SHRM vs. HRCI: Which HR Certification Is Better?

By Published On: July 10, 2024

It’s becoming increasingly common for professionals, especially those aiming to advance in their HR careers, to earn a certification. The two most prominent HR certification programs are HRCI and SHRM.

Why Get an HR Certification?

Obtaining an HR certification bolsters your skill set in business management, HR management, and talent acquisition, positioning you as a strong candidate for various HR jobs. It connects you with the HR community within your chosen professional association and leverages resources like LinkedIn and webinars. This ensures your proficiency in employee relations, labor relations, and generalist positions is recognized. Moreover, certifications require recertification credits, fostering continuous learning and ensuring you stay current with senior HR practices and certification levels.

What Is HRCI?

HRCI stands for Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), a leading organization in the field of human resources.

Certifications Offered by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI)

The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) provides eight globally recognized certifications for HR professionals. These certifications signify proficiency across various HR domains and underscore a dedication to ongoing professional development. To earn these professional certifications, candidates must successfully pass one of the associated HRCI exams. Distinguished by its stringent certification process, worldwide acknowledgment, and commitment to upholding high standards of professionalism and expertise, HRCI is a leader among HR certification bodies.

What Certification From HRCI Should I Get?

Any HRCI credentials indicate a level of expertise and experience in the HR field. However, the more advanced the credentials, for example, SPHR over aPHR, the more expertise is indicated. Each certification is earned through an exam. HRCI offers resources for HR professionals to prepare for the exam.

Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

The PHR certification is designed for HR professionals with a few years of experience who want to demonstrate their mastery of HR principles and practices.

PHR Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to take the PHR exam, candidates must meet one of the following conditions for education and/or experience:

  • Have at least one year of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Master’s degree or higher

  • Have at least two years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Bachelor’s degree

  • Have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position

Cost of the PHR Certification Exam

The cost of the PHR certification exam is $395 plus an application fee of $100.00.

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR):

The SPHR certification is ideal for experienced HR professionals in a leadership role seeking to validate their strategic HR expertise and leadership skills.

SPHR Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the SPHR exam you must meet one of the following conditions for education and/or experience:

  • Have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Master’s degree or higher

  • Have at least five years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Bachelor’s degree

  • Have at least seven years of experience in a professional-level HR position

Cost of the SPHR Certification Exam

The cost of the SPHR certification exam is $495 plus an application fee of $100.00

Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR):

The aPHR certification is suitable for entry-level HR professionals or individuals transitioning into HR roles who want to establish a foundation in HR principles.

aPHR Eligibility Requirements

There are no specific eligibility requirements for the aPHR certification, making it accessible to those new to the field.

Cost of the aPHR Certification Exam

The cost of the aPHR certification exam is $300 plus an application fee of $100.00.

Professional in Human Resources – California (PHRca)

The PHRca certification is specifically for HR professionals working in California who want to demonstrate their expertise in California employment laws and HR practices.

PHRca Eligibility Requirements

To be allowed to take the PHRca, you must meet one of the following conditions for education and/or experience:

  • Have at least one year of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Master’s degree or higher

  • Have at least two years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Bachelor’s degree

  • Have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position

Cost of the PHRca Certification Exam

The cost of the PHRca certification exam is $395 plus an application fee of $100.00.

Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)

The GPHR certification is ideal for HR professionals working in global or international HR roles who want to demonstrate their expertise in managing global HR functions.

GPHR Eligibility Requirements

You must meet one of the following conditions for education and/or experience to be eligible for the GPHR:

  • Have at least two years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Master’s degree or higher

  • Have at least three years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a Bachelor’s degree

  • Have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position

Cost of the GPHR Certification Exam

The cost of the GPHR certification exam is $495 plus an application fee of $100.00.

Associate Professional in Human Resources – International (aPHRi)

The PHRi certification is tailored for practitioners located outside of the United States, serving as a validation of their professional-level competency, knowledge, and skills.

Eligibility Requirements

No HR experience is required to take this exam.

Cost of the Certification Exam

The cost of the aPHRi certification exam is $300 plus an application fee of $100.00.

Professional in Human Resources – International (PHRi)

The PHRi certification is tailored for practitioners located outside of the United States, serving as a validation of their professional-level competency, knowledge, and skills.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the PHRi, you must fulfill one of the following conditions regarding education and/or experience:

  • Have at least one year of experience in a professional-level HR position + a master’s degree or global equivalent

  • Have at least two years of experience in a professional-level HR position + a bachelor’s degree or global equivalent

  • Have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position

Cost of the Certification Exam

The cost of the PHRi certification exam is $395 plus an application fee of $100.00.

