IPMA – Certified Professional (CP)

The IPMA Certified Professional (IPMA-CP) is an internationally recognized certification designed for public sector HR professionals to enhance their knowledge, build skills and advance their careers.

Eligibility 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 your organization’s HR director or its equivalent and have at least 10 years of HR managerial experience, including 3 years as an HR manager in the public sector, you may be eligible to receive the IPMA-CP Executive Level (Available until 1/1/2013) designation. 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.

Certification Process

Application

The certification application is a multi-part form, requiring detailed information. Please make sure you have this information available before continuing:

• Contact information
• IPMA-HR member ID, if applicable
• Educational background information - details of higher education (university names and locations) as well as continuing education and certificate programs you have completed
• Employment history, including dates
• Current position description
• Professional membership
• Certifications received

An application fee is due at the time of submission and can be paid with check, MasterCard or Visa. If you plan to take your exam online, a study guide is available for an additional $50. If your application is withdrawn or rejected you will receive a refund of your fee minus a $25 processing charge.

The application fee varies – some discounts are available:

Take the first step towards advancing your career today and apply now for the IPMA-CP or IPMA-CP Executive Level (Available until 1/1/2013) certification program.

Exam

To complete the certification process, you must demonstrate an understanding of the 20 HR competencies by successfully completing an 85-question, multiple-choice written examination.

The exam is provided online or can be taken at the conclusion of the IPMA-HR Developing Competencies for HR Success Training Program.

Recertification

Please note:  You will only need 40 points for 2012.

To retain your IPMA certification, you must accumulate 50 points every 3 years and submit a Recertification Report Form.

To accrue points, you simply have to participate in approved continuing education, leadership, and professional development activities, which are defined in the Recertification Report Form.

You can begin accruing points immediately after receiving your certification but you may not carry points over for future recertification.