Certification: Why It Matters

Have you thought about pursuing HR certification? If the thought has ever crossed your mind, or you have wondered “why bother,” this article is for you. If you’ve already earned your HR certification and must earn recertification hours, we’ve got you covered—read on.

HR certification is a career booster

Earning your certification is a solid way to advance your career and your earning potential. Additional voluntary certificates increase your areas of specialization and enhance your appeal to employers. In addition, survey findings and research have shown that holding an HR certification can increase your earnings at all levels, from assistant through director. The salary difference between certified and uncertified professionals at the manager level, for instance, could be as much as $20,000 per year.

In addition, certified HR professionals tend to be promoted faster and hold positions with greater responsibility and authority than their non-certified peers. Nearly half of HR professionals at the leadership level have earned certification. Clearly, certification is a powerful way to accelerate your career advancement and increase your earning potential.

Two HR certifications: SHRM and HRCI

Two entities offer certification for HR professionals: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). They do differ in approach. The HRCI certifications—the PHR or SPHR—are intended to build human resources knowledge. The SHRM certifications, known as SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP, give HR professionals the competency to apply the knowledge. Through our Certification Study Groups, DallasHR supports both the SHRM and HRCI certifications for our members. In addition, members can earn recertification hours for both certifications by attending our educational events.

Earning recertification credits

Certifications from SHRM and HRCI are valid for three years. During that time, you can earn recertification credits toward maintaining your certification in good standing. There are two ways to qualify for recertification: by retaking the certification exam, or by accumulating and recording 60 credits of HR-related continuing education activities over three years. These include Education Sessions at The HRSouthwest Conference.

The 2021 HRSWC will be offered in both in-person and virtual formats. In-person attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 17 HRCI and SHRM credits, and virtual attendees will earn up to 12 credits.

Choose from over 100 Education Sessions presented by specialists, HR leaders, subject matter experts and more. Learn about employee engagement, culture, upskilling strategies, termination strategies, best practices in recruitment and retention, and much more. The virtual conference includes eight educational session tracks with certified virtual speakers covering emerging trends, topics of industry interest and much more.

Virtual Certification Study Groups

To prepare members to undergo their certification exams, DallasHR hosts nine-week virtual HR Certification Study Groups in the spring and fall. Each week the study group participants meet for two hours with an accredited instructor. The sessions provide a high-level overview of the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the certification exams and earn the credential. Session topics include:

The sessions also include test-taking tips, strategies, and practice examples. Through the weekly virtual sessions and via a private online community within HRConnect, our test preparation courses provide a connection to peers also preparing to take the certification exams. The Fall 2021 session begins on Tuesday, October 26, and registration closes on Friday, October 22. Register now.

Recertification

DallasHR is an approved provider of recertification for professionals approaching the end of the three-year period for both HRCI and SHRM certifications – at the HRSWC conference as well as through our regular in-person and on-demand educational sessions.