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Professional HR Certification vs. Non-certification

© Ronald J. Rakowski, SPHR, CELS

Professional human resources-related certifications are becoming more popular as individuals, and the organizations employing them, recognize that these certifications are an important leg of the three-legged employment education stool. The other two legs are formal education and on-the-job training. At last count, 27 HR-related professional associations sponsor 57 certifications for those involved in at least one human resources function.

Achievement of a professional certification says something very positive about the individuals who pursue and achieve accreditation in their field of work. They typically devote many hours of off-duty time studying for the certification tests and, absent employer-provided financial assistance, pay for costly study materials and testing fees. For example, member-candidates for Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)certification sponsored by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), will spend about $905 for recommended study materials and test fees. Non-SHRM members pay more.

Candidates for the ten-part Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) certification program sponsored by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) will spend in the neighborhood of $4,100 for recommended study materials and test fees.

Whether or not their employers offered financial assistance, those who have earned professional certifications typically find themselves ahead of the competition when candidates for employment or promotion are being evaluated. In addition, holders of professional certifications get a great deal of personal satisfaction knowing that they have successfully mastered the body of knowledge applicable to their field of work and possess evidence of that mastery.

This article identifies 57 professional human resource-related certifications and offers a quick look at the 27 organizations sponsoring those certifications.

**CAREER DEVELOPMENT, RECRUITING, AND STAFFING**

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PERSONNEL SERVICES (NAPS) www.napsweb.org

Established in 1961, NAPS represents the interests of over 100,000 staffing professionals involved in contingency and retained search, direct hire, temporary staffing, employee leasing, and contract work.

Certifications- Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC), Certified Temporary Staffing Specialist (CTS), and Physician Recruiting Consultant (PRC)

NATIONIAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (NCDA) www.ncda.org

A division of the National Counseling Association, NCDA provides support to career development professionals and others interested in career development issues.

Certifications- Fellow, Master Career Counselor (MCC), and Master Career Development Counselor (MCDP)

NATIONAL RESUME WRITERS'ASSOCIATION (NRWA) www.nrwa.org

Established in 1997, NRWA members provide individual and corporate clients with "the highest quality of employment resume products and services.

Certification- Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESUME WRITERS AND CAREER COACHES (PARWCC) www.parw.org

Established in 1990, PARWCC members help clients achieve their personal career goals.

Certifications- Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and

The copyright of the article Professional HR Certification vs. Non-certification in Workplace Issues is owned by Ronald J. Rakowski, SPHR, CELS. Permission to republish Professional HR Certification vs. Non-certification in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.