What is Continuing Professional Development?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD), formerly referred to as Recertification, is an essential component of HRPA’s designation framework. The objective of the CPD requirement is to ensure that members who have earned the CHRP, CHRL and/or CHRE designations participate in ongoing professional development activities.
Purpose of CPD
The purpose of HRPA’s CPD requirement is to ensure designated members participate in ongoing professional development activities that:
- Enhance their abilities as an HR practitioner
- Contribute to the acquisition of new knowledge
- Build familiarity with contemporary HR issues
- Reinforce essential skills related to HR practice
- Contribute to the development of new skills that enhance performance as an HR professional
CPD Requirement
CHRP, CHRL and CHRE members are required to obtain 66.67 hours of professional development activities for every three-year CPD cycle. There is no requirement to obtain a certain number of hours each year but certified members are strongly encouraged to design a personal professional development plan that outlines an annual schedule. Advanced planning will ensure that meeting the CPD requirement is manageable and a professionally enriching experience.
CPD hours can be earned through continuing education, leadership activities, instructional activities, completion of significant work projects and/or initiatives, and research or publication.
By accumulating 66.67 hours through a combination of these various activities, certified members reinforce their existing skills, build new skills, and are exposed to up-to-date information relevant to the HR profession.
Members are expected to choose professional development activities that will best meet their own professional development needs.
CPD Log
The CPD log describes the various categories and types of activities that meet the CPD requirement. Each activity is allotted CPD hours. Members do not need to accrue hours in every category.
A broad range of activities qualify, including certain types of work projects. Members are encouraged to consider all activity categories when developing their personal CPD plan. The following is an overview of the main categories; please consult the log for more detailed information:
Category A – Continuing Education
Maximum 66.67 hours: Professional development activities may include seminars, workshops, and conferences.
Category B – Leadership
Maximum 46.67 hours: Professional development activities may include mentoring, and volunteering.
Category C – Instruction
Maximum 46.67 hours: Professional development activities may include developing or teaching a new HR course for credit at a university, college, institute, or workplace. Credit is only awarded for the first time a course is developed or taught. This category will be of particular interest to academics, consultants, and corporate trainers.
Category D – Significant Work Projects/Initiatives
Maximum 50 hours: Professional development activities include significant first-time human resources management program or project or secondments and special assignments.
Category E – Research or Publication
Maximum 33.33 hours: Professional development activities include conducting research, authoring and publishing of texts or articles.
Logs are due by May 31 in the year the member is due to submit their activities. Each year, three percent of all log submissions are randomly chosen and audited for accuracy and appropriate professional development activities. When log submissions are selected for an audit, HRPA sends a notification email. It is our members’ responsibility to check their junk/spam folders to ensure such notifications are not missed as there are CPD log audit documentation submission timelines that must be met to avoid suspension.
Making Professional Development Choices
Members are encouraged to consider the following question when selecting their continuing professional development activities: “Does this activity further my abilities as an HR practitioner?” If the answer is ‘Yes’, then log the activity.
Social activities do not meet the CPD requirement.
When will I be required to submit the CPD log?
CHRP, CHRL and CHRE members of HRPA must meet the CPD requirement and submit their log every three years. The deadline for logs is always May 31 of the year it is due.
When a member first earns their designation, their first CPD period starts on the date their designation was granted. To align members with the June 1 – May 31 tri-annual CPD cycle, their first CPD period will be longer than three years as a result.
Pre-approved CPD activities
CPD activities may be pre-approved by HRPA. Approved programs (e.g., seminars, workshops or conferences) display the HRPA CPD seal. This way, members know that the program will be accepted for CPD credit.
Pre-approved programs and activities are provided with an HRPA ID number. Upon completion of the activity, participants are provided with this number. HRPA members may use the number to identify the activity in their CPD log. Providers do not submit participant lists to HRPA, it is each member’s responsibility to track their own professional development activities.
Activities that have not been pre-approved may still qualify for CPD. Members are encouraged to consider the following question when selecting their CPD activities: “Does this activity further my abilities as an HR practitioner?” If the answer is ‘Yes’, they should log the activity.
More information about offering pre-approved CPD programs.
Individuals with questions regarding the CPD requirement are encouraged to contact the Office of the Registrar.