HR Generalist → HRBP → HR Director
From HR coordinator to strategic HR leader using HRCI, SHRM or CIPD ladders.
Typical roles: HR Coordinator · HR Generalist · HR Business Partner · HR Manager · HR Director / CHRO
The track, phase by phase
Foundation
Core
- PHR HRCI Professional in Human Resources
- SHRM-CP SHRM Certified Professional
- CIPD L5 PM CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
- AIHR HRBP AIHR HR Business Partner 2.0 Certificate Program
Advanced
- SPHR HRCI Senior Professional in Human Resources
- SHRM-SCP SHRM Senior Certified Professional
- CIPD L7 PM CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management
- Chartered MCIPD CIPD Chartered Member (Chartered MCIPD)
Mastery
- Chartered FCIPD CIPD Chartered Fellow (Chartered FCIPD)
A suggestion, not a set of prerequisites: one or two certifications per phase is plenty.
HR Generalist → HRBP → HR Director on the HR & Learning map
Verified against issuers' official pages · updated · 82 active certifications
How to read the map
- Each tile is one certification: its abbreviation and, when the issuer publishes one, a listed-cost band. Hover (or open) a tile for the full name and issuer.
- Within each level the most recognised certifications come first (industry recognition, and how many career tracks use them); "+N more" lists the rest.
- under $300
- $300 to $999
- $1,000 to $2,999
- $3,000 or more
- No sign: price not published by the issuer
- Upcoming Announced by the issuer but not yet available: not counted
- Solid border and a phase number: on this track
- Dashed border, greyed: not on this track
HR Generalist & Strategic HR 17 certifications6 on this track
Beginner, 2 certifications
Intermediate, 12 certifications
- Phase 2: CoreSHRM-CP, SHRM
- Phase 2: CorePHR, HRCI
- Phase 2: CoreAIHR HRBP, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
- PHRca, HRCI
- PSHRA-CP, Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA)
- AIHR HRC, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
- AIHR HRG, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
+5 more+7 more intermediate HR Generalist & Strategic HR certifications
Global & Regional HR 17 certifications5 on this track
Beginner, 3 certifications
Intermediate, 7 certifications
- Phase 2: CoreCIPD L5 PM, CIPD
- AHRI CPHR, Australian HR Institute (AHRI)
- CHRL, HRPA (Human Resources Professionals Association)
- CPHR Canada, CPHR Canada / provincial member associations
- GMS-T, WERC (Worldwide ERC)
- IHRP-CP, Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP)
- PHRi, HRCI
+2 more intermediate Global & Regional HR certifications
Expert, 7 certifications
Total Rewards, Benefits & Payroll 16 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 3 certifications
Intermediate, 10 certifications
- CBP, WorldatWork
- GRP, WorldatWork
- PayrollOrg CPP, PayrollOrg (formerly American Payroll Association)
- WAW CCP, WorldatWork
- CIPP PMD, Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP)
- GBA, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)
- RPA, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)
+3 more+5 more intermediate Total Rewards, Benefits & Payroll certifications
Talent Acquisition & Recruiting 12 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 2 certifications
Intermediate, 9 certifications
- AIRS CIR, AIRS (ADP)
- AIRS CDR, AIRS (ADP)
- AIRS CTR, AIRS (ADP)
- AIRS CASR, AIRS (ADP)
- SHRM TA SC, SHRM
- AIHR S&R, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
- AIHR STA, AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR)
+2 more+4 more intermediate Talent Acquisition & Recruiting certifications
Expert, 1 certification
Learning, Talent Development & Coaching 10 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 2 certifications
Intermediate, 4 certifications
Change & Organisation Development 4 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 1 certification
Intermediate, 2 certifications
Expert, 1 certification
People Analytics & HR Tech 6 certificationsnot on this track
Beginner, 0 certifications
None listed
Intermediate, 6 certifications
Expert, 0 certifications
None listed
Other HR & Learning career tracks (6)
Retired / replaced (1)
No longer offered by their issuers, so not on the map. Holders keep them; each page says what replaced it, where anything did.
About this map
Compiled and verified by CertAscent against issuers' official pages.
Not affiliated with the issuers; certification names are trademarks of their owners. Prices, requirements and availability change: confirm on the issuer's official page (linked from every certification page) before you register or pay.