What HR certifications are available, and which is the right one for you? You will likely get multiple certifications throughout your HR career. Knowing what, when, and how to get these certifications will create the footholds you need to progress in your career.
Different HR Certifications
The type of certification you’ll want to pursue depends on where you are in your HR career and where you want to go. Getting certified or having additional certifications can help you get your first job, be promoted, or earn a higher salary.
Each certification has different prerequisites, exam formats, and recertification conditions. After earning each certification, HR professionals must work to maintain their HR certifications through continuing education courses to be up to date on all HR functions, ethics, and laws.
While there are other organizations with their own certifications, the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) are the two most prominent organizations that certify HR professionals, and they both offer different HR certifications.
aPHR
The Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification is designed for those just starting their HR careers. Made for entry-level positions, this certification covers the basics of human resources. The aPHR exam covers five basic areas of human resources:
- Compliance and Risk Management
- Employee Relations
- Talent Acquisition
- Compensation and Benefits
- Learning and Development
There are no qualifications since this is a knowledge-based certification, so anyone can take it.
To be up to date on your recertifications, you must earn 45 recertification credits in the 3 years or retake the exam. The exam and application fee is $400, offered by the HRCI.
PHR
The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification shows an employer that you are skilled in human resources’ technical and operational aspects. The PHR exam covers the following areas:
- HR Information Management
- Employee and Labor Relations
- Employee Engagement
- Business Management
- Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition
- Learning and Development
- Total Rewards
You do need certain qualifications to be PHR certified, but a few variations are acceptable. You either need one year of professional HR experience and a master’s degree, two years of experience and a bachelor’s degree, or four years of experience.
To remain certified, you must complete 60 continuing education credits over 3 years or retake the exam. The exam and application fee is $495, offered by the HRCI.
SPHR
A Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification is designed for leaders in the HR field who plan and design HR policy rather than carry it out. The SPHR exam covers:
- HR Information, Management, and Security
- Total Rewards
- Talent Management
- Leadership and Strategy
- Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition
Like the PHR exam, you have a few options to become qualified. You either need four years of professional HR experience and a master’s degree, five years of experience and a bachelor’s degree, or at least seven years of experience.
To be recertified, you must complete 60 total Recertification credits, 15 of which must qualify as business credits, over 3 years or retake the SPHR exam. The exam and application fee is $595, offered by the HRCI.
SHRM-CP
The SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification is comparable to the PHR but offered by the SHRM. The SHRM-CP exam contains two types of questions: knowledge-based and situational judgment questions. Between these two types of questions, the exam covers competency and knowledge in:
- Leadership
- Business
- Interpersonal
- People
- Organization
- Workplace
To be eligible for the SHRM-CP, you must currently be in an HR role and have a master’s degree, one year of experience and a bachelor’s degree, or three years of experience. Fees for the SHRM-CP exam vary based on your situation, but the standard fee is $410 for members of the SHRM and $510 for nonmembers. To recertify, you must complete 60 continuing education credits in 3 years or retake the exam.
SHRM-SCP
Last but not least, the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification is comparable to the SPHR. It also covers the same competency areas as the SHRM-CP exam.
To be eligible for this certification, you’ll either need three years of professional HR experience and a master’s degree, four years of experience and a bachelor’s degree, or six years of experience.
The SHRM-SCP exam fees and recertification requirements are the same as the SHRM-CP.
How to Get Certified
Becoming certified can be a stressful experience. Passing the exam the first time saves you valuable time and money, so give yourself the best chance by being well prepared with a test prep course.
HREN offers HR certification test prep courses that you can take at your preferred pace and from the comfort of your home. Once certified, you can keep up with your certifications through HREN’s continuing education courses to make HR certifications as convenient as possible.
