
NKE Waiver
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Post Secondary Accreditation Program

Post-Secondary Accreditation Program & National Knowledge Exam (NKE) Waiver Overview

Graduates of an accredited post-secondary program may be eligible to apply for a waiver for the National Knowledge Exam (NKE), the academic exam that assesses your understanding of the CPHR Competency Framework. With a successful waiver application, you become a CPHR Candidate and are one step closer to receiving your CPHR designation.

Post-secondary programs are qualified to be accredited if it is determined that the content offered meets at least 80% of the CPHR Competency Framework.

Over the next year, CPHR Saskatchewan will be meeting with Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions to determine whether or not they wish to pursue accreditation with CPHR Saskatchewan.  Throughout Canada, there are several post-secondary institutions that have already been accredited and are recognized by CPHR Saskatchewan.  Please refer to CPHR Canada’s website for a list of those institutions.

Please complete the CPHR Saskatchewan Application for NKE Waiver (click to download) if your post-secondary institution has been accredited.

What does "Accredited by CPHR Saskatchewan" mean?
Accredited by CPHR Saskatchewan means that a program in Saskatchewan has been approved and graduates of that program may be eligible to apply for an NKE waiver.

What programs qualify to become accredited?
Post-secondary programs will qualify to be accredited if it is determined that the content offered meets at least 80% of the CPHR Competency Framework content. Institutions must complete an application detailing the content of their program(s), which undergoes a thorough review by CPHR Saskatchewan in order to be granted Accredited status.

If someone received their degree from an accredited program in the past, can they qualify to waive the NKE?
Each accredited program has unique eligibility criteria for previous graduates depending on when changes were made to the curriculum. Click here for more information specific to each program.

What if my post-secondary becomes accredited part way through my education?
As long as the program content has been the same for your entire education in that program, CPHR Saskatchewan will recognize your accredited education toward waiving the NKE.

Will other provinces in Canada recognize an accredited program from Saskatchewan, and vice versa?
Yes, all provinces that are members of CPHR Canada will recognize the programs accredited by CPHR Saskatchewan and CPHR Saskatchewan will do the same for Canadian post-secondary programs accredited by other member associations of CPHR Canada.

How do I find out if my post-secondary program is currently accredited or in the process of becoming accredited with CPHR Saskatchewan?
If your program is accredited it will be listed on CPHR Canada’s website or you can contact CPHR Saskatchewan directly to ask about it.  If it is in the process of becoming accredited, CPHR Saskatchewan will not provide that information, but you can inquire with the administration of your program for more information.

Is there a fee associated with waiving the NKE?
Yes, the fee for waiving the exam is the $400 plus GST. 

What other requirements must be met in order for a student to waive the NKE?
In order to waive the NKE, a student must achieve a cumulative average of 70% (or equivalent in the grading system) in the HR program as well as be a member in good standing of CPHR Saskatchewan. Should you not meet the 70% requirement, you will still be able to write the NKE. 

If someone waives the NKE, do they still need to pass the Validation of Professional Experience (VOE)?
Yes, the VOE is required in order to attain the CPHR designation. Depending on which path one is taking, the length of experience required varies.

Why is CPHR Saskatchewan prepared to waive the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) for post-secondary graduates?
CPHR Saskatchewan recognizes that many post-secondary programs cover the majority of the information included on the National Knowledge Exam. The Post-Secondary Accreditation process will allow CPHR Saskatchewan to assess which programs cover 80% or more of the CPHR Competency Framework content.  If a student has achieved 70% or higher as an overall grade in an accredited program, CPHR Saskatchewan is confident that the student already possesses the knowledge tested in the National Knowledge Exam. 

Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Saskatchewan (CPHR Saskatchewan)
#210, 3501 8th Street East / Saskatoon, Sask. / S7H 0W5
tel: 306.242.2747  / email: 

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