How To Get an HR Certification Without a Degree [in 2024]
Only 7% of HR leaders have an HR-specific degree. Does that mean formal education in HR is overrated? Probably not — getting an HR degree is not the only way to succeed in this field.
Are you thinking of getting an HR certification without a degree? It’s entirely possible. An HR certification is a great way to demonstrate your HR knowledge and capabilities, dedication to continuous learning, and commitment to the field.
It can also provide a career boost, especially if you haven’t followed the traditional path of completing a degree in Human Resources and starting your career in the HR field. In fact, research shows that certified professionals without a postsecondary degree have better career prospects and earn more than their peers that obtained a degree.
In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know about how to get an HR certification without a degree, the different certifications you should consider, and alternatives to an HR certification.
Contents
Why get an HR certification for your HR career?
Do you need a degree to get an HR certification?
Types of HR certifications and eligibility requirements
4 steps to get HR certified without a degree
Maintaining and updating your HR certification
Alternatives to traditional HR certification
Why get an HR certification for your HR career?
Obtaining an HR certification is one of the best ways to help you future-proof your HR career, whether you’re a seasoned HR professional or just starting out.
Here are a few benefits of becoming HR certified:
- Better career progression: Receiving an HR certification shows your employer that you’re committed to the field and to continuous development. This can open up opportunities for you to get promoted or be involved in additional HR projects.
- Valuable career transition support: if you’re transitioning into HR, having a certification is a good way to demonstrate your HR knowledge and skills. It can give you an edge over other candidates who also come from an unrelated background. In fact, our research shows that only 8% of HR professionals start their first job in HR, so career transition is very common in HR.
- Enhanced professional credibility: HR certifications are often globally recognized. They indicate that you’re well-versed in industry standards, best practices, and ethics and are committed enough to undergo rigorous exams and qualifications.
- Improved employment prospects: As a certified HR professional, you are more likely to stand out from non-certified peers when applying for a new position. What’s more, getting certified can help you improve your earning potential over the course of your career. According to the LMI Institute, you can earn as much as 44% more than those without a certification.
- Increased skills and HR expertise: An HR certification often covers a wide range of topics. You also have the opportunity to participate in case studies and complete real-world assignments to put your skills into practice.
Do you need a degree to get an HR certification?
Our latest research into the State of HR shows that 92% of HR professionals move into HR from a different job, with only only 18% starting in HR as their first or second role. Most people that move into HR have experience in humanities, social sciences, or administration – with little to no HR-specific qualifications and skills.
This often means that HR professionals need to learn on the job and seek out learning opportunities such as HR certificate programs and HR certifications. Fortunately, some certification providers do not require formal education to get an HR certification. For example, the Associate Professional in Human Resources (APHR) requires no formal education or experience in HR, making it perfect for beginners or those looking to switch careers.
Certifications like SHMR Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) often require a combination of experience and formal education, but candidates are allowed to make up for a degree with additional work experience.
The next section provides a helpful breakdown of the various HR certifications and requirements.
Do you need a degree to work in HR?
The short answer is no. The long answer is that the HR field has changed a lot. Of course, if you visit LinkedIn, Indeed, or many other job boards, you might see that the majority of HR roles require a degree in Human Resources or related fields. But in reality, a degree is not as hard a requirement as it used to be.
As an HR professional, you need more than just formal education to succeed in a highly volatile and competitive business environment. You also need to keep up with industry trends, technological developments, HR best practices, and new laws and regulations. More than that, you need to continuously upskill and reskill yourself to ensure you’re agile, adaptable, and future-ready. You can often do this by getting an HR certification. It can be a strategic substitute for a degree, especially when backed up by relevant experience.
