PLP Transfer Credits Requirement

In addition to completing the required payroll courses, PLP designation applications must also complete three supplementary courses: Managerial Accounting, Organizational Behaviour Management, and Compensation & Benefits Management.

Since these courses are not offered by the National Payroll Institute, they must be taken through a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution and then submitted for transfer. 

Credits are assessed and processed six to eight weeks from the date complete documentation is received. You will receive confirmation emails when your application is submitted and when your transfer credit(s) are approved. You can also track your application status through the Online Transfer of Credit Portal


 

Important Notes

  • Successful completion of the Payroll Compliance Legislation course is a prerequisite for transferring credits. 
  • Each course must 
    • Be aligned with the required learning outcome listed on the course descriptions
    • Be a minimum of 30 hours in length; 
    • Be formally evaluated by an institute and have a final exam worth 20%;
    • Have been taken within the past 20 years for PCP courses;
    • Have been taken within the past 10 years for PLP courses; and 
    • Have been completed with a minimum grade of 65%. (Note: all transfer credit courses finished prior to January 1, 2013, must have a minimum grade of 60%.) 
  • If your course is not recognized, an official course outline/syllabus must be provided containing: 
    • the title of the course; 
    • the course number; 
    • the amount of (credit) hours;
    • the content; and 
    • the method of evaluation. 

  1. Official Canadian Transcript 
  2. Hardcopies must be mailed to the National Payroll Institute. 
  3. Digital transcripts must be emailed directly from the post-secondary institution or shared via a secure third-party platform to the National Payroll Institute to transfercredit@payroll.ca
  4. Copies of transcripts, including those downloaded from school websites or emailed to students, are not accepted. 
  5. Official course outline/syllabus from the institution where the course was taken if the course you are transferring is not recognized. (Course descriptions are not acceptable.) 
  6. Courses taken outside of Canada
    • an official, detailed, course-by-course, comprehensive Canadian Equivalency Assessment by a Canadian educational institution or an academic accreditation service. Note: International transcripts are not accepted 

All submitted documents and transcripts become the property of the National Payroll Institute and will not be returned.

  1. Review the Transfer of Credit Guide: Carefully read through the guide to understand the transfer process and requirements. 
  2. Review Learning Outcomes: Ensure your course meets the required learning outcomes for the credit you are transferring. 
  3. Check the Database of Colleges and Universities: Use the Database of Colleges and Universities to verify if the National Payroll Institute recognizes your course. If your course is not listed, include a detailed course outline or syllabus from your post-secondary institution with your submission. (Course descriptions are not acceptable.
  4. Submit Your Request Online: Use the Online Transfer of Credit Portal to submit your request for assessment and approval. Note: Starting June 10, 2025, all transfer credit requests must be submitted online. 
  5. Pay the Assessment Fee: A nonrefundable fee of $50, plus applicable taxes, is required for each course credit assessment. 
  6. Submit Official Transcripts: 
    • Mail official hardcopy Canadian transcripts or official detailed Canadian course-by-course assessment for courses taken outside of CanadaCopies will not be accepted

      National Payroll Institute  
      c/o Certification  
      1600 - 250 Bloor Street East  
      Toronto, ON M4W 1E6  

      Digital transcripts must be emailed directly to the National Payroll Institute from your post-secondary institution or shared via a secure third-party platform to transfercredit@payroll.ca.