Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence

In the ever-changing realm of human resource management (HRM), one organization stands out as a beacon of excellence and professionalism: HRCI. With a rich and storied legacy dating back five decades, HRCI continues to advance the HR profession, shaping the careers of HR practitioners worldwide, helping organizations achieve positive outcomes in human resource management, and ensuring the field remains grounded in the highest standards of knowledge and expertise.  

Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, HRCI empowers HR professionals through world-class credentialing and learning. As a flagship entity for elevating, educating, and credentialing HR practitioners, HRCI guides the future of work through research and international HRM best practices. This past year, HRCI celebrated 50 years of innovation and outstanding service to HR and business leaders both nationally and internationally. 

From its origins in 1973 to its current global prominence, the journey of HRCI underscores the enduring significance of HR certification, continued individual and organizational learning, and the vital role human resources plays in the world of work 

During the early 1970s, the HR profession advanced rapidly, and a growing demand for qualified professionals who could navigate the increasingly complex workplace dynamics, legal frameworks, and employee management practices became evident. In 1973, core leaders within the American Society for Personnel Administration and evolving task forces collaborated to define the HR profession and establish criteria that accurately represented the requisite body of knowledge. This collaborative effort led to the creation of the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), a groundbreaking institution that provided a platform for HR professionals to validate their skills and knowledge through certification programs.  

This marked a pivotal moment in HR, as it laid the foundation for setting rigorous standards and competencies for HR practitioners. The development process was marked by hard work and dedication, as those early board and task force leaders were committed to the vision and future of their initiative. Building a national program from scratch required vision and an extraordinary amount of commitment and effort which laid the foundation for the HRCI that continues today. In 1976, just three years after its founding, HRCI certified Herbert Heneman Jr., the first human resources professional to earn a certification through the newly developed certification process.  

As the HR landscape continued to evolve, HRCI recognized the need to adapt its offerings to a broader range of HR roles and career stages. In 1986, HRCI introduced the Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) certification. This certification was designed for more experienced HR practitioners and required a deeper understanding of strategic HR management.   

The 1990s saw further expansion with the launch of specialized certifications like the Global Professional in Human Resources® (GPHR®) in 1992, acknowledging the increasing globalization of businesses and the consequent need for HR professionals to be well-versed in cultural context and international HR practices. This certification became invaluable for those leading across international borders, as it emphasized understanding cultural norms, rules, and regulations combined with management processes and practices, worker experience, and organizational outcomes. The later emergence of the Professional in Human Resources - International™ (PHRi™) and Senior Professional in Human Resources - International™ (SPHRi™) certifications further reinforced HRCI's commitment to serving the global HR and business community. These certifications, built on the success of the GPHR, expanded HRCI's reach in preparing HR professionals to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities of operating internationally.  

As the manager of employees and vendors in 22 countries, Lorelei Carobolante, GPHR, CEO at G2nd Systems LLC, emphasizes the value of the GPHR certification in her professional journey. "When you are in a position that oversees the day-to-day management of employees outside of your home country, you absolutely need to understand cultural norms, rules, and regulations. Being GPHR certified keeps leaders up to date and focused on how all stakeholders will be impacted by their decision-making, and it requires hours of ethics training during every recertification,” says Carobolante of the critical role the GPHR plays in her leadership.   

HRCI Board Chair Kathy Claytor, SPHR, GPHR, Vice President and Head of Global HR at Corvesta Companies, has held the GPHR certification for 15 years. "Expanding globally first in Chennai, India, became a priority for my organization, and I stepped forward, but I also knew that had a lot to learn about global HR. Obtaining the GPHR certification was essential to launch business in that part of the world. It helped advance my company and differentiated me as a global professional," she remarks. The GPHR certification offers credibility and can help elevate career opportunities and expand leadership capacity.   

