• Chat Now
  • Request Info Apply Now
Live Chat Now
Available
Give us a call

Send us a text

855.890.3001

855.890.3001

12 HR Certifications You Should Consider

By DeVry University

February 14, 2024

4 min read

 

Professional certifications are offered in many fields to verify specific occupational skills and include rigorous exams, guidelines for ethical conduct and continuing professional education (CPE) or recertification requirements to maintain the credential. Human resources (HR) certifications are no exception. In this article, we’ll take a close look at some of the certifications that are relevant in the human resources management (HRM) field, describing the potential benefits of earning HR certification.

What is an HR Certification?

An HR certification is a professional credential verifying skills in the HR field. As with other certification programs, HR certifications are typically offered by third-party organizations that set practical and ethical standards for HRM practitioners, offering a means for entry-level job seekers and experienced professionals alike to enhance their skills, build their resumes and work to advance their careers. Each certification-granting organization has its own policies related to testing, application, recertification and continuing education. Some offer a series of certifications based on years of experience or vertical specialty within HRM, and many allow you the choice between testing for your HR certification online or taking the exam in person at a test center.

Certifications shouldn’t be confused with certificates. What’s the difference between the two? A certificate is a document, similar to a diploma, that a person earns by successfully completing an academic program. For example, if you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree and want to advance your education further to pursue new or more senior-level career roles, you may elect to earn a graduate certificate rather than making the commitment to a graduate degree program. 

Benefits of an HR Certification

By earning one or more HR certifications, professionals in HRM can enjoy several potential benefits, which may extend beyond their own professional development and impact their team at the department level or even organization-wide: 

  • Professional development

    The continuing education requirements of most HR certifications may help you to adopt a mindset of life-long learning, which can enhance your HR career in the near-term as well as the long run. 

  • Professional recognition

    In addition to your interpersonal skills, HR certification may enhance your professional reputation in the HRM profession and may help establish credibility among your peers.

  • Expanded employment opportunities

    In their job postings, employers may specify particular HR certifications when hiring. Holding one of these certifications could help you stand out as a candidate.

  • Networking

    Whether you’re looking for your first job or looking to advance to a more senior-level position, the importance of networking cannot be overstated. HR certification can offer opportunities to network with peers in members-only message boards, association conferences or other in-person or online forums.

  • A designation after your name

    When you’re certified in your field, a designation in the form of a few letters is included after your name. For example, if you’re hired as a payroll manager and you’ve earned the Certified Payroll Professional credential, you would most likely want to add the CPP designation after your name to signify the depth of your knowledge in this area of HRM. 

  • Increased organizational impact

    The knowledge and advanced skills you acquire through initial and ongoing professional education that certifications require can elevate the HR practices, policies and image of your entire organization. Areas like employee relations, diversity in the workplace, employee wellness programs and others may be positively impacted.  

12 HR Certifications

Our list of 12 HR certifications includes 6 different organizations whose credentials verify knowledge and skills in a range of practices in the HRM field. 

1. HRCI Associate Professional in Human Resources® Certification

The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) offers multiple certifications for HR professionals at varying career stages. Their Associate Professional in Human Resources® (aPHR®) is designed for early-career HR pros or non-HR professionals. 

2. HRCI Professional in Human Resources® Certification

HRCI’s Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) certification is for experienced HR managers with operational responsibilities. 

3. SHRM Certified Professional Certification

SHRM offers certifications designed for two different types of HR practitioners based on their workplace roles and level of practical experience in the HRM field.

The SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) credential is intended for HR professionals in operational roles. This may include someone who implements policies, serves as the HR department’s point of contact for employees and stakeholders, and performs daily HR functions. 

4. SHRM Senior Certified Professional Certification

The SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) is designed for senior-level HR professionals who develop policies and strategies, oversee the execution of completely integrated HR operations, analyze performance metrics and lead the alignment of HR strategies to their organization’s goals.

5. IHRIM Human Resources Professional Certification

The Human Resource Information Professional (HRIP) credential offered by the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM) is designed to verify knowledge and skills in HR technology. Exam preparation covers a range of aspects of HR information management, and the recertification requirement ensures HR practitioners keep abreast of trends and best practices in this sector of HRM.

6. PayrollOrg Fundamental Payroll Certification

The Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is one of two HR-related certifications offered by PayrollOrg. The credential is designed for payroll beginners, and service and support professionals with payroll knowledge. No previous payroll experience is required to take the certification exam.

7. PayrollOrg Certified Payroll Professional Certification

The Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is PayrollOrg’s more senior-level credential, verifying skills in payroll production, reporting, accounting, systems or taxation, or payroll administration. Candidates for the credential are required to have been working in payroll for 3 out of the 5 preceding their exam application.

8. Certified Professional in Talent Development Certification

The Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) is offered by the Association for Talent Development and intended for talent development (TD) professionals with at least 5 years of experience. The group defines TD professionals as those who work in an employee talent development capacity.  

9. ASA Certified Staffing Professional® Certification

The Certified Staffing Professional® (CSP®) is one of a quartet of certification programs offered by the American Staffing Association (ASA). With content focusing on federal employment and labor law, it is intended for sales directors, owners, branch managers, customer service representatives and anyone who works in the staffing business. 

10. ASA Technical Services Certified℠ Certification

The ASA’s Technical Services Certified℠ (TSC℠) credentialing program is designed for HR professionals involved in staffing and recruiting in the technical, IT and scientific fields. This program adds the additional subject areas of per-diem rules, worker classification and H-1B visas to the rigorous content included in the CSP® certification. Individuals earning the TSC credential automatically earn CSP® certification.

11. ASA Certified Search Consultant® Certification

The ASA’s Certified Search Consultant® (CSC®) certification is configured specifically for search and placement professionals with a focus on federal employment law specific to recruiters. It also includes state licensing and registration laws covering direct-hire firms. Recruiters, search consultants, HR professionals and talent acquisition managers are intended to benefit from the CSC® credential.

12. ASA Certified Health Care Staffing Professional® Certification

Rounding out the offerings by ASA is their Certified Health Care Staffing Professional® (CHP®) certification. This credentialing program is specifically intended for professionals in healthcare staffing and recruiting. The CHP® verifies the skills required for healthcare staffing and recruiting pros to work with both employees and clients within the guardrails of federal laws and regulations. 

Begin Your Journey in Human Resource Management with DeVry

Our suite of HR-focused programs and specializations can be a beneficial tool to have as you prepare to pursue a career in HRM. Our online Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Human Resource Management can be earned as part of our Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration, Management or Technical Management, helping you to develop a strong foundation in business and management with a concentration on talent management.

Our Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management.  This certificate program is intended for career seekers who’ve earned a bachelor’s degree and want to learn the basics of HR business management techniques, including training, employment law and strategic staffing. If you choose to continue your education at DeVry, eligible credits from this program can be applied directly to a qualifying master’s degree with us.1

Our MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources will help you gain familiarity with the skills it takes to cultivate an organization’s people and culture. You’ll explore management theory and practices, strategic HR management, employment law and more.

1At the time of application to the next credential level, an evaluation of qualifying transfer credit will occur and the most beneficial outcome will be applied. Future programmatic changes could impact the application of credits to a future program. Refer to the academic catalog for details.

8-Week Class Sessions

Classes Start Every 8 Weeks
Subscribe

Filter Blog Post Category

Related Posts
Request Info Apply Now Call
Classes Start Every 8 Weeks
DeVry University

In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Lisle Campus: 4225 Naperville Rd, Suite 400, Lisle, IL 60532. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online complaint system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process   https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.


© DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved.