Bennie, chief of worldwide marketing and global business development at the HR Certification Institute, was available to answer my questions. The HR Certification Institute is the world’s leader in the professional credentialing of the HR profession. It is an accredited credentialing organization that allows HR professionals to show their education and experience, as well as their demonstrated knowledge and adherence to high ethical standards. They can also demonstrate their achievements through exams and their commitment to professional development. The Institute has credentials recognized as a high professional distinction for more than 120,000 HR professionals from 100 countries.
Bennie: What does having the credential entail?
[Bennie] Having a certificate from the HR Certification Institute demonstrates dedication to human resources and staying up-to-date with current regulations, policies and practices that impact the profession. Certified HR Professionals can be leaders, mentors, and trusted strategic partners in their profession.
The HR Certification Institute’s stringent exams – the Professional in Human Resources, Senior Professional in Human Resources, SPHR(r), Human Resource Business Professional (HRBP (sm), Human Resource Management Professional(sm), Human Resource Management Professional(sm), Global Professional in Human Resources(r), and California Certification exam – will prove that HR professionals can apply forward-thinking HR principles, practices and principles in real-world situations.
A recent survey by the Institute also revealed that 93% of applicants said, “Earning my certificate will increase my credibility among my peers, employers(s) and colleagues.”
Answer the question of the reader about the requirements to take the exam. Do you need a degree?
[Bennie] To be eligible for certification by the HR Certification Institute, applicants must have both experience and education. An HR professional must have the experience to be certified. The amount of education required will determine the level of experience. To be eligible for the exam, an HR professional with less than a bachelor’s level of education must demonstrate more relevant experience in the field. This includes:
- Independent planning and decision-making activities
- Detail work requirements including data collection, analysis, and interpretation
- Interactions with a wide range of contacts, including decision-makers
- Absolute responsibility and accountability for one’s work
Each credential has its eligibility requirements. Click Here to Learn More.
The HR Certification Institute recently updated the qualifications for the exam. Please briefly explain the reasoning behind these changes.
[Bennie] The basic requirements to be eligible for one of our exams were raised by the HR Certification Institute in 2011. The changes were made based on extensive research and input from HR professionals, business leaders, and certificates. To better reflect the increasing responsibility of the HR professional today as a leader and mentor, teacher, and an influence on the HR function and the entire business, the eligibility criteria were increased.
How can the HR Certification Institute promote this credential?
[Bennie] The HR Certification Institute offers a variety of programs and services for individuals with credentials. The Institute offers a variety of educational webinars and an online community for the 120,000+ HR professionals who are certified. This allows them to share best practices and ideas. We recently launched certified, an online magazine for HR professionals. It offers insight and interviews from certified HR professionals and is a platform for idea generation.
The Institute provides many platforms for HR professionals who have obtained certification. These include our “We Just Heard” blogs and the chance to be recognized in the Newly Minted or in the News columns of Certified.
How can individuals promote becoming certified?
[Bennie] HR professionals can request a “Boss Letter” to tell them the good news. Our certificates are encouraged to share the good news with their professional networks and other or