MOM says 200-employee threshold is a 'practical starting point' for the requirement
Nearly half of organisations are already compliant with Singapore's latest requirement to have an HR professional certified by the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP), according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), ahead of the July 2028 deadline.
The requirement covers about 2,000 organisations, including 300 with 1,000 or more employees and 40 with 5,000 or more employees. They collectively employ more than 45% of Singapore's workforce.
"Around 45% of these organisations already have at least one IHRP-certified HR professional," MOM said in a parliamentary inquiry this week.
Singapore's HR certification mandate
The requirement, announced in September, mandates firms with more than 200 employees to have at least one certified HR professional starting July 2028.
"The intent for the requirement is to help raise HR standards and enable businesses and workers to better navigate workplace and technology shifts," MOM told Parliament.
The requirement was a recommendation made by the Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development to strengthen human capital capability in Singapore. The workgroup was co-led by MOM, the Singapore National Employers Federation, and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).
A 'practical starting point'
MOM said the workgroup agreed that the 200-employee threshold is a "practical starting point" that focuses on companies that would have the scale and means to take the lead on IHRP certification.
"At the same time, we continue to encourage all organisations to support their HR professionals to obtain IHRP certification and deepen their professional development," MOM said.
The IHRP is the national professional body in Singapore that was established to professionalise and strengthen human resource practices.
MOM previously said equivalent certifications from other HR professional bodies will be recognised, but they will be subject to recognition by the IHRP and must meet prescribed bridging requirements.
Firms seeking to get their HR professionals certified can get a S$100 subsidy until 30 June 2028, on top of other subsidies.
Organisations may also use their SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit to offset remaining out-of-pocket fees for their HR professionals.
