The HCP. What it is.
What it takes.
Three certification levels. 50-hour curriculum. Four-layer assessment. Annual renewal. A public registry that hides nothing. This is what verified professional character looks like.
Three Certification Levels
Every level. Same character standard.
The levels differ in scope. The standard — honesty, accountability, transparency — does not.
HCP
The individual standard
Every working professional — any industry, any seniority, any country. Minimum 6 months professional experience required.
GH₵500
~$35 · Renewal: GH₵200 / year
Prerequisites
- 6+ months of professional work experience in any field
- Basic literacy (can engage with written assessment materials)
- Two professional references from supervisors, clients, or peers
- Commitment to completing the full 50-hour curriculum
Certification Process
- 1Complete 50-hour HCP Core Curriculum (6 modules)
- 2Pass written character assessment — minimum 70% pass mark
- 3Complete practical behavioural assessment with certified assessor
- 4Submit reference portfolio (2 verified references + personal statement)
- 5Pay certification fee (GH₵500)
- 6Receive HCP credential — listed on Global Public Registry
HCC
The organisational standard
Any registered organisation — private companies, banks, hospitals, law firms, tech companies, government agencies, NGOs. Minimum 5 employees.
GH₵5,000
+ GH₵100/employee · Renewal: GH₵3,000/yr + GH₵50/emp.
Prerequisites
- Registered legal entity in country of operation
- Minimum 5 employees
- 95%+ of all staff hold active HCP certification
- No major legal or ethical violations in the preceding 2 years
- Demonstrable written organisational ethics policy
Certification Process
- 1Submit company application with supporting documentation
- 2Admin reviews all 5 prerequisites
- 3Full organisational character audit (6 audit areas)
- 4Pay certification fee (GH₵5,000 base + GH₵100/employee)
- 5Receive HCC certificate + branding rights
- 6Listed on HCC company registry — public and searchable
HMT
The multiplier — train others, earn 40%
Experienced professionals who have held active HCP certification for a minimum of 2 years and can facilitate adult learning in any sector.
GH₵2,000
~$140 · Renewal: GH₵800 / year
Prerequisites
- Active HCP certification held for minimum 2 years
- Demonstrable subject matter expertise in your industry
- Evidence of adult learning facilitation ability
- Genuine commitment to growing the character standard
Certification Process
- 1Submit HMT application with CV and teaching samples
- 2Admin verifies 2-year active HCP eligibility
- 3HMT assessment — facilitation and subject matter evaluation
- 4Pay HMT certification fee (GH₵2,000)
- 5Receive HMT credential + training toolkit
- 6Earn 40% of all training fees from every cohort you deliver
The Assessment
Four layers. No shortcuts.
The HCP assessment is not a single exam. It is a multi-dimensional evaluation designed to capture character as it is actually demonstrated — not as it is described in theory.
Written Examination
50 scenario-based questions testing ethical reasoning across professional contexts + 5 written response questions. Minimum 70% pass mark. Administered under certified conditions.
Practical Behavioural Assessment
Observed participation in training simulations, role-plays, and case analysis. Scored against the HCP Behavioural Competency Framework by a certified assessor. This layer cannot be coached — it reveals genuine character.
Reference Portfolio
Two verified professional references + personal character statement + work history documentation. All cross-verified by the issuing assessor.
Certification Interview
20-minute structured interview with a certified assessor. Probes genuine understanding and lived experience. Distinguishes authentic character commitment from examination performance.
Final score = Written (30%) + Practical (40%) + References (20%) + Interview (10%). All four layers must be completed and passed before certification can proceed.
The Curriculum
50 hours. 6 modules. One transformation.
The same curriculum for every professional, in every industry. The principles are universal. The application varies. The character requirement does not.
Professional Ethics and Integrity
What honesty actually means in professional practice — daily, observable, measurable behaviour across every sector.
Accountability and Reliability
Delivering on your word. Owning your mistakes. Being the professional people can count on.
Client and Stakeholder Integrity
Transparent communication, honest pricing, managing complaints — what honest professional service feels like from the other side.
Honest Business and Financial Practice
How money, pricing, invoicing, and financial reporting reveal character more than almost anything else.
Institutional Ethics and Governance
Fiduciary duty, conflicts of interest, whistleblowing, governance structures — character at organisational scale.
Continuous Integrity and Professional Growth
Character is not a destination. Building habits, mindsets, and systems that sustain integrity over a career.
Available in-person, online, and blended formats. Self-paced: complete in 10 intensive days or 5 part-time weeks. The same standard. The same rigour. Every time.
Verify any HCP certificate instantly
Public registry — searchable by name, certificate ID, or QR code. Real-time status. No status hidden.
Common Questions
Is the HCP only for artisans or tradespeople?
No. The HCP is deliberately universal. Bankers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, civil servants, software developers, farmers — every professional in every industry qualifies to pursue the HCP. Character is a universal professional requirement.
Is payment the first step in getting certified?
No. Payment (GH₵500) comes at Step 5 — after you have completed the full 50-hour curriculum, passed the written exam, completed the practical assessment, and submitted your verified reference portfolio. Certification is earned, then paid for. Not the other way around.
Can the HCP be revoked?
Yes — deliberately. Substantiated misconduct results in immediate suspension and potential revocation. Revoked certifications are published on the public registry. The badge means something because it can be lost.
How do I verify someone's HCP certificate?
Use our public registry at honestworkers.org/verify. Every HCP holder has a unique ID (HW-YYYY-XXXXX). The registry shows their current status in real time — Valid, Renewed, Expired, Suspended, or Revoked. No status can be hidden.
What is the annual renewal process?
Annual renewal requires: 8-hour refresher training + simplified assessment + employer attestation. Fee is GH₵200 per year. 10% of renewals are randomly selected for unannounced workplace audit.
How long does the full HCP process take?
The 50-hour curriculum can be delivered in 10 intensive days or 5 part-time weeks, in-person, online, or blended. After curriculum completion, assessment scheduling and reference verification typically take 2–4 weeks.
Ready to earn your HCP?
Applications reviewed within 48 hours. 50-hour self-paced curriculum. Certification issued only after all assessments pass.