Join America Back to Work, a weekly podcast, video, and blog series that covers timely and relevant topics affecting the labor market and workforce with industry experts. The series includes recruiting, hiring, retention, employee satisfaction, customer service, background screenings, and more.
The Most Popular HR Certifications: Which One Is Right For You?
In most professions, certifications are a tactical way to demonstrate expertise in a particular category, enhance professional credibility, and get access to networking opportunities. Studies have shown that those who further their education through certification programs improve their earnings potential over their careers by as much as 44%.
The same is (especially) true in the human resources profession; research shows that having an HR certification significantly boosts pay and promotions for HR professionals.
That’s because certifications help HR professionals expand their knowledge, boost their performance using new skills, and showcase commitment and up-to-date expertise to employers—ultimately increasing their value in the market and building a future-proof career in HR.
“Having certifications give you credibility, and they help to set you apart when you’re interviewing for roles,” says Ricklyn Woods, four-time certified HR professional, host of So You Want to Work in HR?, and this week’s guest on S2Verify’s America Back to Work: Expert Interview Series.
Click here to watch or listen to the episode and get access to Woods’ expert insights into growing a successful HR career.
HR Certifications 101
Generally, HR certifications recognize professional experience, skills, and knowledge. To earn any of the multiple HR certifications, candidates must have real experience working in HR and pass a test to demonstrate knowledge of HR topics and tasks.
More and more employers are starting to mandate HR certification for high-profile HR roles—largely due to how certification programs teach HR professionals how to better manage HR functions through human resource management systems and other core HR software.
Translation: certified experts help companies better manage their employee data.
HR certifications can be categorized into four primary types: early career, career advancement, specialty (skill-focused), and international. Figuring out the right HR certification is all about where you are in your career and what you want your next step to be.
Certifications cost money, so they’re not for everyone. Still, often employers will sponsor employees due to the benefits it ultimately brings back to the company—like an expanded overall HR skill set, improved risk management, and cost savings on additional hires.
Keep reading to learn more about some of the most common HR certifications in each category and determine which one is right for you.
Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPRH)
Through the Human Resources Certification Institute, HR professionals who are just starting out can demonstrate their knowledge of HR fundamentals and foundations. Prior HR experience is not required to take the aPHR, which includes topics like compliance and risk management, employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, learning and development, and more. College students or those looking to make a career transition into HR can get a head start by studying for and completing the aPHR before applying to jobs.
aPHR Eligibility Requirements
- High school diploma or global equivalent
- No prior work experience required
aPHR Cost
- Application fee: $100
- Exam fee: $300
aPHR Exam Format
- 1 hour and 45 minutes (plus 30 minutes of administration time)
- 65 scored questions + 25 pretest questions
- Computer-based exam at an approved testing center or home office
Professional In Human Resources (PHR)
Designed for HR professionals just a few years into their careers, earning the Professional in Human Resources certification demonstrates technical and operational knowledge of HR management, including U.S. laws and regulations. The PHR certification, also offered through HCRI, emphasizes a practitioner’s operational responsibilities for the organization’s HR department. Exam topics include employee and labor relations, business management, talent planning and acquisition, total rewards, and learning and development.
PHR Eligibility Requirements
You must fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Have at least one year of experience in a professional-level HR position + a Master’s degree or higher
- Have at least two years of experience in a professional-level HR position + a Bachelor’s degree
- Have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position + a high school diploma
PHR Cost
- Application fee: $100
- Exam fee: $395
PHR Exam Format
- 2 hours (plus 30 minutes of administration time)
- 90 scored questions + 25 pretest questions
- Computer-based exam at an approved testing center or home office
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
The SHRM-CP is designed for HR professionals who engage primarily in operational roles such as implementing policies, serving as the HR point of contact for staff and stakeholders, or performing day-to-day HR functions. It’s best for those whose duties tend to be specialized versus generalized.
Eligibility Requirements for SHRM-CP
If you hold an HR-related degree, you must fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Must currently be working in any HR-related role + a graduate degree
- Have at least one year in an HR role + a bachelor’s degree
- Have at least three years in an HR role + less than a bachelor’s degree
If you do not hold an HR-related degree, you must fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Have at least one year in an HR-related role + a graduate degree
- Have at least two years in an HR role + a bachelor’s degree
- Have at least four years in an HR role + less than a bachelor’s degree
SHRM-CP Cost
- Application fee: $50
- Standard exam fee (SHRM members): $410
- Standard exam fee (Non-SHRM members): $510
SHRM-CP Exam Format
- 4 hours (3 hours and 40 minutes of testing time)
- 134 questions (80 knowledge items and 54 situational-judgment items, of which 24 are field-tested items)
- Computer-based
SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
The SHRM-SCP is for a senior-level HR professional who operates primarily in a strategic role (such as developing policies and strategies, overseeing the execution of completely integrated HR operations, analyzing performance metrics, or leading the alignment of HR strategies to organizational goals). This certification helps HR professionals looking to move into the C-Suite boost their resumes.
Eligibility Requirements for SHRM-SCP
If you hold an HR-related degree, you must fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Have at least three years in an HR role + a graduate degree
- Have at least three years in an HR role + a bachelor’s degree
- Have at least six years in an HR role + less than a bachelor’s degree
If you do not hold an HR-related degree, you must fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Have at least four years in an HR-related role + a graduate degree
- Have at least five years in an HR role + a bachelor’s degree
- Have at least seven years in an HR role + less than a bachelor’s degree
SHRM-SCP Cost
- Application fee: $50
- Standard exam fee (SHRM members): $410
- Standard exam fee (Non-SHRM members): $510
SHRM-SCP Exam Format
- 4 hours (3 hours and 40 minutes of testing time)
- 134 questions (80 knowledge items and 54 situational-judgment items, of which 24 are field-tested items)
- Computer-based
Skill-Specific and International HR Certifications
Beyond the most common general HR certifications listed above, HR professionals can also take specialty exams that help them target a specific skill set or help them manage global teams. Explore the list below to figure out which is right for you.
- Digital HR Specialist for those looking to use the right tech tools to build efficiencies, manage change, and create memorable employee experiences.
- Global Professional in Human Resources for HR specialists who work in the global marketplace looking to prove their expert knowledge of multinational responsibilities and policies.
- Certified Compensation Professional for those looking to emphasize their knowledge of compensation systems, employee payroll, pay rate programs, compensation documentation, incentive options, and other financial aspects of HR.
- Certified Professional in Talent Development for those looking to hone their ability to identify quality job candidates, cultivate their skills, and develop internal systems that support staff retention.
- Associate Professional in Human Resources – International for HR professionals who want to work internationally.
- Global Professional in Human Resources for HR professionals with a background in multinational HR practices who want to learn more about how HR can help businesses expand globally and provide consistent support across multiple countries.
- Global Talent Management Leader for HR professionals with previous experience who want to demonstrate their understanding of global HR standards and practices for international business operations.
For more guidance around HR certifications and other career boosters, check out this week’s episode of America Back to Work: Expert Interview Series with Ricklyn Woods, who has both an SHRM-SCP and an SPHR certification.