(PLEASE NOTE:  As we transition to our new brand, we will be making a number of updates, including to our certifications. For the time being, we will continue to award the IPMA designations/certifications as they are.)

The Credential of Excellence and Experience in Public Sector HR

Online IPMA-SCP Application

You’ve worked in public sector human resources for years, achieving the rank of senior management or executive level. Take your career further with the credential of IPMA-HR Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP). Those who hold this title are experts in their field, they’ve demonstrated a level of excellence and leadership only the best achieve. Is that you?

IPMA-SCP professional

Confirm your expertise in the field of public sector HR and demonstrate your commitment to the advancement of your profession with the highly-regarded IPMA-SCP credential.

The Certification ProcessIPMA-SCP_seal160127a-ForUpLoading

How to become an IPMA-HR Senior Certified Professional:

  1. Review the Certification Prerequisites.
  2. Complete the Certification Application.
  3. Submit your non-refundable Application Fee.
  4. Your application will be reviewed*.
  5. Once approved, you will be prompted to submit your non-refundable Exam Fee. Note: study guides are available for $100.
  6. Upon receipt of your Exam Fee, you will be sent your Exam Link.*
  7. You will have 45 days from receipt of your Exam Link to administer your Exam.

*You will receive a response for your application and exam link within two-weeks of submission.

Please review IPMA-HR's Cancellation Policy.

Prerequisites

You must meet specific educational and work experience criteria and be considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at the time you submit your application in order to be eligible to sit for the IPMA-SCP exam. These requirements are outlined below.

  Education Level
HR Work Experience 
Public Sector HR Work Experience
 Graduate degree
 2 years
  1 year
 Bachelor's degree
 4 years
  1 year
 Associate degree
  6 years
  1 year
 No degree
  8 years
  1 year

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

Important:  If you fall into one of the following categories: non-exempt under FLSA, a human resources consultant, currently are unemployed, or employed under an non-traditional HR title/role (outside of an HR department), please refer to the blue button listed below for further instructions (individual situations will be considered on a case by case basis).  Please be advised, human resources should be the primary focus of your position.

Additional Eligibility Requirement

 

 

IPMA-SCP Certification Fees:

(All Fees/Purchases are non-refundable)

Member

Non-Member

IPMA-SCP Application Fee

$100

$100

IPMA-SCP Exam - Initial

$250

$300

IPMA-SCP Exam – Retake

$100

$100

Study Guide

$100

$100

Fees are due with the submission of your application and can be paid by check, MasterCard or Visa.

All fees are subject to change.

Online IPMA-SCP Application

The online IPMA-SCP Application is the preferred way in which to apply and pay for your certification.

IPMA-SCP Exam Study Guide

Please contact us (certification@ipma-hr.org) if you have any questions about certification. 


"Career advancement and a chance to demonstrate my commitment to the HR management profession motivated me to become certified. I have since recommended the IPMA-SCP and IPMA-CP designations to my colleagues and plan to maintain my certification by recertifying every three years."

- Margaret Rowe, IPMA-SCP, Human Resources Director, Asheville, North Carolina

DON'T MEET THE IPMA-SCP PREREQUISITES?

Please consider applying for the IPMA-CP.