Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)

About

The CCP is an international credential issued by WorldatWork, a professional association focused on pay, benefits and total rewards. Canadian professionals can earn it and use it at work in any province or territory. It shows employers that you have a solid grounding in how organizations set pay, build salary structures and reward performance.

Because it is voluntary, you can work in compensation without it. Many people earn it to stand out when applying for jobs or to support a move into a more senior role. It is a good fit for compensation analysts, compensation and benefits analysts, compensation managers and total rewards directors. Career changers from human resources, finance or payroll may also find it helpful for building credibility in a new field.

How to get it

1. Check that the CCP fits your goals
   Think about the roles you want, such as compensation analyst or total rewards director. Talk to people in the field to see how much employers value the credential.
2. Create a WorldatWork account and enrol
   Join WorldatWork and sign up for the CCP program. Members usually pay less than non-members for courses and exams.
3. Complete the required courses
   The CCP is built from a set of courses covering the core areas of compensation. Study each topic in order, either online or in a classroom setting, and work through the course materials.
4. Pass the exams
   After each course, you take an exam on that topic. Plan your study time so you can pass each one before moving to the next.
5. Add the credential to your resume
   Once you finish all the requirements, you can use the CCP designation after your name. Add it to your resume and professional profiles.

The exam

Each CCP course ends with a written exam that tests what you learned. The exams are usually multiple choice and cover topics such as pay structures, job evaluation and pay for performance. Most people study for a few months in total, depending on how many courses they take at a time and how much time they can set aside each week.

Careers that mention it

Keeping it

The CCP is not for life. To keep it active, you need to earn recertification credits over a set period by taking part in approved learning activities. These can include courses, conferences and other professional development. Check the current renewal rules with WorldatWork so you do not miss a deadline.