If you’re looking into how to get an HR certification online, one of the first things worth knowing is that ‘online’ means something different depending on the provider. Some credentials, like SHRM, let you prepare online but require an in-person exam at a Prometric test center. Others, like HRCI, offer both test center and online testing depending on the credential and location. AIHR certificate programs are fully online and self-paced, but they’re structured learning programs rather than exam-based credentials.
This article walks you through how each path works, how much of the process you can complete online, and how to choose the option that fits your goals and career stage.
Contents
Can you get an HR certification online?
Online HR certification vs. online HR certificate program
How online HR certification works
How to get HR certification online: 6 steps
What HR certification should you get first?
How long does it take to get HR certification online?
FAQ
Key takeaways
- You can prepare for most HR credentials online, but the exam format depends on the individual provider.
- Online HR certifications and certificate programs solve different problems. Certifications validate knowledge and credibility; certificate programs build practical, job-ready skills.
- Many HR professionals benefit from both: one to signal credibility, another to keep building capability and earn recertification credits over time.
- The right starting point depends on your experience level, whether you need a formal credential or practical skill-building, and how much time and budget you can commit.
Can you get an HR certification online?
The short answer is “yes”. Many HR certifications offer online preparation options, including self-paced prep courses, virtual classes, and digital study materials. Some certification bodies also provide online or remote-proctored exams, which means you may be able to complete the entire certification process online.
However, this isn’t true for all certifications. For example, some providers may still require in-person or test-center-based exams, even if the preparation is fully online. Requirements can also vary depending on your location, the specific certification, and current testing policies. Because of this, it’s important to check:
- How the exam is conducted (online vs test center)
- Whether remote proctoring is available
- What eligibility requirements apply.
If your priority is fully online, flexible learning, online certificate programs and HR courses may offer a more straightforward path. If your goal is a formal certification credential, you may need to combine online preparation with a structured exam process.
There are many HR certifications and certificate programs available online, from specialist credentials like ATD’s talent development certifications and WorldatWork’s compensation-focused designations, to university online programs and platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. This guide focuses on some of the most popular options pursued by HR professionals online: SHRM, HRCI, and AIHR.
Online HR certification vs. online HR certificate program
The terms online HR certification and online HR certificate program are often used interchangeably, but each serves a distinct purpose. One validates what you know through an exam; the other builds practical skills through structured learning. Below are the key differences between the two:
Main purpose
Validate HR knowledge and professional credibility
Build practical HR skills you can apply on the job
What you earn
A digital certificate recognizing your skills and expertise in a specific HR area
Assessment format
Standardized exam
Coursework, projects, capstones, or completion requirements
Can it be completed online?
Sometimes partially, sometimes fully; this depends on the provider and your location
Usually yes
Experience requirement
Varies by credential
Typically no experience or education requirements
Recertification or renewal
Typically required within a certain time period
Usually no renewal for the certificate itself, but some programs support recertification credits
Best for
HR professionals looking to validate their knowledge and credibility, whether preparing for a career step up or meeting employer expectations for formal certification
HR professionals at any level looking to build practical capability, whether you’re new to HR or deepening expertise in a specific discipline
Typical outcome
A recognized professional credential that signals your HR knowledge and competency to employers
Job-ready capability across core HR competencies and specialized domains
Example path
Apply for SHRM-CP or aPHR, prepare online, then take the remote-proctored or in-person exam
Complete an online AIHR certificate program to build skills and, where relevant, claim recertification credits
How online HR certification works
The process of getting an HR certification or completing a certificate program online generally consists of three steps: confirming your eligibility, preparing, and completing the assessment or coursework.
Your first step is to check whether you meet the provider’s requirements. For example, SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) does not require a degree or previous HR experience, while SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) requires at least three years of strategic HR work.
HRCI’s requirements vary by credential: The Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) requires no HR experience, the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) requires professional-level experience, and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) demands more senior experience. AIHR certificate programs have no formal entry requirements; they are open to HR professionals at any level.
From there, you move into preparation. SHRM offers online study materials and self-paced preparation resources, and HRCI has compiled a list of exam prep providers and resources for each credential tier. AIHR certificate programs combine structured online learning with practical assignments, giving you job-ready skills as you earn your digital certificate.
