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Experience Validation Assessment

The Experience Validation Assessment (EVA) is the final step to achieve the CPHR designation.

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CPHR DESIGNATION

Experience Validation Assessment (EVA) 

The Experience Validation Assessment (EVA) is the final step to achieve the CPHR designation.

The EVA ensures that human resources professionals who obtain the CPHR designation have the knowledge and skills required to practice human resources competently and ethically. 


There are two options to complete the EVA

  1. There is the Standard EVA for people who have written the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) and have at least three (3) years of HR experience;
  2. Or the Senior Path EVA for professionals with at least ten (10) years of professional HR experience with five (5) years at the senior or executive level. 


Resources for completing your EVA

  1. EVA Guide 
  2. Competency Framework Guide - Use this for completing the competency examples portion of your EVA
  3. Registration Manual
  4. Tips for Senior Path EVA Applications
  5. Supervisor Signature Page
  6. EVA FAQ

CPHR DESIGNATION

Standard EVA

Candidates applying for the EVA must demonstrate that their work exceeds 50% HR. Those who have a degree will need to demonstrate three (3) years of experience and individuals with diplomas will need to demonstrate four (4) years of experience. Experience must be obtained within the ten (10) years prior to the EVA submission deadline.


There are 3 submission deadlines each year for the Standard EVA

  1. January 31st
  2. May 31st, and
  3. September 30th.


Prior to starting your EVA Application, ensure you have requested original transcripts to be sent directly to CPHR Alberta from your educational institution. Education completed outside Canada needs to be assessed through WES, ICES or IQAS. 

CPHR DESIGNATION

Senior Path EVA

For the Senior Path EVA, CPHR candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate ten (10) years of progressive advisory HR experience with five (5) years at an executive level.


Work Experience in a Senior Role

A senior role for this pathway is defined as someone working 51% or more of the time in HR at the most senior HR level in the organization such as VP, or CHRO – someone who participates at the Executive/Leadership table with a high level of autonomy and decision making.


There are 2 submission deadlines each year for the Senior EVA

  1. May 31st, and
  2. September 30th.

EVA DETAILS

Things to note about the Standard EVA

  1. The EVA application can be found in your member portal.
  2. CPHR Candidates have ten (10) years after passing the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) or waiving the exam to complete the EVA.
  3. Review the Registration Manual before beginning the application.

Criteria to pass the Standard EVA

Here is an outline of the criteria required to be successful on your Standard EVA application and achieve the CPHR Designation. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the Registration Manual.

  1. If the CPHR Candidate has submitted proof of a degree, they must have three (3) years paid HR experience where one (1) year can be administrative level HR experience and the remainder must be at the advisory level.
  2. If the CPHR Candidate has a diploma, they must have four (4) years paid HR experience where one (1) year can be administrative level HR experience, and the remainder must be at advisory level.
  3. Proficiency in at least eight (8) of the competencies outlined in the CPHR Competency Framework

Senior Path EVA Experience

The following are some of the qualities that would help to define senior level experience in Human Resources:

  • A very high amount of independence and accountability in their day-to-day work
  • Considerable budgetary responsibility for the full organization
  • Senior leadership influence on the organizational strategy and business decisions
  • Experience counselling and coaching senior leaders on HR related matters
  • A minimum of five years leading a team of other HR professionals
  • Authority to recommend on most HR decisions in an organization
  • Strategic thinking and execution
  • Demonstrated negotiating/influencing skills
  • Ability to balance strategic with operational issues
  • Strong understanding of the business and economic environment
  • Authority and skill to design and implement leadership succession plans

*Note*: Intermediate leadership roles will not count towards the senior pathway.


To see if your executive HR role will qualify under this pathway, create an account here and fill out the pre-screen questionnaire.


If you are a Candidate who has been approved for the Senior Path based on your experience, you qualify for the Senior Path EVA. 

Criteria to pass the Senior Path EVA

Here is an outline of the criteria required to be successful with your Senior Path EVA and achieve the CPHR designation. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the Registration Manual.

  • Proof of completion of a post-secondary degree
  • Ten (10) years of applied HR experience
  • At least five (5) years of HR experience at the executive level
  • Proficiency in one (1) required HR Competency plus three (3) additional HR Competencies as outlined in the CPHR Competency Framework
  • Qualify in six (6) required General Competencies
  • Show a high level of independence, autonomy and decision making authority.

Should your experience not qualify for the Senior Path, we encourage you to review the qualifications the standard pathway to obtain your CPHR. 

EVA FAQs

Questions about the Standard or Senior Path EVA?


Fiona Amamoh
Registrar
1.800.668.6125 ext. 113
famamoh@cphrab.ca


  • Do I need a management title to satisfy the work experience requirement?

    No. Your experience is not dependent on your job title. Experience is reviewed based on the Functional Dimensions and the Competencies within them, which may be demonstrated in a variety of different positions.

  • How do I know which job opportunities will meet the work experience requirement?

    The human resources field is very diverse and presents many opportunities to obtain both a breadth of experience and a specialization. Each individual experience submission presents a unique background and set of accomplishments. We recommend reviewing the CPHR Competency Framework to ensure your current position and any others you might consider, align with the competencies set out for an HR professional. Remember, you will need to show evidence of experience in at least 8 of the 49 competencies from your Advisory experience.

  • Who assesses the work experience?

    Experience is reviewed by a panel of CPHRs who have been selected for their expertise in various employment sectors. Work experience submissions are also subject to audit by a committee.

  • When do I need to meet the work experience requirement?

    The Experience Validation Assessment must be submitted and approved within 10 years of passing the NKE.

  • How do I submit my experience for review?

    The assessment can be submitted through your member profile.

  • How much does the assessment cost?

    The assessment costs $600 plus GST.  Candidates will pay $225 plus GST upon submission of the Assessment and will pay the balance when it is approved.  If an assessment is not approved, you will not be charged the second fee.

  • How long will it take to have my Experience Validation Assessment completed?

    There are three admission deadlines throughout the year for the Experience Validation Assessment - January 31, May 31 and September 30. Your assessment will be completed within 8 weeks of the intake deadline.

  • How far back can I go to cite my 3 or 4 required years of professional experience?

    The experience must be obtained within the last 10 years prior to your submission deadline.

  • Is foreign experience accepted?

    CPHR Alberta does not have a Canadian experience requirement and does not limit the amount of international experience that may be submitted towards experience validation.

  • How do I fill out the experience section in the EVA form and who signs my form if I am currently unemployed?

    Candidates should fill out the experience section in the EVA form using their most recent past employer if currently unemployed. This employer can also complete the Employer Verification section of the EVA form.

  • What is considered Advisory HR work experience?

    Advisory HR Experience refers to work that will involve thinking at the strategic level, delivery may be operational, working autonomously with a range of stakeholders.  Experience will include the creation and implementation of policies, practices and processes to effectively organize and manage human capital resources in the workplace in service of the ultimate goal of enhancing business outcomes.

  • What is considered Adminstrative HR work experience?

    Administrative HR Experience refers to Human resources positions performing administrative or transactional tasks. It may include HR tasks that are routine in nature, lower in complexity and/or autonomy and executed with direction that is clearly defined

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