Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) is an international organization for credentialing of human resource professionals. Its objective is to provide standard certifications which effectively document knowledge and skills of human resource work force. Currently, more than 115,000 professionals around the world are credentialed by HRCI. These certification exams have been developed to assess experience based knowledge of candidates and require a combination of education and work experience in human resource management as prerequisite. The certificate holders from HRCI are easily picked up by reputed companies and get better salaries and prospects in comparison to non credentialed professionals.
HRCI offers following certification exams-
Professional in Human Resources (PHR): – This certification is suitable for human resource professionals who have to practice in United Sates. The content of this exam is focused on operational and technical aspects of human resource management and it assesses knowledge of HR laws and regulations applicable in USA.
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR): – This certification has been developed for credentialing of senior human resource professionals operating in United States. The content of this exam emphasizes on policy making and formulation and implementation of human resource strategies. The eligibility requirements for taking SPHR exam are higher in comparison to PHR test. A candidate should take SPHR exam instead of PHR if his/her work experience matches with SPHR eligibility requirements.
Global Professional in Human Resource (GPHR): – This certification has been developed for credentialing of global human resource professionals who have cross-border job responsibilities. This certification assesses knowledge of HR laws and core practices that are applicable not only in United States as well as on global platform. These professionals have to deal with global talent acquisition and management of human resource and associated issues in global marketplace.
California Certifications (PHR-CA and SPHR-CA): – These certifications have been developed for credentialing in human resource skills and practices specific to California. The HR laws and regulations peculiar to California are tested in these exams. The content already covered in PHR and SPHR is not included in PHR-CA or SPHR-CA. Both PHR-CA and SPHR-CA have same content breakdown. These are advanced level exams and the applicant should already be holding PHR or SPHR credential.
These certifications are beneficial in a number of ways. A credentialed professional is believed to possess up to date knowledge of human resource principles and core HR practices. They become more competent and marketable. They have better job opportunities and are offered higher salaries.