By: Capella University Editorial Team with Bradly Roh, PhD, DBA and Interim Dean and Vice President for the School of Business, Technology and Health Care Administration
Reading Time: 9 minutes
If you’re looking for the next big step in your human resources career, chances are you may run into the same roadblock.
Some job postings list “PHR/SPHR certification” among the human resources certifications employers seek in a new hire.
But what makes certification such an important step for many human resources (HR) roles? And how can the right credentials help you overcome the barriers you may be seeing in job postings?
Although certification is voluntary, it can reflect professional expertise and industry credibility. That’s why pursuing a certification has the potential to impact your career.
Find out what a human resources certification is, why certification is beneficial and how you can learn more about eight human resources management certifications administered by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
An HR certification is a professional credential that validates your knowledge, skills and expertise in HR management and strategy. Certification programs demonstrate your HR competencies in key areas to prospective or current employers, including:
Certifications vary by scope and specialization, with different options available depending on your level of experience and your career goals.
Among the several industry bodies that offer HR certifications, the two most widely recognized are the HRCI and the SHRM.
Earning an HR certification isn’t some box-ticking exercise. It enables you to access several professional benefits that can help you achieve your career goals.
Getting certified proves that you’ve mastered the skills recognized by leading industry bodies, ensuring that you’re capable of shaping people strategy and supporting organizational goals.
Certification and the skills you acquire could also position you to play a bigger role in strategic decisions.
Earning a certification says to others that you understand high-level problems and solutions within human resources. As a result, you could be better equipped to offer sound advice and guide impactful business moves.
HR certification programs tend to go beyond foundational knowledge. They focus on helping you develop a deeper understanding of HR principles like:
Say your organization wants to update its compensation structure. The skills you gain through certification may help you analyze pay equity, develop competitive salary bands and make recommendations grounded in data and compliance.
Having a recognized HR certification may help set you apart from other candidates when competing for promotions or leadership opportunities, because you’ve demonstrated initiative and mastery of HR best practices.
An HR certification also shows that you’re committed to continuous learning and development.
There are two different pathways you can explore to earn an HR certification: individual certification or earning a certification as part of a university degree program.
Individual certification enables you to take each relevant exam as administered by a recognized body, such as the HRCI or SHRM. This can be a good option if you’re already an industry professional and are simply looking to broaden your knowledge or recertify to meet employer requirements by securing a new HRCI or SHRM certification.
Meanwhile, universities like Capella offer HR degree programs that integrate elements of HR certification within your coursework.
Pursuing a degree can help you to acquire solid foundational HR knowledge and develop competency-based skills while preparing for your certification simultaneously. This is generally considered a good option if you’re starting a new career or pivoting to a new specialization within HR.
Take Capella’s Master of Science in Human Resource Management, for example. It fully aligns with SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. That means students in this program can take elective courses to help them prepare for industry-relevant certifications, including:
These elective courses are available as part of our GuidedPath learning format, a structured approach to online learning. With GuidedPath, we set deadlines to help you stay focused and motivated while providing access to the coursework 24/7 so you can better adapt your studies to your current commitments.
The HR certification you pursue will depend on your career goals and the specific HR role you hold or are aiming for.
To help you get started in your search, we’ll break down eight of the most common HR certifications that professionals seek out:
Focus: This certification examines program implementation, tactics and operational orientation as well as U.S. laws and regulations related to HR practices. HR professionals who receive this credential are typically accountable to HR leaders within the organization, such as the director of human resources. They’re responsible for the HR department rather than the organization as a whole.
Certification: Certification requires a passing grade on a computer-based test composed of 90 scored questions and 25 pretest questions. The test takes approximately two hours (plus 30 minutes administration time) and is valid for three years if passed. Recertification requires 60 HR recertification credits over three years or retaking the exam. View eligibility requirements.
Focus: This credential is for senior HR managers who have mastered the strategic and policy-making aspects of HR. The SPHR focuses on big-picture planning. That’s why it’s geared to those who have ultimate accountability in the HR department.
Certification: To earn the SPHR, you’ll need to pass an online exam that takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete (plus 30 minutes of administration time). The test consists of 115 scored multiple-choice questions and 25 pretest questions. Recertification requires you to retake the exam or achieve 60 hours of professional development. This is split into 45 hours of HR and 15 business hours. View eligibility requirements.
Focus: This SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) certification is for HR professionals who implement policies and strategies, serve as a point of reference for employees and stakeholders, deliver HR services and perform operational HR functions.
It is similar to the HR Certification Institute’s PHR: Professional in Human Resources certification. The SHRM certification examines topics such as leadership and navigation, ethical practice, business acumen, relationship management, consultation, critical evaluation, global and cultural effectiveness and communication.
