HR Certification: What is it? Who it's for? How to get it?
What is HR certification?
HR Certification is a credential that demonstrates the knowledge and skills vital to human resource management.
Who can become certified?
Anyone who works in the HR field, or who is interested in entering the field, can become certified in human resources.
How do I become certified?
Individuals become certified by passing an exam that covers all of the functional areas of human resource management.
The following credentials are the most popular and well known HR certifications available:
Decide which certification exam to take based on your own experience, education, and career goals. The following are HRCI’s most popular certifications:
The aPHR™ may be right for you if you are new to HR or have worked in an HR support role.
aPHR™ qualifications:
- high school diploma or equivalent
The PHR® may be right for you if you work primarily at a professional level in HR operations.
PHR® qualifications:
- master’s degree with one year or more experience,
- bachelor’s degree with two years or more experience, or
- high school diploma with four years or more experience
The SPHR® may be right for you if you work primarily in an HR leadership role making strategic and policy decisions.
SPHR® qualifications:
- master’s degree with four years or more experience,
- bachelor’s degree with five years or more experience, or
- high school diploma with seven years or more experience
The aPHRi™ may be right for you if you live outside of the United States and are either new to HR or work in an HR support role.
aPHRi™ qualifications:
- high school diploma or equivalent
The PHRi™ may be right for you if you work outside of the United States at a professional level in HR operations.
PHRi™ qualifications:
- master’s degree (or global equivalent) with one year or more experience,
- bachelor’s degree (or global equivalent) with two years or more experience, or
- high school diploma (or global equivalent) with four years or more experience
The SPHRi™ may be right for you if you work primarily in an HR leadership role outside of the United States making strategic and policy decisions.
SPHRi™ qualifications:
- master’s degree (or global equivalent) with four years or more experience
- bachelor’s degree (or global equivalent) with five years or more experience
- high school diploma (or global equivalent) with seven years or more experience
The certification exams are administered by the HR Certification Institute®(HRCI®), which is the credentialing organization for the human resource profession. HRCI has been certifying human resource professionals for more than 40 years. Please visit the HR Certification Institute’s website to learn more: www.hrci.org.
Benefits of HR Certification
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INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT
You will be distinguished as an HR professional with sufficient experience and knowledge to pass a comprehensive certification exam based on the vast body of knowledge that comprises the human resource field.
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND EMPLOYMENT ADVANTAGES
You’ll join more than 500,000 HR professionals in 100 countries who have obtained HRCI® certification. Certification is increasingly being recognized as an essential standard for HR managers; many companies already limit employment to those who are certified professionals.
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HIGHER SALARY AND GREATER CAREER SATISFACTION
A recent study found that certified HR professionals often receive higher salaries, report higher career satisfaction, have greater potential for promotions, and are more likely to be employed full time in comparison with those not certified.
Steps to Becoming HR Certified
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Choose a Credential:
Decide which certification exam to take based on your own experience, education, and career goals.
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Select a Preparation Method:
Decide how to prepare for the certification exam you have chosen. Some prepare on their own, others join a class or study group.
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Apply for the Exam:
Apply for the certification exam of your choice at the HRCI® website (www.hrci.org). After your application has been accepted, schedule your exam at a testing facility near you https://home.pearsonvue.com/hrci
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Take (and PASS!) the Exam:
Sit for the examination on the day you have previously scheduled.
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Use Your Designation:
After passing the HR certification exam, you can use your earned designation on your business cards and in all your business correspondence.
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Stay Certified:
Your HR certification must be renewed every three years.
HR Certification Options
OPTIONS FOR PREPARING FOR HR CERTIFICATION |
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Self-study |
Move through a set of study materials on your own and at your own pace. The self-study option would consist of reading content, reviewing flash cards, and taking online practice exams. View products for self-study options. |
Online self-paced preparation course |
Move through an online course at your own pace. The self-paced course option would consist of reading content, viewing videos, reviewing flash cards, and taking practice exams. View self-paced courses for options. |
Online instructor-led preparation course |
Meet virtually on set dates and times with an instructor who will guide you through the preparation process. In addition to the personal instruction, you would prepare by reading content, viewing videos, reviewing flash cards, and taking practice exams. View preparation courses for options. |
Local face-to-face preparation course |
Join a local preparation course at set dates, times, and at a specified location. An instructor guides you through the preparation process. In addition to the personal instruction, you would prepare by reading content, viewing videos, reviewing flash cards, and taking practice exams. View preparation courses for options. |
On-site face-to-face preparation course |
Arrange for a senior team member or an outside consultant to offer an on-site preparation course for your HR team. The instructor guides team members through the preparation process. In addition to the personal instruction, team members would prepare by reading content, viewing videos, reviewing flash cards, and taking practice exams. Contact us for more information. |