More than 60,000 individuals have completed the Society for Human Resource Management certification exam, a four-hour assessment covering everything from modern employment law to technical workplace safety knowledge, according to Business Management Daily.
From there, they must maintain the SHRM credential (recertification) by earning 60 professional development credits (PDCs) every three years, or by retaking the certification exam.
This SHRM certification/recertification process benefits not only HR professionals by equipping them with the knowledge they need to implement effective people management policies but also businesses, which gain highly-trained, cross-functional change-makers.
Certification basics
SHRM offers two certifications: SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP. SHRM advises HR professionals who regularly draft and implement policies and perform operational duties to opt for the former certification, which emphasizes the execution of established best practices. The latter program caters to higher-level personnel – HR business partners, for instance – who are responsible for cultivating company culture and aligning functional HR goals to overarching business objectives.
Before embarking on the certification process, prospective test-takers must meet educational and experiential requirements. For example, those interested in getting the SHRM-CP must have at least one year of HR work experience if they hold bachelor’s degrees related to the field. Individuals with non-related undergraduate degrees must have at least two years of on-the-job experience.
For recertification, of the 60 PDCs required, a professional may take up to 30 PDC maximum in self-paced online courses related to HR Competencies and Knowledge Domains consistent with the SHRM BoCK.
Individual benefits
The SHRM-CP and SCP certifications are recognized around the world, opening up global career opportunities for SHRM credential holders. Compulsory three-year recertification policies insure that these individuals are up to date on domestic and international hiring and workplace safety regulations.
Business benefits
Organizations of all kinds can leverage the knowledge of SHRM-certified HR professionals to improve work conditions and ensure compliance. RedVector provides SHRM accreditation programs that allow HR professionals to expand their skill sets and make their businesses safer and more productive.
Sources:
https://www.shrm.org/certification/about/aboutshrmcertification/pages/keybenefits.aspx
https://www.shrm.org/certification/about/eligibilitycriteria/pages/default.aspx
https://www.shrm.org/certification/about/aboutshrmcertification/pages/shrm-cp.aspx
http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/44680/the-hr-certification-wars-shrm-vs-hrci
