Companies in S’pore with over 200 employees must have certified HR professional from July 2028
This is part of a push to raise HR standards and help businesses and workers navigate workplace changes.
Starting July 1, 2028, businesses in Singapore with over 200 employees will be mandated to have at least one human resources (HR) professional who holds a certified IHRP-CP or higher designation. This requirement emerged from the Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development's (TWG-HC) report, which emphasized the importance of designing jobs, developing employees, and acting as leaders in creating opportunities for workers.
The move aims to improve HR standards and support businesses and workers in navigating the evolving workplace landscape. Foo Cexiang, Minister of State for Manpower and Trade and Industry, stated that certification would instill confidence in employers regarding their HR teams' ability to advise leaders effectively. The Government plans to increase the number of certified HR professionals from 9,000 to around 18,000 by 2030, representing 40% of the HR workforce.
To facilitate this, an additional $100 subsidy will be provided from October 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, reducing the fees for IHRP-CP and IHRP Senior Professional certifications to $163.50 and $272.50, respectively. The TWG-HC also proposed initiatives to help companies redesign jobs, adopt AI, and foster better career opportunities for workers, such as the People-Centred AI Transformation for HR (PATH) initiative, which will develop AI "starter kits" for HR and introduce accredited programmes aligned with new IHRP AI Fluency Skills Badges.
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