11 top HRIS certifications to boost your career

As HR technology evolves, professionals in the sector need to understand not only how the solutions function, but how to extract the most benefit from emerging system capabilities. 

The best way to accomplish this is through human resources information management (HRIM) and human resources information systems (HRIS) certification. While many HR pros pursue continuing education at community colleges, online schools, and for-profit universities, these options can be expensive and inconvenient. Progressive employers may sponsor participation in workshops, training seminars, and programs offered through local professional organizations, but these options don’t offer all the benefits that certification does.

HRIS certifications expand an HR pro’s understanding of HR tech, functions, trends and best practices, while providing tangible proof that they have the knowledge, skills and experience to succeed.

Here are three of the best-known certification providers and their current offerings.

HRIP certification

The Human Resources Information Program (HRIP) certification is provided by the International Association of Human Resources Information Management (IHRIM), and covers all aspects of HRIM/HRIS, including technology, functions, latest trends and best practices. Candidates who pass the exam are certified for three years, after which recipients must recertify with proof of 60 credit hours of continuing education that can be accomplished through IHRIM recertification courses and webinars.

Initial certification or re-certification courses can also be taken through HRIS vendors, including ADP, Kronos, and WorkForce, and professional organizations like HR.com. The HRIP certification exam is comprised of 90 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 120 minutes, and covers technology strategy, assessment, selection, implementation, operations, and upgrades, as well as HR and business processes.

Qualifications: There are no prescribed courses or prerequisites, though five years of experience working with HR tech or information management is recommended.

Cost: $445 for both IHRIM members and non-members for exam only.

HRCI certifications

The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) offers a number of certification exams for entry, midlevel and senior HR professionals in the US and internationally. HRCI certification candidates must demonstrate dedication, credibility, and a mastery of the principles of HR, as well as strict professional experience and educational requirements before taking the exam. HRCI certified professionals must recertify every three years. 

aPHR

HRCI’s Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) is designed for professionals just beginning their HR career journey. To be eligible, you must have a high-school diploma or equivalent, but no HR experience is required since this is a knowledge-based credential. The 135-minute exam, consisting of 65 scored questions and 25 pretest questions, covers HR operations, employee relations, recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, HR development and retention, as well as health, safety, and security.

Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent

Cost: $300 plus a $100 application fee

aPHRi

Similar to the aPHR certification, HRCI’s Associate Professional in Human Resources — International (aPHRi) is also designed for professionals at the start of their HR career. It proves a broad spectrum of knowledge of foundational HR and to be eligible, you must have a high-school diploma or equivalent. Again, no HR experience is required for this knowledge-based credential. The 135-minute exam, made up of 65 scored questions and 25 pretest questions, covers HR operations, recruitment and selection, employee relations, compensation and benefits, and HR development and retention, as well as health, safety, and security.

Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent

Cost: $300 plus a $100 application fee

PHR

The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) demonstrates mastery of the technical and operational aspects of HR management, including US laws and regulations. The PHR demonstrates a mastery of technical and operational aspects of HR management and certification is valid for three years after testing. To maintain the credential, 60 HR recertification credits must be earned over a three-year period, or you must retake the exam. The two and a half-hour exam, with 90 scored questions and 25 pretest questions, covers employee and labor relations, business management, talent planning and acquisition, total rewards, and learning and development.

Qualifications: The PHR is for the HR professional who has at least one year experience and a master’s degree or higher, at least two years of experience and a bachelor’s degree, or at least four years of experience.

Cost: $395 plus a $100 application fee

PHRca

The Professional in Human Resources – California (PHRca) demonstrates mastery of the laws, regulations, and HR management practices unique to California. The PHRca is for professionals who either practice in California, or are responsible for HRM there, though candidates don’t have to be located in California to earn a PHRca. Many certification holders add the PHRca to their other HRCI credentials. The two hour and 45-minute exam, made up of 90 mostly multiple-choice scored questions and 25 pretest questions, covers employment and employee relations, compensation wage and hours, benefits and leaves of absence, as well as health, safety, and workers’ comp. PHRca certification is valid for three years after testing, and to maintain it, 60 recertification credits (45 HR and 15 California) must be earned over three years, or you must retake the exam.

Qualifications: Candidates must have either one year of experience as an HR pro and a master’s degree or higher, two years of experience as an HR pro and a bachelor’s degree, or four years of experience as an HR pro.

Cost: $395 plus a $100 application fee

PHRi

The Professional in Human Resources International (PHRi) is the midlevel credential for internationally based practitioners, and validates professional-level competency, knowledge, and skills, and demonstrates mastery of generally accepted technical and operational HR principles in a single international setting. The two hour and 45-minute exam of 90 mostly multiple-choice scored questions and 25 pretest questions, covers talent acquisition, HR administration and shared services, talent management and development, compensation, benefits, work experience, employee relations, risk management, and HR info management.

Qualifications: Candidates must have either one year of experience as an HR pro and a master’s degree or higher, two years of experience as an HR pro and a bachelor’s degree or global equivalent, or four years of experience as an HR pro.

Cost: $395 plus a $100 application fee

SPHR

The Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) demonstrates mastery of the strategic and policy-making aspects of HR management as practiced in the US. The credential is designed for big-picture thinkers responsible for planning rather than implementing HR policy. SPHR professionals have proven accountability for HR department goals, for breadth and depth of knowledge in all HR disciplines, and for understanding business issues beyond the HR function. The three-hour exam of 115 mostly multiple-choice scored questions and 25 pretest questions, covers leadership and strategy, employee relations and engagement, talent planning and acquisition, learning and development, and total rewards.

Qualifications: Candidates must have either four years of experience as an HR pro and a master’s degree or higher, five years of experience as an HR pro and a bachelor’s degree, or seven years of experience as an HR pro.

Cost: $495 plus a $100 application fee

SPHRi

The Senior Professional in Human Resources International (SPHRi) is for internationally based HR leaders. This credential validates senior-level HR competency and mastery of generally accepted HR principles in strategy, policy development and service delivery in a single international setting. The three hour and 15-minute exam of 115 mostly multiple-choice scored questions and 25 pretest questions, covers business leadership, talent development and management, HR service delivery, measurement and analysis. SPHRi certification is valid for three years after testing, but to maintain the credential, 60 recertification credits (45 HR and 15 business) must be earned over a three-year period, or you must retake the exam.

Qualifications: In addition to requiring documented knowledge of local employment laws, candidates must have either four years of experience as an HR pro and a master’s degree or higher, five years of experience as an HR pro and a bachelor’s degree, or seven years of experience as an HR pro.

Cost: $495 plus a $100 application fee

GPHR

The Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) demonstrates expertise in multinational HR responsibilities, including strategies of globalization, development of HR policies, and initiatives that support organizational global growth. Global HR experience is defined as having direct, cross-border HR responsibilities for two or more countries or regions. The two hour and 45-minute exam, consisting of100 mostly multiple-choice scored questions and 25 pretest questions, covers strategic HR management, talent and organizational development, global talent acquisition and mobility, global compensation and benefits, and workforce relations and risk management.

Qualifications: Candidates must have either two years of experience as an HR pro and a master’s degree or higher, three years of experience as an HR pro (at least two in global HR) and a bachelor’s degree, or four years of experience as an HR pro (at least two in global HR).

Cost: $495 plus a $100 application fee.

SHRM certification

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers two competency-based certifications: the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) for early- and mid-career professionals, and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) for senior-level practitioners. The SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (The SHRM BASK), formerly the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK), further defines the knowledge areas of the SHRM Competency Model with nine behavioral competencies and one technical competency.

The SHRM-CP is for HR professionals who implement policies and strategies, serve as point of contact for staff and stakeholders and deliver HR services, and perform operational HR functions. The SHRM-SCP certification is for specialized practitioners who develop strategies, lead the HR function, foster influence in the community, analyze performance metrics, and align HR strategies to organizational goals.

Each four-hour exam offers stand-alone, knowledge-based questions, as well as scenario-based situational judgment questions that assess a candidate’s judgment, application and decision-making skills, according to SHRM.