So, what does the future hold for certification? Are certification designations a fad or something that adds a line to our resumes but little more? No. Not only is certification here to stay, it is likely to increase in importance and stature with each passing year. Consider the following reasons professional HR certification adds value and importance (adapted from The National Public Accountant, April 2000, arguing that certification raises the status of the accountant profession):

• It provides an independent assessment of an HR professional’s knowledge to do a job.
• It raises the professional stature of the individual who holds the certification.
• It increases the knowledge base of the organization in which the holder resides.
• It increases and broadens the holder’s learning base.
• It may provide an alternative to a graduate degree.
• It may give job applicants an edge over other applicants who are not certified.
• It can act as a knowledge refresher when preparing for an exam.

Professional certification sends a clear message to your employer, your colleagues and the employees in your organization that you are challenging yourself to meet nationally recognized standards. Certification is not meant to replace or overshadow experience, but it does highlight your accomplishments and demonstrates that you have expertise and knowledge in core areas within the HR profession.

Social, technological, demographic and economic trends all indicate that learning and continuing education endeavors are on the rise. A recent study for the Human Resource Certification Institute conducted by Maureen Minehan, a workplace futurist based in Washington, D.C., found the following:

• Intellectual assets mean more to competitive organizations than capital assets.
• Organizations are increasingly turning to certifications as a way to identify individuals with specific skills.
• Employers are increasingly using online recruitment methods, and certifications are serving as one tool for narrowing the applicant pool down to more manageable numbers.
• Adult participation in learning activities increased to 50 percent in 1999 from 38 percent in 1991.
• Microcertifications may be on the horizon as jobs become more complex and specialized.
• Technology is making the certification process more efficient and effective, and consequently, more popular.

Premier professional certification does not happen overnight in any profession. What we have seen in HR is a gradual building of interest and respect for certification. This, coupled with the rigor and integrity of the process and the exam, leads to a prediction of a promising future. Certification may not be for everyone in the HR profession, but those who embrace the spirit and significance of it are likely to be rewarded for many years to come.