Self-test "HR Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education (FPE)": Is this course the right one for me?

What does the day-to-day work of HR specialists with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education look like?

The Federal Professional Examination "HR Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education" can be taken in three specializations that prepare for different activities:

Specialization in operational HR management (HR specialist)

HR specialists in operational HR management are responsible for all personnel administration, recruitment and pre-selection, personnel support and personnel development, including apprenticeships.

They advertise vacancies, make preliminary selections, conduct interviews and manage the recruitment process until the contract is signed. They manage personnel files and handle all entry and exit formalities for staff changes. Thanks to their specialist knowledge in all matters relating to salaries, social insurance, contract law and occupational benefits, they are competent contact persons for employees in the company.

Specialization in private recruitment and placement (personnel consultant, recruitment agency)

Recruitment consultants and recruitment agencies advise and support companies in recruiting personnel. On the one hand, they take care of job advertisements and the pre-selection of applications received. On the other hand, they place suitable candidates from their own client base.

Specialization in public personnel placement and consulting (RAV consultant)

Personnel consultants in public administration advise and support job seekers. They analyze the job market, acquire client companies and decide on employment market measures such as courses or work placements.

Target group and skills: Who is the Federal Professional Examination (FPE) for HR specialists with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The course and the Federal Professional Examination "HR Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education" are suitable for

• Professionals who already work in human resources and would like to acquire in-depth knowledge in the field of Human Resources Management (HRM) and confirm this with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education.
• Persons who work in a personnel consultancy or at an RAV (regional job placement center) or who aspire to work in these areas.

HR professionals should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Flexibility
• Load capacity
• Assertiveness
• Empathy
• Knowledge of human nature
• Communication skills (oral and written)
• Team skills
• High sense of responsibility

Requirements for admission to the Federal Diploma of Higher Education in HR (FPE):

To be able to take the Federal Professional Examination for HR specialists, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations:

• have a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET Diploma), baccalaureate, specialized baccalaureate or equivalent*.

And

• have successfully passed the certificate examination for personnel assistants.

And

• Specialization in Corporate Human Resource Management:After completing an apprenticeship or equivalent qualification, 4 years of professional experience, including at least 2 years in HR.
• Specialization in public personnel recruitment and consulting:4 years of professional experience after obtaining the Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET Diploma) or equivalent qualification, including at least 2 years of AVIG enforcement practice.
• Specializing in private recruitment and placement:After obtaining the EFZ or equivalent qualification, at least 4 years of professional experience, including at least 2 years in HR, of which at least 1 year in private recruitment and staff leasing.

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the Federal Professional Examination at least three months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons and information on legal remedies in the event of rejection.

Note: The requirements, such as professional experience, only need to be fulfilled at the time of the federal final examination/examination registration. Some schools may be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the Federal Professional Examination for HR Specialists if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. You must then ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination or examination registration (the responsibility lies with you).

Subject matter and content of continuing education, further training

The subject matter and content of the preparatory courses for the Federal Professional Examination for HR Specialists with Federal Diploma of Higher Education are based on the requirements of the responsible body for the Federal Professional Examination, Human Resources Swiss Exams (HRSE)

The course material is divided into a "general" cross-disciplinary section and specific specialist sections.

These parts cover the various areas of competence that are fundamental to the Federal Professional Examination:

Interdisciplinary basis

• Basic/generalist knowledge in the area of HR management (HRM, employment law, equal opportunities law, social insurance, data protection, foreign nationals law, etc.)
• Shaping interaction (communication, counseling, managing conflict situations professionally)
• Information and internal and external networking

Specialization A: Operational Human Resource Management (HRM)

• Personnel recruitment (recruitment) and separation
• Advising employees and supervisors on all questions relating to the job, as well as conflicts and difficult situations
• Assessment, development, remuneration (targeted personnel development)
• Process and project management, HR system management

Specialization B: Public recruitment and personnel consulting

• Advice and placement of jobseekers
• Cooperation with employers
• Labor market measures
• Sovereign enforcement tasks

Specialization C: Private recruitment and staff leasing

• Placement of jobseekers (professional advice for jobseekers and placement with the respective employers)
• Cooperation with employers (professional management and support in the recruitment of new employees for the client, i.e. the employer)
• Acting as a manager (supervision of employees)
• Acting as a manager (managing a business unit)

Costs and financing of continuing education, further training

The costs vary depending on the provider. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 2-3-semester HR specialist training, continuing education, further training, which is designed to be taken part-time:

• Course fees:between CHF 9,100 and CHF 14,460 Of this amount, you will receive a refund of around 50% from the federal government upon application after the examination (regardless of the result).* Note: Members of the Kaufmännischer Verband receive a member discount of up to 10% on the course costs.You can find more information here.
• Examination fees:CHF 1,500 (as of August 2025) The examination fee is set by the responsible body of the Federal Professional Examination. It is paid by the candidate after admission has been confirmed.
• Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for teaching materials, training documents and simulation exams, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for Federal Professional Examination (FPE) and Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for FPE, max. CHF 10,500 for AFPE) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examinations. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• The HR specialist training, continuing education, further training is modular and lasts 2-3 semesters. It is completed on a part-time basis.
• Lesson times vary depending on the provider. As a rule, lessons take place two evenings a week or all day on a weekday and/or Saturday.
• Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
• Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of continuing education, further training, you can apply and deepen your knowledge immediately in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

The Federal Professional Examination for HR specialists with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education takes place annually, provided that at least 50 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be held in German, French or Italian.

Candidates are notified at least 3 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.

The Federal Professional Examination is divided into 3 parts.

1. generalist knowledge (written, 180 minutes)

This first part of the examination is the same for all specializations. In this written examination, candidates demonstrate their comprehensive generalist knowledge in the field of HRM. The exam consists of various types of questions such as single-choice, multiple-choice, sequential questions, matching questions and open questions.

2. integrated case study (written, 210 minutes), presentation and expert discussion (oral, 50 minutes preparation, 10 minutes presentation, 20 minutes expert discussion)

In this part of the examination, the candidates work on a networked case study, which is oriented along the central processes of the respective specialization. The case study is created separately for each specialization.

3. mini cases (oral, 30 minutes), reflection on interview situation incl. video for preparation (oral, 20 minutes video analysis, 20 minutes reflection)

In the third part of the examination, candidates are given an initial situation, which they analyze and propose solutions to. The proposed solution is then presented. After the presentation, the candidates answer questions from the experts on the proposed solution.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the Federal Professional Examination receive a Federal Diploma of Higher Education and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "HR Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education, specializing in Operational Human Resource Management", "HR Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education, specializing in Public Recruitment and Consulting", "HR Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education, specializing in Private Recruitment and Hiring".

• In French: "Spécialiste RH avec brevet federal, option de spécialisation Gestion du personell en entreprise", "Spécialiste RH avec brevet federal, option de spécialisation Placement public et conseil en personell", "Spécialiste RH avec brevet federal, option de spécialisation Placement privé et location de services"
• In Italian: "Specialista in risorse umane con attestato professionale federale, optione Gestione del personale nell`azienda", "Specialista in risorse umane con attestato professionale federale, optione Servizi pubblici di collocamento e consulenza al personale", "Specialista in risorse umane con attestato professionale federale, optione Collocamento private e personale a prestito"
• In English: "HR Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education, Option: Corporate Human Resources Management", "HR Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education, Option: Personnel Placement and Consultation", "HR Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education, Option: Private Personnel Recruitment and Temporary Staffing" (Attention: No protected title only a recommendation)