IPMA-HR Certification Program

The IPMA-HR Certification program was developed in 1996 to assist public human resource professionals better prepare to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and demanding public sector environment.  The traditional role of Human Resources is no longer seen as contributing to the overall success of the organization.  HR professionals now need to be strategic players within their organizations.

The certification program consists of two parts:  (1) A behavioral component based on the HR Competency Model and evaluated through a multiple-choice examination.  (2) A Personal Profile that demonstrates technical capability through past experience.

The foundation of the IPMA-HR Certification is the HR Competency Model. The Competency Model serves to focus professionals on what it takes to succeed in public sector human resources.  There are twenty-two competencies contained in the Model which details the roles required of successful HR professionals – HR Expert, Business Partner, Change Agent and HR Leader.  The training program developed to address these roles is entitled “Developing Competencies for HR Success.”  This four-day training program is offered by the Colorado chapter periodically. The examination may be taken at the completion of the training or online through the IPMA-HR website. For more information about the training program, please contact Carl Lindbloom.

In addition to passing the competency examination, certification applicants are required to describe their training and experience in HR related areas.  To receive the IPMA-CP (certified professional) designation, an applicant must describe journey level experience in at least four of the key technical areas (listed below) or two journey and one mastery level or two mastery levels:

• Employee/Labor Relations
• Employee Selection    
• Human Resource Research   
• Compensation     
• Classification
• Organization and Employee Development
• Benefits Administration/Risk Management
• Human Resource Management Systems

Human Resource Diversity/EEO  

To apply for the IPMA-CS (certified specialist) designation, an applicant must describe five years of specialization in a technical area, including two years in the public sector and completion of a minimum of 30 hours of professional development training the area of specialization within the past three years.

The minimum qualifications for IPMA-HR certification are as follows:

• MA plus two years of public sector HR experience, or
• BA plus four years of HR experience, at least two of which must be in the public sector, or
• AA plus six years of HR experience, at least two of which must be in the public sector, or
• No degree and eight years of HR experience, at least two of which must be in the public sector.

Certification Fees:

• IPMA-HR Members  $199
• Non-Members   $249
• Study Guide (for online) $ 49

For more information about certification, contact:

IPMA-HR
 1617 Duke Street
 Alexandria, VA  22314
 Phone: 703-549-7100
 Fax: 703-684-0948
 E-mail: tankersely@ipma-hr.org
 Web: www.ipma-hr.org

Congratulations to the following individuals who have recently achieved their IPMA certification:

Linda Mitchell, IPMA-CP

Director, HR

Denver Police Department

Denver, Colorado