Gerry Crispin, SPHR, Principal and Co-founder of CareerXroads, shared his experience taking the early SPHR exam: "After finishing graduate school in 1975, I hadn't taken a test in 25+ years. I drove to Washington, D.C., with a peer professional and was asked questions for four straight hours," he recalls. "Certification was intense, and I learned to appreciate the quality and standard it offered within the marketplace. You come to take pride in the fact that your profession is keeping fresh a body of knowledge to better serve individuals and organizations." Today, Gerry continues as a self-proclaimed lifelong learner often engaging with HRCI webinars and expert content. He has co-authored eight books on the evolution of staffing and written hundreds of articles and white papers on similar topics during the span of his 40-year career in HR.  

By 1998, HRCI's 25th anniversary, HRCI certification programs had gained astounding traction and credibility. Nearly 10,000 human resources professionals had successfully sat for HRCI exams. This success, while hard-earned in development and dedication, fueled the fire of innovation and intentional growth over the next 25 years. Past HRCI Board Member China Gorman, GPHR, explains the purpose-driven nature of the mission: "Everything we do is philanthropic in nature; we equip, train, and serve the HR community at large. We partner with higher education institutions and conduct research. HRCI adds value to organizations and employees across the globe in service to the greater good by helping individuals and companies elevate knowledge and skills, promote career advancement, implement current best practice, comply with legal and ethical standards, and more." Over the last 25 years, HRCI has continued to fulfill its mission of serving the HR community through innovative learning and top-level certification programs.   

As leaders in the ever-evolving HR field, HRCI consistently recognizes the importance of adapting to the digital age and providing comprehensive resources for professionals at all levels. The introduction of the Associate Professional in Human Resources® (aPHR®) and the Professional in Human Resources - California® (PHRca®) certifications catered to individuals at the entry level and those operating within the specific HR regulatory landscape of California. The competency-based model requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply HR knowledge to various situations, moving away from sole knowledge-based assessment. HRCI began integrating technology into its certification processes in 2010.   

Nicole Springfield, HRCI Senior Accounting Manager, began working at HRCI when there were only eight employees, and all operations and offerings were based on pencil and paper. Springfield joyfully recalls: “In 2010, we introduced our first two international certifications, the PHRi and SPHRi. We wanted to test in major countries at once to ensure that things went smoothly across both exams and all time zones. We wanted to immediately respond to questions or issues that surfaced, so we set up a command center and a team of us worked the entire weekend, Friday through Monday as the testing rolled out across each time zone in cities around the globe. We were provided a rotation schedule, but the excitement of this new system and the team camaraderie we developed over hours in the command center together made me want to watch it all and hear our customers’ experiences. It was a great experience, and I think a great example of our team’s commitment to the mission of HRCI and the global community of people we serve. This spirit and collaboration have carried on for years as we develop new programs.”   

Online testing platforms, digital study materials, and interactive resources were introduced to enhance accessibility and engagement for candidates worldwide. HRCI also adopted a competency-based certification model to align certifications more closely with the practical skills and competencies required for successful HR professionals in real-world scenarios.   

The expanding global marketplace continued to create opportunities for HRCI to support HR and business leaders worldwide. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approved a proposal in 2011 to develop a series of standards for human resource management processes and practices. This proposal was largely composed from the collective expert knowledge of HRCI board leaders and affiliated external partners. In 2011, the ISO Technical Committee 260 HR Management (TC 260) group began developing evidence-based HR standards to improve HR management processes and practices, worker experience, and organizational outcomes. Leaders around the world recognize human capital as the greatest value creator and a critical investment for most organizations. Human resource management (HRM) standards help align human resource activities around organizational goals and objectives. ISO/TC 260 addresses people and organizational management issues systematically and comprehensively.   

For many years, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and HRCI, established as separate entities, mutually functioned to build the reputation of the human resources profession and help HR professionals reach their fullest potential. In 2014, that relationship ended as SHRM pursued competing certifications. This divergence fortuitously positioned HRCI to make strategic and visionary pivots toward continued future growth and innovative new initiatives.   

The field of HR witnessed a surge in competing certifying bodies and alternative credentials, prompting HRCI to reaffirm its value proposition and reevaluate business strategies. HRCI further enhanced the credibility of its certifications by strengthening the rigor of its examination processes, collaborating with industry experts, and updating content to reflect the evolving workforce. Leadership took a focused look at questions, such as “How do we become better, different and deliver more value and impact?,” and “How can we leverage the expert knowledge and skills of our loyal and committed community to continue advancing the profession and positively impacting workers and organizations?”   