The final step differs by provider. For SHRM and HRCI, you schedule and sit a proctored exam: in person at a Prometric test center for SHRM, or at a test center or online for HRCI, depending on your location and credential. For AIHR, you complete your program coursework and practical projects online at your own pace.
Look inside the AIHR learning experience itself and see how it helps HR professionals like yourself continue building relevant, up-to-date skills.
AIHR’s Demo Portal allows you to:
✅ Preview AIHR lessons before committing to a course or certificate program
✅ Explore guides, templates, and tools you can use in your day-to-day HR work
✅ Browse different learning paths to find topics that match your role and goals
✅ Get a feel for AIHR’s learning experience and resources for ongoing development.
🚀 Explore what continuous HR learning can look like with AIHR.
How to get HR certification online: 6 steps
Here are six steps you can take to get an HR certification online:
Step 1: Decide whether you need a certification, a certificate program, or both
Start with the outcome you want. Do you need a formal credential that employers recognize, or practical capability in areas like people analytics, HR business partnering, or AI in HR? Depending on your priorities and situation, you may even need both. It’s also worth considering upfront whether you can commit to in-person testing, since some credentials require it regardless of how much of the process you complete online.
SHRM and HRCI credentials validate your knowledge and signal credibility to employers, while AIHR certificate programs help you build and apply practical skills in specific HR disciplines. If you’re navigating a role change, stepping into HR for the first time, or preparing for a promotion, combining both options can be a strong move. Together, they address both what employers look for on paper and what you actually need to do the work.
Step 2: Choose the right credential or certificate program for your role and context
Match the credential or program to the work you do now or want to do next. If you’re new to HR or coming from outside the field and looking for a recognized credential, aPHR from HRCI is a natural starting point. SHRM-CP is competency-based and suits a broad range of HR roles, while PHR focuses more on technical HR knowledge and U.S. employment law. SPHR and SHRM-SCP are designed for senior HR professionals operating at a strategic level, with a focus on organizational leadership and HR strategy.
If you’re considering AIHR, choose a certificate program based on the skills you want to build, whether that’s people analytics, HR business partnering, or organizational development. If you want to develop skills and knowledge across multiple HR disciplines over time, Full Academy Access covers all programs in one subscription.
It’s worth noting that the most commonly pursued SHRM and HRCI credentials are primarily designed around U.S. HR practice and employment law. If you’re based outside the U.S., HRCI offers internationally focused alternatives like the (Senior) Professional in Human Resources – International (PHRi and SPHRi). AIHR certificate programs are global by design, with content that applies across regions and employment contexts.
Step 3: Check eligibility and enroll through the chosen provider
AIHR has no formal entry requirements. You can enroll directly and start learning online immediately.
SHRM and HRCI both require an application before you can sit the exam. For SHRM, review the eligibility criteria, apply through the provider portal, and wait for your Authorization to Test letter, which includes instructions for scheduling your exam at a Prometric test center. Despite allowing online preparation, SHRM exams typically must be taken in person, so factor that in early if you’re planning around location or travel. For HRCI, apply using your HRCI account, then check whether your exam is available online or must be taken at a test center in your location.
Step 4: Build a realistic online study plan
To maximize your chances of success, avoid studying in bursts and hoping it works. Instead, build a routine you can stick to. You could, for instance, have three 60-minute sessions during the week and one two-hour session on the weekend. This gives you five study hours a week without turning prep into a second job.
The same principle applies if you’re completing a self-paced certificate program like AIHR. AIHR’s HR Generalist certificate program, for example, estimates about 35 hours of study and gives you 12 months of access, which is a useful benchmark for scheduling and pacing your learning around your full-time job. Having a consistent schedule helps you make steady progress without it feeling overwhelming.
Step 5: Complete your program or schedule your exam
Not every HR certification path ends online. SHRM and HRCI both require a proctored exam, but the format differs. SHRM testing is in person at a Prometric test center, so factor in travel time and availability when planning. HRCI offers both test center and online testing in select locations and recommends scheduling as soon as your application is approved, as spots are confirmed on a first come, first served basis.
AIHR certificate programs are completed fully online at your own pace, with no exam to schedule or test center to book.
