Appendix A - California Certification Test Specifications
01 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS (26%)
Develop, implement, and administer compensation and benefits programs for all employee groups in compliance with California legal requirements.
Responsibility
01 Develop, implement, and administer policies and procedures to comply with state wage and hour laws.
02 Ensure compliance with state wage and hour laws by auditing, monitoring, inspecting, and evaluating records, postings, and processes.
03 Develop, implement, and administer policies and procedures to comply with state laws and regulations regarding benefit administration.
04 Ensure compliance with state laws and regulations regarding benefit administration by auditing, monitoring, inspecting, and evaluating records, postings, and processes.
05 Establish and administer time-keeping, documentation, and records retention policies and procedures required under state law governing compensation and benefits.
Knowledge
01 Definition of wages, including specialty payments (such as split shifts, on call, makeup time, travel time)
02 Wage orders–Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC)
03 Minimum wage requirements, including living wage
04 overtime regulations (for example, job classifications [exempt versus nonexempt], calculating multiple rates of pay)
05 Timing of payments, including fines and penalties
06 Rest and meal periods
07 Alternative workweek schedule (AWS)
08 Permitted and prohibited payroll deductions
09 Garnishments and bankruptcy
10 Role of Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE)
11 Domestic partner legislation for employer benefit plans for example domestic partner coverage, individual rights
12 Cal COBRA
13 COBRA extension for 59.5 years of age and older
14 Legal requirements for postings and notices
15 Labor code requirements for timekeeping
16 Documentation and records retention requirements
California HR Item Classification Scheme 2 11/13/06
02 EMPLOYEE AND LABOR RELATIONS (46%)
Develop, implement, and administer the workplace relationship between employer and employee, including discrimination and harassment protection, in compliance with California legal requirements.
Responsibility
01 Develop, implement, and administer policies, practices, and procedures to comply with state laws regarding recruiting, selecting, and terminating employees.
02 Ensure compliance with state employment-related laws by auditing, monitoring, inspecting, and evaluating behavior, records, postings, and processes.
03 Develop, implement, and administer policies and procedures to prevent and/or respond to harassment and discrimination.
04 Ensure compliance with state harassment and discrimination prevention laws by auditing, monitoring, and evaluating workplace activities, processes, practices, behaviors, postings, and environment.
05 Deliver training programs required under state law governing employee and labor relations.
06 Establish and administer documentation and records retention policies and procedures required under state law governing employee and labor relations.
Knowledge
01 Provisions of Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) (for example, protected categories, discrimination, disability, pre-employment inquiries, mandatory arbitration)
02 Hiring procedures (for example, permissible application procedures, background checks, Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (ICRAA), California Consumers Reporting Act (CCRA), postings and notices).
03 Rules regarding employment of minors
04 Employment Development Department (EDD) requirements (for example, new employee and contractor reporting, unemployment claims and processes).
05 Non-compete, non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements
06 Privacy laws
07 Individual employment rights issues and practices (for example, employment at will, lactation accommodations, language translation requirements, literacy assistance, political activity protection, Private Attorneys General Act).
08 Legal requirements for postings and notices
09 Required supervisory training for sexual harassment prevention
10 Disciplinary actions for exempt and non-exempt employees
11 Retaliation protection laws (for example, whistleblower, workers compensation, and workplace harassment)
12 California WARN (for example, relocations, terminations, and mass layoffs)
13 Termination notices (for example, California's For Your Benefit Brochure [DE2320], Health Insurance Premium Payment [HIPP] notice, change of status notice).
14 Requirements for state contractors (for example, drug-free workplace, antidiscrimination requirements, sweatshop).
15 Documentation and records retention requirements
California HR Item Classification Scheme 3 11/13/06
03 LEAVES OF ABSENCE AND WORKERS COMPENSATION (17%)
Develop, implement and administer programs, policies, and procedures related to workerscompensation and to leaves of absence that protect an employee’s right to time off in compliance with California legal requirements.
Responsibility
01 Develop, implement, and administer policies and procedures to comply with state laws and regulations regarding leaves of absence.
02 Ensure compliance with state laws and regulations regarding leaves of absence by auditing, monitoring, and evaluating records, postings, and processes.
03 Develop, implement, and administer policies and procedures to comply with state laws and regulations regarding workers compensation, including return to work.
04 Ensure compliance with state laws and regulations regarding workers compensation by auditing, monitoring, inspecting, and evaluating records, postings, and processes.
05 Ensure compliance with integration and calculation of multiple leave laws.
06 Establish and administer documentation and records retention policies and procedures required under state law governing leaves of absence and workers compensation.
Knowledge
01 California State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL)
02 Pregnancy disability leaves (for example, provisions and integration of FMLA,PFL, and CFRA)
03 California Family Rights Act (CFRA) (for example, provisions and integration with leave laws other than pregnancy)
04 Integration of leave laws (for example, discretionary and mandated)
05 School leave (for example, Family-School Partnership Act and school suspensions and expulsions)
06 Domestic violence and sexual assault victims leave
07 Crime victims leave
08 Time off to vote requirement
09 Sick leave
10 Kin care requirements
11 Vested time off requirements (for example, vacation, paid time off)
12 Workers compensation leave and continuation of benefits (for example, return to work and apportionment of workers compensation)
13 Medical provider network (MPN) for workers compensation
14 Legal requirements for postings and notices
15 Documentation and record retention requirements
California HR Item Classification Scheme 4 11/13/06
04 HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SECURITY (11%)
Develop, implement, and administer programs, plans, and policies that provide a healthy, safe, and secure working environment in compliance with California legal requirements.
Responsibility
01 Develop, implement, and administer policies and procedures to comply with state laws and regulations regarding health, safety, and security administration.
02 Ensure compliance with state laws and regulations regarding health, safety, and security by auditing, monitoring, inspecting, and evaluating records, postings, and processes.
03 Deliver training programs required under state law governing health, safety, and security.
04 Establish and administer documentation and records retention policies and procedures required under state law governing health, safety, and security.
Knowledge
01 Cal/OSHA requirements (for example training, documentation, inspection)
02 Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) requirements (for example, workplace violence, emergency evacuation plan, inspection, accident investigations)
03 Proposition 65 requirements
04 Ergonomics reporting requirements
05 Heat illness prevention requirements
06 Laws related to security (for example, Protection of Personal Data Law and Uniform Trade Secrets Act)
07 Legal requirements for postings and notices
08 Documentation and records retention requirements
NOTE: This exam covers only laws affecting the private sector and regulations that cover both the private and public sectors. Those laws covering only the public sector (i.e. Skelly Act) will not be covered on this certification exam.
