New rules set for HR practitioners

By  Luke Anami

Human resource managers will now need a practicing certificate to work in the sector.

The Human Resource Management Professionals Act, which received the President’s assent on December 31, is expected to govern the entry and conduct of professionals in the human resource management.

Professional manner

The law shall also provide disciplinary measures that HR professionals will be subjected to if they fail to conduct themselves in a professional manner.

“Under the Act, the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) is required to register HR professionals and maintain high governance standards within the profession. A Registration Committee will be established to receive applications for registration and grant practicing certificates,” Paul Kasimu, the chairman of the IHRM said yesterday at a Nairobi hotel.

The Act provides that one shall be eligible for registration as a human resource management professional only if such a person is of good conduct, has paid prescribed fees and has successfully undergone a prescribed certificate, diploma or degree or research course, and passed the requisite examination as prescribed by the Institute.

“Anyone working in an HR role will be required to have a practicing license issued by the Institute. As part of its role in operationalising the new law, the IHRM is in the process of developing the requisite rules and regulations. The Act provided that no person shall practice as a human resource management professional unless they have a valid practicing certificate.”

Undergone training

A person may also be registered if they have undergone training outside Kenya in an institution that IHRM recognises, or if one possesses such other qualifications as may be prescribed by the institution.

The law also establishes the Human Resource Management Professionals Examinations Board, which is tasked with drawing-up a curriculum, and setting and administering examinations for HR practitioners.

The Board will thereafter issue professional qualifying certificates and other awards to candidates who satisfy examination requirements, as well as make and enforce rules pertaining to the examinations.