Introduction

Humans are amazing, but they’re also flawed. With the average employee turnover rate at around 30%, it’s important to have a system in place that helps you keep your employees happy and motivated.

HRM certification program is one of the most important steps to ensure your company is in good hands. To help you make the right choice when choosing an HRM certification program, we’ve put together a list of the top human resources management certifications for 2022.

There are many options out there and it can be hard to decide which program is right for you. That’s why we created this article as a guide to help you find the best certification choices available today.

Key considerations when choosing an HRM certification program

The best human resources management certification programs for 2022 are those that combine practical, hands-on knowledge with an in-depth understanding of the field. It’s not easy to find the right human resources management certification program. 

You need to consider a lot of different factors, including your current experience level, where you see yourself in five years’ time, what kind of training companies provide their employees, and how much value a certification will give you when applying for certain jobs. If you’re just getting started in the HRM field, it can be tempting to look for a certification that’s easy to get and gives you recognition from employers. 

However, this might not be the best choice for your career path. Instead of choosing a program that’s easy to obtain, think about what kind of skills you’ll need later on in your career. You’ll want something that will help prepare you for increased responsibility down the road and not just gives you an easy way to get by until then.

To find the best HRM certification program for you, consider the following:

1. What is your current experience level? 
2. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
3. What kind of training do most companies provide their employees?
4. What are the skills you’ll need to get ahead in this field?
5. Is the certification recognized by employers?

Top Human Resources Management certifications

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

• Program Overview: The SHRM Certified Professional and SHRM Senior Certified Professional are all about learning to manage human resources effectively. The SHRM-CP program is for mid-level professionals who want to become experts in their field, while the SHRM-SCP is for senior leaders who want to improve their skills and knowledge in this area. Both certifications require an application fee, as well as an annual renewal fee. 
• Who it’s for: The SHRM-CP program has a focus on professional development and includes courses on leadership, team building, and communication. The coursework is designed to help you develop the skills you need to be a successful HR professional, whether you’re working for yourself or an organization.

The SHRM-SCP program is specifically geared toward senior HR professionals who want to advance their careers by taking additional courses or pursuing higher degrees in HR management. The certification will help you build your resume and demonstrate your expertise while helping you prepare for future challenges as an HR professional.

• Format: Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they devoted at least 1,000 hours per calendar year (Jan. – Dec.) to strategic level HR/HR-related work. 

1. More than 1,000 hours in a calendar year does not equate to more than 1 year of experience.
2. Part-time work qualifies as long as the 1,000-hour per calendar year standard is met.
3. Experience may be either salaried or hourly.

Individuals who are HR consultants may demonstrate qualifying experience through the HR/HR-related duties they perform for their clients. Contracted hours must meet the 1,000-hour standard.

• Cost of programs: SHRM MEMBER PRICE $300 USD, NONMEMBER PRICE $400 USD

2. Professional in Human Resources (PHR) — HRCI

• Program Overview: The PHR level is for individuals who want to advance their careers within the field of human resources but aren’t ready to take the next step yet. It requires passing a test that covers basic concepts such as legal regulations, employee relations, and compensation administration. 
• Who it’s for: The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification is the most popular HR certification. It’s also a great choice if you want to break into human resources management, or if you want to stay current with the latest trends and practices. The PHR certification is broken down into three main areas: People Management, Strategic Planning and Performance Management. You will learn about job analysis, employee relations and compensation, leadership development, and performance management.
• Format: According to HRCI, you must have at least one year of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Master’s degree or higher, or have at least two years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Bachelor’s degree or at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position. Exam Time: 2 hours (plus 30 minutes of administration time)

Exam Length: 90 scored questions + 25 pretest questions

Computer-based exam at a Pearson VUE testing center  or at your home or office using OnVUE

• Cost of programs: $395.00 + Application Fee: $100.00

3. Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

• Program Overview: The SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) is a great choice for anyone who wants to make a career out of their HR skills. The program requires two years of study, and it teaches you how to manage people at work in an effective way. It also teaches you how to apply the most up-to-date research on workplace issues and trends. This is one of the most sought-after HR certifications and can help you build your resume, find new opportunities and make a good impression on employers. The program is structured around five core competencies: leadership, management, human resources knowledge, skills and abilities, and global competencies.
• Who it’s for: This program is ideal for managers who want to take their careers further by learning how to lead from the front lines of their teams rather than just reporting back on what they’re doing. It’s also useful if you’re interested in working in human resources management as part of your job or as a freelance consultant.
• Format: The SPHR exam is offered by three organizations: International Executive Association (IEA), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and Project Management Institute (PMI). The IEA offers an SPHR credential with a total of 60 credit hours over three years. The SHRM program requires 30 credit hours over two years while the PMI program requires 30 credit hours over three years. Each organization has its own requirements for how many credits are needed to pass their respective exams. Exam Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes (plus 30 minutes of administration time)

