Recently, HR Certification Institute (HRCI) announced that all seven of its credentials are now fully accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs, like the certifications that HR professionals earn from HRCI, are among the most rigorous, respected and recognized accreditation standards.
Only HRCI certifications have earned the NCCA mark of excellence for all seven of its HR credentials. NCCA provides third-party recognition that the credentials you earn from HRCI are valid and of the highest quality. That means you can be sure your credentials adhere to rigorous standards for governance, ethics, responsibility to HR professionals, the examination process and recertification via continuing education requirements.
Why You Should Care about Accreditation
Many professions rely on accredited certification or credentialing programs to help designate those with proven rigor and integrity. This benefits the practitioner, employers and the public at large – demonstrating that a person is qualified, knowledgeable and skilled for chosen job roles. HR is one of those fields, and HRCI remains the most trusted and recognized source of HR credentials.
In fact, HRCI credentials are specified in 95 percent of online HR job postings that require or recommend HR certification.
Choosing a fully accredited certification organization is not unlike seeking an accredited university for an advanced degree or choosing only a licensed health care professional to perform medical procedures. Without a government or private body to enforce credentialing standards, it would be difficult to know whether a certification can be trusted or not. Keep in mind that non-accredited programs do exist. NCCA accreditation is your protection from choosing a "less-than-quality" certification program, as noted by Mickie S. Rops, CAE, in her white paper that explains how the world of certification and accreditation works.
Get Involved with HRCI
Accreditation from NCCA also verifies that HRCI certifications are never static. As the HR profession evolves, HRCI continually updates exams and requirements to match the HR field of practice.
In 2017, for example, HRCI announced revisions to the exam content outlines for the Professional in Human Resources – International™ (PHRi™) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources – International™ (SPHRi™). PHRi changes reflect the need for enhanced technology and program development competencies for an HR manager responsible for a single international, non-U.S. setting. SPHRi changes reflect a greater emphasis on measurement, analytical thinking and international HR initiatives linked more closely with external as well as internal business outcomes.
Each year, hundreds of HR professionals volunteer their time and knowledge as experts to ensure emerging innovations and best practices are reflected in HRCI certification programs. I encourage all levels of HR practice to get involved in helping HRCI maintain its standard of rigor for more than 40 years.
If you’d like to become an HRCI subject matter expert and participate in the ongoing development of an HRCI certification, please apply online.
Never Stop Learning: Special Promotion
If you’re an HR professional who has not yet enjoyed the benefits of HRCI certification, or you’re looking to break into the HR profession be earning the aPHR, the months of August and September are the perfect time to apply and begin preparing.
Save $70 when you apply by using the Back to School promotion code. This limited-time offer ends on September 30, 2017, so it’s important to act today!