Top 11 Onboarding Specialist Certifications

Certifications are an important tool for onboarding specialists to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field. They provide evidence that a specialist is competent and qualified for the job, which can help them stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs. Certifications also show potential employers that the specialist has taken the time and effort to gain additional knowledge and skills in onboarding, which can be beneficial when they are looking to fill a position. Additionally, certifications can give an onboarding specialist access to professional networks and resources that can enhance their career development.

This article reviews the top certifications for Onboarding Specialists, discussing how they can help build and advance an onboarding specialist's career.

What are Onboarding Specialist Certifications?

Onboarding specialist certification is a professional certification that provides training and recognition for individuals in the field of onboarding. Onboarding refers to the process of introducing new employees to their roles, company culture, and work environment. The goal of onboarding is to ensure that employees have a seamless transition into their new role and are equipped with all the necessary skills and information they need to be successful.

Onboarding specialist certification programs provide comprehensive training on how to effectively recruit, orient, train, and retain new hires. This includes topics such as employee engagement, job expectations, company policies and procedures, team building, communication strategies, and more. Certified onboarding specialists learn how to create an effective onboarding program tailored to meet the needs of their organization. They also develop the skills needed to identify potential issues or challenges during the onboarding process and create solutions for them.

By becoming certified as an onboarding specialist, professionals demonstrate their expertise in this important area of human resources management. This can help them stand out among other applicants when applying for jobs in the HR field or when seeking promotions within their current organization. It also gives employers assurance that these individuals have been trained in best practices for onboarding new employees so they can feel confident bringing them on board quickly and efficiently.

Pro Tip: Consider obtaining a certification in onboarding specialist to demonstrate your commitment to the field and your proficiency in the skills and knowledge required of an onboarding specialist. Certification can also help you stand out among other applicants, as employers may look more favorably upon candidates who have taken the time to become certified.

Related: What does an Onboarding Specialist do?

Top 11 Onboarding Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Onboarding Specialists today.

1. Certified Onboarding Professional (COP)

Certified Onboarding Professional (COP) is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to successfully onboard new employees. The COP credential is offered by the Human Capital Institute (HCI), an international professional association dedicated to advancing the practice of human capital management.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass a comprehensive exam. Eligibility requirements include having at least three years of professional experience in an HR-related field, such as recruitment, onboarding, or training.

The COP exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. It covers topics such as onboarding process design, legal compliance, managing change during onboarding, and measuring success.

The cost for the COP certification program varies depending on the type of membership you choose with HCI. The cost ranges from $495 for non-members to $295 for members.

2. Certified Onboarding Specialist (COS)

A Certified Onboarding Specialist (COS) is a professional who has been trained and certified to help organizations implement effective onboarding processes. The COS certification program is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, develop, and implement successful onboarding programs. This certification is offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

The COS certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as developing an onboarding plan, understanding legal requirements, creating policies and procedures, assessing employee performance, and more. The exam tests the candidate’s knowledge of the material covered in the course.

The cost of the COS certification program varies depending on the provider offering it. Generally, it costs around $500-$1,000 for both parts of the program. It typically takes about four weeks to complete both parts of the COS certification program. To get certified as a COS, you must first pass the online course and then pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

3. Professional in Human Resources – Onboarding (PHR-O)

Professional in Human Resources – Onboarding (PHR-O) is a certification offered by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and competency in onboarding practices, processes, and procedures.

The PHR-O certification requires a minimum of two years of professional experience in human resources with at least one year devoted specifically to onboarding activities. To receive the certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as best practices for onboarding new employees, legal compliance requirements, and strategies for creating effective onboarding experiences.

It typically takes about six weeks to get the PHR-O certification after passing the exam. The cost of taking the exam is $395 USD for HRCI members or $495 USD for non-members. Additionally, there are other fees associated with applying for and maintaining the certification.

4. Certified Employee onboarding Manager (CEOM)

Certified Employee Onboarding Manager (CEOM) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage the onboarding process for new employees. The certification is designed to help employers ensure their new employees are properly trained, integrated into the organization, and set up for success.

The CEOM program consists of three levels of certification: Certified Employee Onboarding Manager (CEOM), Advanced Certified Employee Onboarding Manager (ACEOM), and Master Certified Employee Onboarding Manager (MCEOM). Each level requires the completion of a series of courses and exams. The courses cover topics such as onboarding best practices, employee engagement strategies, employee retention tactics, and more.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all three levels of the CEOM program. To get started, an individual must first register for the program through an accredited provider or institution. Once registered, they can begin taking courses at their own pace.

