Canada CBP Program Changes Jan. 1, 2007 -- WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals has announced the Canada-specific Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designation will no longer be available to new certification candidates; however, individuals who are already pursuing a Canadian CBP designation may continue in the program.
One reason for this change is to align exam requirements for the United States and Canada Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designations, which currently are different for each country. Additionally, the number of individuals pursuing the Canada-specific CBP designation has remained low since its inception, and the association has decided that it can no longer support Canada-specific benefits courses and exams.
To continue in the Canada-specific CBP program, individuals may continue to write any qualifying "T" exams that they have not yet taken in the CBP certification track.
Canadian Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) Program Changes FAQs
1. Why are changes being made to the CBP program in Canada?
The Canada-specific Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) designation will be transitioned towards a uniform set of requirements for both the United States and Canada between now and Dec. 31, 2006. The primary reasons for this change include:
Lack of need for the country-specific programming, as evidenced by member/customer interest
Cost of maintaining parallel but different certifications to serve a relatively small audience
Need to standardize the requirements for the designations, which appear identical to prospective employers in the two countries.
2. I have already earned the CBP in Canada. Is it being eliminated?
No. The CBP designation in Canada will continue to be supported for all individuals who have earned it in the past and for those who are currently pursuing it. This means that WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals will continue to recertify Canadian CBP designees who meet recertification requirements and will validate individuals' CBP certifications upon employer inquiries. The only change is that no new candidates will be accepted into the Canada-specific CBP program once the Canadian versions of courses B1, B2 and B3 are discontinued. The U.S. CBP designation will continue to be offered, and can be earned by Canadian practitioners if desired.
3. What is the difference between the U.S. and the Canadian CBP requirements?
The U.S. and Canadian exams are very similar, with the exceptions of exams B1, B2 and B3. For this reason, these three exams are the only exams that have not been accepted interchangeably in the past toward the U.S. and Canadian CBP designations. After Dec. 31, 2006, the CBP designation will be specific to the United States for any candidates who have not yet taken the Canadian B1, B2 and B3 examinations.
4. Can I finish earning the CBP designation with the Canada-specific benefits exams?
Yes, as long as you pass certification exams B1, B2 and B3 by Dec. 31, 2006. All remaining exams will continue to be available after that date, with the same exams being offered in both the United States and Canada for most certification products.
Print