National Knowledge Exam (NKE)
The National Knowledge Exam® (NKE) assesses one’s understanding of the CPHR Competency Framework 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 fairly accurately during the learning process. Examples of academic knowledge include: the rights and responsibilities of management and labour during union organizing and negotiation processes; the various methods of training and developing staff; and human rights, employment equity and pay equity legislation.
You are not required to complete your full required length of experience prior to writing the exam. We encourage you to register and write the NKE as soon as possible following graduation.
More details about NKE content and structure can be found on the CPHR Canada website.
The NKE takes place once a year in the Fall (November), and registration usually closes in September. See below for more information about the next exam sitting.
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Fall 2025 Exam Information |
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Exam Date
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November 6, 2025 |
Registration Deadline (and deadline to apply for accommodation) | September 12, 2025 |
| Fees |
Pre-payment required
NKE registration fee: $400.00 + GST Yardstick Seat fee: $155.00 + GST |
Educational Requirement
(to be met prior to registration) |
CPHR Canada has an educational requirement that ensures that writers have a foundation of HR knowledge aligned to the competency framework.
Please order a transcript from your post-secondary institution or your Academic Credential Assessment and Equivalency Report and have it sent directly to CPHR Manitoba for review. Copies, web transcripts, or transcripts sent by you will not be accepted. If you do not meet the educational requirement or if your transcript/assessment is not received by the registration deadline, you will not be allowed to write the NKE. Note: ordering a transcript/report can take time so please do not leave this until the last minute to order or you may have to wait until the next exam sitting.
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| Exam Delivery |
CPHR Canada utilizes computer-based testing (CBT). This transition gives members security, efficiency and convenience when writing the NKE and aligns the Association with industry best practice. For more information, please see our original announcement
from April 9, 2019.
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We are offering Fall 2025 NKE writers the opportunity to indicate a preference of remote-proctored or in-person at a test centre at time of registration.
Writers should understand that indicating a preference does not guarantee that you will receive that preference. In the event a test centre is unavailable, you will be assigned to remote proctoring. All writers will receive confirmation
of how they will be completing their exam following the registration deadline as the exam approachces. Cancellation and deferral dates remain in place.
Writers are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate equipment to write in a remote-proctored environment. Further details are available in the writer handbook (see 'Helpful Links' below).
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| Exam Locations (in person at a test centre) | Exam sessions are held in Winnipeg and Brandon. If you reside more than a 2-hour drive from either test site listed above, please contact hello@cphrmb.ca to discuss alternative options. CPHR Manitoba cannot guarantee an exam site in your preferred location. |
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Limits on number of NKE attempts
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Writers who are unsuccessful passing the NKE three times will be required to wait one full year prior to attempting the NKE for a fourth time.
A fifth attempt may be permitted following a review process by the appropriate provincial HR association.
During the break period between the third and fourth attempts (and fourth and fifth attempts should you be permitted), candidates are encouraged to take a NKE preparation course and/or review the material which their NKE results indicate require more study.
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Exam Results
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Exam results are emailed approximately four to five weeks after each exam session. Click here to find out more about exam scoring and why results are not immediate.
Request for Score Verification
Writers who do not successfully pass the NKE have the right to request a manual score verification. Writers must submit their request to CPHR Manitoba within 20 business days after the results have been sent out. The cost for the manual re-score is $65.
To request a manual score verification, please contact kaylee@cphrmb.ca.
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| Exam Accommodations | NKE Accommodations - Handbook for Writers NKE Accommodation Request Form |
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Helpful Links
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NKE Writer Handbook Fall 2025 NKE Prep Course and Study Resources
NKE Content and Structure
CPHR Competency Framework
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Fall 2025 Cancellation and Deferral Policy
The following timeline is in effect for cancellations/deferrals/forfeitures:
| September 12 |
Deadline to cancel registration - first time registrants only (all others must defer) |
| September 13 - October 22 |
Registrants* may defer their registration to the next sitting for a fee |
| October 23 - October 30 |
Registrants* may defer their registration to the next sitting but will forfeit their seat fee and a new seat fee will be paid for the next sitting (no exceptions) |
| After October 30 |
No deferrals permitted |
Deferral fee - $100 + GST
*Fall 2025 Seat Fee - $155 + GST
- In certain extenuating circumstances the deferral may be granted after the above deadlines. The provincial member association would grant exceptions (i.e. death in immediate family or serious illness with doctor's note).
- *A maximum of two deferrals are allowed per exam fee (i.e. the exam must be written on the third sitting or the exam fee would be forfeited).
- For registrants who have previously deferred and then cancel their registration (by September 12, 2025 for Fall 2025), only the Yardstick fee will be refunded (if not previously forfeited).
Important note: Exam deferrals are only processed upon receipt of a completed deferral application and payment of the $100 + GST deferral fee.
Please note the deferral deadlines above. If you would like to defer your exam fee to the next sitting, please contact kaylee@cphrmb.ca.
- Click here to submit an application and payment to defer your Fall 2025 exam registration (Available September 13, 2025).
- Deferrals cannot be submitted using other methods.
Recognition as a CPHR Candidate
Members who have passed the National Knowledge Exam and have not yet completed the Validation of Experience (VOE) will be granted the ability to use “CPHR Candidate” as a professional title.
The CPHR is valued by the employment community and the ability to be officially recognized as a CPHR Candidate will provide you with additional recognition. You may use this title in resumes, business cards, emails, Linked-In or any other public profiles.
Administration Fee
After successfully passing the NKE, you will be required to pay a $50 administration fee prior to receiving your CPHR Candidate status. The $50 administration fee covers setting up your file with CPHR Canada as a CPHR Candidate. In order to maintain your Candidate status, you must remain a member in good standing with CPHR Manitoba.
