Who’s On First?  Understanding HR Certification Acronyms 

For those of us who are old enough to remember working in “Personnel,” the growth in the Human Resources field over the last 30 years has been dramatic. 

Due to the evolution of employment law, benefits regulation and the fields of human and organizational development, many distinct areas of expertise have arisen. Each of these areas has in turn developed a working body of knowledge that professionals in these disciplines must have to demonstrate professional competency.  

One of the advantages for a business owner in joining a professional employer organization (PEO) — such as Administaff — is being able to utilize the expertise of a variety of HR professionals.  Understanding the players with professional certifications in the HR field requires a scorecard.  

What is HR Certification?

Similar to other professional groups, the Human Resources profession has certification standards. HR professionals who acquire a stated level of experience and demonstrate mastery of a recognized body of knowledge can earn certification from a number of recognized credentialing organizations. For example, the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) awards credentials for the first three certifications listed below: PHR, SPHR and GPHR. In order to maintain certification, HR professionals must recertify their credentials every several years. 

Although not a comprehensive list, here are a few of the major certifications in the field of Human Resources. Certified HR Professionals include: 

• PHR – Professional in Human Resources
• SPHR – Sr. Professional in Human Resources
• GPHR – Global Professional in Human Resources
• CCP – Certified Compensation Professional
• GRP – Global Remuneration Professional
• CPP – Certified Payroll Professional
• CBP – Certified Benefits Professional
• CEBS – Certified Employee Benefits Specialist
• CPLP – Certified Professional in Learning and Performance
• CPT – Certified Performance Technologist
• QKA – Qualified 401(k) Administrator

The growth in the Human Resources field over the last 30 years has been dramatic. To understand the various certifications that HR professionals earn today, a scorecard is necessary.