How to Become a Human Resources Professional in Ontario
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Human Resource Professional Association to work as a human resources professional in Ontario or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Human Resources Human Resource Professional Association”
From ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 7 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 3 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Human Resource Professional Association
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
-
Register with the HRPA as a member or student before submitting documents for assessment.
Source
“Submit a transcript to the HRPA for assessment (must first register with the HRPA as a member or student).”
hrpa.ca/designations -
Complete courses in nine subject areas approved by the HRPA, achieving at least 65% in each subject and an overall average of at least 70%.
Source
“Complete courses in 9 subject areas specifically approved by the HRPA (see list for each school’s approved courses). Achieve at least 65% in each subject area and an overall average in the 9 subject areas of at least 70%.”
hrpa.ca/designations -
Write the CHRP or CHRL knowledge exam, which is valid for 15 years.
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Write the CHRP or CHRL employment law exam, which is valid for 10 years; the CHRL employment law exam can only be written after successfully completing the CHRL knowledge exam.
Source
“Write the CHRP or CHRL employment law exam (valid for 10 years). (Can only write the CHRL employment law exam if successfully completed the CHRL knowledge exam.)”
hrpa.ca/designations -
Complete the online Job Ready Program.
-
Apply for a review of experience, demonstrating three years of professional-level HR experience within the ten years before application, with at least three months within two years before application.
Source
“Apply for a review of experience (must demonstrate 3 years of experience in HR at a professional level within 10 years before application, with at least three months within two years before application) (may apply before or after one or both exams).”
hrpa.ca/designations -
Obtain a degree, which may be before or after the other requirements and does not need to be in human resources.
Source
“Must have a degree (may obtain the degree before or after the other requirements and the degree does not need to be in human resources).”
hrpa.ca/designations
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Human Resource Professional Association
7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
Register with the HRPA to complete the standard registration process and receive a CHRP designation.
Source
“If you would like to complete the standard registration process with the HRPA and receive a CHRP designation, please register with the HRPA.”
hrpa.ca/application-process -
Email the registrar letting HRPA know that you hold a CPHR designation from Saskatchewan or Manitoba, or a CRHA or CRIA designation from Quebec, in good standing.
Source
“Then, email [email protected], letting us know that you have a CPHR designation from Saskatchewan or Manitoba that is in good standing or a CRHA or CRIA designation from Quebec that is in good standing.”
hrpa.ca/application-process -
Within six months, have your other HR regulatory body provide HRPA with a certificate of good standing to maintain the CHRP designation.
Source
“You have up to six months after that to have your other HR regulatory body provide us with a certificate of good standing to maintain your CHRP designation.”
hrpa.ca/application-process
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Human Resource Professional Association
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
Complete the online registration by clicking the Apply Now button on the Join HRPA page.
Source
“Complete the online registration - In the Join HRPA page click on the “Apply Now” button.”
hrpa.ca/future-members-and-students/internationally-educated-hr-pro... -
Provide proof of permanent residency status or an open work permit in Canada within the past 24 months, such as a copy of the front and back of a PR card or open work permit.
Source
“Proof of permanent residency status in Canada within the past 24 months (copy of front and back of PR card or open work permit)”
hrpa.ca/future-members-and-students/internationally-educated-hr-pro... -
Click on Your Profile and then click the Not Registered? Start a New Registration Application button.
Source
“Click on “Your Profile” then click on the “Not Registered? Start a New Registration Application” button.”
hrpa.ca/future-members-and-students/internationally-educated-hr-pro...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Human Resource Professional Association
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
For the CHRL, applicants must have a degree, which does not need to be in human resources.
Source
“Must have a degree (may obtain the degree before or after the other requirements and the degree does not need to be in human resources).”
hrpa.ca/designations
Experience
For the CHRL, applicants must demonstrate three years of professional-level HR experience within the ten years before application, with at least three months within the two years before application.
Source
“Apply for a review of experience (must demonstrate 3 years of experience in HR at a professional level within 10 years before application, with at least three months within two years before application)”
hrpa.ca/designations
Good character
Applicants must meet the good character requirement for their application to be deemed complete.
Source
“If your application is deemed complete – meaning you have met the good character requirement and all applicable supporting documentation has been received – we will send you a confirmation email and add you to the HRPA’s Public Register.”
hrpa.ca/application-process
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Applicants already certified in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or Quebec can receive a CHRP designation by registering with HRPA and confirming their designation in good standing, without retaking an entry-to-practice exam, or can apply for one-time six-month deemed certification under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009. Source
“If you are already certified as a human resources professional in Saskatchewan (CPHR), Manitoba (CPHR), or Quebec (CRHA/CRIA), you have two options to receive a CHRP designation in Ontario.”
hrpa.ca/application-process
Register with the HRPA
Source
“If you would like to complete the standard registration process with the HRPA and receive a CHRP designation, please register with the HRPA.”
hrpa.ca/application-processSubmit deemed certification application
Source
“If you are interested in a one-time, six-month deemed certification with the HRPA under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009, complete and submit the Deemed Certification Application Form, with supporting documents.”
hrpa.ca/application-process
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Human Resource Professional Association
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Human Resource Professional Association
Exams
-
CHRP or CHRL knowledge exam
-
CHRP or CHRL employment law exam
-
challenge exams
Source
“challenge exams (must first register with the HRPA as a member or student).”
hrpa.ca/designations
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Human Resource Professional Association
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Human Resource Professional Association
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Human Resource Professional Association
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $25.48 | $39.90 | $62.02 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $26.00 | $40.87 | $59.77 | — |
Human resources professionals in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Compare human resources professional licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade
- Designations - HRPA hrpa.ca/designations · fetched October 10, 2026
- Application Process - HRPA hrpa.ca/application-process · fetched October 10, 2026
- Internationally Educated HR Professionals - HRPA hrpa.ca/future-members-and-students/internationally-educated-hr-pro... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a human resources professional in Ontario?
Yes. Registration with the Human Resource Professional Association is required to practise in Ontario.
Which exams are required?
CHRP or CHRL knowledge exam, CHRP or CHRL employment law exam, challenge exams.
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