Singapore will require a certified HR professional at firms with more than 200 staff from 1 July 2028

Singapore will require a certified HR professional at firms with more than 200 staff from 1 July 2028

24 September 2026: Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on 24 September 2026 that the government has accepted the recommendations of the Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development. The most concrete is a new requirement on larger employers. HCAMag reported it the next day.

The requirement

From 1 July 2028, organisations with more than 200 employees must have at least one HR professional certified at IHRP Certified Professional (IHRP-CP) level or higher. IHRP is Singapore's national HR certification body. International HR certifications that IHRP recognises also count, provided any bridging requirements are met.

Subsidies from 1 October 2026

An additional S$100 subsidy applies from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2028, bringing the fee to S$163.50 for IHRP-CP and S$272.50 for the Senior Professional level; each certification is valid for three years. Employers can use the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit for the remaining cost.

AI in HR

The workgroup also recommended AI starter kits that package AI solutions for HR use cases with implementation guidance, training and funding support; guidance on responsible use of AI in recruitment, including processes and safeguards for fair employment decisions; and a playbook from the labour movement NTUC to guide HR professionals through AI transformation, due in the first quarter of 2027.

Who is affected

Singapore employers with more than 200 staff, including regional headquarters of foreign companies; HR consultancies and training providers; and vendors of recruitment and HR software, whose AI features will be measured against the coming guidance.

What to do

• Count headcount against the 200 threshold and identify who in HR will hold the certification.
• Use the subsidy window that opens on 1 October to certify early.
• Recruitment teams using AI screening should prepare to show the processes and safeguards the forthcoming guidance is expected to ask for, and ask their software vendors how they will support it.

Sources

• Ministry of Manpower: Recommendations by Tripartite Workgroup to strengthen human capital in every workplace for every worker - 24 September 2026
• HCAMag Asia: Certified HR professional required in Singapore companies from July 2028 - 25 September 2026