Policy Information
The CPN Certification™ is a certification designed to measure a wide range of HR
experience for both professionals working in non-traditional roles that are HR related
as well as individuals seeking to advance their careers by obtaining entry-level HR
positions. For the past several years, labor market research has established that as
more HR professionals advance toward strategic roles within their organization, they
need to back-fill with competent professionals. However, our research indicates that
many HR professionals are finding they lack the appropriate “tool” for recruiting
entry-level HR professionals.
The CPN is designed, therefore, to provide opportunity to both groups: for professionals
recognizing that certifications are required for 9 out of 10 new hires and promotions,
the ability to recognize one’s performance engaging the workforce in non-traditional
roles is often important to being advanced into higher non-HR management roles.
Furthermore, this tool is a precursor to the more advanced PHR and SPHR certifications
which measure the performance of a professional having worked in a specific HR role for
at least two years.
The Strategic Learning Alliance adheres to the A.P.A standards of ethics in governing
daily and strategic operations. The policy summaries set forth here represent the
general policies expectation for those holding certification. Each certification, program,
and program-funding entity may have additional regulations set at the state and federal
level that participants are expected to conform to as participants in those programs.
The policies stated here in addition to the ethical guidelines are intended to protect
the rights and interests of the SLA certified professionals, research participants based
on the SLA Internal Review Board. Specific policy information can be accessed by members
in the membership pages.
Exam Policies
Currently the CPN Certification mirrors the SHRM process for PHR/SPHR examination. In time, the CPN Certification™ may be offered year-round. This exam is 100 questions on the subject matter posted on the CPN-Success.org. Furthermore, the exam is limited to 90 minutes. The questions are structured for an open-book exam, but are timed/averaged to ensure the level of difficulty meets the SHRM standard for HR certification
In addition to the timed, weighted, and average exam, learners will complete two portfolio submissions documenting their applied learning. These portfolios are scored in addition to the exam. Unlike other SLA Certifications, the CPN exam carries the most weight. However, documents submitted must meet the established measurement guidelines set forth by the Professionalism: Effectively Applied Knowledge (PEAK™) Institute of accreditation to earn the CPN. To ensure your success, the SLA strongly recommends you participate in an approved learning program option listed on the SLA website.
A) Content
The CPN exam focuses on content from a variety of skills in business and administration. These skills have been established through research by a Board of Advisors for the CPN. The skills include (but are not limited to) the ability to think effectively about your professional role and tasks; to demonstrate proactive behavior when assigned tasks; to focus on task completion based on best practices according to accredited collegiate standards of theory; to understand basic project management, people-success skills, and finally to demonstrate a broad understanding of Human Resource Theory established by the Society of Human Resource Management and customized to balance top-accredited college theory standards with performance standards based on applied metrics established by the Board of Advisors.
B) Scoring
The exam is timed, weighted, and averaged. Learner’s records for participation and completion of reading
assignments, workbooks, and course material are also used for automatic audits if the learner does not
meet the minimum threshold. The mathematical algorithm used to calculate scoring is based upon the
statistically established reliability and validity samples conducted by members of the Strategic Learning
Alliance, Board of Advisors, and research affiliates. Because of the complexity of calculating scores,
individual learners should assume that to complete each question in approximately 45 seconds with a
cumulative averaged score of 80% will pass this certification.
Learners who fall within a margin of error will have their preparation AUDITED and scores assigned based on
completion of preparation activities. The scores are based upon the following demonstrated application:
completion of learning theory to a satisfactory standard; completion of a learning program to satisfactory
standard; access and engagement of applied content provided to a satisfactory standard. Each category of
satisfactory standard is measured by 80% actual completion. Therefore, learners are encouraged to
complete the exercises within the prep-room to ensure their demonstrated ability to think, learn, and apply
knowledge in ways other than an exam. The scoring of participation ONLY applies to those that do not pass
on the first attempt but fall within the margin of error (+/-3% cumulative).
The purpose of the CPN is not to demonstrate a participant’s status as a Human Resource Subject Matter
Expert. Instead, it is to demonstrate their ability to think, act, and learn using best behavioral standards
(soft-skills) that are most demanded by Human Resource Managers (SJI, 2013), that meet the academic
integrity to complete a higher (post-baccalaureate) education course, and adequately demonstrate their
ability to apply knowledge effectively by seeking out what information they do not know.
C) Regulations
Cheating
There are multiple versions of the CPN exam. This ensures that while participants are taking the exam, they are not able to work together to complete the test. Communication logs are kept in the exam area. While communication to locate a specific document, tool, or source is approved, the sharing of answers, questions, and tips is prohibited. These logs are monitored as part of your participation in the exam. Anyone engaged in sending content to another learner will be automatically dismissed from the exam and barred from participating in CPN Certification for one year.
Plagiarism
CPN Certification participants are barred from downloading, copying, distributing, altering, or otherwise reprinting any information provided within the exam resource center. Learners may be allowed to print and use tools provided to them for the purpose of studying. Redistribution of these tools, articles, or content without express permission will result in revocation of any certification and civil/criminal charges where applicable.
Rights and responsibilities
- You may use all material provided to during the exam to answer a question
- You may use research skills to find answers using any process or source you feel meets academic and professional integrity (note: all questions are based upon empirical research; therefore, online data from Wikipedia, and other sources are built into answers as indications that a participant has not relied on proven information to answer the question. Know your sources before answering).
- You may NOT call an SME, friend, associate, or co-learner to ask for answers.
- You may NOT copy, print, and/or distribute any exam question or preparation question.
- Audits: all learners who fall within the statistical range of error are automatically audited based on their performance standards in class or in the CPN Team center prior to the exam. You may NOT request a second audit; all failures are notified and explained the reasons for failing to earn certification.
- You MAY retest within the same exam period for an additional fee (one-time).
- You MAY retest the following term for an additional fee in the event you do not pass in your schedule exam time-frame.
- You MAY reschedule your exam for a fee of $125.
Recertification & Professional Requirements
- CPN Certification means that you must engage in recertification. Recertification requires that you complete 24 hours of approved CEU courses within 24 for months of the end of the exam period (May 2013 must recertify by Jan 1st 2015).
- Recertification programs approved through Peak Learning Institute and the SLA.
- The CPN can be used in addition to other certifications so long as you keep recertification current, but is intended to be replaced with the PHR/SPHR designation provided by SHRM and HRCI.org.