Benefits Certifications for HR Professionals
A recent study from MetLife, "The Advantages of Employee Care: Creating Human-Centric Employee Experiences and Work Environments", found that employers and employees are far apart on a lot in the workplace. That disconnect has a negative effect on many facets of the employee experience. Included in that delta is an overestimation by employers of the overall well-being of their employees.
Tasked with bridging the divide are HR professionals and managers who must come to the table with benefits and strategies that will maximize employee outcomes. A benefits certification can help managers and HR professionals better manage human resources and develop strategies that improve engagement levels and overall satisfaction.
What is a benefits certification?
Every successful organization has a reliable and fair benefits system that helps retain talent and encourages employees to stay engaged in their jobs. A benefits professional holds a benefits certification, enabling them to manage and edit an organization’s benefits system. This HR certification shows that they have the necessary knowledge and skills in this field.
A government study published in 2022 showed that public and private sector employees reported being dissatisfied with workplace benefits systems. For example, in some establishments, only 5% of the employees had access to childcare, and 74% had access to healthcare benefits.
See also: What is a CECP Certification?
This shows that many employees are left without a reliable and rewarding benefits system to help them feel appreciated. Moreover, they would probably look for other job opportunities where they should have access to better employee benefits.
A benefits certificate helps HR professionals carve out the space to study the organization’s current benefits program and adjust it to meet more employees’ needs. As the workplace culture and overall circumstances change, this program must be monitored and adjusted regularly to guarantee that all or most employees' needs will be met.
Certified professionals will have the expertise to assemble the resources, strategies, and tactics that enable them to design, implement, and maintain a rewarding system that caters to the needs of the organization and its employees at the same time.
What are the benefits of getting your certification?
The most imperative reason is that getting certified can be a job requirement. But even if it’s not, many professionals pursue further education to demonstrate that they’re a better fit for the job they’re assigned or a position they aspire to in the future.
With a benefits certificate, you can become better at what you do, even if you’re already assigned the job and responsibilities of a benefits manager. You’ll have a high level of knowledge about the best tactics and strategies to make your company’s benefits system work.
This certificate will also increase your value to your employers and other stakeholders. Since increasing and improving employees’ performance is directly related to motivating them, this certificate will increase your value to the company. Finally, it can help you advance in your career as you apply for higher positions within or outside your organization.
Getting and maintaining your benefits certification
As a certified employee benefit specialist, you’d be assigned several essential tasks, like interviewing potential candidates, discussing compensation and benefits plans, designing an accurate rewards system, and evaluating it constantly to resolve any issues.
You’d also ensure that the employee benefits program complies with federal and state laws and regulations concerning pension and 401(k) plans and deal with organizations that provide health plans, retirement plans, pensions, and other individual and group benefits to pick the best for the company’s employees.
As a result, being certified will give you a competitive edge over other professionals in your field. Luckily, there are several ways to get your professional certification as a benefits expert, and you can choose the best one based on your personal circumstances and the company’s needs.
See also: 10 Best HR Training Programs
Getting your certification
A certified employee benefit specialist certification validates your competency in managing rewards systems or any related field. It can also increase your average salary prospects and open doors to better career opportunities. Here are some factors to consider if you want to get certified.
Online vs. In Person
First, you must ask yourself if you’d rather study online or in-person to become certified. Online programs can be self-paced, so you can focus on your current job and still study to advance in your HR profession. Yet, some professionals prefer to attend in-person courses to gain hands-on professional experience from experts in this field.
Most HR certification institutes offer both online and in-person programs to cater to the needs of all aspiring HR managers and professionals. You can either attend classes to qualify for your certification exams or study independently while receiving online guidance.
Education needed
Although having a Bachelor’s degree isn’t mandatory, having one will be a big plus. These designations are available for entry-level to high-level managers who wish to specialize in the benefits field.
Ideally, you should hold a business administration, human resources, finance, communication, or business management degree. But if you don’t, you can still apply and get a certificate after finishing the course and passing the exams.
The time associated with getting a certification
Most people applying for these certificates are professionals with demanding jobs. This explains why most people choose online courses where they can work at their own pace.
