Human Resources Certification: Advancing Your HR Career

Are you wondering if getting a Human Resources Certification will really advance your HR career? HRCI provides the exam for the aPHR, PHR, SPHR, GPHR, and a list of other Human Resources Certifications. SHRM offers the SCP and CP certifications for Human Resources professionals. Human resources certification is a crucial step for professionals seeking to establish expertise and credibility in the HR field. These certifications are designed to validate your knowledge of core HR principles and practices, demonstrating to employers your commitment and ability to contribute effectively in a human resources role.

As the demand for skilled HR professionals increases, certifications become a key differentiator in the job market. They not only equip you with the latest HR best practices but also help you understand complex legal and regulatory employment standards.

With a variety of HR certifications available, such as those offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), it is important to select one that aligns with your career goals and level of experience. The path to certification involves meeting educational and experience requirements, preparing for and passing a comprehensive examination, and committing to ongoing professional development.

Obtaining a Human Resources Certification can set you apart and serve as a benchmark of your professional competence whether you are deepening your HR expertise or embarking on a career in human resources. This post is all about the ways to advance your career with a Human Resources Certification.

Understanding Human Resources Certification

Human Resources certification verifies your expertise and skills in the HR career field, enhancing your career prospects, professional standing, and professional credibility.

Purpose of Certification

Achieving a Human Resources certification demonstrates a commitment to maintaining high standards and staying current in your knowledge of HR practices. This certification serves as a clear indicator to employers of your proficiency in HR and your dedication to ongoing professional development.

Types of Certifications Available

There are multiple HR certifications you can pursue, each tailored to different experience levels and specializations in the field. The two primary certifying bodies are the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). SHRM offers the SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) and SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional), which are highly regarded in all industries and the Human Resources career field. HRCI provides several options including the PHR (Professional in Human Resources), which is beneficial to establish a foundational understanding of HR practices.

SHRM Certifications: SHRM-CP for professionals performing HR duties, SHRM-SCP for senior-level practitioners/professionals.
HRCI Certifications: PHR for HR professionals who have experience with program implementation, a tactical/logistical orientation, are accountable to another HR professional within the organization and have responsibilities that focus on the HR department rather than the whole organization.

Preparation for Certification

To achieve HR certification, you need to focus on both meeting educational prerequisites and utilizing high-quality exam preparation resources.

Educational Requirements

Your journey to HR certification begins with understanding the educational requirements. For the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications, you must have relevant work experience and, depending on your role and educational background, a certain level of education, ranging from less than a bachelor’s degree to a graduate degree.

The years of experience is not a random number chosen to create minimum requirements. The number of years should reflect that you have gained experience to have a core understanding of the material that you will be tested on with each exam.

This is very similar to the level of education needed prior to sitting for the exams. It is expected that your degree will expose you to the foundational material that you will be tested on in any of the exams. Keep in mind that all companies are not created equal and all degrees or colleges offering degrees are not created equal either. In my opinion, that is why those are only MINIMUM requirements.

Certification	Less than a Bachelor’s	Bachelor’s Degree	Graduate Degree
SHRM-CP	3 years in HR role	1 year in HR role	Currently in HR role
SHRM-SCP	6 years in HR role	4 years in HR role	3 years in HR role

Exam Preparation Resources

To prepare for the certification exam, choose resources that match your learning style and schedule. Use the SHRM Learning System for SHRM certification exam preparation with options including self-study and instructor-led courses. Alternatively, for HRCI certifications like the aPHR, you can find a variety of preparation resources including bundled learning options tailored to your budget and learning preferences.

Self-study: Ideal for those with unpredictable schedules (i.e. Heyyy HR’s Study Notes for HR Certification)
Instructor-led: Offers structured learning and the opportunity for interaction.
Team learning: Group study can enhance understanding through discussion.

The Certification Process for HRCI & SHRM

Achieving Human Resources certification involves a series of methodical steps. This ensures that you meet the professional standards expected in the HR field. These steps may seem overwhelming or unnecessary, but keep in mind that there are hundreds of HR professionals scheduling at the same time to take their exams. These steps are needed to keep things in order and to make sure that the right test-taker gets the right score and the right acknowledgment.

Application Procedure

To begin, your journey toward certification starts with the application procedure. For the PHR certification, you must first complete the application through the HR Certification Institute. This requires you to have a certain level of HR work experience which varies based on your educational background.

Bachelor’s Degree: 1-2 years of professional-level HR experience
Master’s Degree: 1 year of professional-level HR experience
Less Than a Bachelor’s Degree: 2-4 years of experience

Upon verifying eligibility, you’ll need to pay the application fee, which is typically non-refundable.

For the SCP or CP certification, you must first complete the application through the Society for Human Resources Professionals (SHRM). This requires you to have a certain level of HR work experience which varies based on your educational background. Similar to HRCI, upon verifying eligibility, you’ll need to pay the application fee, which is typically non-refundable but can vary based on if you are an active SHRM member.

Exam Details

After your application is approved, you will schedule your exam. The testing is conducted through Pearson VUE centers, and you must book an appointment for a date that is convenient for you. The SHRM certification exam, for example, assesses your HR knowledge and how you apply it in practical scenarios.

SHRM-CP: Primarily for HR professionals who implement policies and strategies
SHRM-SCP: Suited for senior HR professionals who develop strategies, lead the HR function, and foster influence within their organization

The test format typically involves multiple-choice questions and may include practical situational judgment tests or competency-based scenarios.

