What is Certification?

PHR...SPHR...GPHR

Are you one of the 1697 HR professionals in Colorado with either their PHR (Professional in Human Resources) or SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification*?

Certification is a voluntary action by a professional group to establish a system to grant recognition to professionals who have met a stated level of training and work experience. Certified individuals are usually issued a certificate attesting that they have met the standards of the credentialing organization and are entitled to make the public aware of their credentialed status, usually through the use of initials (i.e., PHR or SPHR) after their names.

Reprinted 01/26/06 from www.hrci.org

Get ready for the next PHR/SPHR Exam!

The WCHRA offers HRCI Certification preparation classes. Don't miss the study group for classes, conducted by Margie Arney. Classes are held each spring and fall.

View current schedule and classes

Go Global!

Yes, SHRM has study courses for the GPHR certifcation too. "Globalization has become the defining political and economic force in the world today. Globalization requires new ways of thinking and responding. For HR professionals, recognizing and understanding this phenomenon is fast becoming a job requirement."

-Quote from Global Employment Demands Require a Global HR Perspective, by Margie Arnie
Read full article

*source "Did you Know" www.coshrm.org, 01/26/06

Upcoming Classes

SHRM Certification Preparation Course

The SHRM Certification Preparation Course is designed to help you prepare for the PHR® or SPHR™ exam while you gain a comprehensive review of the entire body of HR knowledge. The WCHRA highly recommends pursuit of certification.

Please contact board member, Margie Arney for more information about the upcoming fall classes.

WCHRA PHR/SPHR
Certification Study Group

Course work for the spring certification session began February 19th.

Fall classes will begin in September

Western Colorado Human Resource Association is making a change within our certification study groups. The study materials we use are called the SHRM Learning System and are used to study for the PHR, SPHR and the GPHR certification exams. These materials, normally costing $595, are protected by the copyright act. SHRM has an offered to sell us five sets of materials at $425 each. We have decided to limit the size of our study groups to five WCHRA members. Members will pay for their own $425 SHRM Learning System. When the member sits for the certification exam, WCHRA will refund half the cost…$212.50, to the member regardless if they are successful in passing the exam. If the member’s employer, rather than the member, pays for the materials, WCHRA will reimburse the employer for half the cost. Remember, the price of the materials does not include the fees paid to HRCI to take the exam.

For more information about our Fall Certification Study Group, please phone Margie Arney at Western Building Solutions 248-8467. Fall classes will begin in September.

Benefits of Certification

Excerpts from

HR Certification Offers Many Benefits by Margie Arney

"There are several reasons why human resource managers sit for the Human Resource Certification exam.

Most notable among them is that certification designates professional credibility and establishes that the body of HR knowledge has been mastered. Because triennial recertification is required, professional remains current on HR developments.

Second to professional credibility is the sense of personal satisfaction that certification provides....

In addition, many employers require certification before considering a candidate for an HR position."

...

"Generally speaking, two levels of certification are available.

The first is the Professional in Human Resources, or PHR. This level demonstrates the technical and operational body of knowledge and requires at least two years exempt-level experience in the human resource field. Recent college graduates also may take the PHR certification exam.

The second level of certification is the Senior Professional in Human Resources, or SPHR, and notes the mastery of the strategic level. This level requires six to eight years of exempt-level experience in the HR field."

Read full article (pdf)

The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) is affilated with SHRM, but is an "independent, internationally recognized certifying body" offering PHR (Professional in Human Resources), SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources), and GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources) certifications.