However, some programs require you to finish your certification within a certain period. Others require attending several online classes, so you can choose what works for you.
Costs associated with getting a benefits certification
The cost associated with getting accredited as a benefits professional varies. Some programs cost a few hundred dollars, while others can be more expensive. Moreover, some certification programs offer special group discounts.
If your company offers educational employees benefits, you can ask your HR department to pay for this program. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for it yourself.
Maintaining your certification
Getting certified isn’t the end of your journey, as you should always work on becoming more educated to qualify as an expert. Attending the Workhuman® Live ConferenceOpens in a new tab will help you increase your knowledge, as you’ll receive first-hand guidance from experts in the HR and benefits world. By attending, you can also claim credits toward your certification.
Get more content like this in person. Find your focus at Workhuman Live, April 15-18, 2024 in Austin, TX
7 benefits certifications for HR professionals
Luckily, several benefits certifications can improve your career in human resources. We’ll shed the light on some of the most popular ones.
- Pro Benefits Certificate
Offered by The Human Resources Certification Institute or HRCI, this certificate covers the basic knowledge of the concept of the benefits. This program is available online with 12 hours of instructions and costs $299.
- Group Benefits Associate
The IFEBP, or The International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans, offers this certificate. It’s only available online, and the price is determined upon request. So, if you join with other professionals, you might be eligible for a discount.
- Certified Benefits Professional
WorldatWork offers this designation online and in person for entry and mid-level HR managers. This designation aims to provide you with the knowledge to plan and execute a benefits program that aligns with the company’s goals, workplace strategies, and related laws.
Members pay $1,350 per course, while non-members pay $1,929. You’ll have to get more than 12 credits for recertification every three years.
- Certified Compensation Professional
The CCP is another designation from WorldatWork, where you can learn about the best salary and compensation practices. Just like the CBP certificate, it costs $ 1350 for members and $1,929 for non-members, and you can take the course online or in person.
- Compensation & Benefits Certificate Program
The Academy to Innovate HR, or AIHR, offers independent learners an online Compensation & Benefits Certificate Program. This comprehensive program covers total rewards that affect employees’ well-being, and it costs $975.
- Retirement Plans Associate
The RPA is a certification the IFEBP offers to those interested in employee contributions and asset management. The primary purpose of this program is to qualify you to design and execute beneficial retirement plans for your company’s staff.
The initial degree comprises two courses, but you can continue your education with up to five courses. These programs are available online, and the price is determined when you request to join.
- Defined Benefit Administration Certificate
The ASPPA offers the DB-A to teach HR professionals about contributions, termination, and retirement plans. Although this is an online program that you can study on your own, you have 180 days after enrollment to finish. Within this period, you have to sit and pass your certification exam, or you’ll have to reapply.
Jobs that require a benefits certification
So, who should seek a certificate in benefits management? This is one of the most frequently asked questions if you work in HR. This certificate can significantly benefit you if you work in one of the following positions or a related field.
- Compensation Specialist
- HR Benefits Professional
- Benefits Coordinator
- Human Resources Manager
- Benefits Manager
- Benefits Analyst
FAQs
What are the responsibilities of a benefits professional?
This is someone who is responsible for coordinating all types of employee benefits. This includes salaries, bonuses, compensations, rewards, retiring plants, and all types of extended care that employees might consider while accepting an offer or continuing to work for a certain company.
What are the prerequisites for a benefits certificate?
A relevant Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in human resources or a related field will be beneficial but isn’t necessary. Most institutes require learners to have at least two and a half or three years of experience before applying for a benefits program.
Conclusion
Studying benefits and how they affect the work culture is crucial to the company’s strategic HR management. Certifications provide the necessary skills to assess the company’s current benefits program and make the required changes to ensure it aligns with the organization's goals and related laws and government regulations.
Certified HR professionals represent a valuable asset to hiring managers, so getting certified will also improve your career prospects. And with the successful completion of your course, career success will only be a few steps away.
About the author
Ryan Stoltz
Ryan is a search marketing manager and content strategist at Workhuman where he writes on the next evolution of the workplace. Outside of the workplace, he's a diehard 49ers fan, comedy junkie, and has trouble avoiding sweets on a nightly basis.