As an HR professional, you understand better than anyone how improving your knowledge and skills can result in positive outcomes at work and for your career. Getting a certification can help you sharpen up on essential topics and technologies, as well as keep you informed about current HR market trends. But how to get HR certificate and which one is the right choice for you?
Earning the appropriate certification, on the other hand, has various advantages, particularly at important periods in your career, and sometimes it is simply necessary in order to get a job or a promotion. Let’s take a look at some of the industry’s most well-known certification programs and see which one is a perfect match for you.
How to Get HR Certificate – Step by Step
Here’s a step by step guide on how to get HR certificate:
- Read this article to learn more about available HR certificates and choose the one that’s best for you.
- Book your preparation classes to prepare for the exam.
- Schedule and take the exam.
- Receive the certificate after passing the exam. Celebrate!
- Continue your professional development and do a recertification every 3 years.
PHR (Professional in Human Resources)
What are the advantages of obtaining a PHR certification?
This certification will help you gain experience in strategic HR management, talent and organizational performance, global talent acquisition and mobility, global salaries and benefits, and employee relations and risk management.
Eligibility Criteria
- A Master’s degree or higher and at least one year of experience in a professional-level of HR position;
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of experience in a professional HR position;
- With less than a Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 4 years of experience in a professional-level HR position is required.
Who Should Apply for This Exam?
Any HR professional who meets the requirements.
It is worth mentioning that the pass rate of PHR certification in the Industry is 71%.
Note: Registration is open year-round.
Exams are given year-round.
Exam Fees
The total cost is $395 plus a $100 application fee. The certificate is valid for 45 years.
Exam Structure
90 questions, the majority of which are multiple choice. Plus, 25 multiple-choice questions for the pre-test. The duration of the exam is 2 hours.
What Are the Requirements for Recertification?
Over the course of three years, retake and pass the same certification exam or obtain 60 credits of HR-related continuing professional development activities.
Do you need to pay for recertification? Yes. One certification costs $150 USD. $50 USD for each additional certification. Suspended fee is $100 USD
You can get all of the credits and other recertification needs at one place, just follow this link
Exam Preparation
Preparation classes are available and come with the 100% money back guarantee in case you fail your exam. You can choose from eLearning options for a self-paced prearation or instructor-led courses with live and online classes.
Click on this link to book your exam preparation classes.
SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)
Why should you have a SPHR certification?
Management and strategy, employee relations and engagement, talent planning and acquisition, education and development and overall benefits are among the subjects covered on the SPHR certification exam.
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with a Master’s Degree or higher,
- At least 5 years of experience in a professional HR position with a Bachelor’s Degree,
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with less than a Bachelor’s Degree.
Who Should Apply for This Exam?
Any HR professional who meets the requirements. The pass rate for this certification is 60%.
Registration is open year-round.
Exams are given year-round.
Exam Fees
The total cost is $495 plus a $100 application fee. The certificate is valid for 45 years.
Exam Structure
115 questions, the majority of which are multiple choice. Plus, 25 multiple-choice questions for the pre-test. The duration of the exam is 2 hours 30 minutes.
What Are the Requirements for Recertification?
Requirements are the same such as the ones of PHR certification:
Over the course of three years, retake and pass the same certification exam or obtain 60 credits of HR-related continuing professional development activities.
If you need to pay for recertification, one certification costs $150 USD. $50 USD for each additional certification. Suspended fee is $100 USD.
You can get all of the credits and other recertification needs at one place, just click this link
Exam Preparation
Preparation courses are available and come with the 100% money back guarantee in case you fail your exam. You can choose from eLearning options for a self-paced prearation or instructor-led courses with live and online classes.
Click on this link to book your exam preparation classes.
SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
What are the benefits of obtaining a SHRM certification?
The following are some of the advantages of SHRM certification for HR professionals: more confidence and recognition. Demonstrating mastery of the competencies and knowledge that organizations value most. Broadening your knowledge within the HR field.
Eligibility Criteria
- Less than a Bachelor’s Degree: 3 years in the HR position with an HR-related degree. 4 years in an HR position with no HR degree.
- In case of having a Bachelor’s Degree, 1 year in an HR position with an HR-related degree, or 2 years in an HR position with no HR degree.
- HR-related graduate degree currently working in HR, or 1 year in an HR position after obtaining a non-HR degree.
Who Should Apply for This Exam?
Any HR professional who meets the requirements. Pass rate for this exam is 67%.
Exam Fees
The total fee for non-SHRM members is $300, for SHRM members only $100. The certificate is valid during 6 years.
Exam Structure
160 multiple choice questions. The duration of the exam is 4 hours.
What Are the Requirements for Recertification?
You should have a 60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) every 3 years or retake the exam.
Recertification fees for SHRM members are $100, for non-SHRM members $150.
Note: The fees are non-refundable whether or not your application is approved.
You can get all of the credits and other recertification needs at one place, just follow this link
Exam Preparation
If you’re not sure how to get HR certificate from SHRM, preparation classes are available and some even come with the 100% money back guarantee in case you fail your exam. You can choose from eLearning options for a self-paced prearation or instructor-led courses with live and online classes.
Follow this link to schedule your exam preparation course.
Final Note On How to Get HR Certificate
An HR certification demands a significant time and financial investment on your behalf, but it could be the boost you need to progress in your career. However, don’t rush into obtaining a certification. Analyze your career path and whether or not certification will help you. Make sure you take the time, find out how to get HR certificate and choose the correct qualification for you, and once you’ve invested your time and money in a certification, make sure you keep it current by earning the required recertification credits. Although it isn’t a must for success in HR, statistics suggest that it will most likely be a wise career decision.
