By Lorie Hunchak, CHRP

Bryan Webber, a member of the Business Programs Faculty at Vancouver Island University, recently scored 100% on the National Knowledge Exam (NKE), the first of two national exams required to obtain the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation. The NKE tests candidates on HR knowledge and theory.

This is the first-time a perfect score has been awarded in B.C., according to Simon Evans, CHRP and CEO of BC HRMA.

“This is an amazing result,” said Evans. “B.C. has traditionally scored high marks on the national exams and this puts us over the top. Congratulations to Bryan on such a remarkable exam.”

Exam sessions are offered in May and October each year for both the NKE and National Professional Practice Assessment (NPPA). Last May, 316 wrote the NKE and 171 wrote the NPPA. Upcoming in October, 456 members are registered to write the NKE while 270 will write the NPPA. Currently, there are 2271 CHRP graduates and candidates in B.C.

Webber has been in the Human Resources field for over 10 years. For the last four years, he has been teaching courses on management principles, organizational behavior, HR management, and leadership. Prior to his current position at Vancouver Island University, he was an Organizational Coach for Weyerhaeuser, where he supported performance management, employee development, and organizational change initiatives. Webber holds a B.A. in Computer Science and Business from Simon Fraser University and a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University. He has also been accepted to begin a PhD in organizational development this fall at Fielding Graduate University.

Webber chose to begin the CHRP certification process to raise his professional credibility and model the importance of the CHRP designation to his students, as more and more organizations recognize the value of this certification and look for job candidates that are CHRP certified. To prepare for the exam, he investigated the Canadian Council of HR Associations (CCHRA) online preparation course and mapped out a strategy to utilize the three sample exams. Webber found that writing the sample exams over a three to four week period allowed him to analyze his competency strengths and weaknesses, which helped him identify those areas he needed to focus on.

“The idea was to increase my competency in all areas and meet the 70% pass requirement,” he said. “I felt preparing this way maximized the probability of passing the exam.”

Webber found that the 150-question, multiple-choice exam was well-constructed, covered a considerable breadth of material, and required a conscientious, strategic approach.

“I used the full three hours permitted and divided the exam into three parts of 50 questions each, allowing one hour for each part,” he explained. He found that in addition to being well rested and prepared, this time management strategy kept him on track to complete the exam.

Webber was gratified to receive 100% in his score and registered for the NPPA in October soon after receiving his result. He is planning to utilize the online preparation course again and will also talk to peers in the HR community about their practical experiences in managing HR situations and developing solutions to those situations, as the NPPA measures ones’ understanding of the Required Professional Capabilities using situational judgment tests.

“I feel the CHRP designation strengthens my commitment to the HR community and increases my personal credibility and role modeling for my students,” he said. “I also really enjoy being a member of a professional organization.”

Lorie Hunchak, CHRP, is the president of IH and Associates Consulting Ltd.  As a human resources consultant, Lorie focuses on delivering high quality results and solutions to complex organizational issues and facilitates a range of leadership, personal accountability, change management and employee retention and development programs.