Why should I get certified?
Achieving certification from the WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals distinguishes you as being committed to remaining on the leading edge of the profession. Experienced professionals understand the value of making this commitment. They know certification puts them at the top of their game and opens numerous opportunities for networking with peers. They know the return outweighs the time spent to obtain their certification. And they know that having a certification in today’s business environment is one of the smartest, financially practical and professional statements they can make.
How do I get started toward earning my designation?
Getting started is as easy as registering for an exam. Once you begin the process, your candidate status will be established and you’ll be automatically enrolled in the certification program. If you wish to apply for certification prior to enrolling for a course or scheduling an exam, complete the online certification application and choose the designation(s) you are interested in pursuing. WorldatWork will send you occasional certification-related e-mails, special offers, information and other useful resources to help you achieve your goal of certification.
How much does it cost to become certified?
The cost depends on the approach you take. This may include practice exams, exam-only options, or taking a preparation course offered by WorldatWork in the form of classroom instruction, blended learning or self-paced e-learning. WorldatWork also offers corporate solutions for organizations interested in certification.
What do I need to do to earn a designation?
The CCP designation is earned by passing nine exams. The GRP designation is earned by passing eight exams. The CBP designation requires seven exams. The WLCP is earned by passing four exams. The CSCP is earned by passing one comprehensive exam. The CECP is earned by passing one comprehensive exam.
How does the exam process work? Certification exams are administered through WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals through the convenience of computer-based testing (CBT). CBT allows you to schedule your exam for the date, time and location that work best for you. Exam reservations are based on availability of the testing center. When you purchase any exam option, your receipt will direct you to our partner, Pearson VUE, for instructions on scheduling your computer-based exam. Your eligibility to take the exam expires after 120 days.
What if I need more than 120 days to schedule my exam?
If you prefer to study the material for a longer time before completing the exam, 30-day exam eligibility extensions are available for a $150 fee. These extensions must be purchased before the original 120 days expires. You will receive e-mail reminders from WorldatWork if you have not completed your exam with 30 days and 10 days before your eligibility expires.
What if I need to reschedule my exam?
If you wish to reschedule the date, time or location of your exam, contact Pearson VUE at least 24 hours prior to your original exam appointment. Pearson VUE charges a $25 rescheduling fee and will only reschedule your exam with 24 hours advance notice.
If you do not reschedule or offer advance notice and you are unable to make your appointment, you’ll need to call WorldatWork within your eligibility period and purchase a new exam authorization for a $200 USD (Premier member)/$270 USD (nonmember) fee. If you do not call within your eligibility period, you will be charged the full price of a new exam.
What if the exam has changed since I bought my course or exam preparation materials?
As exams and course materials do change from time to time to remain relevant to the profession, it is recommended that you schedule your exam in a timely manner to ensure the course materials and exams are current. Your eligibility expires after 120 days. 30-day extensions are available for a fee of $150 USD if purchased before your eligibility expires.
How soon after I take an exam can I get my results?
Through computer-based testing, you will receive a preliminary score immediately. However, this score needs to be verified by WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals. You will be notified via e-mail as soon as new exam results are posted to your transcript. In most cases, scores are posted two to four weeks after the exam is taken.
What are my options if I do not receive a passing score on an exam?
Please contact Customer Relationship Services to discuss retake options and prices.
What is listed on my transcript?
Your transcript includes your scores from all exams you have taken from WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals. You have the option of printing/displaying all exam scores or only passing scores.
How can I get my transcript?
If you have taken one or more exams with WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals, you may access your transcript online using your WorldatWork ID number and your password.
What happens once I complete my last exam for certification?
Once you have completed your CSCP or CECP exam or your last exam toward your CCP, CBP, GRP or WLCP designation, there is no further action required on your part. WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals will verify that you have passed all required exams and you will receive an e-mail confirmation that you have been certified. You will receive a certification packet by mail including your certificate and Society membership materials typically within three to four weeks. Note: If you are pursuing your designation under the Canada certification requirements, please contact certification@worldatworksociety.org once you have completed your last exam for verification and processing.
How do I keep my designation current?
To recertify, a CCP, CBP, GRP, WLCP, CSCP or CECP must earn 12 recertification credits every three years. These credits are earned through a variety of professional development activities focusing on compensation, benefits and total rewards.
How long does it take to process the Recertification Application?
If we have no questions regarding your submission, you should receive your updated certificate within two to four weeks after we notify you that your application has been approved. In the event that we have a question regarding your application, we will contact you to resolve it, which may cause a short delay in processing.
Do I have to remain current/recertified in order to keep my WorldatWork Society membership?
