12 HR Certifications You Should Consider

An HR certification is a professional credential verifying skills in the HR field. As with other certification programs, HR certifications are typically offered by third-party organizations that set practical and ethical standards for HRM practitioners, offering a means for entry-level job seekers and experienced professionals alike to enhance their skills, build their resumes and work to advance their careers. Each certification-granting organization has its own policies related to testing, application, recertification and continuing education. Some offer a series of certifications based on years of experience or vertical specialty within HRM, and many allow you the choice between testing for your HR certification online or taking the exam in person at a test center.

Certifications shouldn’t be confused with certificates. What’s the difference between the two? A certificate is a document, similar to a diploma, that a person earns by successfully completing an academic program. For example, if you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree and want to advance your education further to pursue new or more senior-level career roles, you may elect to earn a graduate certificate rather than making the commitment to a graduate degree program. 

By earning one or more HR certifications, professionals in HRM can enjoy several potential benefits, which may extend beyond their own professional development and impact their team at the department level or even organization-wide: 

Our list of 12 HR certifications includes 6 different organizations whose credentials verify knowledge and skills in a range of practices in the HRM field. 

The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) offers multiple certifications for HR professionals at varying career stages. Their Associate Professional in Human Resources^® (aPHR^®) is designed for early-career HR pros or non-HR professionals. 

HRCI’s Professional in Human Resources^® (PHR^®) certification is for experienced HR managers with operational responsibilities. 

SHRM offers certifications designed for two different types of HR practitioners based on their workplace roles and level of practical experience in the HRM field.

The SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) credential is intended for HR professionals in operational roles. This may include someone who implements policies, serves as the HR department’s point of contact for employees and stakeholders, and performs daily HR functions. 

The SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) is designed for senior-level HR professionals who develop policies and strategies, oversee the execution of completely integrated HR operations, analyze performance metrics and lead the alignment of HR strategies to their organization’s goals.

The Human Resource Information Professional (HRIP) credential offered by the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM) is designed to verify knowledge and skills in HR technology. Exam preparation covers a range of aspects of HR information management, and the recertification requirement ensures HR practitioners keep abreast of trends and best practices in this sector of HRM.

The Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is one of two HR-related certifications offered by PayrollOrg. The credential is designed for payroll beginners, and service and support professionals with payroll knowledge. No previous payroll experience is required to take the certification exam.

The Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is PayrollOrg’s more senior-level credential, verifying skills in payroll production, reporting, accounting, systems or taxation, or payroll administration. Candidates for the credential are required to have been working in payroll for 3 out of the 5 preceding their exam application.

The Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) is offered by the Association for Talent Development and intended for talent development (TD) professionals with at least 5 years of experience. The group defines TD professionals as those who work in an employee talent development capacity.  

The Certified Staffing Professional^® (CSP^®) is one of a quartet of certification programs offered by the American Staffing Association (ASA). With content focusing on federal employment and labor law, it is intended for sales directors, owners, branch managers, customer service representatives and anyone who works in the staffing business. 

The ASA’s Technical Services Certified℠ (TSC℠) credentialing program is designed for HR professionals involved in staffing and recruiting in the technical, IT and scientific fields. This program adds the additional subject areas of per-diem rules, worker classification and H-1B visas to the rigorous content included in the CSP^® certification. Individuals earning the TSC credential automatically earn CSP^® certification.

The ASA’s Certified Search Consultant^® (CSC^®) certification is configured specifically for search and placement professionals with a focus on federal employment law specific to recruiters. It also includes state licensing and registration laws covering direct-hire firms. Recruiters, search consultants, HR professionals and talent acquisition managers are intended to benefit from the CSC^® credential.

Rounding out the offerings by ASA is their Certified Health Care Staffing Professional^® (CHP^®) certification. This credentialing program is specifically intended for professionals in healthcare staffing and recruiting. The CHP^® verifies the skills required for healthcare staffing and recruiting pros to work with both employees and clients within the guardrails of federal laws and regulations. 

Our suite of HR-focused programs and specializations can be a beneficial tool to have as you prepare to pursue a career in HRM. Our online Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Human Resource Management can be earned as part of our Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration, Management or Technical Management, helping you to develop a strong foundation in business and management with a concentration on talent management.

Our Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management.  This certificate program is intended for career seekers who’ve earned a bachelor’s degree and want to learn the basics of HR business management techniques, including training, employment law and strategic staffing. If you choose to continue your education at DeVry, eligible credits from this program can be applied directly to a qualifying master’s degree with us.¹

Our MBA with a Specialization in Human Resources will help you gain familiarity with the skills it takes to cultivate an organization’s people and culture. You’ll explore management theory and practices, strategic HR management, employment law and more.