The cost of the CEOM program varies depending on the provider or institution offering it. Generally speaking, it will cost anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 to complete all three levels of certification.

5. Certified Onboarding and Retention Strategist (CORES)

Certified Onboarding and Retention Strategist (CORES) is a certification program offered by the Human Capital Institute (HCI). It is designed to help organizations improve their onboarding and retention processes. CORES focuses on developing strategies that ensure new hires are successful and retained in the organization.

The CORES certification program consists of three parts: an online course, an online assessment, and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as onboarding best practices, effective communication strategies, and employee engagement. The online assessment evaluates your knowledge of the material covered in the course. Finally, you must pass a proctored final exam to earn your CORES certification.

The cost of the CORES certification program varies depending on the package you choose. The most basic package includes access to the online course and assessment for $395 USD. There are also more comprehensive packages available that include additional resources such as webinars, coaching sessions, and study guides for $995 USD or more.

It typically takes about two weeks to complete all three parts of the CORES certification program. However, this timeline can vary depending on how quickly you work through the material and complete the assessment and final exam.

6. Certified Onboarding Facilitator (COF)

A Certified Onboarding Facilitator (COF) is a professional who has been trained and certified to help organizations develop and implement effective onboarding programs. The COF certification program is designed to equip individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to create successful onboarding experiences for new employees.

The COF certification program typically takes between three and six months to complete depending on the individual's experience level. It includes online coursework, webinars, and hands-on practice sessions. The cost of the program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1,500-$2,500 USD.

To become a Certified Onboarding Facilitator, an individual must first complete the required coursework and pass an exam administered by the International Association of Onboarding Professionals (IAOP). After passing the exam, they will receive their COF certification.

The benefits of becoming a Certified Onboarding Facilitator include: gaining access to industry best practices; developing expertise in onboarding processes; increasing your credibility as an onboarding specialist; and having access to a network of professionals who can provide support throughout your career.

7. Certified Talent Acquisition Specialist (CTAS)

A Certified Talent Acquisition Specialist (CTAS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of talent acquisition. It is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the areas of recruitment, selection, interviewing, onboarding, and retention.

The CTAS certification program requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as job analysis, sourcing strategies, candidate assessment methods, interviewing techniques, and legal compliance. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CTAS certification program, applicants must have at least three years of experience in talent acquisition or related fields. They must also meet certain educational requirements such as having a bachelor’s degree or higher in human resources management or a related field.

The cost of the CTAS certification program varies depending on where you take the exam but typically ranges from $250-$500 USD. After passing the exam, there are no additional fees associated with maintaining your certification status.

8. Professional in Human Resources – Talent Acquisition and Onboarding (PHR-TAO)

Professional in Human Resources – Talent Acquisition and Onboarding (PHR-TAO) is a certification offered by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). This certification is designed for HR professionals who specialize in recruiting, staffing, and onboarding. It validates the knowledge and skills of HR professionals in these areas.

To get this certification, you must have at least one year of professional experience in talent acquisition or onboarding and pass an exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions that cover topics such as recruitment methods, onboarding processes, employee retention strategies, labor laws, and ethical practices. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost to take the PHR-TAO exam varies depending on your location. In the United States, the cost is $395 USD for HRCI members and $495 USD for non-members.

In order to maintain your certification, you must recertify every three years by completing 60 professional development credits or retaking the exam.

9. Certified Talent Management Professional – Onboarding and Retention (CTMP-OR)

Certified Talent Management Professional – Onboarding and Retention (CTMP-OR) is a certification program offered by the Human Capital Institute (HCI). The certification is designed to provide professionals with an understanding of the best practices for onboarding and retaining talent. It covers topics such as recruitment, selection, onboarding, engagement, retention, and career development.

The CTMP-OR certification requires applicants to complete a series of online courses that cover topics such as job analysis and design, recruiting strategies, onboarding processes, employee engagement strategies, and retention techniques. Upon successful completion of the courses, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam in order to receive the certification.

The program takes approximately three months to complete. The cost of the program varies depending on the number of courses taken but typically ranges from $2,000-$4,000. There are also discounts available for groups or organizations who wish to enroll multiple people in the program.