Society membership is complimentary and tied to recertification status to encourage designees to remain current in the profession(s). Keeping your certification up-to-date indicates your commitment to the HR profession, and to your employer your unwavering commitment to staying current with today’s HR practices in an ever-changing profession. Recertification status is maintained by earning 12 credits every three years.
What is the difference between WorldatWork membership and WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals membership?
WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals is an affiliate of WorldatWork that administers the exams and certification programs. The Society is a separate not-for-profit legal entity that serves as an elite member-based networking association for individuals who have attained one or more of the designations (CCP, CBP, GRP, WLCP, CSCP, CECP). Society members are designees whose designations are current. Society membership is complimentary and includes networking opportunities and other benefits. Complimentary Society membership is offered to encourage Society alumni (non-current designees) to remain current in the profession(s).
WorldatWork membership is paid membership to WorldatWork, the professional association that provides educational resources and thought leadership in compensation, benefits, work-life and total rewards. Paid WorldatWork membership provides benefits including product and service discounts, networking opportunities, subscriptions to award-winning publications, survey participation and results, unlimited online access to 17,000+ references and articles, and many other benefits. WorldatWork membership is not tied to Society status.
How can I get the Society to release information about my certification status?
Society designations are valuable credentials awarded to individuals who have undergone the rigorous requirements for the programs. For that reason, it is important to us to ensure that they are used only by those individuals who have earned them. To achieve this, the Society offers verification services to designees. In order to protect your privacy and to ensure that the information you are requesting agrees with our records, we do need you to complete, sign and return the official Release of Information Authorization Form to us at certification@worldatworksociety.org before we can accommodate any verification requests. Once we have received your authorization, we will provide verification of your certification status to the individual or organization you have specified on the authorization.
CCP
What are the benefits of having a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation?
The Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation has been recognized as the world's standard since 1976. The CCP designation is known throughout the global rewards community as a mark of expertise and excellence in all areas of compensation.
Why is the CCP valuable?
The CCP designation demonstrates the recipient possesses essential knowledge about integrating compensation programs with business strategy, designing and administering base and variable pay programs, complying with U.S. legal and regulatory requirements, and effectively communicating compensation information.
Who should pursue the CCP?
Obtaining the CCP designation is beneficial for HR professionals responsible for their organization’s base pay and incentive compensation programs. This may include examining and evaluating current market trends, managing compensation survey data including data analysis and conducting benchmarking studies, conducting audits to ensure legal compliance, and assessing and making appropriate recommendations for various pay programs, structures, policies and practices.
How can I obtain the CCP?
The CCP certification is achieved by earning a passing score on nine examinations. For each certification exam, WorldatWork provides a preparation course to help equip you with the education and knowledge needed to prepare for the exam.
GRP
What are the benefits of having a Global Remuneration Professional (GRP) designation?
The Global Remuneration Professional (GRP) designation provides a foundation of knowledge spanning across borders. The GRP supports professionals to excel around the world.
Why is the GRP valuable? The GRP designation demonstrates the recipient possesses essential knowledge about integrating global reward programs with business strategy, designing and administering base and variable pay programs, the impact of globalization and regional influences on the design and delivery of global reward programs, and communicating total rewards program information.
Who should pursue the GRP?
Obtaining the GRP designation is beneficial for HR professionals responsible for their multinational organization’s compensation/remuneration programs. This may include examining and evaluating current market trends, preparing salary analyses for determination of employee compensation, presenting recommendations and revisions to the current compensation plan/procedures to management, producing and directing the implementation of all compensation plans including bonuses and incentives, reviewing job descriptions, and assessing appropriate compensation levels.
How can I obtain the GRP?
The GRP certification is achieved by earning a passing score on eight examinations. Examinations are the same in all countries in which courses are taken. For each certification exam, WorldatWork provides a preparation course to help equip you with the education and knowledge needed to prepare for the exam.
CSCP
What are the benefits of having a Certified Sales Compensation Professional (CSCP) designation? Earning the sales compensation certification is an excellent way for individuals with responsibility for sales compensation to establish their credentials and show their commitment to remaining on the leading edge of the profession.
Why is the CSCP valuable? The CSCP designation demonstrates proficiency in each of the key knowledge domains of sales compensation, including strategic management of sales compensation, design of a sales compensation plan, administration of sales compensation plans and techniques for evaluating sales compensation effectiveness. This demanding specialization requires experience and knowledge of all aspects of sales compensation. Obtaining this designation demonstrates an individual’s expertise as well as their commitment to excellence in the field of sales compensation.
