Showing posts with label #certification. Show all posts

New #SHRM Certification Raises More Questions Than It Answers (Update X 2)

by Matthew Stollak on Monday, May 12, 2014



The big news from SHRM HQ on Monday was the announcement of the creation of a new certification program for HR professionals.

While the SHRM online staff discuss the details of the competency program, it was unfortunately very short on details regarding a whole host of questions.

 What happens to current professionals who hold PHR/SPHR/GPHR certification?  While SHRM CEO Hank Jackson states that a clear path for currently certified individuals to the new model is in the works, as someone who just spent considerable time recertifying, I'm curious as to what this path holds.  Will we have to take the new exam?  Will we have to pay a fee for this exam?

Further, you have many professional chapters and state councils trying to develop programming for monthly meetings and state conferences. While SHRM indicates they will support the PHR and SPHR certification until January 2015, many chapters are already planning programming for the 2015 year. As the availability of earning recertification credit is often a strong driver for attendance, will certified professionals continue to push on hoping that SHRM will work it out, or will they wait it out until more answers are forthcoming?

What happens to those HR professionals who are getting ready to take the exam?  I already know at least one person who is questioning whether or not to take the exam next month, after spending significant money and time preparing.  Will SHRM be refunding those who spent money on the SHRM Learning System?  What happens to PHR prep courses many chapters will be offering in the fall?

 What happens to the Assurance of Learning exam?   Less than 5 years ago, the HRCI made major changes regarding eligibility for the PHR exam - individuals must have two years of exempt level experience prior to taking the test.  Several years have gone into developing an alternative, the Assurance of Learning exam, so that students could demonstrate their had a strong understanding of the HR body of knowledge.

However, given that the competency model will be focusing on behavioral proficiency at four different professional levels, including "entry," does the exam go away?   Do I continue to promote it to my students (as student chapters get credit for such action on the merit award)?

Why announce now?  Usually such an announcement would be made with a big splash at the SHRM Annual Conference next month.  Perhaps SHRM wanted to get ahead of it early, so questions such as the above, can be asked and answered, and a more detailed plan will be made clear then.

In any case, I will be waiting with bated breath for answers.

UPDATE: The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) has issued a statement here.
The new HR certification is based on the SHRM HR Competency Model, which consists of nine primary competency domains defined with behavioral proficiency standards across four professional levels – entry, middle, senior and executive.  The new certification is focused on teaching and testing practical, real-life information that HR professionals need to excel in their careers.  - See more at: http://www.shrm.org/Publications/HRNews/Pages/SHRM-Certification.aspx#sthash.bHwElfJe.dpuf
SHRM has provided an updated and FAQ here.

UPDATE 2: SHRM will allow those currently certified to transition to the new certification free of charge.  To do so, one must have proper certification documentation, sign the SHRM Code of Ethics, and complete an online educational module on HR competencies.  More details here
From Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2015, SHRM will allow those with HR certification from other organizations to convert to the new credential free of charge. Doing so requires showing documentation that the certification is current, signing the SHRM code of ethics and completing an online educational module on HR competencies. - See more at: http://www.shrm.org/Publications/HRNews/Pages/New-SHRM-Certification.aspx#sthash.zRgqnFv9.LKyfDdEb.dpuf

The new HR certification is based on the SHRM HR Competency Model, which consists of nine primary competency domains defined with behavioral proficiency standards across four professional levels – entry, middle, senior and executive.  The new certification is focused on teaching and testing practical, real-life information that HR professionals need to excel in their careers.  - See more at: http://www.shrm.org/Publications/HRNews/Pages/SHRM-Certification.aspx#sthash.bHwElfJe.dpuf
The new HR certification is based on the SHRM HR Competency Model, which consists of nine primary competency domains defined with behavioral proficiency standards across four professional levels – entry, middle, senior and executive.  The new certification is focused on teaching and testing practical, real-life information that HR professionals need to excel in their careers.  - See more at: http://www.shrm.org/Publications/HRNews/Pages/SHRM-Certification.aspx#sthash.bHwElfJe.dpuf