SHRM Announces New Competency-Based HR Certification

Author: Tracy Morley, XpertHR Legal Editor

May 19, 2014

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) announced it is developing a new HR certification based on the SHRM HR Competency Model, which consists of nine primary competency domains, each defined with behavioral proficiency standards across four professional levels: entry, middle, senior and executive. Each level is identified by the behaviors that are typically demonstrated at a particular stage in an HR professional's career.

The new competency-based certification, as yet unnamed, is the first of its kind and focuses on the practical information and behaviors that HR professionals need in order to develop and be successful in their careers. The first testing window is tentatively scheduled for mid-June 2015, and SHRM plans to begin accepting applications for the first examination window beginning in January 2015. To this end, SHRM is preparing:

  • A new global Body of Competency and Knowledge (BOCK);
  • The certification exam;
  • Instructional materials; and
  • Additional preparation tools that individuals can use to prepare for the new credential.

According to SHRM spokesperson Amy Thompson, "HR professionals with existing generalist certifications (e.g., 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."

The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), in existence since 1973, was created to administer HR certification exams, and is the leading certification organization for the HR profession. According to an announcement on the HRCI website, there have been a number of questions about how the new SHRM certification will affect previously credentialed HR professionals and whether HRCI will continue to offer its certification programs.

In a statement provided to XpertHR, HRCI Executive Director Amy Dufrane stated, "HRCI will continue to develop and administer the PHR®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHR/SPHR-CA®, HRBP®, and HRMP® and our other high-quality certification products to meet the needs of the HR profession around the world. The announcement has no impact on any of the Institute's portfolio of certifications." Dufrane further stated, "The HR Certification Institute works with more than 10,000 vendors and partners who offer a wide range of learning opportunities that our certificants may use to support their continuous learning and recertification activities. We will continue to work with our vendors and partners as the only certifying body that administers and certifies the PHR and SPHR credentials."

SHRM will release additional information regarding the new certification at its Annual Conference and Exposition being held in Orlando, Florida next month. In the meantime, interested parties can get information regarding the new certification on SHRM's newly created web page.