Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about HR Certification
- When and where can I take the HR certification exams?
- After I finish this program will I be certified?
- How do I register to take the certification exam?
- What is the cost for certification?
- Should I schedule my test date before I purchase my study materials?
Questions about HRCP Products
- Who designed the Human Resource Certification Preparation Program?
- How often are your study materials updated?
- What is the success rate on the certification exams for those using this program?
- Can I purchase the practice exams separately?
- Do you offer preparation courses?
- Do you ship orders internationally?
- What is your return policy?
- What is the relationship between this program and HRCI or SHRM?
Questions about using HRCP Products
- How long do you recommend studying for the exam?
- How long do I have access to the online study materials and practice exams?
- How many times can I take the practice exams?
- Can I exit the practice exams before I am finished without losing my answers?
- What is the difference between the practice tests and the timed exams?
- How do I access the online edition of the HRCP Program?
- How do I access the audio and electronic flash cards?
- What is an Access Code and how do I get one?
- Why am I locked out of the online books and how do I get back in?
- How do I qualify for the "You Pass or Your Money-back" guarantee?
- How do I reset or change my password?
Questions about using the HRCP Program for preparation courses
Questions about HR Certification
1. When and where can I take the HR certification exams?
The HRCI certification exams can be taken any time of year either remotely or at selected testing centers. More information is available on HRCI’s website. The SHRM exams are offered during two testing windows each year. The exam may be taken remotely or at a testing facility. See SHRM’s website to learn more.
2. After I finish this program will I be certified?
Completing the Human Resource Certification Preparation Program does not certify you; the program is designed to help you prepare to take you HR certification exams. To apply for a certification exam, please visit HRCI’s website or SHRM’s website.
3. How do I register to take the certification exam?
The human resource certification exams are administered by HRCI and SHRM. You can register for the exams by visiting HRCI’s website or SHRM’s website.
4. What is the cost for certification?
The certification exams are administered by HRCI and SHRM. You can verify the cost of the exam you wish to take by visiting HRCI’s website or SHRM’s website.
5. Should I schedule my test date before I purchase my study materials?
You don’t need to schedule your test date prior to purchasing the materials, but you might want to wait for your application to be accepted before you spend money on study materials. We have found that having a test date serves as a great motivation for study.
Questions about HRCP Products
1. Who designed the Human Resource Certification Preparation Program?
The HRCP Program is designed by David J. Cherrington (DBA, SPHR) and Laura Z. Middleton (SPHR, SPHRi). Dr. Cherrington, a retired university professor, previously served on the HRCI Board of Directors, where he was the Director of Codification and Research and the National Director of Exam Development. Laura Middleton teaches human resource management and leadership classes at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She serves as the president of HRCP, L.C. For more information, visit our About the Authors page.
2. How often are your study materials updated?
The HRCP study materials are carefully updated each year to reflect changes in the field of human resource management. Particular attention is given to changes in the legal environment.
3. What is the success rate on the certification exams for those using this program?
We do not attempt to track success rates for those using our program for two main reasons. First, we would be forced to rely on self-reported data, where those who passed the certification exam might be more likely to respond than those who didn't. Second, the fact that people purchase our program does not ensure that they study the materials carefully. If an individual buys our program and then fails to study carefully for the exam, a poor exam performance reflects more on that individual's lack of diligence than on the quality of our study materials.
However, we have a number of groups that use our study materials for their ongoing preparation courses, and they do track their success rates. Many of them have pass rates consistently in the 80s and 90s.
4. Can I purchase the practice exams separately?
The practice exams are included with the purchase of a complete set of study materials. If you order your materials online at our website, your practice exams will be added to your account immediately. If you are part of a class or study group or purchase your materials through a third party, you will receive information about how to access the exams.
5. Do you offer preparation courses?
HRCP does not offer preparation courses; we provide study materials. However, we do partner with dozens of organizations, including human resource associations, employers' groups, colleges, and universities who have adopted our materials for their certification preparation courses or study groups. Click here to find a list of those offering preparation courses.
6. Do you ship orders internationally?
We ship materials most anywhere in the world from our facility in Utah in the United States.
7. What is your return policy?
Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you are dissatisfied with our materials for any reason, you may return them to us for a full refund (less shipping costs) within 30 days of your purchase.