Who should pursue the CSCP?
Achieving the CSCP designation is beneficial for compensation professionals, HR professionals and sales operations professionals with responsibility for any aspect of sales compensation in their organization. This may include management, design and administration of sales compensation plans; communication and implementation of the sales compensation plans; and evaluation and analysis of sales compensation effectiveness.
What is the suggested experience someone should have in order to take the test?
To increase your chances of success on the exam, it is recommended that you have three or more years of experience in the design and administration of sales compensation. Individuals with less than three years experience could benefit from additional preparation, such as courses or publications on the topic. Experienced individuals with five or more years of experience may be able to test without additional preparation, although if additional education is desired before testing, WorldatWork offers several options.
What kinds of professionals should become certified?
Jobs with titles such as sales manager or in sales operations may need additional education in sales compensation design. Human resources positions such as compensation job titles, HR director, manager or generalist may suggest a need for education in sales plan administration. High-level job titles such as Director of Sales Operations or VP of Compensation or Global Sales Compensation may be well-prepared, but these professionals may still benefit from a refresher publication or course.
How can I obtain the CSCP?
The CSCP certification is a specialty designation, achieved by passing a comprehensive exam based on experience in the field of sales compensation and the overall sales compensation body of knowledge. It is not curriculum-based like the CCP, CBP, WLCP and GRP certification exams. The CSCP was developed under a competency-based testing model, so there is no single preparation course that covers all content in the exam. Individuals interested in pursuing this designation should review the body of knowledge to gain an understanding of the concepts that will be covered on the exam. WorldatWork offers numerous sales compensation educational offerings and resources that will help you prepare for the exam. This competency-based exam is administered through computer-based testing centers worldwide.
If I register for a seminar to help prepare for the CSCP, when should I purchase my CSCP exam?
If you are planning on attending a seminar before testing, we recommend that you wait to purchase your CSCP exam until the seminar date. Your CSCP exam purchase begins a 120-day period for testing eligibility. No extensions are available for the CSCP exam. For this reason, you may want to postpone your purchase of the exam until you are ready to test to maximize your testing window.
How many recertification credits does a CSCP need?
As with other WorldatWork Society designations, the CSCP requires 12 recertification credits every three years. A minimum of three of the 12 credits must be related to sales compensation practice.
Does this certification have a different list of products for recertification?
WorldatWork offers a variety of seminars and webinars that earn recertification credit specific to sales compensation.
Can the CSCP recertification process be combined with other Society designations?
Yes. If you hold one or more WorldatWork Society designations, you only need to complete one recertification application every three years with 12 credits total to recertify. However, if you hold the CSCP, three of the 12 credits must be related to sales compensation practice.
CECP
What are the benefits of having a Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP) designation?
Effective executive compensation practitioners are able to design and manage programs that attract, motivate and retain dynamic executives and leaders who have the ability to drive positive business results and organizational strategies.
Why is the CECP valuable?
Obtaining the CECP certification signifies that the professional possesses the knowledge, experience and critical skills to design, evaluate, implement and manage effective executive compensation programs. This designation demonstrates your commitment to remaining on the leading edge of the profession. Obtaining the CECP designation is an excellent way for HR professionals with responsibility for executive compensation to establish their credentials and distinguish themselves in this critical field. The CECP designation demonstrates proficiency in each of the key knowledge domains of executive compensation.
Who should pursue the CECP?
The CECP designation is beneficial for anyone seeking to validate his or her expertise in the field of executive compensation. This designation is intended for professionals involved in multiple aspects of executive compensation. This includes individuals who specialize in executive compensation as an in-house practitioner or consultant. It is pertinent for any professional who works directly in the various aspects of executive compensation strategy or administration such as finance, legal and tax.
Due to country-specific variations within executive compensation, this new designation will have value for professionals in the U.S. or multinational companies with U.S. operations or listings on U.S. exchanges.
What is the suggested experience someone should have in order to take the test?
WorldatWork recognizes that executive compensation professionals have a broad variety of experience and education. As this is a competency-based designation, it is recommended that candidates for the CECP have three or more years of experience in the design, management and administration of executive compensation programs.
In most cases, individuals with three years experience would benefit from additional preparation, such as taking courses, reviewing publications on the topic or additional professional experience. Although some individuals with more than three years of experience may be able to test without any additional preparation, many will find the additional preparation offered by WorldatWork and WorldatWork partners helpful. As this is a competency-based designation, the WorldatWork Society recommends that all individuals interested in pursuing a CECP review the Executive Compensation Body of Knowledge and take the available Practice Exam(s) to familiarize themselves with the types of questions asked in all knowledge areas within the exam.
