Human Resource Certification
Certification vs. Certificate Programs
Certification has three main advantages over certificate programs:
- It typically has an experience/educational requirement.
- It requires recertification, which ensures that the certified HR professional stays current in the HR field through continuing education.
- It allows the certified HR professional to put the letters after his or her name.
Unlike certificate programs, certification programs generally consist of the three E’s: education, experience, and an exam.
2010 HRCI Certification Goals
- Create/Conduct a PHR/SPHR, GPHR or California Certification Exam study group which may include:
- Co-sponsoring or partnering on a university-based certification preparation study course
- Taking advantage of the special discount program available to chapters and purchasing copies of the SHRM Learning System (both facilitator and participant versions) for use in a chapter study group
- Develop and implement a certification awareness campaign which could include tactics such as:
- Promote the benefits and value of certification (PHR, SPHR, GPHR, PHR-CA/SPHR-CA)
- Use the HR Certification Institute Toolkit for promoting certification in the chapter
- Educate members on the recertification process, including using the online recertification system
- Recognize certified chapter members at a chapter program, or otherwise recognize or reward certified
members
- Promote the online assessment exams and PHR/SPHR and GPHR certification guides developed by the HR Certification Institute
Certification Overview
From the 2010 HRCI Certification Handbook:
What Is Certification?
HR certification is a career-long commitment that demonstrates to your peers, your employees and your organization that you have mastered the core HR knowledge and principles and that you are dedicated to staying current in your field. Passing the exam is only one part of the certification process. Because the exams are experiencebased, applicants must have the required work experience to be eligible to apply for the exams.
Once the certified HR professional has passed the exam, the recertification requirements ensure that the HR professional is keeping abreast of changes in the field.
Why Is Certification Desirable?
Certification sets those with the credential apart from—or above—those without it. There are a number of advantages to seeking certification, including:
- Hiring managers consider an applicant’s certification when making hiring decisions.
- Organizations believe hiring HR-certified professionals gives them a competitive advantage.
- Business leaders find HR-certified professionals more motivated, more knowledgeable of the HR field and stronger performers.
- HR professionals report that certified HR professionals create a positive impact on their organizations’ financial performance.
Certification becomes a public recognition of professional achievement—both within and outside of the profession. For many, achieving certification becomes a personal professional goal—a way to test knowledge and to measure it against one’s peers. Others see certification as an aid to career advancement.
Purpose and Use of Certification
PHR, SPHR and GPHR certification shows that the holder has demonstrated mastery of the domestic or international HR body of knowledge and, through recertification, has accepted the challenge to stay informed of new developments in the HR field.
The PHR, SPHR and GPHR exams are completely voluntary. Organizations or individuals incorporating PHR, SPHR or GPHR certification as a condition of employment or advancement do so of their own volition. Individuals should determine for themselves whether attaining HR certification, including meeting the eligibility and recertification requirements, when coupled with any other requirements imposed by individuals or organizations, meets their needs and complies with any applicable laws.
PHR-, SPHR- and GPHR-certified professionals proudly display their certificates and use the credentials on business correspondence as a visible reminder of this significant professional acheivement.
How Do the Three Exams Differ?
The PHR and SPHR exams assess generalist knowledge of the HR field, including strategic business management, workforce planning and employment, HR development, total rewards, employee and labor relations, and risk management. Because of the nature of the exams and their common body of knowledge,
the PHR and SPHR designations cannot be held concurrently. The SPHR exam supersedes the PHR designation.
The GPHR exam assesses the international HR body of knowledge and is intended for HR professionals with cross-border responsibilities. The GPHR assesses global HR knowledge in the following categories: strategic HR management, global talent acquisition and mobility, global compensation and benefits, organizational effectiveness and talent development, and workforce relations and risk management. You may have simultaneous certification by holding the GPHR and the PHR or SPHR.
For more information on Certification, please visit the HRCI website. You may also contact EPSHRM's Certification Director, Linda Torres-Kleinhans, PHR, at (915) 521-7173 or by e-mail at lindatk@elp.rr.com.
Recertification
Why Recertify?
Once you pass the certification exams, you must recertify your credentials every three years through continuing education activities. Recertification broadens your HR knowledge and make you more valuable to your organization. It shows you are committed to your future and the future of your organization.
Recertification shows that you
- keep current on changing HR laws, best practices, and innovative labor strategies
- ensure that your organization and employees work at peak performance
- remain a strategic business partner in your organization's success
Earning recertification credit is much more than attending conferences and workshops. Most certified HR professionals earn their recertification credits through the very activities that make them valuable members of their organizations and increase their HR knowledge. These activities include:
- creating leadership development initiatives
- developing a diversity program
- implementing HR best practices
- participating in contract negotiations with union leaders
For more information about Recertification, please visit the HRCI webpage and click the Recertification tab.
Low Cost Recertification Tips
Earning recertification credit hours does not have to be costly or take you far from your work or home. In fact, you may be already doing the activities through your daily work responsibilities and other professional tasks that could count for recertification credit!
Click the picture below for more information!
Recertification - It's Easier Than You Think!
Becoming certified was a difficult task that required a great deal of study. Now that you are certified, you need to ensure that you keep your certification throught Recertification Process. In general, recertifying is not difficult, but many leave it until the very end of their 3-year certification cycle.
EPSHRM wants to help you keep your certification current by offering the following presentation, "Recertification: It's Easier Than You Think!" Please click on the picture below.
