National Knowledge Exam™

The National Knowledge Exam® (NKE) assesses one’s understanding of the CPHR Competency Framework as they relate to academic knowledge. Academic knowledge refers to basic facts, policies, practices, methods, legislation, etc. It is information that can be written into procedures and transferred fairly accurately during the learning process. Examples of academic knowledge include: the rights and responsibilities of management and labour during union organizing and negotiation processes; the various methods of training and developing staff; and human rights, employment equity and pay equity legislation.

More details about NKE content and structure can be found on the CPHR website.

NKE Educational Requirement Starting 2021

As of January 2021, anyone wishing to write the NKE will be required to complete the nine foundational HR courses offered by CPHRNB in partnership with Captus Press Inc. Individuals who have not graduated from a CPHR Canada member association’s Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) Accreditation Program, or have not covered the courses in an equivalent program, and wish to write the NKE will be required to enroll in the nine accredited HR courses.

Until January 2021, you can apply to write the NKE in June or Fall of 2019-2020 without taking any courses. Read the full announcement.

Exam sessions can be arranged in Fredericton, Moncton, North-East, North-West and Saint John. Your preferred location is chosen during the registration process.

The exam fee is non-refundable if you cancel your registration less than 60 days prior to the exam date. You may defer to the next sitting up to seven (7) calendar days prior to the exam, but will be charged a deferral fee of $100 plus HST. Within seven (7) calendar days to the exam, no deferrals will be allowed. In certain extenuating circumstances (such as death in the family) the $100 deferral fee may be waived at the discretion of CPHRNB. A maximum of two deferrals are allowed per exam fee.

To defer your exam registration click here.

Candidates who are unsuccessful passing the NKE three times will be required to wait one full year prior to attempting the NKE for a fourth and final time. A fifth attempt may be permitted following a review process by the appropriate provincial HR association. During the break period between the third and fourth attempts, candidates are encouraged to take a NKE preparation course and/or review the material which their NKE results indicate require more study.

Exam results are emailed approximately eight weeks after each exam session.

Click here to find out more about exam scoring

Manual re-scores are available for those who believe that there has been an error in the scoring of their exam. Information is available following the release of the exam results.

Members who have passed the National Knowledge Exam and have not yet completed the Validation of Professional Work Experience (VPWE) will be granted the ability to use “CPHR Candidate” as a professional title. Previously, candidates were referred to as such, but were not permitted the use of an official title.

The CPHR™ is valued by the employment community and the ability to be officially recognized as a CPHR Candidate will provide you with additional recognition. You may use this title in resumes, business cards, emails, Linked-In or any other public profiles.