Which HR Certifications Are Recognized Worldwide

Which HR Certifications Are Recognized Worldwide? – 2025 Latest Rankings and the Rise of a Japan-Originated Global Qualification 

🌍 Top HR Certifications by Global Holders (2025) 

Rank	Certification	Certifying Body	Estimated Number of Holders	Year Introduced	Key Features
1	PHR (Professional in Human Resources)	HRCI	Approx. 65,341	1976	U.S.-centered HR operations credential
2	SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)	HRCI	Approx. 41,692	1976	Advanced HR management qualification
3	SHRM-CP (SHRM Certified Professional)	SHRM	Not disclosed (tens of thousands estimated)	2015	Competency-based HR certification
4	SHRM-SCP (SHRM Senior Certified Professional)	SHRM	Not disclosed (tens of thousands estimated)	2015	Strategic HR leadership certification
5	CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development)	CIPD (UK)	Over 150,000	1980s	Widely recognized in Europe, Middle East, and Asia
6	aPHR (Associate Professional in HR)	HRCI	Approx. 10,323	2016	Entry-level HR certification
7	PHRi (Professional in Human Resources – International)	HRCI	Approx. 3,492	2012	For international HR professionals
8	SPHRi (Senior Professional in Human Resources – International)	HRCI	Approx. 3,221	2012	Strategic international HR credential
9	GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources)	HRCI	Approx. 2,798	2004	Certification for global HR strategy

Special Mention: 

Certification	Certifying Body	Region	Number of Holders	Year
SHRM Essentials of Human Resources	SHRM / HRAI (Japan)	Japan only	330 (2020–2024)	Introductory HR education program

Note: SHRM initially provided HRCI certifications but split into separate systems after 2014. SHRM has since established its certification track. 

📌 New Certification Launch in 2025 

New Certification	Certifying Body	Launch Year	Features
GHR-Professional (Global HR Certification)	HRAI (Japan)	2025	A strategic and practical global HR qualification incorporating human capital management and people analytics, building on SHRM Essentials

The History and Background of HR Certification 

HR certifications were formalized beginning in the 1970s and have since expanded globally: 

• 1970s: HR certifications such as PHR and SPHR were launched by HRCI in the U.S., promoting HR specialization. 

• 1980s–90s: Certification gained general recognition, and demand grew with global expansion. 

• 2000s: Certifications such as GPHR addressed the needs of international business. CIPD restructured its offerings, expanding rapidly across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. 

• 2010s: With a shift toward competency-based evaluation, SHRM introduced SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP. Certifications such as PHRi and SPHRi are also targeted at international markets. 

• 2020s: New certifications have emerged addressing human capital management, people analytics, and other evolving areas. 

Evolution of HR Certification in Japan 

🌱 2020: Introduction of SHRM Essentials in Japan 

To foster HR professionalism in Japan, HRAI (Human Resource Accreditation Institute) partnered with SHRM, the world’s largest HR organization, to co-develop the Japanese version of SHRM Essentials of Human Resources in 2020. This marked SHRM’s first multilingual adaptation of its learning materials, which later expanded into Korean, Arabic, and other languages. 

The SHRM Essentials program provides foundational HR knowledge from a global perspective and was introduced in Japan in 2021 based on the following factors: 

• Learn global-standard HR fundamentals (entry-level) 

• Understand the role of global HR 

• Grasp U.S.-style HR operational basics 

• Serve Japan’s early-stage need for HR function specialization and globalization 

• Fill the gap in Japan’s lack of structured HR education at the time 

From 2021 to 2024, 330 professionals completed the program under HRAI, making it the most popular SHRM Essentials course outside the U.S. in 2023. HRAI was recognized as SHRM’s “Top International Partner” for that achievement. Participants included both Japan-based and overseas professionals, solidifying HRAI’s reputation as a pioneer in global HR education in Japan. 

However, with the accelerating globalization of HR in Japan, SHRM Essentials fulfilled its role as an introductory program by 2024. 

📌 From SHRM Essentials to GHR-Professional (2020–2025): The Shift Toward a Japan-Originated Global Certification 

Over four years, HRAI identified key challenges and needs: 

• SHRM Essentials’ entry-level U.S.-focused curriculum was insufficient for cultivating strategic and globally capable HR professionals tailored to Japan’s corporate environment. 

• A more holistic and globally relevant framework was needed to incorporate human capital management, people analytics, DE&I, AI, HRDX, and other emerging global HR trends. 

• Japan needed its globally recognized HR certification, independent from Western-centered systems, to represent unique Japanese HR and management philosophies. 

Therefore, HRAI concluded SHRM Essentials in Japan at the end of 2024. 

🚩 2025: Launch of GHR-Professional Certification 

In 2025, HRAI launched the Global HR Certification GHR-Professional, incorporating insights from SHRM Essentials, learner feedback, and global HR trends. This program covers foundational, applied, and practical HR topics in an integrated, multi-dimensional way. 

Key features and significance include: 

• A global HR qualification originating from Japan 

• Human capital management as a central theme, integrating HR and business strategy 

• Comprehensive coverage of people analytics, DE&I, AI, HRDX, and organizational development 

• A step beyond SHRM Essentials, focusing on strategic and advanced-level content 

• Bilingual (Japanese–English) delivery to strengthen outbound capability 

• Addresses demand from both Japanese and overseas professionals seeking to understand the uniqueness of Japanese HR 

🌐 Significance of GHR-Professional for Japan and the World 

• Fusing Japanese Management and Global HR 
  Adds Japanese management and HR philosophy to conventional Western certifications, proposing new global HR standards. 

• Elevating HR’s Contribution to Management 
  Encourages HR’s role as a strategic partner by emphasizing its impact on corporate management and performance. 

• Nurturing Truly Global HR Talent 
  Strengthens cross-cultural adaptability, communication, leadership, and messaging skills vital for balancing globalization and localization. 

• Boosting Global Recognition of a Japan-Originated Qualification 
  Instead of being tied to U.S. or regional standards, it builds a universally applicable knowledge base. GHR-Professional delivers practical, value-added learning to HR practitioners worldwide while promoting international credibility and usage.