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Certification

IPMA-HR strives to encourage excellence in public sector human resources, promote continuous learning and develop the next generation of leaders. To that end, IPMA-HR offers two internationally recognized certification programs to the public HR community: the IPMA-CP and the IPMA-CS.

IPMA-HR certification programs equip you with the tools to:

  • Enhance knowledge
  • Build skills
  • Advance your career
  • Receive industry-wide recognition

IPMA-Certified Professional (IPMA-CP)

The IPMA-CP certification is for human resources generalists who have had experience in multiple areas of human resource management.

Requirements

To be eligible for certification, your experience must be considered at the professional/managerial level and be considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). You must meet one of the following education/experience requirements:

  • A Graduate level degree, and 2 years of HR experience, 1 year of public-sector HR experience
  • A Bachelor’s degree, and 4 years of HR experience, including 1 year in public sector HR
  • An Associate's degree and 6 years of HR experience, including 1 year in public sector HR, or
  • No degree and 8 years of HR experience, including 1 year in public sector HR

If you are the HR director or its equivalent for your organization and have at least 10 years of HR managerial experience, including 3 years of HR managerial experience in the public sector, you may be eligible to receive the IPMA-CP Executive Level. While the certification is the same as the IPMA-CP, if your experience is at the managerial level and considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), your IPMA-CP examination will be waived.

IPMA-Certified Specialist (IPMA-CS)

The IPMA-CS is for those HR professionals who have specialized skill and mastery in an area of human resource management.

Requirements

To be eligible for certification, your experience must be considered at the professional/managerial level and be considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). You must demonstrate technical proficiency at the mastery level in one of the 10 HR skill areas and you must meet one of the following education/experience requirements:

  • A Graduate level degree, and 2 years of HR experience, 1 year of public sector HR experience
  • A Bachelor’s degree, and 4 years of HR experience, including 1 year in public sector HR
  • An Associate's degree and 6 years of HR experience, including 1 year in public sector HR, or
  • No degree and 8 years of HR experience, including 1 year in public sector HR

For questions regarding IPMA-HR certification, contact Debbie Tankersely-Snook at tankersely@ipma-hr.org or (703) 549-7100 ext. 250.

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