Different types of HR certifications and eligibility requirements
| Best suited for | Cost | Eligibility requirements | |
| Professional Human Resources (APHR) | Entry-level HR professionals | Application fee: $100 Exam fee: $300 |
No previous work experience or degree required. |
| Professional Human Resources (PHR) | HR professionals with a few years of experience | Application fee: $100 Exam fee: $395 |
Applicants need to satisfy one of the following requirements: – At least one year of HR experience with a Master’s or higher. – At least two years of HR experience with a Bachelor’s. – At least four years of HR experience. |
| Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) | Seasoned HR professionals looking to move into leadership roles | Application fee: $100 Exam fee: $495 |
Applicants need to satisfy one of the following requirements: – At least four years of HR experience with a Master’s or higher. – At least five years of HR experience with a Bachelor’s. At least seven years of HR experience. |
| SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM–CP) | (Aspiring) HR professionals whose work is specialized and operational in nature | Member: $410 Non-member: $510 |
No degree or HR experience is required. |
| SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM–SCP) | Strategic HR professionals looking to move into leadership roles | Member: $410 Non-member: $510 |
Applicants don’t need a degree to apply but need at least 3 years of strategic HR experience. – For each year, applicants need to show that they spend at least 1000 hours on strategic HR work. |
HR tip: Get a global HR certification
Most HR certifications mainly focus on the U.S. context. A global HR certification is also worth considering if you’re not based in the U.S., plann to work abroad, or for an international company. HRCI, for example, offers several international HR certifications, such as Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) or Associate Professional in Human Resources International (aPHRi). Check out this article for a list of 15 best global HR certifications.
4 steps to get HR certified without a degree
Step 1: Gain relevant HR experience
Your first step is to gain some relevant work experience. This will help you learn about the field and provide you with an understanding of core HR functions and activities. It’s also an opportunity for you to network with more seasoned HR professionals.
Here are several things you can do to gain relevant HR experience:
- Volunteer or intern: Pay attention to local nonprofits, start-ups, or small businesses. They often have a backlog of basic HR tasks that they might not have the resources or workforce to get done. Reach out and ask if they have space for an intern or a volunteer.
- Apply for entry-level positions: Keep an eye out for positions like an HR assistant, recruiter assistant, or HR administrator assistant. These are typically entry-level roles involving tasks such as updating the HRIS, helping with the recruitment process, or handling basic employee inquiries.
- Join cross-departmental projects: If you’re not in a position to revert to an entry-level or intern role, you can also look for opportunities to contribute to your organization’s HR projects.
HR tip: Seek a mentor in HR
An HR mentor can provide you with valuable knowledge, insights, and best practices. You can find a mentor from your organization’s HR department or through professional HR networks.
- Find a mentor with a similar career path: Identify the HR career path you’re interested in (you can use tools such as our HR Career Map) and look for a mentor whose career path aligns with what you hope to achieve.
- Be prepared: You’re probably both busy people, so before your meeting, look into their professional background and prepare specific questions or topics you want advice on.
- Communicate regularly: Give them updates or have regular feedback sessions to discuss your progress, adjust learning goals, and show your appreciation for their guidance. This will help accelerate your development and also strengthen your relationship with your mentor.
Step 2: Completing accredited HR certificate programs
Enrolling and completing accredited HR certificate programs can help you prepare for the HR certification exams and gain practical HR knowledge and skills.
There are many well-recognized accredited HR certificate programs, such as those offered by AIHR. When you complete AIHR’s HR Certificate Programs, you’ll earn credits towards accredited HR certifications like SHRM, HRCI, or HRPA.
Step 3: Preparing for the HR certification test
You’ll need to invest time and resources to prepare for the certification test to get an HR certification. Here are a couple of tips to make this journey easier:
- Make use of study materials: Most institutions will have workbooks and practice question booklets available for purchase on their websites. These materials are tailored to each exam’s structure, content, and requirements. If official materials are not an option, you can also search on Google, HR forums, or social media platforms for online resources.
- Do mock tests: Get familiar with the format and timing of the actual test. These exams can help you understand where you need improvement, how you perform within a set time limit, and how to best approach the exam.
- Don’t study too much: SHRM recommends spending around 40 to 120 hours studying for their exam. Based on insights from their students, instructors, and test-takers, studying for more than 120 will actually make your performance worse.
- Join study groups: Join study groups locally or online for motivational support and knowledge exchange. Focus your study sessions on areas where you feel less confident.
Step 4: Applying for the HR certification exam
Once you’re ready, it’s time to apply for the exam. Double-check the eligibility requirements to make sure you satisfy all the criteria. You can refer to the previous section for the requirements of several popular HR certifications.
Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation and an invitation to schedule your exam. You can usually choose from a wide variety of dates and locations. In cases where you can’t attend the exam in person, you can also opt for online proctored exams. You will often need to install a proctoring software. This software has detailed instructions on how to set up the webcam, whether you need a second one, how to prepare your room, and whether you need to update your operating system.
What to expect from the HR certification exams
Both the SHRM-CP and SHRMP-SCP exams last for four hours and contain 134 questions, among which are:
- 80 HR-specific knowledge questions: Test your understanding of the 15 key HR functions.
- 54 scenario-based situational questions: Test your judgment and decision-making skills.
Meanwhile, if you’re considering getting a certification offered by HRCI, the exam length, number of questions, and topics covered will vary based on the certification. You can check HRCI’s website for detailed information.
Tips to help you ace the HR certification exam
- Familiarize yourself with the testing system: Make sure to try out the testing system a few times before exam day, so you’re not caught by surprise. It’s also a good chance to discover built-in tools that can help you during the exam. For example, SHRM’s system lets you highlight text, flag content, and use a calculator.
- Follow official guidelines: Read up on the capability models built by SHRM and HRCI. These act as your guiding principles when you’re doing the exam. When answering, choose options that show what an HR professional should do according to these models.
- Pay attention to the language: If you find that you’re still missing some context for scenario-based questions, analyze the language used in the questions and the answers. The wording can give you subtle clues to guide you toward the right answer.
Maintaining and updating your HR certification
HR is constantly evolving, and so should you if you want a long-lasting, rewarding, and meaningful career. Getting a certification shouldn’t be the end of the line, especially in a field like HR, where there are frequent changes to labor laws, technology advancements, and best practices.
This is why most HR certification bodies emphasize continuing education and recertification. On average, you need to renew your certification every three years. Certification bodies calculate the exact date your certification expires based on your test date, birth month, and when the three-year cycle ends. Check the official website for the exact information on how to calculate the expiry date.
There are two options for recertification:
Option 1: You can retake the certification exam in the last year before your certification expires. If you prefer this option, refer to the section on our guide to the HR certification exam.
Option 2: You also have the option to earn credits for your professional development activities if you don’t want to sit through an exam every three years.
These are activities that:
- Advance your education: Join seminars, webinars, and conferences, enroll in accredited online courses, or read approved books.
- Advance your organization: Implement a new HR project that contributes to developing the organization.
- Advance the HR field: Conduct original HR-related research, volunteer as an HR expert, or maintain professional HR memberships.
You’ll need to complete these activities and register them within a three-year time frame from the start date of your certification. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know about earning credits from SHRM and HRCI:
SHRM HRCI Recertification fee Member: $135
Non-member: $175$169 Credit requirements 60 credits aPHR: 45 credits PHR, SPHR, GPHR: 60 credits
All HRCI’s recertifications require 1 ethics credit.Credit breakdown Advance your education No maximum credit No maximum credit Advance your organization 30 credits maximum per three years 40-hour credits maximum, with a 12-hour credits maximum for HR memberships. Advance the field Find out more Click here Click here
Alternatives to traditional HR certification
If you prefer not to obtain an HR certification or don’t have the means to do so, there are many other options available. You can enroll in micro-credential HR programs, where you’ll learn specific skills or competencies that you can apply right away. These programs are available at many universities and colleges. HRCP also offers many micro-credential programs with instantly verifiable badges you can attach to your profiles.
Another option is to enroll in online certificate programs in HR. They are convenient, accessible, and up-to-date, and they often come with a variety of extra benefits to enhance your learning. For example, when you become an AIHR member, you get access to a library of more than 100 HR templates, guides, and other tools that you can use in your day-to-day work.
To sum up
In HR, entry into this field or success is not determined by the degree you hold. It’s determined by your knowledge and capabilities, which you can gain in many different ways. One effective method is to get certified in HR. This process requires careful preparation, considerable investment, and continuous learning, but it pays off. You’ll become more effective in what you do and have better career prospects and earnings.
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