To maintain their designation, CHRP members are required to submit a recertification log every three years. Up until this membership year, a fee of $50 was added to the dues in the year that a CHRP member was required to submit their recertification log.

This recertification fee was to cover the costs of administering the recertification process. From 2010 forward, the $50 recertification fee is being redistributed across the three years and embedded in the membership dues for CHRP members.

Why was this change made?

First, it should be pointed out that this is not a change in the amount that is charged to members. The triennial fee was divided into three equal amounts and added to the CHRP membership fee.

The triennial fee reinforced a misconception about recertification. The essential requirement is that Certified Human Resources Professionals must participate in professional development on an on-going basis. Professional development is not something that one does every three years; it is something that should be done on an on-going basis. What is required every three years is the documentation of the required professional development activities. In fact, the online recertification log is available and HRPA staff are available to assist with recertification questions at all times, not only on those years when documentation is due. The service and support for the recertification process is available to member on an on-going basis and not only every three years. The triennial fee somehow reinforced the idea that recertification is something that is done only every three years. It is hoped that by making the recertification fee an annual fee, the on-going nature of professional development will be clearer.

Some members noted that their employers were reticent to pay for a fee that was ‘on top’ of the CHRP membership fee. However, for CHRPs, recertification is not ‘on top of’ CHRP membership, it is a compulsory component of maintaining the designation. Recertification is part and parcel of what it means to be a Certified Human Resources Professional. It made sense to integrate the recertification fee into the CHRP membership fee.

Finally, having a uniform fee every year is simpler administratively. This means that there are savings related to administering the recertification process. These savings are passed on to member in one form or another.

Individuals with questions regarding recertification or recertification fees, are encouraged to contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@hrpa.ca