exam in May – the National Knowledge Exam. For those who are not ‘HR savvy’, you most likely won’t realize what a very big deal this is. The serious HR student is in pursuit of the designation of Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP). This designation is as well-respected in Canada as a Bachelor’s degree among HR professionals.
To obtain the complete body of knowledge required for the CHRP designation you need to complete 9 or 10 courses within a 5-10 year timeframe, depending on the institution at which you are studying. You must finish with an average grade of no less than 70%, with no more than one course being under 65%. Then you must ensure that you are a paid member in good standing of the Human Resources Professionals Association of your province (dues cost approximately $300 per year), and have all your course transcripts sent to the association well in advance of your exam sitting date. It costs over $200 to book a sitting for the exam.
Next, you must prepare. The best way to prep for this exam (which is comprised of 150 questions that you must answer in 3 hours, giving you only one minute and ten seconds to contemplate each individual question) is to do several things. Many students will register in some kind of online prep course, purchase the latest study guide and enroll in a one- or two-day exam prep workshop administered by the local college. This is how you maximize your chances at passing this critical exam, which many have failed on their first and sometimes second attempt. You need a minimum grade of 70% to pass. The total cost? Somewhere around a thousand bucks.
If, and only if, you succeed thus far, you must then write one last exam – a practical exam called the National Professional Practice Assessment (NPPA), which is very similar to the NKE except that it contains situational examples for which you have to choose the best and worst answers. You have three hours to complete 40 multiple choice questions.
And to top it all off, they are changing the rules for those pursuing or thinking of pursuing the coveted CHRP designation. Commencing January 2011, any students of HR who have not yet completed the required coursework or written and passed both the NKE and NPPA will be required to have a Bachelor’s degree in order to acquire the designation.
So if you are one of those who have had notions that the HR Administrator in the office down the hall from you is just a glorified receptionist, now you can rest assured that s/he is likely just as educated, if not more so, than you are, and likely is far more broke to boot!
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I’m currently taking the required courses to eventually obtain the CHRP designation. So when I read on this site that as of January 1, 2010, a Bachelor’s degree will be required, my heart nearly stopped as I was under the impression that it was January 1, 2011 and not 2010. So I went back to check HRPA’s website and in fact it does say that the effective date is January 1, 2011. Thank goodness!
You are indeed correct Hélène: I entered the wrong year and I’ve made the correction. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I loved your last paragraph! Very true indeed. I’m taking the NKE this May 09 and yes, it’s in fact more that $1000 when you add up all the costs, not to mention the amount of hours preparing for the exam. NAPP will not be one that I’ll approach so confidently- so I’ll probably be spending more $ in preparation course/materials. I’ve also joined a local Study Group that mets every Sunday morning- very early- much dedication and determined HR Professionals out there folks……not just another Admin job!
I just have to add that I am freaked right out by this exam!!!! I have been working in an HR capacity and have taken so far 2 years worth of university level HR classes, and have done very well with grades. However, at the NKE prep course, I learned just how scared I should be of this exam…..and the fear does not help with the retention of any new knowledge!!!! Should I be this afraid????
If you have been working in HR full-time for more than a year or so you might not have to be so freaked out. What I found with the exam was that the questions weren’t taken directly from any textbook, but rather were formulated to challenge the practitioner who did not have much hands-on experience in the industry. To succeed at this exam you have to ‘know your stuff’ and be able to make judgement calls on what the question is really asking you instead of using your memory to recall what the answer might be from the subject matter taught in class. Best of luck to you!
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