Certified Benefits Professional (CBP®)

Benefits are a cornerstone of an organization’s employee rewards strategy, yet many professionals struggle to design and deliver programs that truly attract and retain the top talent needed for organizational success. Navigating the complexities of benefits—balancing employee well-being with business objectives, ensuring legal compliance and managing external partners—can be overwhelming and ineffective without the right expertise. 

The CBP program provides the knowledge and skills to tackle both strategic and operational challenges in benefits management.  Grounded in the role of benefits within a broader Total Rewards strategy, it offers an integrated approach to meeting the needs of a complex workforce. Focused on proven U.S. practices and application, the program was updated in January 2025 and empowers you to design, integrate, and communicate impactful benefit programs that enhance wellness, support business goals and ensure compliance. You’ll also develop the skills to foster effective communication and build strong partnerships with service providers.

Lead with Strategic Expertise

The CBP goes beyond technical skills, equipping you to integrate benefits into a broader Total Rewards strategy. You'll gain the ability to design and implement programs that enhance employee satisfaction while driving business success. 

Accelerate Your Career

Earning the CBP demonstrates your commitment to high professional standards, positioning you as a trusted benefits expert. It builds confidence and credibility, helping you stand out to employers and take on leadership roles. 

Immediate, Practical Impact

The CBP signals that you have the knowledge and skills to improve benefits administration, maintain compliance and support organizational goals.  

Join an Elite Network

Global 500 companies trust WorldatWork certifications, backed by 70 years of Total Rewards expertise. Earning your CBP connects you to a growing network of HR and Total Rewards leaders who are shaping the future of benefits strategy. 

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CBP education courses provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills for managing today’s evolving benefits landscape. You will gain expertise in designing and administering effective health, welfare and retirement programs; navigating complex U.S. regulatory requirements and implementing strategic solutions in service partner management and communications that support your organization’s goals. 

The CBP designation reflects the competence to tackle critical business challenges, optimize offerings and integrate benefit strategies within the broader Total Rewards framework. 

The CBP is tailored for anyone involved in designing, managing or administering employee benefit programs or if you aim to broaden your total rewards strategic reach. This includes: 

  • HR Leaders and Total Rewards Leaders seeking a strategic edge in benefits management. 
  • HR Business Partners (HRBPs) looking to strengthen their Total Rewards acumen. 
  • HR Generalists and Benefits Practitioners building foundational benefits expertise. 
  • Total Rewards and Compensation Professionals aspiring to expand their strategic scope and understanding. 
Courses and Required Exams

Obtaining a CBP requires a passing score on curriculum-based exams, validating that you have the technical and business skills for success. We strongly recommend taking the course and exam in the order listed below.

Gain a foundation in reward strategy and its five elements: compensation, benefits, well-being, careers and recognition.

Through seven different modules, this multifaceted learning experience provides an excellent overview of Total Rewards and is perfect for those who are new to the field or seeking expanded rewards understanding to improve strategic benefits integration.  

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Learning the U.S. laws and regulations shaping effective and compliant benefits programs.

This course walks you through the many regulatory requirements in the benefits space, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). You’ll also discover risk-mitigating strategies to help minimize fines, penalties, loss of tax-favorable status and legal claims that could threaten your organization. 

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Effectively inform, persuade and motivate stakeholders and employees about your rewards strategy.

Even the best rewards strategy will be compromised if employees and executives don’t understand it. This course will help you effectively inform, persuade and motivate various stakeholders, increasing the power of your rewards strategy and providing your organization with a competitive advantage when pursuing talent. 

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Learn to design and manage cost-effective employer-sponsored retirement plans that align with your organization’s strategies.

This course explores the attributes, application and compliance aspects of the most prevalent U.S. employer-sponsored plan options, including 401(k), 403(b), 457, Roth 401(k), SIMPLE and more. The course’s content and activities will prepare you to knowledgeably assess the various retirement plan options, evaluate the effectiveness of your current program and guide making the best choices for your organization and its employees. 

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Learn advanced, cost-effective strategies for designing and managing employee health and welfare benefit plans.

This course dives into the essentials of a multi-year health and welfare benefits strategy that establishes plan priorities and a framework for traditional management. It covers eligibility, plan design and cost-sharing, as well as strategies for connecting your core benefits philosophy with well-designed health plans that will save money while keeping your employees healthy and happy.

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Master the fundamentals of selecting and managing employee health and welfare plans for your organization.

This course covers the breadth of health and welfare plan options – covering medical, prescription, dental, vision and other complementary, supplemental and alternative programs. You will dive into the fundamentals of each and discover how they create value for your employees and organization, enabling you to design more impactful and strategic benefits solutions. 

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Successfully outsource your benefits administration through partnerships that meet your cost and performance objectives.

This course covers the benefits outsourcing landscape, including program design, contract negotiation, service delivery, analytics and compliance. You’ll learn to set your organization’s objectives in outsourcing arrangements, conduct request for proposal (RFP) and selection processes and navigate transition and conversion considerations.

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How It Works

The WorldatWork CBP designation is earned by passing 7 required exams. WorldatWork provides a corresponding course designed to help learners prepare for each required exam. It is highly recommended learners take the related course before sitting for the exam. Learners can track their progress on their WorldatWork profile. 

Flexible Class Schedule

Live online classes and self-paced e-learning options that fit your busy schedule.

Manageable Time Commitment

On average 17 total hours of study per course.

Convenient Exams

All exams are taken online at the time that works best for you.

Recertification Credits

The courses and exams listed above can earn you credits to recertify additional WorldatWork certifications. 

Earn a Certification, Boost Your Career

Hear how earning her certification helped Michaela Leo, Head of Compensation & Benefits (North America) at Ipsen Biosciences, advance her career.

Watch Michaela's Video
Track Your Certification Status

WorldatWork members can readily see their progress on certification, see the deadline for recertifying, rest easy knowing that recertification credits earned through WorldatWork are automatically added to their profiles, and manually manage any credits they earn from other organizations. 

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