National Knowledge Exam (NKE)

What is the National Knowledge Exam (NKE)?

• The NKE assesses your understanding of the CPHR Competency Framework. The framework outlines 9 Human Resources Specific competency areas and 12 General Competency areas that CPHRs must comprehend.
• The exam assesses an individual’s understanding of the CPHR competencies as they relate to academic knowledge. Academic knowledge refers to basic facts, policies, practices, methods, legislation, etc. It is information that can be written into procedures and transferred during the learning process.
• 90% of the NKE is based on the 9 Human Resources Competencies and 10% is based on the General Competencies.
• The NKE is comprised of 150 multiple choice questions, and you’re given 3 hours and 15 minutes to write it.

I Want to Write the NKE

• First, you need to be an Associate Member of CPHR Alberta. Your application has to be submitted four weeks prior to the exam registration deadline (listed below). We ask for your application four weeks prior to the NKE registration deadline to ensure the CPHR Alberta team has ample time to review it. Learn more about becoming an Associate Member, or, contact us.
• If you’re applying for Associate Membership with CPHR Alberta, make sure your transcripts or IQAS/WES assessment has been received by our team prior to the NKE registration deadline. Please note, only official copies are accepted and must come directly from your post-secondary institution or IQAS/WES to CPHR Alberta.
• To be eligible for an Associate membership, you must have a two-year diploma or degree in human resources. If you have a non-HR diploma or degree, you must complete the coursework requirement to be eligible for an Associate membership and registering for the NKE.
• Please ensure the name you use to register your CPHR Alberta Membership and the NKE matches your government issued photo ID.

Did You Graduate from a CPHR Canada Accredited Program?

• Associate Members who graduated from a CPHR Canada accredited post-secondary education program can apply to waive the NKE. Fill out a waiver form and submit it through your member profile by clicking on the "Submit NKE Waiver Application" link. 

When is the NKE?

NKE Accommodation Requests

1. Please read through the NKE Accommodations Handbook for Writers. 
2. The deadline for accommodation requests for the NKE is the registration deadline for each exam. Requests submitted after the registration deadline will not be accepted. 
3. If you have been approved for an accommodation and then defer your examination at a later date, you must re-submit an accommodation request. 
4. The NKE will only be offered as an online proctored writing option. To write in-person at a test centre, writers must request this as an “accommodation”.

Register for the NKE

• Login to your Member Profile
• Select 'NKE - Exam and Waiver Application'
• Follow prompts to register for NKE

Where Can I Write the NKE?

The NKE is held in most major cities in Alberta:

• Calgary
• Edmonton
• Fort McMurray
• Grande Prairie
• Lethbridge
• Medicine Hat
• Red Deer

How Much Does the NKE Cost?

• National Knowledge Exam ® Fee -  $550
• Examination Deferral Fee - $200
• National Knowledge Exam Waiver Fee - $375

These prices are subject to 5% GST

How Can I Prepare for the NKE?

The goal of preparation courses is to equip NKE writers with the theoretical knowledge and test-taking strategies needed to effectively write the National Knowledge Exam®.

The following resource is available to assist you with preparing for the NKE:

• Captus Online NKE Prep Course: An online resource full of multi-media lectures, practice exams, an e-textbook, and a discussion board

What Happens After I Write the NKE?

• You find out if you passed the NKE within 8 weeks of writing. If you pass the NKE you become a CPHR Candidate! Your next step is to complete the Experience Validation Assessment (EVA). The EVA demonstrates you also have practical human resources experience to be a CPHR.
• You can write the NKE up to four times. If you aren’t successful with the NKE the first three times, you’re required to take a one-year break until you write it again for the final time.

More Information on the NKE

• How the NKE is scored
• Review CPHR Alberta's exam policy for information on deferrals, cancellations and limited attempts
• NKE FAQs
• NKE Results
• Practice Exam
• Textbook Resource List 
• NKE Writer Handbook

Questions about the National Knowledge Exam?