"I was wondering if you could advise me as to whether or not there has ever been any consideration placed on the mandatory requirement of the designation for all individuals functioning in the capacity of an HR generalist, HR Advisor etc, similar to nursing."
What you are referring to is called "restricted practice" or "licensure." This is when, by statute, only individuals with certain credentials are allowed to do certain things. The CHRP does not confer the exclusive right to practice in HR. That is why the CHRP is called a voluntary designation. The CHRP is a protected title however, which means that an individual cannot use the initials 'CHRP' or call themselves a ‘Certified Human Resources Professional’ without meeting the requirements for the designation.
Some see licensure as the next logical step for HR, some don't. From a legislative point-of-view, the rationale for regulation or licensure is "protection of the public." Legislators are loather to restrict competition unless a greater good is served.
The word ‘regulated profession’ is also sometimes used. There is no universally accepted definition of ‘regulated,’ however. Indeed, HR has most or all of the characteristics of a ‘regulated profession.’ In Ontario, HRPAO acts like a regulatory body in many ways:
- It sets entry and training requirements
- It sets standards of practice
- It assess qualifications
- It registers qualified applicants
- It disciplines members
There are two things that are missing for HR to move toward licensure: (1) a clearer delineation of those areas of practice that HR would hold as exclusive; and (2) provincial legislation that would grant designation holders the exclusive right to practice. There are many who believe that HR will get there someday, but not anytime in the near future.
The challenge of a voluntary designation is that it cannot be forced on people. The objective with a voluntary designation is for the marketplace to place value the designation although it is not compelled (forced) to do so. Voluntary designations are all about ‘brand value.’