Step 6: Plan for recertification and ongoing skills development
Passing a SHRM or HRCI exam is not the finish line. SHRM requires 60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) within a three-year recertification cycle, or a retake of the exam. HRCI certifications follow a similar cycle, with credit requirements varying by credential.
Ongoing development matters regardless of which path you’ve taken. AIHR certificate programs support continuous skill-building across HR disciplines, whether you’re deepening expertise in a specific area, expanding into new ones, or keeping pace with how the HR function is evolving.
If you hold a SHRM or HRCI credential, completed AIHR programs also count toward recertification credits, which you can log as self-paced activities in the SHRM certification portal or under recertification reporting in your HRCI account.
How long does it take to get HR certification online?
Plan for several weeks to several months. Your total timeline should include selecting the credential or program, checking eligibility, preparation or coursework, awaiting approval where required, and scheduling your exam or completing your final program requirements. It’s also worth noting that ‘online’ doesn’t always mean the full process is completed online. SHRM, for instance, requires application approval and sends you an Authorization to Test before you schedule your exam at one of its Prometric test centers.
What changes the timeline most is your starting point: how much HR knowledge you already have, how many hours you can dedicate per week, and whether you’re fitting it around a full-time job. AIHR’s programs, for example, typically require around 35 hours of study and include 12 months of access, so you can spread the work over a schedule that fits your role and pace.
What HR certification should you get first?
The right first credential depends on where you are in your career and what you’re trying to achieve, not on prestige or what sounds most impressive.
- New to HR or coming from outside the field: aPHR is the most accessible starting point, requiring no prior HR experience. An AIHR certificate program can also be a strong first step if your priority is building practical skills quickly.
- Early-career or generalist HR professional: SHRM-CP suits broad, competency-based HR work, while PHR is a better fit if your focus is operational and U.S.-focused. AIHR programs in areas like HR Generalist or HR Business Partnering complement either path well.
- Senior HR professional in a strategic role: SPHR or SHRM-SCP are the natural next step, depending on whether your emphasis is policy-making or integrated HR strategy. AIHR programs such as HR Consulting and HR Manager complement this stage well, supporting the shift toward advisory work and people leadership.
- Looking to deepen expertise or specialize: AIHR certificate programs cover a wide range of HR domains and work well alongside a formal credential or as a standalone development path.
Next steps
The best next step is not to chase the biggest credential name but rather to choose the path that matches your current experience and seniority level, as well as the kind of HR work you want to do next. Then, you can start building a realistic study plan you can actually sustain.
If you want to build practical, job-ready HR skills alongside or beyond a formal credential, explore the AIHR Demo Portal. It lets you preview lessons, tools, its Resource Library, AIHR Copilot, events, and parts of the learner dashboard before you commit, which makes it easier to judge whether the learning experience it offers fits the way you work.
FAQ
Often, yes — at least partially. You can usually prepare online, but whether the full process is online depends on the provider. SHRM currently requires in-person testing at Prometric centers, while HRCI offers online testing in select locations as well as test center delivery. AIHR certificate programs are fully online from start to finish, with no exam to schedule or test center to book. If you want a completely online path focused on practical skill-building, AIHR is an excellent option.
It can be, especially if you want stronger external credibility, a clearer path to promotion, or a structured way to deepen your HR knowledge. However, a credential works best when paired with practical skill-building, so don’t treat certification as the whole plan but as one part of your long-term capability strategy.
The best option depends on your starting point and what you’re trying to achieve. HRCI’s aPHR is the clearest beginner option, and SHRM-CP works well for generalist HR work or for those moving into HR. PHR suits operational, U.S.-focused HR roles, while SPHR or SHRM-SCP are better fits once you work at a strategic level. If your goal is practical capability rather than an exam-based credential, AIHR certificate programs are worth considering at any career stage, whether you’re building foundational HR skills, specializing in a specific HR domain, or looking to complement a formal credential with applied learning.
There is no single universal answer. In the U.S., SHRM and HRCI credentials are the most widely recognized exam-based options, but the right choice still depends on your role, market, and what employers in your area value most. AIHR digital certificates are increasingly recognized as a mark of practical HR capability, particularly among organizations that prioritize applied skills alongside formal credentials. Recognition matters, but fit matters more. A credential or program aligned with your actual work will do more for your career than the most prestigious option that doesn’t match where you are or where you’re heading.
