Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Best Human Resources Generalist certifications
Human resources generalist certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as a human resources generalist to employers. However, not all human resources generalist certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a human resources generalist are Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP), Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Below is a list of the best human resources generalist certifications. Obtaining a human resources generalist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
According to Dr. Magdy Akladios Ph.D., PE, CSP, CPE, CSHM, Professor & Department Chair, "Get a Masters degree and professional certifications."20 best certifications for human resources generalists
20 best human resources generalist certifications
1. Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP)
IPMA-HR strives to encourage excellence in public sector human resources, promote continuous learning and develop the next generation of leaders. To that end, IPMA-HR offers two internationally recognized certification programs to the public HR community: the IPMA-CP and the IPMA-CS.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
HR professionals who implement policies and strategies, serve as point of contact for staff and stakeholders, deliver HR services, and perform operational HR functions, should take the SHRM-CP exam.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
3. Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
By earning the Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR) certification you demonstrate that you have mastered the strategic and policy-making aspects of HR management as practiced in the United States. The credential is designed for the HR professional who plans, rather than implements, HR policy, focuses on the "big picture," has ultimate accountability in the HR department, has breadth and depth of knowledge in all HR disciplines and understands the business beyond the HR function and influences the overall organization.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
4. Certified Manager Certification (CM)
The Certified Manager Animal Resources (CMAR) certification program is designed to raise competency and professionalism in the field of Animal Resources Management. The CMAR designation involves a series of four examinations: three exams arranged via an organization called the Institute for Certified Professional Managers (ICPM), and the Animal Resources Exam offered by AALAS. Obtaining the CMAR designation is a sign of professionalism in the field of animal resources management.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required?
5. OSHA Safety Certificate
This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? No
- Renewal Required? No
6. Human Resources Business Professional (HRBP)
The Human Resource Business Professional (HRBP℠) is a globally relevant credential that is designed to validate professional-level core human resource knowledge and skills. The credential demonstrates mastery of generally accepted technical and operational HR principles.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
7. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
8. Certified Human Resource Specialist (CHRS)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
9. Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)
HRCI's Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) is the perfect certification to help fast-track your career growth and provide you with the confidence to launch into the HR profession. The aPHR is the first-ever HR certification designed for professionals who are just beginning their HR career journey and proves your knowledge of foundational Human Resources.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
10. Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)
Globalization is the defining political and economic force in the world today. It requires new ways of thinking and responding. For HR professionals, recognizing and understanding this phenomenon is fast becoming a job requirement. The purpose of the Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR®) certification is to assess your mastery of the necessary knowledge to be successful in this worldwide marketplace. Exam questions reflect the most recently published test specifications. The exams are multiple choice and consist of 150 scored questions plus 15 pretest questions randomly distributed throughout the exam (a total of 165 questions). Each question lists four possible answers, only one of which is the correct or "best possible answer." The answer to each question can be derived independently of the answer to any other question. Three hours are allotted to complete the exam.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required?
11. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required?
12. Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
Obtaining the CCP designation is beneficial for human resources professionals responsible for their organization's base pay and incentive compensation programs. This may include examining and evaluating current market trends, managing compensation survey data including data analysis and conducting benchmarking studies, conducting audits to ensure legal compliance, and assessing and making appropriate recommendations for various pay programs, structures, policies and practices.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
13. Change Management Certified Professional
Today's organizations face frequent changes to workplace structures and processes. Business process reengineering provides a powerful framework for implementing change projects. To effectively implement change, an organization must develop and administer a successful change strategy that integrates the contributions of both people and process. Successful collaboration with others and the power to influence people at all levels are key factors in implementing a change project and accomplishing your business objectives.Certified graduates of this program have the knowledge to guide the people in their workplace through the process of change. After acquiring the tools to implement business process reengineering (BPR), they have an understanding of how to model adaptable behaviors and create new goals for employees.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? No
14. Program Management Professional (PgMP)
Project Management Institute's newest credential is specifically developed to acknowledge the qualifications of the professional who leads the coordinated management of multiple projects and ensures the ultimate success of a program. You will benefit from the many advantages of this new designation. Candidates earning this credential will be internationally recognized as professionals with the knowledge and experience to make and implement the important decisions and accomplish the strategic objectives that enhance business results.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
15. Managed Healthcare Professional (MHP)
Earning the Center's MHP designation means that you've acquired the knowledge and skills to pursue a management position in the health insurance industry. You'll learn about management roles and organizational structures of managed care, as well as its operation and administration. And, you'll understand the unique developments and trends that have shaped managed care, as well as the policies and processes of the regulatory arena and evaluation measurements that determine the quality of managed care plans.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? No
16. Certified Security Supervision & Management (CSS)
The program candidate must have six months previous security supervisory/management experience or equivalent. Remit the certification fee to IFPO to receive the CSSM application. Candidates accepted into this portion of the program are required to address 10 simulated workplace scenarios demanding supervisory/management action.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
17. Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
The Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is open to all those who wish to demonstrate a baseline of payroll competency. The FPC is designed for: Entry-level Payroll Professionals, Sales Professionals/Consultants serving the payroll industry, Systems Analysts/Engineers writing payroll programs, and Payroll Service Bureau Client Representatives. APA membership is not required.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
18. Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)
The Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence is a professional who leads and champions process-improvement initiatives' everywhere from small businesses to multinational corporations' that can have regional or global focus in a variety of service and industrial settings. A Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence facilitates and leads team efforts to establish and monitor customer/supplier relations, supports strategic planning and deployment initiatives, and helps develop measurement systems to determine organizational improvement. The Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence should be able to motivate and evaluate staff, manage projects and human resources, analyze financial situations, determine and evaluate risk and employ knowledge management tools and techniques in resolving organizational challenges.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
19. Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI)
The Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) Program is a three-course education program in Bahasa Indonesia specifically designed to meet the industry education requirements of professionals in Indonesia. Recognized by the Insurance Directorate, Ministry of Finance and the Life Assurance Association of Indonesia (AAJI), who also requested LOMA create the program, the CPLHI Program provides a comprehensive business education for life and health insurance professionals.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? No
20. PeopleSoft Human Resources 9.2 Fundamentals
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required?
What is the best certification for a human resources generalist?
The best human resources generalist certification is Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP). The Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) is awarded by the International Public Management Association for Human Resources. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire. Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this human resources generalist certification: To become a certified Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP), you need to pass the exam. This certificate requires more than two years of work experience. Renew certification every 3 year.
According to Alexsandra Sukhoy M.B.A., Asst. Lecturer at Cleveland State University, "It will be a delicate yin/yang of human skills and technology. The best leaders know how to communicate and motivate others towards a desired outcome. This means conducting interviews, having one-on-one discussions, presenting to clients and delivering both good and bad news to key decision makers. On the flipside, today's candidates must also know how to navigate technology. And this goes above and beyond being social media natives. It includes studying for and earning MS Office certifications, creating a visual portfolio of graphics programs like Adobe and video/editing proficiency, and knowing how to read and then take action with Google analytics. One of the most critical tools today is AI, so staying current with those advances and paying attention to how the industry is using it becomes a critical candidate decision tree."
According to Christopher Stone at Wichita State University, "Maximizing salary potential in HR begins with specialization and certification. Gaining credentials such as SHRM-CP or PHR can significantly boost your marketability and salary prospects. Specializing in high-demand areas of HR can also set you apart. But what truly makes a difference is demonstrating the impact of your work-how you contribute to your organization's success, be it through enhancing employee engagement, improving retention, or streamlining HR processes. Don't shy away from negotiating your salary and benefits; armed with research on industry salary norms and a clear articulation of your value, you can make a strong case for yourself. Lastly, pursuing higher education, like a master's degree in HRM, can open doors to higher-paying and leadership roles."
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for human resources generalists?
The most in-demand human resources generalist certification is Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional based on all active job postings. Having this human resources generalist certification will give you access to more human resources generalist jobs with higher salaries.
According to Christina Spearman Ed.D., Assistant Vice President for Career Development at Loyola University, "Make sure you understand the typical salary/compensation for the roles you are applying for, and don't be afraid to negotiate. In addition to negotiating salary, you can often negotiate other benefits that may help you maximize your salary later. Your company may be willing to pay for graduate school, additional credentials, or on-going trainings/certifications, which may allow you to earn more money."What certifications can impact a human resources generalist career and salary?
The Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional certification will help you to secure a human resources manager position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A human resources manager's average salary is $80,699 whereas human resources generalists make an average salary of $56,159.
According to Dr. April Bullock Ph.D., Chair at California State University - Fullerton, "BEFORE YOU GRADUATE, LOOK AT A VARIETY OF SOURCES, SUCH AS LINKEDIN, TO DETERMINE WHAT SORTS OF ADDITIONAL SKILLS OR CERTIFICATIONS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE KINDS OF JOBS YOU WANT HAVE. THIS SEARCH CAN ALSO HELP YOU TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO PACKAGE YOURSELF AND YOUR SKILLS ON YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER. IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO AN INTERNSHIP TO GET SOME RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE, DO SO. THIS HAS AN ADDED ADVANTAGE OF ALLOWING YOU TO TRY OUT YOUR POTENTIAL WORKPLACE TO MAKE SURE THIS IS THE PATH YOU WANT TO PURSUE. REMEMBER THAT YOUR LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION HAS GIVEN YOU A VARIETY OF SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT ARE VALUABLE IN MANY DIFFERENT CAREER SETTINGS. THIS IS A POSITIVE ASPECT OF YOUR EDUCATION."
The most common combination of human resources generalist certifications include: Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP), Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Online courses for human resources generalists to earn certifications
1. Ultimate HR Generalist and Human Resource Management Course
Hands-on HR Certification: All HRM topics. Master Employee Life Cycle, Payroll, Recruitment, Engagement, EXDesign and AI...
2. Master Course in Human Resources 2.0
Strategic human resource management, strategic planning, recruiting, training, HR management,Labour welfare...
3. Effective Human Resource Administration
Effective Human Resource Administration...
4. Ultimate Payroll Management with Income Tax & Year-End 23-24
Basic to Advanced: Certification in Payroll, Compensation Benefits, Income Tax,Year Ending for Payroll & Human Resources...
5. Certification Course in Human Resource Management
Curriculum commensurate to Top B School's Management Program : with downloadable resources, quiz, assessments & exercise...
6. Human Resources For Beginners
A guide to learning the fundamentals of human resource management...
7. Administrative Human Resources (HR) for Beginners
This course is an introduction to the role and duties of Human Resources (HR)...
8. HR,HR Analytics, Human Resource Management, Black Friday Ed
HR Analytics ,HR Courses, human resource management, ,HR certification, HRM, hr payroll, people management, 2022...
9. Introduction to Human Resource Concepts
Introduction to Human Resource Concepts...
10. The Human Resources Certification Program (HRCI - PHR/SPHR)
An Exam Preparation Guide to the Human Resource Body of Knowledge...
11. HR - Agile HR Fundamentals ( Human Resources )
Human Resources - Paradigm Shift Agile Movement in Human Resources HR Courses HR Certification...
12. Prep to Pass the Professional in Human Resources (PHR)® Exam
The Complete Preparation Course for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR)® Exam 2022-2023...
13. Diploma Course in Human Resource Management (HRM)
Become top-notch HRM Practitioner - Get Live Projects, Ready-to-use Templates, Demos, Quizzes, Articles, Case studies...
14. Hands-On HR Analytics Online Course for Human Resources
People Analytics & Analytical Process to Human Capital XL & Open Source Data Mining & ML Tools 6 Data Assignments...
15. Human Resources (HR) as a Business Partner
This course provides valuable information on how Human Resource Business Partnering (HRBP) operates in practice...
16. Compensation and Benefits for Beginners
This course is a beginners guide to understanding compensation and benefits...
17. Human Resources 101: Learning HR fundamentals today
Learn the basics in Human Resources Management through HR involvement in different stages in the employee lifecycle...
18. Certification Course in Human Resource Management (HRM)
Excel in the HR domain!...
19. Human Resources (HR) Training for Entry Level Professionals
How To Get Your First Job As An HR Assistant...
20. HR Analytics using MS Excel for Human Resource Management
Use Excel for HR Analytics, calculate HR metrics, build HR dashboards & ML models for Human Resource & People Analytics...