To earn human resources certification, one must have post-secondary education, experience in HR, and pass the certification exam. The HR Certification Institute offers various certificates, and candidates must have verifiable experience. Certification can lead to more job opportunities.
There are three steps required to earn human resources certification: post-secondary education, experience in the human resources department, and successful completion of the certification exam. Human resources is a broad term used to cover all aspects of payroll, hiring, firing and managing people. Successfully managing people and their skills is critical to the long-term survival and success of any business or institution.
People who want to earn human resources certification often have worked in human resources departments for several years and enjoy working with people. Human resource certification is available from several agencies. The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) is one of the most widely accepted and has received accreditation from the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA). There are four different types of certificates available at HRCI, ranging from Professional in Human Resources (PHR) to Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR).
The first step to earning a human resources certification is to complete a post-secondary education program. Applicants may have a degree in business, administration, or a general bachelor of arts (BA) degree from an accredited university or college. Alternatively, some certification agencies allow candidates with a high school diploma to complete the training program but must have at least seven years of experience as a human resources manager to qualify.
A minimum amount of human resources experience is required before you are eligible to take the human resources certification exam, which varies based on your academic credentials. Work experience must be independently verifiable and completed under the supervision of a certified human resources professional. Most applicants complete this two-phase experience requirement. The first phase is through an internship or internship program organized by the school. The second phase is after graduation, when they get their first job in a human resources office.
The human resources certification exam is three hours in length and a combination of multiple-choice and essay type computer-based questions. There are a wide variety of associations and independent schools that offer exam preparation classes. These courses cannot guarantee a specific mark, but they can help you focus and prepare to answer the types of questions presented.
Upon successful completion of the human resources certification, candidates can apply for positions with a wide range of employers. Many large companies do not hire candidates until they are certified. It’s important to note that certification won’t result in a higher salary right away, but it will make more opportunities available as your career progresses.
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