NEW CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TAKE EFFECT IN 2011
If you are considering sitting for one of the certifications, you should be aware that the experience requirements will increase substantially beginning with the May-June 2011 testing windows.
Following surveys and focus groups gaining input from over 14,000 certified and non-certified HR professionals, as well as students, business leaders and academicians, HRCI has decided to require varying combinations of education and exempt-level experience prior to admitting applicants to the examinations. “The eligibility requirement changes that are being made will ensure alignment with the needs of HR professionals worldwide,” said Cornelia Springer, CAE, operations director of the HR Certification Institute. “Elevating the requirements elevates the value of the credentials.” In addition, students will no longer be able to take the examination until they meet the same requirements as anyone else.
The requirements beginning with the May-June 2011 testing window are as follows:
- For the PHR examination:
- Four years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree
- Two years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree
- One year of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher
- For the SPHR examination:
- Seven years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree
- Five years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree
- Four years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher
- For the GPHR examination:
- Four years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience (with two of the four being global HR experience) with less than a Bachelor’s degree
- Three years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience (with two of the three being global HR experience) with a Bachelor’s degree
- Two years of demonstrated global exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher
All testing windows prior to May 2011 will require only the current exempt-level experience requirement of two years. Currently certified professionals who wish to recertify via examination must meet the new testing requirements OR may recertify by demonstrated continuing professional education. The recertification requirements are not affected by the 2011 changes.
Additional information is available on the HRCI website by going to www.hrci.org/certification and then clicking on “New Eligibility Requirements for 2011.”
