General Information/Requirements The WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals is the international certifying body that provides designations enabling HR professionals with the most current knowledge, critical skills to apply immediately and a network of fellow professionals. Recognized globally, we offer the following certification options:
Current practices and applicability drive certification program design. Using emerging developments in the field and feedback from past participants, the programs are continuously refined in response to the changes and challenges that impact each professional area.
The Value of Certification
Certification speaks volumes about who you are as a professional. By completing our certification programs, you establish yourself as being committed to remaining on the leading edge of your profession. Increasingly, job listings are specifying CCP, CBP, GRP, WLCP or CSCP preferred employees. Whether on your business card, letterhead or resume, your designation signals that you meet the highest levels of professional performance.
How to Get Certified
All designations are earned by passing the required certification examinations administered through WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals. Each exam consists of approximately 100 multiple-choice questions based on the Body of Knowledge. While it is not necessary, most candidates take the certification exam an exam-preparation course if offered by WorldatWork. The preparation courses are offered throughout the United States, Canada and internationally, providing instruction in the functional areas comprising the Body of Knowledge associated with compensation, benefits, work-life and total rewards management practice.
How to Get Started Completing the Certification Application and submitting it to our Certification Department notifies us of your intentions of pursuing certification and the specific designations you want to acquire. Get started today by submitting the online form.
How Long Does it Take to Complete Certification?
In 2013, WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals will introduce time limits for exam credit toward the CCP, CBP, GRP and WLCP designations. Exams toward these certifications will be valid for eight years.
This change will have minimal impact: 95% of certification candidates achieve certification within eight years. In fact, most candidates take four to six years. For those pursuing dual certification, the average time is 5.1 years.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, any exam on a certification candidate’s transcript more than eight years old will no longer be valid toward certification. Discounted exams will be available for customers to retake exams that expire. For more details about the introduction of time limits for certification candidates, visit this web page.
Track Your Progress Track your personal certification progress online with an at-a-glance view of all the WorldatWork exams you have completed and have yet to complete.
Whether you are currently pursuing a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Benefits Professionals (CBP), Global Remuneration Professional (GRP), Work-Life Certified Professional (WLCP) and/or Certified Sales Compenstion Professional (CSCP) designation, you will be able to plot your course for attaining the designations you desire. If you are already certified, the online service makes it simple to see what additional courses you need for dual certification and when it's time to recertify to keep your designations current.
Your certification status can be viewed at My Certification. Enter your personal WorldatWork Customer ID number and password to see what requirements you have left to complete.
For more information about accessing your certification status online, contact Customer Relationship Services at customerrelations@worldatwork.org or call toll-free 877/951-9191.
Exam-only Options
Many WorldatWork courses are offered to assist you in preparing for certification exams. It is not necessary, however, to enroll in a course in order to take an exam. Some candidates choose to take certification exams under the exam-only option.
For all certification exams, WorldatWork offers 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. Sorry, walk-ins are not accepted, and exam reservations are based on availability of the testing center. Same-day appointments may be available depending on the testing center. When you purchase an exam-only session, your receipt from WorldatWork will direct you to our partner, Pearson VUE, for instructions on scheduling your computer-based exam. After purchasing you will have 120 days to complete your exam. A 30-day extension will be available for $150 USD if purchased before your eligibility expires. To register, call Customer Relationship Services at 877-951-9191 or 480-951-9191 outside of the U.S. and Canada.
Exam Versions
WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals' exams are updated regularly to remain relevant in a dynamic practice. It is recommended that you schedule your exam in a timely manner to ensure the course materials match the current exam.
Credits
Continuing Education Units (CEU)
The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized unit of measure used to recognize participation in organized
continuing education activities operated in accordance with established criteria. One CEU is equivalent of 10 hours of
instruction. WorldatWork certification preparation courses meet the accepted guidelines for institutions that grant the
CEU. For more information, please contact the WorldatWork certification department toll-free at 877/951-9191.
HR Certification Institute Recertification Credit
Many WorldatWork traditional classroom events, conferences and live webinars have been pre-approved for recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). See course descriptions for hours of credit. Most courses and events earn credit in the “general” category, although courses T2 and B3A earn credit in the “Specified-Strategic Business” category. Course GR7 earns credit in the “Specified-International” category. To request a certificate of completion, please e-mail certification@worldatworksociety.org after you have attended an approved course or event or you may also obtain the program ID number at the classroom event. Note: Self-paced e-learning courses, webinar playbacks and other self-study products are not pre-approved for credit. For more information on HRCI certification or recertification, please visit the HRCI home page.
Please note: WorldatWork educational events that have not been pre-approved may still earn HR Certification Institute recertification credit, subject to acceptance by HRCI. General certificates of completion without an HRCI program ID number are available upon request to registered attendees to document participation. For more information, please contact Customer Relationship Services.
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
WorldatWork is a CFP-Board Registered CE Sponsor and individuals who hold the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation can receive continuing education (CE) credits by attending selected WorldatWork courses. Five WorldatWork courses and seminars have been accepted by the CFP Board of Standards to earn continuing education credits toward the maintenance of the CFP designation. Professionals will be rewarded with credits after attending the live classroom versions of the following courses and seminars: B1, B2, B3, B3A, C12. To request CE credit, please e-mail certification@worldatworksociety.org as soon as possible after attending one of the above so that credits can be transmitted to the CFP board within the required time frame. For more information, please contact the WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals toll-free at 877/951-9191.
Certified Performance Technologist (CPT)
WorldatWork courses T1, T4, B12, C4 and C12 and seminars Elements of Sales Compensation, Principles of Executive Rewards and Performance Management – Strategy, Design and Implementation each meet the requirements for 12 CPT points of the 40 points needed to re-certify as a Certified Performance Technologist (CPT). For more information on the CPT program, visit www.ispi.org/cpt.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
WorldatWork is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National
Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered
sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Ave., North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Web site:
www.nasba.org.
Please note that CPE credit is available only for classroom (“group-live”) events. CPE credit is not granted for virtual events and/or purchase of self-study materials.
How Long Does it Take to Complete Certification? There is no time limit for completion of a CCP, CBP, GRP or WLCP certification. Requirements can be completed at your own pace.
Internationally Renowned Faculty
Each of our approximately 300 faculty members is among the world’s most respected and qualified practitioners, consultants and educators.
Transcripts
Transcripts are available online. Other credit documentation can be easily obtained by contacting WorldatWork. Transcripts include most recent exam scores and all other exam scores the candidate has taken, providing a simple way to track progress toward certification.
Maintaining Your Current Designation
Certification status is maintained by earning 12 recertification credits every three years. Credits are earned through a wide variety of activities including course/conference attendance, membership in professional organizations, leadership with the association, teaching, speaking, writing and projects completed on the job.
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