HR Certification Institute announced that the National Commission for Certifying Agencies has accredited the Associate Professional in Human Resources, the newest HR credential from HRCI, which is awarded to professionals who can demonstrate foundational knowledge of HR and people-management practices.

"With accreditation of the aPHR, the complete suite of seven HRCI certifications are now recognized as meeting the rigorous NCCA standards," said HRCI CEO Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE.

"NCCA accreditation speaks volumes about HRCI and its commitment to the HR profession, just as our seven credentials speak volumes about the HR practitioners who earn them and the organizations they serve." The aPHR joined the HRCI family of HR credentials in 2016. The credential has quickly grown in popularity among those who do not yet have the requisite experience to earn one of the professional-level HRCI certifications, but wish to demonstrate foundational HR knowledge and commitment to HR principles.

Those who are just starting out or transferring into HR, students interested in pursuing HR and business careers, active duty and military veterans seeking to demonstrate HR knowledge needed to practice in the civilian workplace, and line managers who want to show understanding of HR for the benefit of their organizations have found the aPHR to be a valuable addition to their career portfolios. In June, HRCI announced the accreditation of its Professional in Human Resources – International and the Senior Professional in Human Resources – International certifications.

Also accredited are the Professional in Human Resources, the Professional in Human Resources – California, the Senior Professional in Human Resources and the Global Professional in Human Resources from HRCI. "HRCI is proud to have earned program-wide NCCA accreditation," said Dania Eter, MBA, Chief Credentialing and Products Portfolio Officer for HRCI. "By achieving NCCA accreditation, HRCI programs join the top professional and industry certifications in the world. We invite the HR community to help us celebrate this significant accomplishment."