HR Certification Institute Expands Its HR Credential Global Offerings

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The HR Certification Institute (the Institute), the internationally recognized certifying body for the HR profession, today announced the expansion of its advanced credential portfolio to include Human Resource Business Professional (HRBP℠) and Human Resource Management Professional (HRMP℠) certifications for HR professionals primarily practicing outside of the United States. The HRBP and HRMP credentials are a complement to the Institute’s existing offerings, and are a continued reflection of the Institute’s scope as a mission-driven organization that creates and supports the highest standards of the HR profession worldwide.

“It fosters and accelerates alignment within our international HR community. Outside the organisation, it is recognized by others in the profession and shows my motivation to keep on top with the development of HR as my professional field.”

“We are very excited to broaden our comprehensive portfolio by offering the new HRBP and HRMP credentials,” said Mary Power, CAE, CMP, executive director of the Institute. “These credentials offer HR professionals who have mastered their country’s HR practices and regulations a way to prove and showcase their skills in both the strategic and technical aspects of the profession.

“As we become an increasingly interconnected global marketplace, these certifications will make it easy to indicate the level of professionalism and proficiency an HR professional has should you be working with him or her on a business venture, a new office or on a project for a multi-national company,” Power explained.

The HRBP and HRMP focus on globally relevant HR concepts that are common across geographic locations, Power explained further. They were developed to validate core human resource knowledge and skills. The HRBP validates professional-level core HR knowledge and skills and demonstrates mastery of generally accepted technical and operational HR principles. The HRMP is designed to validate management-level core human resource knowledge and skills and demonstrates mastery of generally accepted HR principles in strategy and policy development as well as service delivery. Both are distinct from the Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR®) certification, which focuses primarily on cross-border HR issues.

As with its entire portfolio, the Institute implemented a rigorous process to build the related bodies of knowledge, develop exam questions and validate the exams, including a pilot exam that took place in May 2012. Approximately 1,000 HR professionals in 49 countries participated in the pilot exam. Successful participants are now in the inaugural group to hold the HRBP or HRMP designations.

“The HRMP qualification helps us speak the same language and facilitates the exchange of ideas, opportunities and challenges knowing that we all build on the same foundation that is state-of-the-art,” said Corinna Domingue, HRMP and corporate talent manager for OBI Group Holding, a German- based home improvement retailer operating more than 580 stores in 13 countries. “It fosters and accelerates alignment within our international HR community. Outside the organisation, it is recognized by others in the profession and shows my motivation to keep on top with the development of HR as my professional field.”

The Institute plans to open registration in October 2012 for its first round of HRBP and HRMP exams, which will take place in March 2013. The Institute’s portfolio of credentials now consists of HRBP, HRMP, GPHR, Professional in Human Resources (PHR®), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) and California Certifications.

About the HR Certification Institute

The HR Certification Institute is a global leader in developing rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery and real-world application of forward-thinking HR practices, policies and principles. It offers a comprehensive portfolio of advanced profession credentials for HR professionals worldwide. Through the combination of formal education, adherence to high ethical standards, demonstrated knowledge and achievement through exam and a renewed commitment to continuing professional development, HR professionals certified by the HR Certification Institute enhance their professional credibility and the organizations they serve. Since 1976, the HR Certification Institute has been the global leader in professional credentialing for the HR Profession. Today, more than 120,000 HR professionals in 100 countries proudly maintain the HR Certification Institute’s credentials as a mark of high professional distinction. Visit www.hrci.org.