Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

On this site you can check which External Programs and Courses have been assessed as Equivalent to the CPHR Academic Program . The list will continue to grow over time. If you are required to have completed the CPHR Academic Requirements before taking the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) or having the NKE waiver, and you have completed an external program or course(s) that you wish to have assessed, you can do that here.

  • If you have not already checked the Pathways to Certification on the website of the CPHR Association of your province of residence, please do so before registering for PLAR on this website. Please note that if you are an Alberta Resident who has taken courses that may be equivalent to the CPHR Academic Program, whether listed on this site or not, your PLAR will be handled by CPHR Alberta. Please contact: jcarson@cphrab.ca

  • If you have completed a full program accredited by HRPA of Ontario, you do not need to apply for PLAR. Your provincial CPHR Association will accept the transcript as proof of completion of the required courses.

To register for PLAR, the steps are:
1. First, Create a Portal Account, if you do not already have one. (Please do not create a second Portal Account as it will not allow your PLAR to be completed.)
2. Second, Register for PLAR with your Portal Account.
3. Third, Upload your transcripts. Before submitting your transcripts, please access the links for the detailed Course Outlines on This Page so that you can highlight or checkmark courses on your transcript that match those in the CPHR Academic Program.

After 4 business days you can check the Status of Your PLAR Registration. After about 10 to 14 days, you can check your PLAR Applicant Results, if all the required information (transcripts and course outlines) has been submitted.

Cost Schedule for PLAR (plus applicable taxes)

  • If you submit transcripts showing successful completion of a complete program that has been previously assessed as equivalent to the complete CPHR Academic Program, contact your provincial CPHR Association and do not apply for PLAR.

    If you need to apply for PLAR
  • Registration fee $18
  • Fee for assessment of trancript and those courses which have been previously assessed is $20 per course.
  • Fee for assessment of trancript and those courses which have not been previously assessed is $70 per course.

Terms and Conditions of Registration for PLAR

  • The minimum grade required in an external course to be considered for Equivalency is 65% or C+. For multiple external courses to be considered equivalent to one CPHR AP Course, or a full program equivalency of 9 courses to be considered, the minimum grade in any of the courses is 60% or C and the minimum average grade over all the courses is C+.

  • When submitting an application for completion of a program that has been previously assessed as equivalent to the CPHR Academic Program, a copy of the official transcript of program completion must be provided.

  • When submitting an application for completion of courses that have been previously assessed as equivalent to CPHR Academic Program courses, a copy of the official transcript of program completion must be provided by the registrant.

  • When submitting an application for completion of courses that have not been previously assessed as equivalent to CPHR Academic Program courses, a copy of the official transcript of program completion and detailed course outlines showing topics, learning objectives and required readings must be provided by the registrant.

  • An assessment of equivalency to a CPHR Academic Program course requires 70% coverage of learning objectives, scope and depth of coverage of the subject by the course(s) being assessed.

  • Registrants for PLAR agree to pay the posted fees.