Dear HR/NY Community:
In light of the recent news that SHRM is making significant changes to the HRCI certification model, please find below some important questions and answers.
To access the full Q&A section, please CLICK HERE.
We will keep you updated as we learn more information.
Best regards,
Arlene Newman
President, HR/NY
Q: What input led to SHRM's decision to develop this certification? Were members and certificants consulted?
A: For the past several years, SHRM has been conducting research on HR's role in the workforce, how expectations have shifted for HR professionals and what these new expectations mean to our members.
Our global research findings, which included outreach to major corporations and universities, including Wal-Mart, Boeing, LWHRA SHRM Chapter, Michigan State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Lisbon, and University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and over 30,000 members of the profession, are clear, in addition to technical knowledge, a successful HR career will also be determined by behavioral competencies.
One of the best ways to prove these competencies is through professional certification, and the inclusion of competencies in the certification process is something we've been discussing for a couple years now as a way to enhance our profession. We value the input of members in this process and believe that the development of a competency-based certification is responsive to the needs we've heard expressed by members, in addition to being responsive to the overall trends of our profession.
Q: What research did SHRM conduct in order to validate that a competency-based certification was good for the profession?
A: For the past several years, SHRM has been conducting research on HR's role in the workforce, how expectations have shifted for HR professionals, and what these new expectations mean to our members.
Our global research findings, which included outreach to major corporations, universities and over 30,000 members of the profession, are clear in addition to technical knowledge, a successful HR career will also be determined by behavioral competencies.
Studies were conducted with five major corporations and five major research universities, including Wal-Mart, Boeing, LWHRA SHRM Chapter, Michigan State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Lisbon, and University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
One of the best ways to prove these competencies is through professional certification, and the inclusion of competencies in the certification process is something we've been discussing for a couple years now as a way to enhance our profession.
Q: Why was the new certification announced now?
A: For the past several years, SHRM has been conducting research on HR's role in the workforce, how expectations have shifted for HR professionals, and what these new expectations mean to our members. Our global research findings, which included outreach to major corporations and universities, including Wal-Mart, Boeing, LWHRA SHRM Chapter, Michigan State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Lisbon, and University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and over 30,000 members of the profession, are clear, in addition to technical knowledge, a successful HR career will also be determined by behavioral competencies.
With the first test window expected in mid-2015, we wanted to make this announcement with plenty of time for our partners and members to start considering the launch of our new certification in their planning. We will have more information to share soon, including detailed information on how to become certified.
We plan to announce the name of the new SHRM certification at this year's Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida from June 22-25, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.shrm.org/Certification/SHRMCertification/Pages/FAQs.aspx#sthash.XaW6JIlV.dpuf
Q: What will the new certification be called?
A: We plan to announce the name of the new SHRM certification at this year's Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida from June 22-25.
- See more at: http://www.shrm.org/Certification/SHRMCertification/Pages/FAQs.aspx#sthash.XaW6JIlV.dpuf
Q: Who is eligible for the new SHRM certification?
A: HR professionals with existing generalist certifications (PHR, SPHR, GPHR, HRMP, HRBP, and other recognized HR generalist certifications*) will be eligible for the new SHRM certification on January 1, 2015 by taking an online tutorial. All HR professionals seeking certification for the first time can apply for the exam beginning January 1, 2015. The first exam window of the new certification is tentatively scheduled for May 2015. - See more at: http://www.shrm.org/Certification/SHRMCertification/Pages/FAQs.aspx#sthash.XaW6JIlV.dpuf
Q: If I'm already certified, am I automatically eligible for the new SHRM credential?
A: Yes. HR professionals with existing generalist certifications (PHR, SPHR, GPHR, HRBP, HRMP), and other recognized generalist certifications, will be eligible for the new SHRM certification -- at no cost -- beginning January 1, 2015.
Q: If I already have a general HR certification, will I automatically receive the new SHRM certification?
A: No. HR professionals with existing generalist certifications will not automatically receive the new SHRM certification credentials.
Beginning January 1, 2015, if you are certified with a recognized HR generalist certification and are in good standing, you are eligible for SHRM's new certification -- at no cost -- by completing the following by December 31, 2015:
- Document that your current certification is in good standing.
- Sign the SHRM Code of Ethics.
- Complete a brief online tutorial on HR competencies.
The online tutorial will focus on HR competencies and will take less than one hour to complete.Once you go through this process, you add the new SHRM credential to your current list of credentials and will begin a new three-year recertification cycle. - See more at: http://www.shrm.org/Certification/SHRMCertification/Pages/FAQs.aspx#sthash.XaW6JIlV.dpuf