How to Qualify for the SHRM Certification
If you are a Human Resources (HR) professional, you have likely heard about a number of certifications that can increase your earning potential and further bolster your resume. These certifications can include PHR (Professional Human Resources), SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resources), and the SHRM Certification.
SHRM stands for the Society of Human Resources Management, and along with the NHRI (National Human Resources Institute) is one of the most respected and well-established organizations within the field. The organization is based out of Alexandria, Virginia and has been certifying HR professionals for decades.
The group offers two primary certifications: the standard SHRM-CP, and the Senior-level SHRM-SCP. The differences between those two certs and the requirements involved will be discussed below.
This article also will discuss the benefits and costs of the SHRM certification and give an in-depth overview of the prerequisites necessary to obtain the SHRM-CP or the SHRM-SCP. Read on to learn more and decide if it’s the right time in your career to pursue an SHRM certification.
Why Pursue the SHRM Certification?
As noted above, for professionals who qualify, the SHRM Certification is both a favorable addition to an HR resume and something employers tend to prefer when selecting candidates.
While nothing beats a track record of proven experience within a given field, certs such as the SHRM certification carry as much or more weight than a Bachelor’s or even a Master’s degree, in some situations.
So, it’s in the interest of a professional planning to stay within the HR field to consider pursuing a professional credential such as the SHRM certification at some point. The question becomes the value of the SHRM cert versus the PHR certification or an additional degree in higher education.
Where to Obtain the SHRM Certification
Most people can learn more about the SHRM Certification directly from the group’s website at SHRM.org. The website features sample questions, exam fee information, and complete eligibility requirements, in addition to all other information pertinent to the SHRM certification.
Benefits of the SHRM Certification
The SHRM Certification has a number of benefits to both the employee and employer.
For example, the SHRM organization prides itself on continually evolving and providing the most contemporary education possible to those sitting for the exam.
By having their fingers directly on the pulse of contemporary Human Resources practices, SHRM guarantees employers sharp, cutting-edge professionals while employees know that they are as educated and marketable as possible. It’s a win for both sides.
As SHRM puts it, “the program covers behavioral competencies and functional knowledge areas within the themes of HR Competencies, People, Organization, Workplace, and Strategy.”
The SHRM certification was constructed with employer needs in mind, as the organization pooled corporations, universities, and over 35,000 working Human Resources professionals to produce the most effective content possible.
While many educations deal in theory, the SHRM certification is grounded in practicality and what happens in the workplace. This again benefits both employers and employees, as SHRM graduates are equipped to handle real-world problems and don’t deal with issues in an idealistic or unrealistic fashion.
Lastly, the SHRM is globally marketable. While many people reading this will live and work in the United States or North America, the certification was designed to be applied internationally.
As the organization writes, “the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credentials are relevant and applicable worldwide.” This is obviously a perk to a number of professionals who are weighing the value of an SHRM certification versus a Master’s degree from an American institution.
Cost of the SHRM Certification
Per SHRM, the exam fee for both the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP is $300 for SHRM members and $400 for non-members.
There are also additional fees to consider, including an application fee of $50, a re-score of $50, a transfer fee of $100, and a late fee of $75.
If you are considering pursuing the SHRM, it’s recommended that you carefully check
These fees, of course, do not cover testing and exam prep materials, which can range anywhere from $200-$500 depending upon how sophisticated a test-taker wishes to be with their exam prep.
In total, these fees are quite comparable with the fees associated with the HRCI PHR and SPHR certifications. Someone pursuing either certification should expect to invest around $1000 between exam fees, test prep materials, and potential re-test fees.
This total is obviously a fraction of what a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree might cost so it would be in the interest of Human Resources professionals to consult with their employers as to which might improve their earning potential more.
Per Payscale, the average salary of a professional with an SHRM certification for 2017 was about $67,000, which in some cases placed the SHRM holder almost $20,000 annually higher than a professional without the certification.