Certification: The SHRM-CP exam can be taken online and takes approximately three hours and 40 minutes to complete. The test includes 134 questions, which are a combination of 80 stand-alone knowledge-based questions and 54 scenario-based situational judgment items. 24 of the questions are field-test items. SHRM membership isn’t required for certification, and the SHRM-CP lasts three years. To stay certified, you’ll either need to earn 60 professional development credits or take the exam again. View eligibility requirements.
Focus: This SHRM certification focuses on developing strategies and leadership in HR. That’s why it’s recommended for senior HR professionals, with topics explored including analysis, performance metrics and the development of ongoing organizational goals. The SHRM is similar to the HR Certification Institute’s SPHR, but the SHRM takes a more in-depth look at strategic leadership, organizational goals and behavioral competencies.
Certification: The SHRM-SCP exam is around 3 hours and 40 minutes long and can be taken online. It consists of 134 scored questions, including 80 knowledge-based questions and 54 scenario-based judgment questions. Twenty-four of the total number of questions are field-test items. Like the SHRM-CP certification, you don’t need a SHRM membership to take the SHRM-SCP. Your certification will last for three years, and you’ll need to retake the exam or earn 60 professional development credits to recertify. View eligibility requirements.
Focus: The aPHR is a global certification specifically designed for professionals just beginning their careers in human resources. It’s the first certification an HR professional can earn, and it focuses on helping you understand both the tactical and operational tasks related to human resources, workforce and business management.
Certification: To get certified, you need to pass a computerized exam that consists of 65 multiple-choice questions and 25 pretest questions. The test time is just over two hours. After successful completion of the exam, your certification is valid for three years. You can get recertified by demonstrating a minimum of 45 recertification credits or by retaking the exam. View eligibility requirements.
Focus: The PHRca demonstrates your mastery of California-specific human resources laws, regulations and HR management practices. It’s designed for HR professionals who either work in HR management or deal with HR matters related to California. You don’t have to reside in California to earn a PHRca. It focuses on areas like compensation, employment and employee relations, benefits, health and safety, workers’ comp, compliance and risk management.
Certification: PHRca certification involves a computer-based exam that lasts around 2 hours and 15 minutes. The format includes 90 multiple-choice questions and 25 pretest questions. A PHRca certification is valid for three years after passing the test. Recertification requirements include earning 45 hours of HR and 15 California recertification credits (60 total) over a three-year period or retaking the exam. View eligibility requirements.
Focus: The aPHRi demonstrates foundational knowledge in human resources within a global context. It’s designed for individuals who are new to HR (like early-career HR professionals or those transitioning into HR roles). It covers HR operations, recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, employee relations and health and safety.
Certification: The aPHRi exam is computer-based and lasts for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. The format includes 65 scored questions and 25 pretest questions. Your aPHRi certification is valid for three years after passing the test. To maintain it, you must earn 45 HR recertification credits over three years or retake the exam. View eligibility requirements.
Focus: The GPHR is a step above an aPHRi certification. It demonstrates mastery of global HR practices, including workforce planning, talent management, compliance and mobility in a multinational environment. It’s designed for HR professionals who manage HR responsibilities across international borders (like multinational organizations or global operations).
Certification: The GPHR exam lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes. It’s computer-based and involves 100 multiple-choice questions and 25 pretest questions. A GPHR certification is valid for three years. To maintain your credential, you must earn 45 HR and 15 Global recertification credits (60 total) over three years or retake the exam. View eligibility requirements.
Human resources is an important and rapidly changing field. Acquiring HR certifications gives you the opportunity to demonstrate competence, experience, credibility and dedication to the industry.
If you’re just starting in the field of HR and want to work toward a certification alongside a foundational degree, Capella University can help.
Capella offers elective courses in the Master’s in Human Resources program to help prepare you to take the SHRM®-CP and SHRM®-SCP exams or the aPHR, PHR and SPHR exams.
We also help you find the maximum savings available for the knowledge you’ve gained from previous training, or as demonstrated by your industry certifications.
Find your HR program today and explore certification options.
Employers may look for candidates with a range of different HR certifications depending on the role they’re trying to fill. However, generally speaking, some of the most common HR certifications include the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP, and the HRCI’s PHR or SPHR.
The Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification is widely regarded as a suitable option for professionals who are just starting out in the HR industry. It covers HR fundamentals like recruitment, compensation and benefits, onboarding and employment law.
HR certifications can be a great way to pursue your career goals within the sector. Certification enables you to strengthen your expertise, demonstrate mastery of specialist HR skills and could open you up to new opportunities in HR.
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