How can I obtain the CECP?
The CECP certification is a specialty designation, achieved by passing a comprehensive exam based on experience in the field of executive compensation and the overall executive compensation body of knowledge. It is not curriculum-based like the CCP, CBP, WLCP and GRP certification exams. The CECP was developed under a competency-based testing model, so there is no single preparation course that covers all content in the exam. Individuals interested in pursuing this designation should review the body of knowledge to gain an understanding of the concepts that will be covered on the exam. WorldatWork offers numerous executive compensation resources that will help you prepare for the exam. This competency-based exam is administered through computer-based testing centers worldwide.
How many questions are there on the exam?
There are approximately 160 questions on this exam.
If I register for a seminar to help prepare for the CECP, when should I purchase my CECP exam?
If you are planning on attending a traditional classroom seminar or purchasing a self-paced e-learning seminar, we recommend that you wait to purchase your CECP exam until you have completed the seminar. Your CECP exam purchase begins a 120-day period for testing eligibility. No extensions are available for the CECP exam. For this reason, you may want to postpone your purchase of the exam until you are ready to test to maximize your testing window.
How can a candidate prepare for the CECP exam?
All candidates should review the body of knowledge online as it is an outline of the content found on the exam. With this tool you can self-assess your strengths and weaknesses and purchase products or obtain experience that may help fill in gaps where you would like additional knowledge. In support of your efforts and to meet a variety of learning styles, WorldatWork offers a number of educational offerings to assist in your preparation including seminars, Webinars and quality publications.
How many recertification credits does a CECP need?
As with other WorldatWork Society designations, the CECP requires 12 recertification credits every three years. A minimum of three of the 12 credits must be related to executive compensation practice.
Does this certification have a different list of products for recertification?
WorldatWork offers a variety of seminars and Webinars that earn recertification credit specific to executive compensation.
Can the CECP recertification process be combined with other Society designations?
Yes. If you hold one or more WorldatWork Society designations, you only need to complete one recertification application every three years with 12 credits total to recertify. However, if you hold the CECP and would like to tie your recertification credits to this designation, three of the 12 credits must be related to executive compensation practice.
CBP
What are the benefits of having a Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designation?
Benefits, another key element of a successful Total Rewards strategy, can directly impact the level of satisfaction and engagement employees feel in an organization. Designed for today’s dynamic U.S. benefits environment, the Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) program provides solid strategies and a practical application of the role of employee benefits within the total rewards strategy.
Why is the CBP valuable?
The CBP designation demonstrates the recipient possesses essential U.S. specific knowledge about integrating benefits programs with business strategy, designing and administering benefit plans, complying with legal and regulatory requirements, outsourcing and working with benefits service partners, and communicating benefits information.
Who should pursue the CBP?
Obtaining the CBP designation is beneficial for HR professionals who design, administer and communicate their organization’s employee benefits programs. In addition, the CBP will equip HR professionals with the knowledge to provide strategic considerations for evaluating and implementing company programs that meet both company and employee needs. This includes overseeing programs and initiatives that satisfy cost considerations and offer competitive advantages for the attraction, motivation and retention of employees within a total rewards framework.
How can I obtain the CBP?
The CBP certification is achieved by earning a passing score on seven examinations. For each certification exam, WorldatWork provides a preparation course to help equip you with the education and knowledge needed to prepare the exam.
WLCP
What are the benefits of having a Work-Life Certified Professional (WLCP) designation? Work-Life has become a competitive advantage within a total rewards strategy. Today’s most successful organizations depend on effective work-life strategies and programs that increase the level of satisfaction and engagement of employees and significantly impact organizational performance. Designed to meet today’s growing need, the Work-Life Certified Professional (WLCP) designation has quickly become recognized as a gold standard signifying professional knowledge and credibility in work-life effectiveness.
Why is the WLCP valuable?
The WLCP designation demonstrates the recipient possesses essential knowledge about developing strategies and implementing effective work-life programs to improve an organization’s bottom-line and lives of employees.
Who should pursue the WLCP?
Obtaining the WLCP designation is beneficial for HR professionals responsible for reviewing, designing and implementing the organization’s practices, policies and programs that support efforts to help employees achieve success at both work and home. This may include workplace flexibility, paid and unpaid time off, health and wellness, caring for dependents, financial support programs, community involvement initiatives, and the management of culture change within the organization.
How can I obtain the WLCP?
The WLCP certification is achieved by earning a passing score on four examinations. For each certification exam, WorldatWork provides a preparation course to help equip you with the education and knowledge needed to prepare the exam.
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