SHRM Certification: Why It's Good to Get Certified
A competency is described as an ability or skill. Every profession has competencies. While jobs are made up of tasks and skills, competencies in the HR profession are the elements that make us successful. Since SHRM built a competency model for human resources professionals when the SHRM certification was introduced, there has been a growing recognition of the benefits of HR credentials in our profession. Growing competition for HR jobs means that more and more employers are listing HR certification as needed rather than preferred on their job postings.
The increasing number of certified HR professionals says that this type of credential is now seen as necessary for HR professionals facing challenging hurdles in their careers. Currently there are over 15,000+ certified professional through SHRM.
How to Get SHRM Certified?
Whether you are planning for the exam or looking for study tips, the below serves as a roadmap to SHRM certification.
1. Discover Your SHRM Exam Eligibility:
SHRM does not let just anyone take its exam. Depending on your education and the specific certification applied for, you will require to have spent a minimum number of years in an HR-related role. For example, a candidate with a bachelor’s degree will want at least two years of experience before qualifying to take the SHRM-CP exam. If you do not have a college degree, you will demand four years’ experience.
2. Apply for the SHRM Exam:
Once you have decided that you meet the minimum requirements, check to see whether you are in the middle of an application period. SHRM offers its exam in winter and spring, each period with its application deadlines. A schedule of deadlines and fees can be found at shrm.org/certification. Note that this information applies to both the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications and that the organization charges full price for any subsequent retests should you fail to pass the first time around.
3. Schedule Your SHRM Certification Test:
After presenting your application and payment, SHRM will review your HR background to confirm that you have the needed experience. You will get an Authorization to Test certificate, enabling you to log into SHRM’s scheduling portal and set a time. Prometric, a test administration service, handles this part of the process.
Be sure to pick an otherwise free day for your test, as SHRM certification exams take four hours to complete. If you require to reschedule, be sure to do so at least 30 business days in advance to avoid incurring a fee.
4. Get Familiar with the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (SHRM BASK™):
First points first, the exam is based on the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (SHRM BASK™) which was formerly referred to as the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (BoCK). Review the BASK. You can download the SHRM BASK. This is an interactive guide that enables you to read more about each competency and access career development resources.
5. Create a Study Schedule:
Create a study schedule and stick to it! You are a competent, successful HR professional. But that does not mean you do not have to study. This is a graded exam, and many of us have not taken this type of exam for a while. So, plan to study. And make studying a priority. This is the top concern from people who do not pass the exam. They get behind in studying and never catch up.
6. Take Practice Exams:
There are a few SHRM study resources available that offer practice exam questions, including the SHRM Learning System. Using a practice exam, studying, and then re-taking the exam can be a great way to assess your study applications and build confidence.
7. Do Not Forget Recertification:
Getting certified is just beginning. You will require to continually renew your certification by amassing SHRM credits over three years or prove yourself by taking the test all over again. Certified HR professionals are required to gather 60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) every three years by attending SHRM-approved webinars, presentations, and panels. The rule of thumb is that a one-hour event equals one credit. Session-filled conferences like the SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition and the WISHRM State SHRM Conference offers professionals an excellent opportunity to earn credits in a short period. Your local SHRM chapter also provides programming that should be SHRM certified.
Are you ready to take the next step? The 2022 Spring testing window runs May 1 – July 15, 2022. The early-bird application deadline is March 18, 2022 (save $75) and the standard application deadline is April 8, 2022.
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