In short, the investment cost of an SHRM certification can be considered a drop in a bucket versus potential future earnings. The bigger question is if the HR professional has enough work experience to sit for the exam.
Who Qualifies for the SHRM Certification?
The ability to sit for the SHRM exam and obtain the certification depends upon the amount of education a professional has previously received, as well as the number of years that he or she has been working in a given field.
If a person does not have at least a Bachelor’s degree, he or she needs to needs to work for a minimum of 3-4 years in an HR-related role. A professional wishing to obtain the SHRM-SCP without a degree needs to work for a minimum of 6-7 years in a similar role.
If a professional has a Bachelor’s degree in an HR-related field, she or he can pursue the SHRM certification after a year of work. A professional with a degree in a field unrelated to Human Resources will need to accrue two or more years in an HR role before sitting for the test.
Those with a Bachelor’s degree can sit for the SHRM-CP exam after 4-5 years in an HR role.
Finally, professionals with a Master’s degree can sit for the SHRM-CP almost immediately. If their degree is in a non-HR field, the professional will have to work for a year in an HR-related role.
Obtaining a Master’s degree also allows professionals to sit for the SHRM-SCP certification within 3-4 years’ time, rapidly moving up the timetable for those on a strong Human Resources career track.
This helps lay out the options for individuals planning a lengthy career in Human Resources. It may be in the best interest of some individuals to pursue a degree and an SHRM certification concurrently, as there will be a great overlap in information and rapid salary dividends.
Before you make any decision, it’s best to investigate employment options and if you’re presently working in Human Resources, to possibly consult with your employer about the company’s preferences.
The salary bump associated with an SHRM certification might make the pursuit of a Master’s degree an ineffective use of time or vice versa. It’s always best to consider all options prior to making a degree-versus-certification decision, including time and capital investment.
SHRM Certification vs. PHR
The NHRI (National Human Resources Institute) offers comparable certifications called PHR and SPHR. These certifications are extremely similar in terms of the amount of education and professional experience a person needs to have before pursuing them.
While both certifications have great recognition and value within the field, it’s important for prospective test-takers to consider the long-term benefits of both before deciding which certification to pursue.
Per UpstartHR, there are a number of industry considerations which supersede the scope of this article. In short, NHRI is bigger and seems to cast doubt on the long-term validity of the SHRM certification.
However, the UpstartHR article linked above noted that SHRM seems to be pulling ahead in terms of customer service and recertification. Experiences will obviously vary, but the impression is that SHRM is working hard to improve its standing within the industry.
The SHRM also has a reputation for being slightly easier to obtain, with a pass rate between 60-70% on the first try as opposed to the 53-54% pass rate of the NHRI PHR/SPHR.
Those within the industry have concluded the NHRI certification currently holds more weight at the moment and is likely to net a professional a bigger salary bump immediately. If you plan to sit for the test in the near future, NHRI is likely the way to go.
That said, industry professionals also believe SHRM could turn the tide in the long run. While NHRI is currently bigger, SHRM is growing rapidly.
If you are deciding between the two certifications, consider the following in favor of the SHRM certification:
SHRM will likely receive accreditation in the next few years.
Many professionals believe the SHRM is much more reflective of the HR role today than the NHRI PHR.
Many states will offer overlapping credits for those wishing to obtain both certifications.
Determining if the SHRM Certification is Right for You
Given all of the factors discussed, it is common sense for an HR professional to look to obtain the PHR or SHRM certification after a few years in an HR role. There is ample evidence that the SHRM certification will not only make you a better, more effective HR professional, but will also lead to a substantial salary increase.
If you are an HR professional and have the educational and experience requirements, it’s incumbent upon you to investigate the industry and employer preferences between the PHR and SHRM certification in order to determine which will benefit you the most professionally.
We hope that this article has been informative and helps you better understand the requirements for the SHRM certification.
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