CIPM- Membership, costs, and all you need to know

Do you want to build a career in Human resource management in Nigeria? Then you should know about CIPM. CIPM which stands for the Chartered Institute for Personnel Management, is the professional body for human resource management in Nigeria.

Just like every other professional body, the CIPM has its guidelines, requirements, and benefits. In this article, I’ll explore the various things that make CIPM unique and why you should consider becoming a member.

Recognition and accreditation

The CIPM was established in 1968 as the Personnel Management Association of Nigeria. It was later renamed the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in 1992.

It is the umbrella body that regulates the human resource profession in Nigeria. This means that the Institute is recognized all over the world as Nigeria’s apex body in the HR profession. The Institute is committed to high standards of professional competency in the HR profession in Nigeria.

Membership Requirements 

To become a member of CIPM through the examination route, you need to have graduated from a tertiary institution. You also need to have made at least five credits in your SSCE including Maths and English. 

However, undergraduates of some higher institutions can join the Institute as student members but they will only be recognized as associate members after graduating from their tertiary institution.

Applicants have to pass a five-stage exam before their induction. The stages include; 

• Foundation 
• Intermediate I 
• Intermediate II 
• Professional exam I 
• Professionalism II

There are other routes to becoming a member. See the details with their requirements below;

Practitioner’s route requirements

– Minimum of Bachelor’s degree/Higher National Diploma (HND) or its equivalent.

– Minimum of seven (7) years post-graduation experience (Excluding the NYSC), five of which must be in HR/Administrative field at an advisory/management level in a recognized organization.

Recognized organizations include;

• Public Sector organizations
• Oil and Gas companies
• Telecommunications companies
• Media & Advertising companies
• Transport companies
• Banking & Insurance companies
• Manufacturing companies
• Professional Institutes
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

– You must be currently employed

– You must have experience in at least five of the core areas of Human resource management listed below;

• Human Resource Management
• Resourcing and Talent Planning
• Performance Management System
• Rewards and Remuneration Management
• Learning and Talent Development
• Change Management
• Industrial and Employee Relations
• Employee Engagement
• Diversity and Inclusiveness
• You must have attended at least 5 HR or related training programmes in the last 7 years.

If you meet these criteria you can apply to the institute for membership with 2 referees. Successful applicants have to participate in mandatory training.

Executive route requirements

To become a member through this route, you need to meet the requirements for the practitioner’s route with the following additional requirements;

• You must have 12 years of working experience of which 6 years must be in the HR field and a recognized organization.

• You must be employed as a senior HR manager or grade level 15 in the public sector

If you meet the above criteria, you can apply for membership with details of two referees. Successful applicants would be invited for an interview and mandatory training.

Academic route requirements

To become a member through this route, you also need to meet the requirements for the practitioner’s route although your years of experience don’t have to be in the HR field.  with the following additional requirements;

• You must be currently employed in any recognized higher Institution and occupy a position not less than Lecturer I and II, Graduate Assistant, and Head of Department.

• You must supervise undergraduate or postgraduate-level research in a relevant subject area.

• You must have participated in Internal or external HR research

If you meet the above criteria, you can apply for membership with the details of two referees. You would have to participate in a 2-day program. If successful you will become an associate member.

Military/Paramilitary route requirements 

To become a member through this route, you also need to meet the requirements for the practitioner’s route. However, just like with the academic route, your years of experience don’t have to be in the HR field. You also need to meet the following unique requirements;

• You must be currently serving and occupying a position not less than Second Lieutenant, Lieutenant, Captain Major, etc, or its equivalent in the Military and Paramilitary field.

• You must contribute to or lead innovation in the design and delivery of practical HR/Tactical/Strategic/Operational tools.

• You must have attended at least five (5) training programmes, and at least three (3) of the training attended must be in core HR/Tactical/Strategic/Operational subjects in the last 7 years.

Corporate membership

Companies can become corporate members by applying and paying a subscription fee. Some of the benefits include;

• Free participation in CIPM’s annual HR Best Practice Award.
• Free HR advisory services on Reward management, Policy design, and compliance with government legislation
• Free copies of CIPM quarterly journals and publications
• Up to 15% discount for 5 to 10 members of your organization attending CIPM’s events.
• Access to CIPM subject matter experts on issues relating to Industrial Relations and the Labour Law.

How Much does CIPM cost in Nigeria?

For the examination route, exam cost details are;

Exam Stages	Exam Fees (N)	Exemption Fee (N)
FOUNDATION	N44,350.00	N/A
INTERMEDIATE I	N45,750.00	N16,200.00
INTERMEDIATE II	N46,560.00	N17,880.00
PROFESSIONAL Exam I	N51,240.00	N19,440.00
PROFESSIONAL EXAM II	N56,040.00	N/A

Why you should consider CIPM as an HR professional in Nigeria

If you are an ambitious professional who wants to get further in his career in human resources you should consider the CIPM. There are several reasons why and  I will detail a few of them below. 

• Becoming a member of the CIPM would allow you to earn respect, and credibility as a professional in the HR industry. 
• You get to build a network of HR professionals that will prove to be invaluable to you in the course of your career. 
• You’ll also benefit from the Institute’s training and professional development programs.

How long does the CIPM certification last?

The license obtained from CIPM is valid for 3 years. Members can apply for a renewal after their license expires. 

To renew your license you would have to participate in HR work activities such as;

• Participating in continuous professional education.
• Participating in conferences, workshops, and forums 
• Authoring books

By carrying out these activities members win credits. You need a minimum of 60 credits to renew your license for another 3 years.

How to prepare for the CIPM exams

Passing the CIPM exams requires a reasonable amount of effort. Two tips for preparing for the exams are given below; 

• Understand the fundamentals.
• Take advantage of the training offered by the Institute.

Conclusion

The CIPM can provide career opportunities for ambitious HR professionals in Nigeria. This article has explored the various ways you can become a member