Certified HR staff to become mandatory for large Singapore employers

At a glance

• From 1 July 2028, organisations with more than 200 workers must employ at least one HR professional certified at the IHRP-Certified Professional (IHRP-CP) level or above.

---

On 24 September 2026, the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) – set up by the Ministry of Manpower, the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation – announced that, from 1 July 2028, organisations with more than 200 workers must employ at least one HR professional certified at the IHRP-Certified Professional level or above.

This change aims to professionalise HR in Singapore and to prepare employers for upcoming changes in employment law, including the Workplace Fairness Act 2025 (expected to take effect at the end of 2027) and future amendments to the Employment Act 1968. The number of certified HR professionals is expected to double from 9,000 to around 18,000 by 2030.

To help employers prepare, the Singapore government will provide a SGD100 subsidy towards IHRP certification between 1 October 2026 and 30 June 2028. Employers with more than 200 workers in Singapore should therefore check whether they already employ a suitably certified HR staff member, and if not, plan for certification ahead of the 1 July 2028 deadline.