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Management & Entrepreneurship · Leadership & Operations

Human resources specialist: bachelor's degree, internship, optional HR certification

Human resources specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, communications or a related field. Certification is usually voluntary, but some employers prefer or require it.

For: People who like meeting people, solving workplace problems and keeping careful records.

See the roadmap Human Resources Specialist guide

Route 1: HR or business degree → internship → specialist Typical

Some positions require relevant work experience, for example as a human resources assistant or customer service representative.

  1. Start here

    High school diploma

    BLS
    Human Resources Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. About 4 years

    Bachelor's in human resources, business or communications

    BLS
    Human Resources Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. During college

    Internship in an HR department

    BLS
    Human Resources Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  4. Goal

    Human resources specialist

    Specialists who know their organization well may advance to human resources manager.

    BLS
    Human Resources Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source
    HR manager

Route 2: aPHR: an HR certification with no experience needed Voluntary

HRCI's Associate Professional in Human Resources is for those starting an HR career; no HR experience is required.

  1. Start here

    Starting in HR

    HRCI
    Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. Exam gate

    aPHR exam

    65 scored questions in 1 hour 45 minutes; exam fee $300 plus a $100 application fee.

    HRCI
    Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. Goal

    aPHR holder

    Valid for three years: 45 recertification credits or a retake keeps it.

    HRCI
    Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

Route 3: PHR or SHRM-CP after a few years in HR Voluntary

HRCI's PHR needs professional-level HR experience: 1 year with a master's, 2 years with a bachelor's, or 4 years without a degree.

  1. Start here

    Professional-level HR job

    HRCI
    Professional in Human Resources (PHR)HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. 1–4 years

    HR experience

    HRCI
    Professional in Human Resources (PHR)HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. Exam gate

    PHR exam

    90 scored questions in 2 hours; exam fee $395 plus a $100 application fee.

    HRCI
    Professional in Human Resources (PHR)HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  4. Goal

    PHR holder

    Valid for three years: 60 recertification credits or a retake keeps it.

    HRCI
    Professional in Human Resources (PHR)HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

SHRM-CP instead
SHRM's credential for people who perform general HR duties or are pursuing an HR career: 134 questions, 3 hours 40 minutes of testing, at a Prometric center.
SHRM
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Checked
20 Oct 2026
View source

Licenses, registrations and certifications

Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.

aPHR, PHR
HR Certification Institute (HRCI) · Voluntary
aPHR needs no HR experience; PHR needs 1 to 4 years of professional HR experience depending on education.
HRCI
Professional in Human Resources (PHR)HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
Checked
20 Oct 2026
View source
SHRM-CP
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) · Voluntary
For people who perform general HR duties or are pursuing an HR career; check SHRM's eligibility criteria.
SHRM
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Checked
20 Oct 2026
View source
HR certification in general
Professional associations · Employer may require
Certification is usually voluntary, but some employers prefer or require it; HR generalists in particular may benefit.
BLS
Human Resources Specialists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
Checked
20 Oct 2026
View source
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What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.

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Every step links to the official page it came from (regulators, licensing boards, the law), checked 20 Oct 2026. State and city licensing rules change: confirm with the board where you will work before you pay any fee. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses. All careers →