About Certification
Why should I become certified?
Certification sets you apart as a true professional.
By obtaining a certification in human resources, you demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills vital to human resource management.
You gain national recognition.
Once you have acquired your HR certification, you can use your earned designation on your business cards and all of your business correspondence. You are recognized as a human resource 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.
Certification is essential to your career.
Worldwide there are 300,000 currently certified HR professionals, with thousands more certifying each year. Certification is increasingly being recognized as an essential standard for human resource managers. Many companies already limit employment in human resource management positions to those who are certified professionals.
Benefits of holding an HR certification.
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.
Which HR certifications are available?
HRCI offers the following human resource certifications.
- PHR (Professional in Human Resources)
- SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)
- aPHR (Associate Professional in Human Resources)
- PHRca (Professional in Human Resources California)
- PHRi ((Professional in Human Resources International)
- SPHRi (Senior Professional in Human Resources International)
- aPHRi (Associate Professional in Human Resources International)
SHRM offers these certifications.
- SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional)
- SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management-Senior Certified Professional)
How do I obtain a certification in human resources?
You need to make three decisions on your journey to obtaining an HR certification.
- You must first decide which HR certification to pursue. You can visit HRCI’s website and SHRM’s website to help you determine the right exam for you.
- Next, you need to decide when you will take the exam. Most individuals spend two to four months preparing to take their certification exam.
- Finally, you will need to decide how to prepare for the exam. We recommend using the HRCP Program that corresponds with the certification exam you plan to take. Since 1995 HRCP has helped more than 100,000 successfully prepare for HR certification. Please visit our products page to see the options available.