Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA)

The Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA)(1)

The Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA) was established in 1994, as a collaborative effort of human resources associations from across Canada, which represent more than 17,000 [http://www.cchra.ca/Web/certification/content.aspx?f=29789 Certified Human Resource Professionals (CHRP)] and 33,000 professionals collectively. CCHRA is Canada's national human resources body that is responsible for establishing and maintaining national core standards for the human resources profession, fostering communication among participating associations, becoming the recognized resource on equivalency for human resources qualifications across Canada and providing a national and international voice on human resources issues.

The formation of the CCHRA began in 1992, when several provincial associations recognized the need to collaborate on national issues and share information. They also saw the need for one organization to represent Canadian HR professionals to the federal government and coordinate the national CHRP designation, which had been adopted by several provinces. On September 15, 1994, the official constitution of the CCHRA was finalized by representatives from across the country. Two years later, Canada's national human resources council was formally established.

The Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation is a nationally recognized level of achievement within the field of human resources in Canada. The designation represents a commitment to a national standard of excellence, sets a benchmark for the practice of effective human resources, and emphasizes the strategic role of human resource management in business. By achieving the CHRP designation, HR professionals indicate they have a thorough understanding of the profession’s body of knowledge in Canada, which is encompassed in the eight [http://www.cchra.ca/Web/certification/content.aspx?f=29774 Required Professional Capabilities] (RPCs). The RPCs are based on the core capabilities of the HR profession and HR policies and practices used in Canada.

To attain the CHRP designation, HR professionals must meet their provincial CHRP designation granting HR association’s requirements, pass Canadian Council of Human Resources Association’s (CCHRA) national exams – the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) and National Professional Practice Assessment (NPPA) and sign the profession's National Code of Ethics. To maintain the designation, HR professionals must recertify every three years and adhere to the Code of Ethics.Currently more than 17,000 HR practitioners from across Canada have earned their designation.

Individuals can find out more information about the specific NKE and NPPA exam qualifications in their province, by contacting their provincial association.

The following exam prep resources are available for individuals looking to obtain their CHRP designation by writing the NKE and NPPA exams:

[http://www.canadianhrpress.ca Canadian HR Press]

CAPTUS Online Course

BCHRMA Workshops

National Knowledge Exam (NKE)(2)

The National Knowledge Exam (NKE) is the first step/exam that an individual must take in order to obtain their [http://www.cchra.ca/Web/certification/content.aspx?f=29771 CHRP] designation. The National Knowledge Exam is offered in the spring and fall of each year. The NKE exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions, which must be completed within a three-hour time frame. The passing grade for the NKE is 70 per cent. Candidates who obtain this standard or higher are then classified as “CHRP Candidates” and they are eligible to move on to the [http://www.cchra.ca/Web/exam/content.aspx?f=29881#NPPA National Professional Practice Assessment (NPPA).]

The NKE is designed to assesses one’s understanding of the content in eight HR-related areas, or functional dimensions. Under these eight HR-related areas there are a number Required Professional Capabilities (RPCs) that the individual must be able to understand and apply. The eight HR-related area’s are as follows:

 Professional Practice in Human Resources

 Organizational Effectiveness

 Staffing

 Employee and Labour Relations

 Total Compensation

 Organizational Learning, Development and Training

 Workplace Health and Safety

 Human Resource Information Management

Below is a list of available exam preparation resources:

[http://www.canadianhrpress.ca Canadian HR Press]

CAPTUS Online Course

BCHRMA Workshops

National Professional Practice Assessment (3)

The National Professional Practice Assessment (NPPA) is the second and final exam that [http://www.cchra.ca/Web/certification/content.aspx?f=29771 CHRP] Candidates must complete in order to obtain the Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) certification. The NPPA is offered in the spring and fall of each year. The passing grade for the NPPA is 70 per cent. Candidates achieving a passing grade will receive their CHRP designation. There is no limit to the number of times an individual can take the NPPA as long as it is within five years of the candidate successfully passing the [http://www.cchra.ca/Web/exam/content.aspx?f=29881#NKE National Knowledge Exam (NKE).]

The NPPA assesses one’s understanding of the Required Professional Capabilities (RPCs) as they relate to experiential knowledge. Experiential knowledge is implicit and much more difficult to quantify or describe effectively. It refers to the wisdom gained from experience and insight in applying academic knowledge to actual or simulated situations.

The NPPA questions are representative of content in eight functional dimensions of the RPCs, emphasis is more experience-based, or focused on the application of the knowledge. The eight functional dimensions are as follows:

 Professional Practice in Human Resources

 Organizational Effectiveness

 Staffing

 Employee and Labour Relations

 Total Compensation

 Organizational Learning, Development and Training

 Workplace Health and Safety

 Human Resource Information Management

The NPPA consists of 40 “critical incident” questions, which must be completed within a three-hour time frame. The critical incident assessment provides the exam writer with a description of a practical situation that an HR professional may encounter. The exam writer is then asked to select from four possible answers the most effective action the HR professional should take to deal with the situation. The choices are graded on degrees of effectiveness. One response choice is optimal and worth five points if selected; one response has some good HR practical elements and is worth two points if selected; and two responses are not good choices and worth zero points if selected.

Below is a list of available exam preparation resources:

[http://www.canadianhrpress.ca Canadian HR Press]

CAPTUS Online Course

BCHRMA Workshops

Information Sources:

(1) [http://www.cchra.ca/Web/CCHRA/content.aspx?f=29813 CCHRA]

(2) [http://www.cchra.ca/Web/exam/content.aspx?f=29881#NKE CCHRA]

(3) [http://www.cchra.ca/Web/exam/content.aspx?f=29881#NPPA CCHRA]