10. Certified Change Management Professional – Onboarding and Retention (CCMP-OR)

The Certified Change Management Professional – Onboarding and Retention (CCMP-OR) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to help professionals in the field of change management develop their skills and knowledge in the areas of onboarding and retention. It is offered by the Association for Change Management Professionals (ACMP).

The CCMP-OR certification requires a minimum of five years of experience in change management, with at least two years of experience in onboarding and/or retention. The program also requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as change management principles, organizational change processes, stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, project management, and more.

The entire process of obtaining the CCMP-OR certification takes about 6 months from start to finish. To get started, applicants must first submit their application form along with supporting documents such as a resume or CV. Once accepted into the program, applicants must complete an online training course which includes self-paced modules and quizzes. After completing the training course, applicants must take and pass the ACMP’s CCMP-OR exam.

The cost for obtaining the CCMP-OR certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of ACMP. For members, it costs $1,200 USD while non-members pay $1,500 USD.

11. Certified Recruiting and Selection Professional – Onboarding and Retention (CRSP-OR).

Certified Recruiting and Selection Professional - Onboarding and Retention (CRSP-OR) is a certification program offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This certification focuses on developing the skills of HR professionals who are responsible for recruiting, selecting, onboarding, and retaining employees. The CRSP-OR certification requires that applicants demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of best practices in recruitment, selection, onboarding, and retention.

The CRSP-OR certification is designed to provide HR professionals with the skills necessary to effectively recruit, select, onboard, and retain employees. It covers topics such as job analysis, interviewing techniques, legal issues related to recruitment and selection, onboarding processes, employee retention strategies, and more. The program also includes a practical component where applicants must demonstrate their ability to apply the concepts they have learned in real-world scenarios.

To get the CRSP-OR certification, applicants must first pass an online exam that assesses their knowledge of the topics covered in the program. Once they have passed this exam they can then submit an application for the certification which includes a fee of $200 USD. Once accepted into the program applicants will receive access to additional resources such as webinars and study materials that will help them prepare for their final examination which they must pass in order to receive their CRSP-OR certification. The entire process from start to finish typically takes between six months to one year depending on how quickly an applicant can complete all of the requirements.

Do You Really Need a Onboarding Specialist Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need an onboarding specialist certificate to be successful in the onboarding process. However, having this certification can certainly give you a competitive edge and provide you with additional knowledge and skills that will help you become more effective in your role. This certificate can also open up more job opportunities within the industry.

Onboarding is a complex process that involves multiple aspects, including understanding company policies, procedures, and culture; developing relationships with new hires; helping them acclimate to their roles; providing training and support; and managing paperwork. Having a credential from an accredited program can demonstrate to employers that you possess the knowledge and skills necessary for success in this field.

A good onboarding specialist certificate program will cover topics such as onboarding fundamentals, legal compliance, employee engagement strategies, performance management systems, diversity and inclusion initiatives, communication techniques, customer service best practices, and problem-solving strategies. It should also provide hands-on learning experiences that allow students to practice their skills in real-world scenarios.

In addition to gaining valuable knowledge of onboarding processes and best practices, obtaining a certification can also demonstrate your commitment to professional growth. Employers may view it as evidence that you are dedicated to staying current on trends in the field and continually improving your abilities so that you can better serve their organization’s needs.

Overall, while obtaining an onboarding specialist certificate is not necessary for success in this field, it could be beneficial for those looking to stand out from other applicants or advance their career prospects.

Related: Onboarding Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Onboarding Specialist Certifications

Q1: What is an onboarding specialist certification?

A1: An onboarding specialist certification is a credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully onboard new employees. It provides employers with assurance that the individual has the skills needed to help new hires transition into their roles quickly and effectively.

Q2: Who should consider getting certified as an onboarding specialist?

A2: Any HR professional or manager who oversees new hire onboarding processes should consider obtaining an onboarding specialist certification. It can help demonstrate expertise in the field and provide a competitive edge when applying for jobs.

Q3: What is the process for becoming certified?

A3: The process for becoming certified usually involves completing an accredited course or program, passing an exam, and receiving official recognition from a certifying body such as SHRM or HRCI. Depending on the organization, there may be additional requirements such as experience in the field or continuing education credits.

Q4: How long does it take to become certified?

A4: The time it takes to become certified depends on the certifying organization and any prerequisites required by them. Generally, it takes several months of preparation before taking the exam and receiving certification.

Q5: How long does a certification last?

A5: Most certifications are valid for three years, after which they must be renewed by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam.