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According to the U.S. Department of Labor, human resources is a growing field. The Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts positions in human resources will grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the national average. The report states individuals with a college degree and a human resources certification will have the best job opportunities. So how does a human resources professional earn a Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) certification? These industry-standard certifications are provided by the The HR Certification Institute. Established in 1976, this organization is an internationally recognized certifying body for the human resource profession. More than 115,000 HR professionals worldwide hold the HR Certification Institute’s credentials as a mark of high professional distinction. PHR Certification The Professional in Human Resources designation has the following requirements: • Four years of proven human resources experience if no degree has been obtained. • Two years of proven human resources experience if the professional holds at least a Bachelor's degree. • One year of proven human resources experience if the professional holds at least a Master's degree. Once these requirements are met an individual can submit an application. If the application is accepted an exam date at a local testing center will be set. The exam consists of questions on U.S. laws and regulations related to the human resources profession. The exam is scored on a scale from 100 to 700, with 500 being the score necessary to pass. Scores are received approximately one month after the exam date. SPHR Certification The Senior Professional in Human Resources certification requires: • Four years of demonstrated professional HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher. • Five years of demonstrated professional HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree. • Seven years of demonstrated professional HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree. The SPHR exam is intended for senior-level human resources professionals who design and plan policies rather than implementing them. Applicants typically have six to eight years of progressive and increasingly complicated human resources experience. Once an application is approved the applicant receives an email notification and may schedule the exam online or by phone. The exam covers six functional areas: strategic business management, workforce planning, human resources development, total rewards, employee and labor relations and risk management. It consists of 175 multiple-choice questions and is four hours long. Earning one of these certifications demonstrates to employers that and is committed to a higher standard of human resources operations and assures up-to-date knowledge. Professionals with a certification in the field of human resources are typically paid more than peers without a certification, and may be given priority for promotions. The HR Certification Institute also provides the Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR®) and California Certification (PHR-CA® and SPHR-CA®). Consider certification to advance in the growing human resources industry. With years in the education vertical under her belt, Crystal now writes about the benefits of higher and continuing education. Westwood College's business administration: major in human resource management bachelor's degree provides the educational background and hands-on experience necessary to successfully begin a career in human resources.
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