7 Top HR Certifications to Boost Your Career in 2023

7 Solutions to Advance Your HR Career

Unlock Your HR Potential: The Power of Training and Certifications

As the Human Resources (HR) field continues to grow and evolve, professionals in this industry must stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. One effective way to enhance your HR knowledge and skills is through certifications. HR certifications not only demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your field, but they also open up new job opportunities and increase your earning potential. 

In this post, we will highlight 7 top HR certifications to boost your career in 2023 and beyond. From general HR certifications to more specialized ones, we will discuss the benefits of each certification and how they can help you advance in your career. Whether you are just starting out in HR or are a seasoned professional, investing in these certifications can be a great next step in taking your career forward!

1 SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP):

Offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), these certifications are widely recognized and respected in the industry. They cover a range of HR topics, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, and employment law.

Most valuable training and certification offered: Both certifications cover a wide range of HR topics, but the SHRM-SCP is more advanced and focuses on strategic HR management.

Stage of HR career that will benefit the most: The SHRM-CP is ideal for early-career HR professionals or those with limited experience, while the SHRM-SCP is best suited for mid- to senior-level HR professionals.

Time required to achieve certification: The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP require passing an exam and meeting specific education and experience requirements. The amount of time it takes to complete the certification will vary depending on an individual’s background and study habits.

Website: https://www.shrm.org/certification/Pages/hr-certification.aspx 

2 Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR):

Offered by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), these certifications demonstrate your knowledge and mastery of HR principles and practices. They cover topics such as business management, employee relations, and total rewards.

Most valuable training and certification offered: Both certifications are well-recognized and cover a broad range of HR topics. The SPHR is more advanced and focuses on strategic HR management.

Stage of HR career that will benefit the most: The PHR is designed for early- to mid-career HR professionals, while the SPHR is geared towards mid- to senior-level HR professionals.

Time required to achieve certification: The PHR and SPHR require passing an exam and meeting specific education and experience requirements. The amount of time it takes to complete the certification will vary depending on an individual’s background and study habits.

Website: https://www.hrci.org/ 

3 Certified Compensation Professional (CCP):

Offered by WorldatWork, this certification focuses specifically on compensation and benefits. It covers topics such as job analysis, market pricing, and incentive plan design.

Most valuable training and certification offered: This certification is focused specifically on compensation and benefits and covers topics such as job analysis, market pricing, and incentive plan design.

Stage of HR career that will benefit the most: The CCP is best suited for mid- to senior-level HR professionals with a focus on compensation and benefits.

Time required to achieve certification: The CCP requires passing an exam and meeting specific education and experience requirements. The amount of time it takes to complete the certification will vary depending on an individual’s background and study habits.

Website: https://worldatwork.org/ 

4 Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR):

Offered by HRCI, this certification is designed for HR professionals who work in a global or multinational environment. It covers topics such as global talent acquisition, international employment law, and cross-cultural communication.

Most valuable training and certification offered: This certification is designed for HR professionals who work in a global or multinational environment and covers topics such as global talent acquisition, international employment law, and cross-cultural communication.

Stage of HR career that will benefit the most: The GPHR is best suited for mid- to senior-level HR professionals with a focus on global HR management.

Time required to achieve certification: The GPHR requires passing an exam and meeting specific education and experience requirements. The amount of time it takes to complete the certification will vary depending on an individual’s background and study habits.

Website: https://hrci.org 

5 Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP):

Offered by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), this certification is focused on learning and development. It covers topics such as instructional design, training delivery, and performance improvement.

Most valuable training and certification offered: This certification is focused on learning and development and covers topics such as instructional design, training delivery, and performance improvement.

Stage of HR career that will benefit the most: The CPLP is best suited for HR professionals with a focus on learning and development, including trainers, instructional designers, and performance consultants.

Time required to achieve certification: The CPLP requires passing an exam and meeting specific education and experience requirements. The amount of time it takes to complete the certification will vary depending on an individual’s background and study habits.

Website: https://www.td.org/ 

6 Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS):

Offered by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), this certification covers a range of employee benefits topics, including retirement plans, health and welfare benefits, and group benefits.

Most valuable training and certification offered: This certification covers a range of employee benefits topics, including retirement plans, health and welfare benefits, and group benefits.

Stage of HR career that will benefit the most: The CEBS is best suited for mid- to senior-level HR professionals with a focus on employee benefits.

Time required to achieve certification:  The CEBS program is designed so that you can complete the CEBS/GBA/RPA designations within a three-year time frame. Depending on personal/professional demands, you can determine how many courses you take each year and how long it will take you to finish the program. CEBS examinations are administered year-round through computer-based testing.

Website: https://www.ifebp.org/ 

7 Human Capital Strategist (HCS): Offered by the Human Capital Institute (HCI)

Offered by the Human Capital Institute (HCI), this certification is designed for HR professionals who are focused on strategic workforce planning and talent management. It covers topics such as workforce analytics, talent development, and leadership development.

Most valuable training and certification offered by the Human Capital Institute (HCI) is the Human Capital Strategist (HCS) certification. This certification is designed for HR professionals who want to develop a strategic mindset and gain the skills and knowledge necessary to align their organization’s human capital with business objectives.

Stage of HR career that will benefit the most: The HCS certification is best suited for mid to senior-level HR professionals who have a strategic focus and are looking to advance their careers. It is also ideal for HR professionals who work in talent management, organizational development, or HR business partner programs.

Time required to achieve certification: The HCS certification program consists of four courses, each lasting approximately four weeks, for a total of 16 weeks of training. The courses are conducted online, with live instruction and interactive learning activities. Upon completion of the courses, participants must pass an exam to earn the HCS certification. The program can be completed in approximately four to six months, depending on the participant’s pace of learning.

https://www.hci.org/