SUPPORTING HR PROFESSIONALS, STRENGTHENING ORGANISATIONS

1. What is Enhanced Certification Subsidy for HR certification?
It is a one-time additional S$100 flat-rate subsidy for eligible IHRP certification applications from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2028, provided by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP).

The subsidy is available to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, subject to the eligibility criteria.

2. Why is this Enhanced Subsidy for HR Certification being offered?
The enhanced subsidy is intended to encourage more HR professionals to attain nationally recognised certification and help organisations strengthen their HR capabilities.

The one-time S$100 subsidy helps eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents defray certification costs and supports early adoption across organisations of all sizes, including those with 200 or fewer employees. It also gives larger organisations time to prepare for the new HR certification requirement, while further support, such as the use of SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) to offset remaining certification fees, is being put in place and details will be announced separately.

3. When does the Enhanced Subsidy for HR Certification start?
The Enhanced Subsidy for HR Certification will commence on 1 October 2026 and end on 30 June 2028.

For info on eligibility and application for the IHRP certification, please refer here.

4. Who is eligible and what fees are applicable for the Enhanced Subsidy for HR Certification?
The subsidy is available to eligible HR professionals seeking certification for the first time, as well as mid-career switchers seeking to enter the HR profession. This subsidy is available only to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

The subsidy applies to IHRP Certified Associate (CA – Working Professionals only), Certified Professional (CP), and Senior Professional (SP) applications, and is valid for new, upgrade, and bridging applications. It does not apply to Recertification, Reassessment, Rescheduling, or Onsite fees.

Interested HR professionals may click here to find out more.

In addition, interested applicants can visit the IHRP website for updates.

5. What is considered a “first-time application” for purpose of enhanced subsidy?
You are considered a first-time applicant if you have never held any IHRP certification before. This also applies if you are applying for a different certification level for the first time.

If you have previously held an IHRP certification that has since lapsed, your application will be considered a recertification and will not qualify as a first-time application.

6. How is “mid-career switcher” defined?
A “mid-career switcher” refers to an individual with prior work experience in a non-HR function who is transitioning into a role within the HR profession.

7. Are non-HR professionals eligible to apply for HR certification for a career transition?
Yes. Non-HR professionals are eligible if they are applying for certification as part of a planned career transition into the HR profession, as IHRP certifications are intended for HR practitioners.

Business leaders and other professionals who oversee HR functions or are meaningfully involved in HR decision-making and processes can also apply for IHRP certification. However, this group is only eligible for IHRP Certified Associate (CA) certification – Working Professionals.

8. Are self-employed individuals in HR roles eligible for the enhanced subsidy?

Yes. Self-employed individuals are eligible provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. These include being a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident, applying for IHRP Certified Associate (CA – Working Professionals only), IHRP Certified Professional (CP), or IHRP Senior Professional (SP) certification, and submitting a first-time, upgrade, or bridging application.

The subsidy does not apply to Recertification, Reassessment, Rescheduling, or Onsite assessment fees.

9. Is there a minimum work experience requirement to apply for IHRP certification?
Yes. Applicants must meet the baseline eligibility criteria for the IHRP certification level they are applying for.

IHRP Certified Associate (Working Professional)
IHRP Certified Professional
IHRP Senior Professional

IHRP is also exploring broadening qualification through alternative pathways. One such pathway is through HCLI’s HR Leaders Programme (HRLP); individuals who have completed this programme and pass both the alternative HR assessment and Labour Legislation assessment, will qualify for IHRP-SP certification through this route. For more information, visit the link here.

If you are unsure whether your role or experience meets the requirements, or if your organisation has unique contexts or circumstances, you can write in to IHRP at hello@ihrp.sg for clarification and support.

10. Are those currently unemployed eligible for the subsidy?
Yes. Individuals who are currently unemployed are eligible, provided they meet the certification eligibility requirements and are either already an HR practitioner or are pursuing a career in the HR profession.

11. How do I apply for the Enhanced Subsidy for HR Certification?
No separate application is required. The subsidy will be automatically applied when you submit your IHRP certification application. Simply proceed with your application as per normal, and the subsidised fee will be reflected in your certification bill.

In addition, interested applicants can visit the IHRP website for updates.

12. Can employers apply for IHRP certification on behalf of their HR staff?
No. Employers cannot apply on behalf of their staff. HR professionals must submit their own application directly.
However, employers can work with IHRP through corporate partnership programmes to facilitate and streamline the application process for their HR teams.

Employers interested in establishing a corporate partnership can connect with our Corporate Partnership team at corporatepartnership@ihrp.sg to find out more.

13. If my employer is sponsoring me, can I still receive the S$100 subsidy?
Yes. The subsidy will be applied to the total certification fee, and your employer will be invoiced for the remaining balance.

14. Can the subsidy be combined with other sector-specific HR capability grants?
This will depend on the terms and conditions of the other grant. Please review the specific requirements of the grant you intend to apply for to determine if it can be used in conjunction with the S$100 subsidy.

15. Can I still use my SkillsFuture Credit after applying the S$100 subsidy?
Yes. You may use your SkillsFuture Credit to pay for the remaining balance, provided you have sufficient credit. This excludes the SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career Support).

16. Am I eligible for a refund if I have already submitted and paid for my application?
No. Refunds are not available for applications submitted and paid for, regardless of whether they are made before or after 1 October 2026.

17. Can I defer my assessment date and still keep the subsidy?
Yes. You may defer or reschedule your assessment and still retain the subsidy. However, the rescheduling fee of S$109 (inclusive of GST; based on the prevailing GST rate) will apply, along with the prevailing rescheduling terms and conditions.

18. If I withdraw my application, will the subsidy be refunded or forfeited?
The subsidy will be forfeited. No refund will be provided, as the subsidy is directly offset against the certification fee paid.

19. Can I transfer my subsidised slot to another person?
No. Assessment slots, including those with the subsidy applied, are strictly non-transferable.

20. If my application is postponed beyond the 12-month period, will the subsidy still apply?
No. The certification fee paid is valid for 12 months, and the subsidy is applicable on a one-time basis. If your application is postponed beyond this period, the subsidy will no longer apply.