Exam Length: 115 scored questions (mostly multiple-choice) + 25 pretest questions

Computer-based exam at a Pearson VUE testing center  or at your home or office using OnVUE

• Cost of programs: $495.00 + Application Fee: $100.00

4. Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)

• Program Overview: The Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) Program is designed for individuals who want to work as human resources professionals. The coursework covers everything from hiring to managing employees to developing strategies for employee retention. You’ll even get a chance to take part in case studies that introduce you to real-world challenges faced by HR professionals in different industries.
• Who it’s for: The Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification program is designed for people who have already obtained their bachelor’s degree in another field and want to become HR specialists. The program offers training in business management, leadership, team building, compensation and benefits, human resources law, global HR issues, and trends, as well as other topics. The curriculum is based on best practices from across industries.
• Format: Exam Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes (plus 30 minutes of administration time)

Exam Length: 65 scored questions + 25 pretest questions

Computer-based exam at a Pearson VUE testing center  or at your home or office using OnVUE

Cost of programs: $300.00 + Application Fee: $100.00

5. Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)

• Program Overview: This is a high-level certification that focuses on human resources management and leadership skills. It’s a great option for those who are already working in the field or want to take their HR career to the next level. It’s also ideal for professionals who want to build their own HR practice or expand their business. 
• Who it’s for: It’s ideal for anyone who wants to build their career as an HR professional while also expanding their knowledge of human resources best practices globally. To be eligible for this certification, you must have at least two years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Master’s degree or higher or have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position.
• Format: Exam Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes of administration time)

Exam Length: 100 scored questions (mostly multiple-choice) + 25 pretest questions

Computer-based exam at a Pearson VUE testing center  or at your home or office using OnVUE

• Cost of programs: $495.00 + Application Fee: $100.00

6. Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)

• Program Overview: The Certified Compensation Professional program prepares you to work in a variety of roles as a compensation professional, including senior managers and executives, finance professionals, and team leaders in global organizations.
• Who it’s for: This certification is for people who have experience managing compensation, benefits, and performance management in their organizations. It’s ideal for people who want to gain recognition within their company and have a more comprehensive understanding of compensation management best practices. It requires about 400 hours of study and testing.
• Format: It takes several years to obtain the CCP certification. You can earn it as quickly as you can take the CCP training courses and complete all 10 examinations.
• Cost of programs: Exam fees: nonmembers is $2,200, while the cost for members is $1,495

7. Certified Professional Coach (CPC)

• Program Overview: The CPC is an international certification that requires you to take courses on coaching theory and practice. You need to pass an exam in order to receive this certification, which requires you to be familiar with the theory and practice of coaching, including techniques such as feedback, mentoring, motivation, leadership, and coaching skills. It helps managers build their own coaching skills by studying with experienced coaches, who will also help them craft a personalized plan for personal development.
• Who it’s for: Certified Professional Coach (CPC) is a professional designation is for you if you want to help your employees reach their maximum potential.
• Format: The exam itself consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, and it’s designed to test your knowledge of coaching concepts. This certification can take 10 to 12 months. You can take the exam at any time during the year, and there are three different levels: Associate, Professional, and Master.
• Cost of programs: The full program cost is $11,950.

8. Associate Diploma in People Management — CIPD

• Program Overview: The CIPD program is a great way to advance your career if you want to work with people or manage employees at all levels within an organization. This program is the first step toward becoming an HR professional and it teaches you how to identify problems within organizations and solve them through effective problem-solving techniques.
• Who it’s for: The Associate Diploma in People Management (CIPD) is another excellent certification option for people who want to manage people effectively in their organizations.
• Format: This program includes a certificate of completion on completion. It takes an average of 12-16 months to complete this program.
• Cost of programs: £168 membership fees

How Formplus can help HR Practitioners

It’s a stressful time to be an HR practitioner. The job market is competitive, and there’s a lot of pressure on you to succeed. You need to stay on top of your game and that means being able to create forms fast, consistently, and easily.

Formplus allows you as an HR practitioner to make forms in minutes without having to learn complicated code or spend hours trying to figure out how things work. With Formplus, you can design templates for your team and customize them based on their specific needs.

The software can be used for everything from employee onboarding to grant applications, and it offers an intuitive interface that makes creating forms a breeze. You don’t have to be an expert on forms, you just have to know what works for your business needs and your team members.

Conclusion

HR Practitioners are the backbone of any organization. They are responsible for hiring, training, and motivating their employees. 

In order for HR professionals to be effective at their jobs, it is important that they have the skills necessary to manage a company’s human resources function. HR professionals should seek out certification programs that will help them develop the skills necessary to manage an organization’s human resources department.