HRPA Recertification Webinar – March 28, 2012
The questions were taken verbatim from the record of questions submitted during the webinar. No
questions were deleted or altered.
1. Can you elaborate on the supporting documentation for the various categories?
Supporting documentation is required if you are randomly chosen to be audited. The type of supporting
documentation will vary dependent upon the activity. The key things that all supporting documentation
should include is; your name, the date of the activity and the length of the activity.
2. Why are there maximum points for certain categories?
The maximums ensure that individuals participate in a variety of types of activities.
3. Can you carry over extra points from a previous recertification period into the next term?
No, as this runs contrary to the philosophy of recertification which is continuous professional
development.
4. How would we calculate the number of points for a course that is correspondence or self-
paced?
Every course that is self-directed or on-line will have a recommended number of hours that it takes the
average participant. This should be used as the number of hours of instructions when calculating the
points for such a course.
5. Is the recertification webinar eligible for recertification points?
No.
6. Where is the recertification log available on the HRPA website?
The log is available through the Office of the Registrar section of the HRPA website. The online log tool
is available also through a member’s profile.
7. Can you submit more than 100 points?
The minimum requirement is the submission of activities that accrue 100 recertification points. You
may submit more however the excess is not carried over into your next recertification period.
8. Are there points allocated for chapter meetings? If so, which section?
Section A3 of the log – Seminars/Workshops and Conferences takes into consideration the learning
acquired through this type of activity. It is the professional development component of a chapter
meeting that is potentially eligible.
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9. If a conference is not pre-approved how do you log it?
An activity does not need to be preapproved to be logged/applicable. When logging the activity be sure
to outline the direct and describable link between the content and how it furthers your ability as an HR
practitioner.
10. In the log it refers to RPCs, what does this stand for?
RPC stands for Required Professional Capabilities. This is the framework for the CHRP Designation.
11. Are the criteria for recertification the same for all HR associations or does it differ by
province?
In Canada, professions are provincially regulated. Therefore each provincial association is free to
structure recertification as they see appropriate.
12. How do you record significant training and mentoring for direct hires?
Recertification is not about doing your job but the learning that is above your job. As an HR practitioner
it is your job to train and mentor direct reports. Therefore you do not log this type of activity.
13. How many points are assigned to a free webinar?
The cost of a professional develop activity does not determine how many points are awarded for it. The
points are outlined in the log which is available on the HRPA website
http://www.hrpa.ca/OfficeOfTheRegistrar/CHRP/Pages/FormsandApplications.aspx . Seminars,
workshops and conference (paid or free) accrue renewal points under A3 of the log.
Recertification is synonymous with professional development. For an activity to be appropriate there
must be a direct and describable link between the content and how it furthers your ability as an HR
practitioner. Articulating this connection (even for projects) is important when submitting your log.
That connection is in essence linking your activity to the RPCs. You are not expected to quote the
specific RPC that it is applicable to.
14. If there are items that might be questionable, should we record activities that are over
100 points, or would you have the ability to add if the original activities were found not
acceptable?
The minimum requirement is the submission of activities that accrue 100 recertification points. You are
encouraged to consider the connection of how the activities further your ability as an HR practitioner,
prior to submission.
15. Can you confirm if developing training material for employees and managers would qualify in one
of these categories?
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Facilitating and Development of a workshop, seminar accrues renewal points under C4 and C3 of the log.
Credit is not awarded for routine presentations to the organization (e.g. Health care plan updates, new
hire orientation, communication of policies).
17. Does researching foreign employment law and developing an employee handbook for
non-Canadian jurisdictions qualify?
Activities do not need to be Ontario or Canadian specific.
18. Why is leadership of others within an organization not eligible under the Leadership
category? Especially if I was promoted to a leadership role during my recertification period?
Leadership of direct reports is the job of the HR practitioner and for this reason not eligible.
19. Would (re)negotiating a collective agreement qualify as a project? It is part of your job, it is not
new, but it requires a lot of time and planning and you still have to do the rest of your job because it
does not stop because you are at negotiations.
Section D of the log takes into consideration new work projects/initiatives.
20. Can we access past recertification logs after you have recertified?
One of the benefits of using the online log tool is the ability to access past recertification submissions.
21. If a course or project occurred in April or May, 2008 but was not claimed for credit last time, is it
eligible this time?
Recertification represents a commitment to continuous learning in a profession impacted by economic,
social, business and legislative changes. Carrying over activities from one period into another would run
directly contrary to the goal of this requirement.
22. How long must I retain supporting documentation, in case of an audit?
You will know within 8 weeks of submission whether you have been randomly chosen to be audited.
HRPA does not currently audit retroactively. Therefore once you receive the results of your
recertification submission there is no need to retain the supporting documentation.
23. I am currently developing a succession planning program- it is not in place yet. Do my
hours put into this project count towards recertification?
Refer to section D – New Work projects/initiatives.
24. Starting a new job in December 2011- Learning a lot of new things. I am still in the process of
learning. Can I use these activities for my next recertification?
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For an activity to be appropriate there must be a direct and describable link between the content and
how it furthers your ability as an HR practitioner.
25. I have over 180 points in "continuing education". When I add new points... I get a
message saying that I have exceeding the limit for that section and will not count. Your
presentation said that this section was unlimited... Can you please explain?
There are maximums allowed in each section of the recertification log. Refer to the summary page of
the log for the maximum allowable points per section. The maximum for section A is 100. If using the
online log, once you have reached the maximum for a category, a message confirming this will appear.
26. Please re-explain the volunteering section...does it have to be HR related activities or any
volunteering activities.
Refer to section B- Leadership. Leadership in HR capacity and non-HR capacities are included. There are
deliverables that need to be met for each type. These deliverables are outlined in the log.
27. If this is the first certification period how far back do we record our activities ?
The recertification period commenced when the designation is received.
28. Volunteer Opportunities: how do we calculate how many points we have earned?
The log specifies the number of renewal points per activity. The log is available through the Office of the
Registrar section of www.hrpa.ca .
29. For self directed learning, does a Financial Management Course count if going towards a
Management Degree Specializing in HR?
All HR professionals require a level of general business acumen. Therefore if the content of the course
furthers your ability as an HR practitioner, it is appropriate for your continuing education
(recertification). A self-paced course and self-directed learning. Courses should be recorded under A1.
Courses that are self-paced or delivered via correspondence will have a recommended number of hours
that an average participant is expected to spend on the course. This recommended number of hours
should be used as the instructional hours when logging renewal points.
30. Could you share your thoughts on the value proposition of the GPS tool?
It is important for a professional to plan both their career/professional develop. The GPS is a free tool
that identifies the areas that
31. What if all your points seem to be in one area?
Refer to the log for the maximum allowable points per developmental category.
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32. If I took part in a committee within my chapter (e.g. Compensation Committee), how
would I log this experience?
Refer to the Leadership section of the log – Section B.
33. What if you are being mentored by your HR Manager, would this fall under B2?
For the mentoring to be appropriate for recertification it must be outside the direct reporting
relationship.
34. Can I submit more than 100 points in case some activities are not accepted?
You are not required to submit more than activities that accrue 100 recertification points. If an activity
is not accepted the following is the course of action:
 HRPA will contact the member and ask the member to articulate the direct and describable link
between the content and how it furthers your ability as an HR practitioner
 That will be reviewed by the recertification committee. If they determine that the activity is still
inappropriate then you will be asked if you wish to submit any further activities
 If you do not have any additional activities to submit, HRPA and the member will devise a plan
for the member to meet the requirement.
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