Gardiner Hempel, Jr., GPHR, HRCI board member, said, “It was this season of clarifying the competitive position of HRCI and determining how we could differentiate that I am most proud of. What resulted are the foundational hallmarks of the organization: integrity, quality, extraordinary customer focus, optimized processes, and the ability to develop a multitude of new products and educational programs that focused on delivering value on a broader front with new lines of business. It was extremely rewarding for our board to cast vision and respond to and move ahead of the needs of employers. Innovation and agility became a core strength given the new size, structure, and spirit of the organization.”  

HRCI remained nimble in 2020 and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. China Gorman, past HRCI board member, recalls, “We set up the certification testing process online within a week. Next, we created new online learning opportunities because employers needed us. There were so many questions about how to operate and support their employees. Both the ability to test and to learn continued unabated during the shutdown because we were already on the path to do both things. Others tried to do the same, but it was bumpy and had to pull back. While others faced challenges in adapting to the new normal, we experienced growth.” The quick pivot to online testing and just-in-time learning and support kept engagement with HR leaders and organizations high. Alchemizing HR: Navigating What’s Next, a weekly webinar series, launched in 2020 to provide top thought leadership around pressing topics HR leaders faced in their daily work. Webinar content was curated and delivered by leading experts to help HR practitioners navigate unprecedented change through the pandemic. This on-demand learning met a genuine need and attracted thousands of attendees from around the world. This high level of attendance continues today.  

Collaboration with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) expanded exponentially in 2021 as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) appointed HRCI to serve as International Secretariat for ISO/TC260. HRCI is a continual contributor in developing voluntary, consensus-based, market-relevant international standards to support innovation and provide solutions to global HR challenges. Currently there are 19 standards and technical specifications published, with 13 more under development.  

Dr. Sandy Miles, SPHR, GPHR, Professor Emerita, and Amy Dufrane, Ed.D, SPHR, CAE, CEO of HRCI, have worked together closely as research and content experts to ISO/TC260. Dr. Miles says, “HRCI has an extremely innovative spirit, continually asking what is next and what else can we do in the cycle for improvement to ensure that we reflect what is currently happening in the industry and in the global marketplace. They bring an evidence-based approach tied with the priority of cultural understanding to the forefront.” Since its inception, global experts from over 32 countries have actively engaged in the development of global HR standards that can be adopted by organizations, regardless of country, company size, or complexity. It can be challenging to write standards that are applicable across industries, company types, and countries. This is especially true when it comes to human resource management, with linguistic, social, and cultural norms varying across geographic regions and significant differences in employment regulations. The collective expertise of internal and external stakeholders associated with HRCI positions the organization well for this important ISO role.  

The HRCI Learning Center launched in 2021 as a comprehensive online platform to support HR professionals in career development, certification, and recertification preparation to stay current with HR trends and advance in their career. The HRCI Learning Center supports more than 80,000 learners in over 150 countries and offers 30 certificate courses, 220+ courses, and 120,000 hours of learning, and counting. Each course is based upon proven practices and knowledge-gaining techniques to help HR professionals in their day-to-day responsibilities. With 24/7 availability, the HRCI Learning Center features relevant content curated by leading experts in multi-sensory formats for all learning types. With a focus on increasing diversity within organizations across the globe, HRCI partnered with MindEdge Learning in 2021 to produce a new series of courses, the Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management. This initiative has made a significant impact on creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces. HRCI won the Thought Industries' 2022 Continuing Education Award for innovation, performance, platform, and overall experience for the HRCI Learning Center, further cementing its role as a leader in HR education and professional development.  