Certification Renewal

Your certification is a testament to your expertise, however, it does not last indefinitely. You’re required to recertify every three years. This involves either retaking and passing the certification exam or earning professional development credits (PDCs).

Attain PDCs: Engage in professional development activities like continuing education, instructing others, research, etc.
Documentation: Keep records of your activities as they will need to be verified for your recertification process.

For SHRM-certified professionals, the number of PDCs required is 60 every 3 years. I created an entire video on how you can easily get recertification credits. If you’re looking for one simple way, then HRCP has a list of options that you can do on demand and in the comfort of your home.

Benefits of Being Certified

Human resources certifications can be a significant catalyst in your career, enhancing your credibility and opening doors to new opportunities. It is important to display your credentials after your name on your resume, LinkedIn profile, and in the signature of your work or professional email. I created a video on all things you should immediately do after you become certified in this video titled, “How to Tell Your Leader You Passed the HR Certification Exam”.

Career Advancement

By achieving HR certification, you signal to employers your commitment to the human resources career field, current knowledge of Human Resources laws & regulations, and mastery of additional necessary Human Resources skills. For instance, median pay increases with higher levels of certification, and your likelihood of promotion improves.

Professional Recognition

Earning a credential such as the PHR certification or SHRM-CP certification showcases your expertise and dedication to staying abreast of HR trends, processes, best practices, laws and regulations, often leading to enhanced professional stature within your industry and career field.

Networking Opportunities

Certifications often come with membership in professional communities, which can provide you with invaluable networking opportunities. This can lead to mentorship, partnerships, and insights into best practices from peers and leaders in the field.

The majority of my career’s success has come from networking. This did not include talking or texting others on a regular basis and in some cases, I networked with professionals that I met once or literally NEVER met. I share all of the benefits and ways to network in this video titled “Is Networking Worth It?”

Selecting the Right Certification

Choosing the right human resources certification can be crucial for advancing your career in HR. The certification you select should align with your professional experience and career aspirations or goals. To compare the same levels of HR certifications offered by HRCI and SHRM, I created one video on CP vs PHR and another video on SCP vs SPHR.

Assessing Personal Career Goals

Before deciding on a certification, take a moment to define your career goals and objectives. Are you aiming to solidify your knowledge in a current HR position, or are you seeking advancement to a higher-level role or are you simply trying to start a fruitful career that you enjoy? The SHRM-CP certification might be suitable if your role is more operational, whereas a strategic position (i.e. HRBP, HR Director, VP of HR, CHRO, etc.) may call for the SHRM-SCP certification. Understanding the focus of each certification will help you choose one that supports your career path.

Most people fall into the idea that their career goals should align with what the company they currently work for has to offer. Instead, your career goals should be focused on what YOU want out of your career as a whole. Personally, I wanted to never feel like I was working by simply working in a career field that I enjoy, to stop living paycheck to paycheck, and to break generational curses. I knew that would take earning a lot of money in a pretty short period of time.

Industry-Specific vs. General HR Certifications

There are three main types of HR certifications you can pursue:

Foundational certifications, to gain knowledge about the foundation of becoming or starting your career in HR.
General HR certifications, which apply broadly across many industries and job roles via HRCI or SHRM.
Industry-specific certifications, designed for HR professionals in a particular sector.

Foundational certification can be found in LinkedIn courses, Course Careers, or HRCP. General HR certifications, such as the PHR and SPHR, are recognized across various industries and are well-suited if you desire wide-ranging opportunities. Industry-specific credentials, on the other hand, may provide specialized knowledge that can be particularly beneficial in certain career paths within the HR career. This may include certifications in data analysis or compensation. Consider where you see yourself in the HR landscape when choosing between these types of certifications.

Key Takeaways

Earning HR certification validates professional expertise in human resources.
Certifications distinguish candidates in the HR job market.
Choosing the appropriate HR certification aligns with YOUR specific career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When seeking HR certification, you likely have a number of questions about the process, the benefits, and the various programs or opportunities that are available. This section addresses some of the most common inquiries.

What are the top recognized certifications in the human resources field?

In the human resources field, the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and the HR Certification Institute’s Professional in Human Resources (PHR) are among the top recognized certifications. These credentials are valued by employers and can significantly enhance your professional standing and career prospects.

How can one obtain a human resources certification online?

You can obtain a human resources certification online by enrolling in a program that offers online courses and exams. Organizations such as HRCI offer various HR certifications that can be achieved remotely, catering to your convenience and schedule flexibility. Heyyy HR has study notes that can really ease your studying potential.

What are the benefits of achieving a SHRM certification?

Achieving a SHRM certification can position you as an expert in the HR field, reflecting a high level of knowledge and skills. It demonstrates your commitment to professional development and can open doors to new opportunities and career advancement.

Is it possible to get an HR certification for free on the internet?

While most reputable HR certifications require a fee, there are some free online materials and courses that can introduce you to the field of HR and prepare you for certification exams. However, the actual certification process itself, including the exam, typically involves costs and applying to take the exam through either HRCI or SHRM.

What are the prerequisites for obtaining a PHR certification?

The prerequisites for obtaining a PHR certification include having at least one year of experience in a professional HR position with a master’s degree, two years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, or four years of experience if you possess less than a bachelor’s degree. The prerequisites or minimum qualifications depend on the specific exam that you desire to obtain.

What entry-level HR certifications are recommended for beginners?

For beginners, entry-level HR certifications like the aPHR (Associate Professional in Human Resources) are recommended. It’s designed for individuals just starting their HR career and does not require prior HR work experience, making it a suitable first step into the profession.

Human Resources Certification: Advancing Your HR Career