Broaden your management prowess with the support of HRCI, a renowned credentialing body for human resource standards and protocols. With over 500,000 HRCI professionals around the world, this credible organization sets the bar high with its extensive selection of certifications for all HR levels.

Uncovering HRCI and Its Certification Program

This vendor specializes in honing individuals in the field of human resource management. They’ve got a wide range of validations to develop your knowledge and practical capabilities so you excel in your chosen career. With over 40 years of shaping professionals around the world, HRCI has built a name of its own and has topped off its accrediting path with flagship certifications that are respected around the world. They have various options depending on your level of expertise, and HRCI prepares an easy way to choose the right certification for you. Through their online tool, you may provide information on HR areas that interest you, years of work experience, and job location. By inputting these details, the official vendor provides some recommendations to help you out with your application process. As of this writing, there are 8 certifications on offer by HRCI.

Getting to Know Some HRCI Designations

For many decades, their certificates have been considered a benchmark for HR excellence. As mentioned earlier, they have 8 certification paths available. Thus, one of the most popular designations is the Professional in Human Resources (PHR), which is perfect for those who want to embark on a more advanced HR journey. The other options are the Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR), Associate Professional in Human Resources – International (aPHRi), Professional in Human Resources – International (PHRi), Professional in Human Resources – California (PHRca), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources – International (SPHRi), and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR).

Identifying Target Audience

Each of the HRCI certifications caters to different people with some distinct experience. So, be sure to make use of the tool on the website and pick the right path that fits your professional background and personal preferences. For example, the PHR targets those with at least 1 year of work experience, particularly, in a professional-level HR job role. It’s also a must to have a Master’s degree or higher academic qualification. In case you don’t have a Master’s degree, you may present a Bachelor’s degree along with 2 years or more of work experience. Another option is to have a minimum of 4 years of work background, plus a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Learning More about HRCI through Their Certification Exams

Preparing for an HRCI certification exam definitely requires your utmost attention and dedication. So, if you’re thinking of becoming HRCI certified in the future, we will give you an overview of some of their most in-demand exams to date.

• PHR Evaluation

  There’s no denying that the PHR certificate is widely acknowledged by employers and professionals. In fact, it serves as a standard in the HR sector of many businesses and companies so individuals with this qualification can efficiently deal with program implementation, logical orientation, and tactical management within the organization. The main objective of the PHR evaluation is to supply you with insights into the technical aspects and operations features of HR management. Along with these key areas, it covers relevant US laws and regulations. These core topics are injected into the 2-hour exam with 90 scored questions. Additionally, you are required to answer 25 pre-test items. Finally, the PHR exam is a computer-based test, which can be delivered by the Pearson VUE testing center or at your preferred location via OnVUE.

• aPHR Exam

  If you want to launch a career in human resource management, then this HRCI track is distinctly for you. Open for those with no educational background and HR experience, the aPHR test introduces you to the foundational HR areas, including HR operations, recruitment & selection, compensation & benefits, human resource development & retention, employee relations, and lastly, health, safety & security. These functional sections help in fast-tracking your skills so you pass the aPHR exam on your first attempt. In general, be prepared to answer a total of 100 scored items, plus 25 pre-test questions. Plus, the time limit for such an exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes.

• SPHR Test

  The most credible way to establish your HR expertise is through the SPHR exam, which is actually the last step in the HRCI certification path. This showcases your expertise in the policy-making areas of HR management. It also proves that you have the proven accountability in working with HR disciplines to achieve HR goals. Furthermore, it signifies that your knowledge stretches beyond the HR department. Some of the key aspects covered by an exam like this include leadership & strategy, talent acquisition, employee relations, and the like. Besides, the official SPHR test consists of 115 scored questions and 25 pre-test items. In all, you are given up to 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the evaluation.

Outlining Career Benefits Enjoyed by HRCI Certified Professionals

Both professionals and even businesses benefit from HRCI designations. As a reputable, independent certifying body, such a vendor guarantees quality on its certification path that results in relevant validation of your skillset. And this has been proven for many years by thousands of HRCI professionals from over 100 countries. Furthermore, employers know that HRCI certified specialists have relevant knowledge and practical experience that are essential in performing HR roles. Some of the job positions highlighted by HRCI certifications are a talent specialist, HR staff, staff relations officer, legal recruiter, payroll specialist, HR data analyst, and HR supervisor. Aside from varied career opportunities, you’ll get a better salary compared to typical employees once accredited. Thus, PHR certified, in particular, earn an average of $74,433 per year as claimed by Payscale. On the other hand, this site also states that SPHR certified individuals get at least $99,767 annually, which is definitely much higher compared to employees with no certification.

Plotting Strategic Certification Path with HRCI

Commonly, each HRCI certificate targets a specific group of people, from those who are yet to establish a career in HR to experienced professionals who want to polish their skillset. Either way, there’s something that will surely grab your interest. For example, if you’re a starting HR specialist, the best approach for you is, to begin with, the aPHR and then follow it up with the PHR. To conclude your certification journey, secure the SPHR.