Senior Professional in Human Resources – International (SPHRi)

The SPHRi certification is tailored for HR leaders operating outside of the United States, acknowledging their proficiency in universally recognized HR principles and practices at the senior level.

Eligibility Requirements

The SPHRi requires documented knowledge of local employment laws. To be eligible for the SPHRi you must meet one of the following conditions for education and/or experience:

  • Have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a master’s degree or global equivalent

  • Have at least five years of experience in a professional-level HR position and a bachelor’s degree or global equivalent

  • A minimum of seven years of experience in a professional-level HR position

Cost of the Certification Exam

The cost of the SPHRi certification exam is $495 plus an application fee of $100.00.

HRCI Pass Rates

All HRCI certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and thus exam statistics are required to be reported annually and following NCCA standards. Annual pass rates can be found online, on the HRCI website.

What Is the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)?

SHRM stands for Society for Human Resource Management, a renowned professional association dedicated to advancing the field of human resources management. It provides resources, networking opportunities, and educational programs to HR professionals worldwide. What sets SHRM apart is its extensive network of members and chapters, offering unparalleled access to industry insights, best practices, and professional development opportunities tailored to the evolving needs of HR practitioners.

Certifications Offered by SHRM

The SHRM society also offers two SHRM certifications in HR: the SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). To prepare for the exams, potential candidates can study on their own using materials purchased from SHRM, or take an instructor-led course.

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

The SHRM-CP certification is designed for HR professionals with a few years of experience who want to demonstrate their competency in both behavioral and technical HR domains.

Eligibility Requirements

The following are the general requirements for the SHRM-CP exam:

  • Individuals must be engaged in HR tasks or seeking to enter the HR field (a foundational understanding of HR is recommended).

  • Your current or most recent HR role involves operational responsibilities, such as policy implementation or serving as the primary HR contact.

  • Your tasks are typically specialized rather than general.

The complete set of eligibility criteria can be found here.

Cost of the SHRM-CP Certification Exam

The examination fee varies depending on a candidate’s SHRM membership status. SHRM members can pay an Early-Bird Exam Fee of $335 or a Standard Exam Fee of $410, while non-members pay an additional $100. SHRM offers discounts on exam fees for students, corporate entities, and military personnel. For more information, please refer to the SHRM website.

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)

The SHRM-SCP certification is intended for experienced HR professionals seeking to validate their advanced HR knowledge and strategic skills.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the SHRM-SCP certification, candidates are not mandated to hold a specific job title in HR or have a degree. Eligibility criteria include:

  • A minimum of 3 years experience in strategic-level HR or related tasks

  • Holding the SHRM-CP credential for at least 3 years, with current engagement in or a transition to strategic-level roles

  • Leadership in HR operations

Additionally, applicants must show they have dedicated at least 1,000 hours per calendar year to strategic HR or related work. The complete set of eligibility criteria can be found here.

Cost of the Certification Exam

The examination fee structure for the SHRM-SCP is the same as the SHRM-CP. SHRM members pay an Early-Bird Exam Fee of $335 or a Standard Exam Fee of $410, while non-members pay an additional $100. Discounts on exam fees are available for students, corporate entities, and military personnel through SHRM. For more information, please refer to the SHRM website.

SHRM Exam Pass Rates

Following each set of exams, SHRM publishes the global pass rates for both the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams, indicating the percentage of examinees who successfully passed. Since 2021, SHRM-CP pass rates have ranged between 64% and 71%, while SHRM-SCP pass rates have ranged between 44% and 54%. More information can be found on their website.

What Is the Difference Between HRCI and SHRM?

In many ways, the two are very similar. HRCI and SHRM used to be one organization but split in 2014 because SHRM wanted to develop its own certifications. For both certifications, a certain amount of experience in HR is required to qualify for the exam. How much depends on your level of education. The more high-level education you have, especially in an HR-related subject, the fewer years of HR work experience are required. If you have had higher education, but the degree isn’t related to HR, the minimum experience required is less than with no degree at all but more than with an HR-related degree. The higher the certification, the more years of experience you need, regardless of your level of education. Once you qualify for the exam, there’s a lot of preparation and study involved. There’s a fee involved for both exams that ranges from around $300 to $500 depending on the certification. Passing the certification exam isn’t the end. HR professionals must renew their certifications every three years.

Which Certification Is Best for HR?

Within the HR field, there isn’t much difference between the two. They’re equally reputable within the HR industry and about equal numbers of HR professionals carry each qualification. Some HR professionals earn both. For most HR professionals, the decision between the two comes down to their own personal preferences. HRCI has more certifications to choose from, including certifications designed specifically for international HR. SHRM has just the two, which can make it easier to decide which certification you need to earn.

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