There are three requirements to becoming a human resources manager: post-secondary education, human resources certification, and experience. A human resources manager is responsible for the daily operation of the personal and payroll department. The size of the human resources department varies widely, and is based on the number of employees and the volume of human resources related work.

As a human resources manager, your tasks include policy creation and management, providing guidance to supervisors and ensuring that all workplace laws are followed. In a large company, the human resources manager is a central resource for all employee-related issues. This includes discipline, hiring, termination and promotion decisions.

In order to become a human resources manager, you must have completed an undergraduate degree from a university or community college. There is no specific degree in human resources, but most candidates complete a bachelor of arts in a liberal arts subject, such as English or psychology. Another popular option is to complete a business degree.

The human resources certification is a post-graduate program that is typically one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. This certificate is offered at a wide range of community and career colleges. In order to qualify for this certificate, you must have a combination of education and work experience. On average, candidates have three to five years experience working in human resources.

The purpose of the certificate is to provide training in the specific laws, practices and procedures that are used in human resources. This includes payroll laws, accounting practices, government programs and local guidelines. This program has a heavy course load, with a significant amount of reading and essay writing requirements.

In order to become a human resources manager, you will need at least five years' experience in positions of increasing responsibility in a human resources department. Most employees start their careers as human resources officers or generalists in a large company. Over time, they gain the necessary skills and experience. Managing a human resources department is a large responsibility, as you are liable for ensuring that the company policies are in compliance with local, state and federal laws.

Many human resources employees are promoted through the ranks of the company. The policies, environment and culture of each workplace are different. A firm understanding of how a company works, the issues and how the company has traditionally responded are all critical to performing the role of human resources manager well.