Today’s Human Resources professionals are expected to drive culture, lead innovation, and shape the future of work. As the workforce constantly evolves, so does the role of HR. Earning an industry credential, like the Society for Human Resources (SHRM) certification, shows employers that you’ve got what it takes to meet expectations and grow as the industry does.
Let’s dive into what the SHRM certification is all about and see if it’s what you need to bring your HR career to the next level.
We’re going to start with the basics — what is the SHRM certification?
The Society for Human Resources is a membership association that provides seminars, educational programs, various forums, networking, and more to its members. The goal of SHRM, according to its website, is to empower people and workplaces by advancing HR practices. It’s the largest HR membership organization.
SHRM offers two different certifications, the SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) and the SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional). These certifications are widely recognized within the HR industry; they’re considered the gold standard for HR certifications by many professionals.
SHRM-CP is for HR professionals who perform general HR and HR-related duties or those who want a job in HR Management.
SHRM-SCP is designed for professionals who develop HR policies and procedures, oversee the execution of integrated HR operations, direct an entire HR enterprise or lead the alignment of HR strategies.
According to SHRM, those HR professionals who earn an SHRM certification earn salaries that are 14-15% higher than their peers who aren’t certified.
SHRM also says HR professionals who earned their certification report it was a key factor in their career advancement and that it gives them significantly higher levels of credibility as a professional in the HR industry.
Are you eligible for an SHRM certification? Let’s see!
To take the SHRM-CP certification, it’s recommended that you have a basic working knowledge of HR practices and principles. You’re not required to have a degree, previous HR experience, or hold an HR title.
The SHRM-SCP is designed for those who have spent at least three years performing strategic level HR/HR-related duties. You’re not required to hold an HR title or have a degree to apply. You are required to show that you’ve devoted at least 1,000 hours per calendar year to strategic level HR/HR-related duties. This includes part-time, hourly, salaried, and contract/consulting work.
Students enrolled in an HR degree program are eligible for student pricing. At Bryan University, our Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Concentration in Human Resources Management prepares you for the SHRM-CP certification and includes the cost of one exam attempt in tuition.
The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification exams include two types of multiple choice questions, stand-alone knowledge based questions and scenario-based questions. The topics covered include organization, people, leadership, business, interpersonal, and workplace.
The exams are both four hours long, three hours and 40 minutes of testing time, and contain 134 questions. The exams are taken on the computer and in-person at a Prometric test center.
To take the SHRM-CP exam, it costs $495 for SHRM members and $595 for nonmembers. The SHRM-SCP exam is $595 for members and $695 for nonmembers. For students, it’s $225 for members and $325 for nonmembers. For military personnel, it’s $395 for members and $495 for nonmembers.
Some degree programs, like the one offered at Bryan University, will cover the cost of at least one exam attempt.
To retest, you pay the full exam fee.
The exams are offered during two windows each year, you can see the current windows on SHRM’s website.
If you’re interested in earning your Society for Human Resources (SHRM) certification but you aren’t sure where to start, Bryan University is here to help! Our Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Concentration in Human Resources Management offers real-world practice and gives you skills employers want like talent acquisition, workforce development, strategic management, communications, and much more.
Our program also includes preparation for the SHRM-CP and the cost of one exam attempt is covered by your tuition! Learn more or get started today by clicking here.
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