7 Responses to “Is there a general HRIS certification?”

1. Lynne Mealy
   August 5th, 2009 @ 2:24 pm

   Some time ago, IHRIM members were thinking the same thing you did – A general HRIS certification class would have to be too broad to provide enough detail to provide any depth. However, a project commissioned by IHRIM proved that the HR systems profession does have a certifiable body of knowledge. Two years IHRIM conducted another survey to assess the value of an HRIS certification program and our results showed that HR systems professionals were very much in support of a certification program for reasons similar to why HR generalists get a PHR designation or compensation benefits strive for a CCP designation: attaining certification imparts an atmosphere of professionalism – it elevates the necessary skills and knowledge required to be an HR information management professional – and being certified helps an individual’s career advancement and compensation. Last year IHRIM embarked on a project to create the Professional of Human Resources Information (PHRI) Certification Examination program. The PHRI Certification exam is designed to assess the knowledge and competencies of professionals in the HR technology field. Passing the exam indicates a demonstrated comprehensive understanding and proficiency of the defined body of knowledge in HR information management. We are currently in the final phases of exam development – pilot exams will be conducted in the fall – and the published exam will be offered in 2010. And from early indications, our members (and other HR technology professionals) are very excited to finally have a certification for our profession.
   Lynne Mealy, President & CEO, IHRIM

2. Clay Scroggin
   August 6th, 2009 @ 8:09 am

   Lynne,

   I will email you as well but I would be interested in learning more about the program you are coming up with. You definitely have some challenges but if you pull it off there is absolutely interest from the industry in a HRIS certification. This is the reason I decided to write about the topic.

   As you may or may not know, I have over 15 years of experience in the HRIS software industry. Let me know as the program gets closer to completion. I will be interested in taking a look at the program and seeing if I can provide any feedback on the process.

   Clay C. Scroggin

3. David Brook
   August 7th, 2009 @ 10:05 am

   I am a HR Systems Director with ten years experience in the field and was one of the ‘Guinea Pigs’ for the IHRIM certification exam. I just wanted to comment on the appropriateness of the material for my position; and for what my Business Analysts do on a day to day basis. I will certainly want my staff to take the exam in its final format and be looking for this certification in future hires.

4. Clay Scroggin
   August 9th, 2009 @ 12:33 pm

   David,

   I have some valid concerns on the program but I also eagerly await it’s release. If IHRIM.org can pull it off and offer a HRIS certification program that offers a broad enough and detailed enough solution to provide value, I will be strongly in their corner. Thanks for your feedback.

   Clay C. Scroggin
   CompareHRIS.com

5. Chris Wien
   August 12th, 2009 @ 9:07 am

   I would take certification with IHRIM if offered. Standardization of a core body of knowledge is central to any profession and, as we move towards cloud computing and open software standards, we should not be too pre-occupied with over-specialization in training HRIS professionals. Other stakeholders will need to see the value, though, such as recruiters and hiring authorities.

   As an SAP HR consultant, I understand Clay’s point as well. Having both core HRIS and SAP config skills, for example, can set someone apart from those w just SAP product app skills.

   Chris Wien
   CJW Associates

6. Caroline Attwood
   August 12th, 2009 @ 12:58 pm

   I applaud anything that will lead to a standard for HRIS professionals. I hope that the certification includes training about the actual business of HR/payroll management. All too often I have seen the mess left behind by those who have tried to install systems with no understanding of the function of HR as a business operation. Poss this is why so many HR managers say their systems have failed to deliver the promised goodies.
   In the 25 years I have spent in this field I have seen the technology change dramatically but it’s not just the technology that is important – it is what you can do with the system itself to deliver major beneficial change. So here’s hoping that the HRIS certification delivers that understanding

7. Sherif Osman
   August 13th, 2009 @ 12:56 am

   A good initiative of course and i can say that a dollar better than nothing.
   But iam sure that there are going to be more updates in the project & its designation after the release, Chapeau Lynne.

   Sherif Osman, HR Ministry Advisor,
   Egypt.

About

HR-Softwareblog.com and CompareHRIS.com are dedicated to assisting human resources professionals with their search, selection and use of HRIS, HRMS and HR software applications. The creators of CompareHRIS.com created this blog to provide our site's users the ability to comment directly on the large number of HR and payroll software related articles we and our vendors have developed. Make sure to register for our free HRIS Tips Newsletters.