If you choose to return the materials, please contact us for shipping instructions.
8. What is the relationship between this program and HRCI or SHRM?
The Human Resource Certification Preparation Program is not endorsed by, produced by, or in any way affiliated with HRCI or SHRM. This program is an independently-produced product designed to help individuals studying for the human resource certification exams.
Questions about using HRCP Products
1. How long do you recommend studying for the exam?
The amount of time required to prepare for the HR certification exam depends on several factors, including the number of years of work experience you have, your education level, your available study time, and your test taking skills. On average, we have found that our customers spend three to four months preparing. Sample study schedules are available here.
2. How long do I have access to the online study materials and practice exams?
Access to the HRCP online study materials and online practice exams is granted for 24 months from the date of purchase. If access beyond 24 months is needed, please contact HRCP for additional access.
3. How many times can I take the practice exams?
Each practice exam may be taken as many times as you like, but only once every 24 hours. The questions are the same each time you take the exam, but the questions will appear in a different order. Access to the HRCP Practice Exams is granted for 24 months from the date of purchase. If access beyond 24 months is needed, please contact HRCP for additional access.
4. Can I exit the practice exams before I am finished without losing my answers?
Your answers are saved as you go. You may exit an exam at any time by clicking the x in the upper right hand corner of the window. To continue the exam later, click "Resume" next to the exam name on the Tests tab on the MY HRCP page. All questions must be answered before you can score your exam.
5. What is the difference between the practice tests and the timed exams?
The practice tests and timed exams include a different set of questions that test your knowledge of the content. The practice tests can be reviewed and question feedback is available. The timed exams simulate a testing environment, so only a score is reported.
6. How do I access the online edition of the HRCP Program?
The online edition of the HRCP Program is immediately added to your account when purchased directly through the HRCP website. If you purchase through a third party, you will receive instructions on accessing the materials. You can find the online materials by going to the MY HRCP page, selecting the Online Books tab, and clicking Read Now next to the materials you would like to access. The audio reader and electronic flash cards are part of the online books.
The online editions of the HRCP Program are web-based and can be accessed on any device that has a web browser and internet connection. The online version of our materials cannot be downloaded, copied, or printed. If you would like printed materials, we have them available on our products page on this website.
7. How do I access the audio and electronic flash cards?
The audio reader, which reads the text to you, and the electronic flash cards are part of the online books. To access the online books go the MY HRCP page and select the Online Books tab. Click on the Read Now button next to the book you would like to access. After agreeing to the Terms of Service, click on Start Learning, then click on the Listen button at the top of the window to hear the audio. To see the flash cards, click on the Flash Card button found in the right hand column.
The online books, electronic flash cards, and audio are web-based and can be accessed through any device with a web-browser and internet connection. The online books, electronic flash cards, and audio are not downloadable. The online books and flash cards cannot be copied or printed.
8. What is an Access Code and how do I get one?
Customers who purchase directly through the HRCP website do not need an Access Code since the online portion of their order is automatically added to their user account at the time of purchase. Access Codes may be provided to those who order their study materials through a third party. If you think you should have received an Access Code but didn’t, please check with your course instructor to obtain that information.
9. Why am I locked out of the online books and how do I get back in?
A violation of the terms of service will lock you out of the online books. To regain access, you must contact My Educator, our online text provider, at support@myeducator.com.
10. How do I qualify for the "You Pass or Your Money-back" guarantee?
Please view our "You Pass or Your Money-back" guarantee page for detailed information.
11. How do I reset or change my password?
To reset your password, go to the login page and click on the Reset Your Password link. To change your password, go to the MY HRCP page, log on, select the Profile tab, and then click on the Change Your Password button.
Questions about using the HRCP Program for preparation courses
1. Do you offer volume discounts?
Volume discounts are available for organizations who order 10 or more sets of materials on an annual basis. Please contact us for more information.
2. Do you have materials for instructors?
We provide Instructor Materials as an additional resource for those who teach preparation courses using the Human Resource Certification Preparation Program. The Instructor Materials are free and available exclusively for instructors of classes and groups who use our program. The Instructor Materials include Power Point presentations, discussion questions, and online access to students’ test scores.
If you have a question that is not answered here, you are welcome to contact us .