This Certification Handbook is a collection of policies to guide certification candidates in obtaining and maintaining their WorldatWork credentials.
You can access the Certification Handbook here.
WorldatWork courses are offered in the following formats:
Classroom: These courses are held in a traditional class setting where students will gather at a physical location on scheduled dates and times. This setting allows for deep discussion and creates lasting connections with colleagues .
Virtual Classroom: These live online courses allow students and the instructor to connect remotely fostering lasting connections with colleagues worldwide. These courses are scheduled on a specific date and time and require pre-registration.
E-learning: This self-paced learning option provides the most flexibility allowing students to complete the course at their pace and convenience.
After purchase, you can access course materials and exams through your WorldatWork Profile. All course material is available for 120 days from the start of virtual or in-person courses, and 120 days from purchase for e-learning courses.
Courses that were purchased on or after Oct. 1, 2023, are still in the 120-day access period and learners will be able to access it in Canvas. If you purchased a course before Oct. 1, 2023, the course history and relevant scores will be accessible on your WorldatWork profile.
For most of our certifications, we offer multiple prep courses and their related exams; you must pass all exams to earn the certification. While you may take the exams alone, or take the courses and related exams in any order you wish, we recommend taking the courses and exams together and in the order in which they are listed.
See the suggested courses and required certification exams on these pages:
- Certified Compensation Professional
- Global Remuneration Professional
- Certified Benefits Professional
- Certified Compensation Professional – Canada
Because two of our certifications (the Certified Executive Compensation Professional and Certified Sales Compensation Professional) test the knowledge you would be expected to learn on the job, they do not include prep courses. To earn these certifications, you must pass a single, comprehensive exam consisting of more than 100 questions.
To help you prepare, we offer practice exams — which provide a low-cost, low-risk way to assess your strengths — as well as the body of knowledge, which you should review and understand prior to taking the exam.
To learn more, see our help documents on Certification.
Exams are administered by PSI in the On-Demand (Record and Review) format and can be taken online at any time. Exams are accessed through the Learner Profile and the link to launch the exam leads directly to PSI.
Please note :
- It can take up to three hours after purchase for the exam to appear in PSI
- It can take up to seven days for your official exam results to appear on your WorldatWork profile
If needed, exams may be offered in person at a PSI testing center. For help in arranging an in-person exam, contact the Customer Experience Team at customerexperience@worldatwork.org.
WorldatWork English-language exams are now available in the PSI exam platform. Once an exam is purchased you can access it in your member Learner Profile and the link to launch the exam leads directly to PSI. Please note that it can take up to three hours after purchase for the exam to appear in PSI. All exams are recorded and reviewed by a professional proctor once they're submitted in PSI.
System Requirements
Prior to your exam, be sure to carefully review all the requirements below. More detailed information can be found here.
- Windows 10 or 11 or MacOS 11, 12, and 13 installed on a Desktop or laptop computer.
- If using a laptop, we recommend plugging into power prior to starting the exam.
- Some Windows installation options are not supported (This is rare)
- Tablets and cell phones cannot be used
- Chromebooks are not supported
- Virtual Machines are not supported - Google Chrome browser only, with pop-up blocker disabled (regardless of operating system or computer type)
- It is recommended to clear your cache and cookies from Google Chrome if you are experiencing issues prior to taking your exam. - Ability to add the PSI Chrome Extension to your browser.
- A personal laptop is recommended. Employer provided laptops may have security features which block required features of the exam administration process. - Internet speed at least 300kbps download and upload.
- Hot spots are not recommended.
- VPN connections are not recommended. VPNs may disrupt or block your attempt to launch or complete the exam by slowing down your connection speed. - A working built-in or external webcam and microphone.
- All open programs and browser windows must be closed.
- A single monitor can only be used during the exam (additional monitors must be unplugged).
Please also review the WorldatWork Certification Handbook which includes exam requirements and a step-by-step guide to accessing your exam and getting started.
PSI-Specific Requirements
- You must acknowledge and accept the exam administration terms and conditions at the time of the exam.
- WorldatWork and PSI provide exam accommodations as needed and upon request (regardless of whether the exam is administered online or in-person). Accommodation requests are handled through the PSI exam process.
Please contact PSI support directly at examschedule@psionline.com prior to starting your exam if you have any questions or concerns about meeting these requirements. For additional questions, please contact the Customer Experience Team at customerexperience@worldatwork.org.
Non-English language WorldatWork exams are delivered using the Learner Dashboard with remote proctoring provided by Examity. Prior to your exam, please check the System Requirements, which include:
- Desktop or laptop computer.
- A personal laptop is recommended. Employer provided laptops may have security features which block essential features of the proctoring service.
- Tablets and cell phones cannot be used.
- A working built-in or external webcam and microphone
- Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. (Hot spots are not recommended.)
- Chrome browser with pop-up blocker disabled.
- It is recommended to clear your cache and cookies from Google Chrome if you are experiencing issues prior to taking your exam.
- It is not recommended to use a VPN connection before or during the exam. VPNs may disrupt or block your attempt to launch or complete the exam by slowing down your connection speed.
Please review the Examity system requirements before beginning. Refer to the Examity Classic requirements only.
If you have any questions prior to taking your exam, please reach out to our Customer Experience Team at customerexperience@worldatwork.org or by calling 877-951-9191 between 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. For technical issues, please contact Examity support at support@examity.com prior to starting your exam if you have any questions or concerns about meeting these requirements.
