Validates knowledge of US employment law and operational HR, including workforce planning, total rewards, engagement and labor relations.
495IntermediateHas prerequisites
Best Human Resources Certifications in 2026
HR credentials differ by career stage and country. HRCI and SHRM are US organizations, and PHR tests US employment law; the CIPD Associate Diploma is a UK taught qualification. Choose by your current responsibilities and where you work.
Validates knowledge of operational HR across people, organization and workplace topics, plus situational judgment.
499IntermediateNo prerequisites
Validates strategic HR knowledge and judgment across leadership, interpersonal and business competencies, and people, organization and workplace knowledge.
499AdvancedHas prerequisites
Validates foundational knowledge of HR talent acquisition, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and compliance.
400EntryNo prerequisites
Validates knowledge of strategic HR leadership, workforce planning, talent management, total rewards and HR information, safety and security.
595AdvancedHas prerequisites
How to choose a certification
Which certification fits your goal?
- Starting in HR: aPHR. HRCI's entry-level exam for people with no professional HR experience, covering HR fundamentals across five areas.
- Operational HR in the US: PHR. HRCI's credential for HR professionals running day-to-day operations under US employment law. You need one to four years of professional HR experience, depending on your education.
- Applied HR practice: SHRM-CP. SHRM's credential for operational HR work: implementing policy, supporting staff and acting as the HR point of contact. It has no degree or experience requirement.
- Strategic HR responsibilities: SHRM-SCP. SHRM's senior credential for setting HR strategy and directing HR across an organization. It requires three years of strategic-level HR experience, or three years holding SHRM-CP.
- A taught people-management qualification: CIPD Associate Diploma. A UK qualification in people management, completed through a CIPD-approved course provider with assignments rather than a single exam. Choose it if you work with UK employment practice.
What to know before choosing
- Choose the right national context. Employment law and HR practice vary by country. Pick the credential built for the country where you work.
- Use responsibilities to choose the level. aPHR suits people new to HR, SHRM-CP and PHR suit operational HR roles, and SHRM-SCP is for strategic roles. Pick the level that matches your work and eligibility.
- Compare study routes as well as exams. For CIPD, compare course providers on delivery, tutor feedback and total fees. For HRCI and SHRM, the cost covers the exam, preparation and recertification.