Certification Exams

HCG offers three types of credentials. Professionals looking to advance in their talent management career can earn a comprehensive certification in integrated talent management, leading to a status of Specialist or a Practitioner.  Professionals looking to gain recognition in a specific talent management function can become credentialed in either workforce staffing, workforce development, workforce management, workforce planning or organizational effectiveness. Finally, professionals looking to earn credentials in a solution-based practice, can earn certification in  talent acquisition, employee engagement, workforce planning, workforce analytics, change management, and leadership development.
To ensure industry relevance, HCG develops certification exam questions in collaboration with industry practitioners and experts.
This is a timed exam. Exam questions are multiple choice.

Certification Requirements

Minimum Certification Requirements:

  • Complete topic-related assignments at a 70% or higher level
  • Attend relevant webinars
  • Earn 70% or higher in the certification exam
  • Complete assignments achieving a minimally acceptable score

Mastery-Level Certification Requirements

  • Complete topic-related assignments at an 80% or higher level
  • Attend relevant webinars
  • Earn 80% or higher in the certification exam
  • Complete assignment achieving a minimally acceptable score

All certifications are valid for 3 years. To maintain the certification credentials, you must stay current in this area of expertise, build upon your knowledge, and grow as a professional in your field. Recertification requires retaking the exam. ​

Recertification Requirements

Minimum Recertification Requirements:

  • Earn 80% or higher in the certification exam

Mastery-Level Recertification Requirements:

  • Earn 80% or higher in the certification exam

HCG offers training in evidence-based talent management. You need to complete relevant courseware to prepare for the certification exam.

Certification exams are held four times a year. ​

​Exam dates for the year 2021:

February 2021, Thursday, 18th​
August 2021, Thursday, 19th​
May 2021, Thursday, 20th​
November 2021, Thursday, 18th
Certification Exam
Number of questions
Passing Threshold
Exam duration
Certified Talent Management Practitioner (CTMP)
170
70%
160 min
Certified Talent Management Specialist (CTMS)
60
70%
50 min
Certified in Workforce Staffing (CWS)
Certified in Workforce Development (CWD)
Certified in Workforce Management (CWM)
Certified in Organizational Effectiveness (COE)
50
70%
45 min
Certified in Employee Engagement (CEE)
Certified in Workforce Planning (CWP)
Certified in Workforce Analytics (CWA)
Certified in Talent Acquisition (CTA)
Certified in Leadership Development (CLD)
Certified in Change Management (CCM)
30
70%
25 mi