In 2023, HRCI elevated its offerings once again with the launch of the HRCI Pro Series, empowering HR professionals to further enhance their credentialed expertise, showcase specialized skillsets, and gain industry recognition. The Pro Series certificates currently cover six key topics: Benefits, Compensation, Employment Law, People Analytics, Talent Management, and Talent Acquisition for intermediate to advanced HR professionals. The series will expand to offer 10 field-specific courses by the end of 2025. In addition, a community platform that facilitates on-going conversation and professional engagement among peers, focused on the real-world demands of the HR field, is slated for release in early 2025. Community engagement, with access to experts sharing best practices and strategy, will provide a valuable hub for shared learning, role-playing, and application of concepts that effectively equip leaders to address real-life workforce situations.  

HRCI's learning and development evolution extends beyond certification, advocating for recertification and continuous learning. Understanding the dynamic nature of the HR profession, HRCI introduced recertification to actively engage certified professionals in continuous learning and development. This initiative is designed to expand HR practitioners’ knowledge and earn credits during a three-year cycle, thereby maintaining the relevance and integrity of their knowledge and HRCI certification.   

Stephanie Runyan, PHR, Senior Director of Learning at HRCI, explains the intentional move to make continuous learning and recertification tracking a customized and approachable experience: "The certification and recertification process can feel daunting with numerous steps and processes. HRCI has worked extremely hard to streamline this process, making it an intuitive and accessible experience for users. We now have an easy-to-follow flow of engagement through a branded dashboard that eases the process and tracks learning for the end user. This is unique to HRCI and something that sets our experience apart."  

The expansion from a purely credentialing organization to a continuous learning and development epicenter has benefited the career trajectory of thousands of leaders worldwide. Board Member Shaun Mayo, SPHR, Arizona Cardinals Chief People Officer, speaks to his experience: "I originally connected with HRCI for my own credentialing early in my career working as a Senior Project Manager at Sam’s Club. I wanted to establish credibility in the field, and when doing my research, HRCI stood out as the gold standard in HR leadership. The HRCI certification process made me and my team more well-rounded leaders and continued learning helped us to think through the complex personnel and business decisions needed to navigate opening, closing, and refocusing our stores." Years later, Shaun continues to attain new opportunities for elevated leadership: “It [HRCI certification] afforded me the skills, competencies, credibility, and opportunity to move into my current role as Chief People Officer. Engagement with HRCI certification and learning has paid dividends to the overall success of my career journey."  

In May 2022, HRCI expanded beyond individual credentialing to offer organizational certifications based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for human resource management. Andre Allen, GPHR, immediate past HRCI board chair, says, “[Organizational certifications are] a natural outgrowth of 50+ years of continued best practice research and content and expertise in measuring what it means to be a great HR professional. We know the data behind what makes a great HR leader, and we know what is required and how to measure what makes a great organization. HRCI’s role as the International Secretariat for ISO has well-positioned us to be the champion for this.” HRCI organizational certifications enable business and HR leaders to validate their HR processes and practices in alignment with international standards that return value to both workers and organizations. The first HRCI organizational certification focused on Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), and the second focused on Human Capital Reporting. In early 2024, a  third organizational certification, Workplace Wellness, was released with more planned for the future.  

Both internal and external stakeholders place significant importance on D&I and Human Capital reporting, as these HR components are critical to a company’s long-term sustainability, performance, and reputation and are recognized as fundamental components of responsible and effective corporate governance. Companies are increasingly held accountable by key stakeholders and employees for their social and ethical responsibilities. Erika Broadwater, National President of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR), says, “NAAAHR has partnered with HRCI for many years. They are our partner of choice when it comes to well-researched, best-practice content. In 2021, we were asked to collaborate in the initial design and later implementation of an organizational diversity certification. We spent a year with the HRCI team going through the six modules and giving feedback to refine the content and process. It felt really good to be part of the development of this important initiative that will serve organizations globally.” Amber Okes, Senior Director of Governance and Business Planning at HRCI, highlighted the growing impact of D&I certification: “We have found that when organizations become D&I certified and share a press release of this credential their competitors and peers call us to begin the certification process as well. There are supply chain vendors who only want to work with organizations that treat their employees well and have evidenced their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.”   

To date, organizations across numerous sectors have earned the Workplace Inclusion Organizational Certification with more companies well on their way to certification. Several leading organizations are currently in the process of earning the Human Capital Reporting Organizational Certification, and interest is booming as HRCI continues launching new opportunities to earn and display the organizational certification badge to job seekers, customers, investors, and governmental agencies.  

