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Forms & ToolsHRCI California Certification Study Tool

Compensation/Wage and Hour

Approximately 21 percent of the questions on the HRCI California specific exam are selected from the “Compensation/Wage and Hour” body of knowledge. The responsibilities and knowledge areas are listed below. 

Note: HRCI publishes descriptions of functional area responsibilities but does not provide a list of specific knowledge areas/topics for the exam. The knowledge topics below are only suggested topics to study based on the HRCI exam outline and HRCI’s description of the functional area responsibilities.

Click on a knowledge topic to go to the relevant area in the HR Library.

Responsibility

  1. Develop and implement policies and procedures to comply with state wage and hour laws.
  2. Ensure compliance with state wage and hour laws.
  3. Develop and implement policies and procedures for engaging independent contractors.
  4. Establish and administer payroll, time-keeping, documentation and records retention policies and procedures required under state law governing compensation.

Knowledge

  1. Definition of all wages, including split shifts, reporting time pay, on call, makeup time, travel time and commissions
  2. California Wage and Hour Laws
  3. Minimum wage requirements and exceptions (for example: prevailing wage and living wage)
  4. Vacation and paid time off (PTO) rules
  5. Overtime pay, including calculating multiple rates of pay and effects of bonus payments on overtime calculations
  6. Job classifications for exempt and nonexempt employees
  7. Rules pertaining to independent contractors
  8. Timing of payments, including regular pay, overtime, direct deposit and final pay, and fines and penalties for non-compliance
  9. Meal and rest periods
  10. Workday, workweek including alternative workweek schedule
  11. Permitted and prohibited payroll deductions; deductions from exempt employees' salaries; deductions related to tips and gratuities
  12. Business expense reimbursement
  13. Garnishments and bankruptcy
  14. Role and responsibilities of the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE)
  15. State law requirements for timekeeping
  16. Legal requirements for individual notices and documentation on pay stubs
  17. Legal requirements for postings and notices
  18. Documentation and records retention requirements
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