In late 2024, HRCI embarked on a new phase of global collaboration and thought leadership through its membership in The North America Human Resource Management Association (NAHRMA). As a newly inducted member, HRCI represents the United States as a member of the NAHRMA Board and participate actively in the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA). This strategic alliance fosters deeper connections and sharing of expertise with HR professionals across North America and the world, marking a milestone in recognition of HRCI’s commitment to promoting best practices and enhancing the effectiveness of professional people management worldwide.  

Looking ahead, Andre Allen, GPHR, says, "HRCI will continue adapting to emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the HR field. This organization is extremely in tune with the environment, not only the needs of the HR community but also business and human capital strategy, employer, and employee experiences, and we are continually fine-tuning how we measure competency. Change is constant, and how people want to learn and be measured is also changing. People have a voice, and they want to learn culturally and contextually relevant content through a variety of platforms with innovative ways to demonstrate their competency."  

The organization's emphasis on practical application, continuous learning, and international relevance positions it well to support HR professionals in navigating complexities of the ever-changing workplace environment. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, data analytics, ethical and privacy concerns, remote work, employee well-being, and inclusion will continue shaping the future of work, and HRCI's role in preparing professionals for these shifts will remain crucial. HRCI has led the way over the last five decades and is ready for the challenge of what lies ahead.  

HRCI Board Member Franz Gilbert, GPHR, Managing Director of Human Capital Ecosystems and Alliances Global Growth Leader at Deloitte, provided insight into the future opportunities and responsibility that lie ahead: “HRCI is heading into their greatest decade. This is the decade of HR. For the first time, for CEOs and the entire C-Suite, talent is top priority, and all investor metrics are asking about how HR is performing. There is incredibly low unemployment. As of today, we have 7.7 million open jobs. HR must run better than we’ve ever run. We are all competing for the same talent, jobs are changing for vast reasons, and AI is in play. This is our decade.”  

HRCI is far beyond questions of remote, hybrid, and on-site work and is focused on the broader future of work. This encompasses a wide range of considerations, including diverse worker types such as fractional and “1099” employees, engagement with non-traditional populations, management of a global workforce, the integration of AI, and the strategic use of technology to propel the future of work forward. HRCI CEO Dr. Amy Dufrane, says, “As we look to the future of work, the ecosystem will look and work differently. It will work asynchronously, rely on AI and remote work, and it will include managing the combination of humans and machines working together. It will require a more dynamic, tech-savvy, and people-centered approach. Building skillsets between people and machines and putting a spotlight on the dynamic of what has changed and what needs to change are where HRCI continues leading the way forward. Professionals will need to balance the workforce needs with the potential of technology, creating a workplace that is both efficient, effective, and human centric.” Adapting to these changes and being proactive in addressing challenges is crucial for organizational success in the age of AI. HRCI is already at work as a prominent thought leader in this space.  

The vision and commitment of HRCI’s past chairs and dedicated leaders paved the way for growth and enduring impact on the HR profession. Today, this legacy continues through the collaborative efforts of current board members, staff, external partners, and global subject-matter experts, all driven by a passion for advancing the future of work and the value of human capital.   

This dedication has been recently reinforced by prestigious recognitions, such as being named a2024 Top Workplace in the Greater Washington area by The Washington Post for its people-first culture and winning the 2023 ISA Business of the Year Award. These accolades celebrate HRCI's organizational strengths and leadership in the learning and development space, reflecting a commitment to fostering an inclusive culture and supporting both employee and business growth.  

HRCI has transformed into a dynamic institution by implementing a range of diverse certifications, embracing a competency-based model, promoting continuous learning, and fostering forward-thinking leadership to solve some of the most vexing HR challenges. To date, it has certified over 500,000 HR professionals globally, effectively equipping them and their organizations to thrive in the complex and ever-evolving field of human resource management and bringing value to workers and overall business success. 

HRCI’s legacy of innovation and dedication to excellence will continue influencing the industry for years to come.