HR Certification
What Is Certification?
Certification is a voluntary action by a professional group to establish a system to grant recognition to professionals who have met a stated level of training and work experience. Certified individuals are usually issued a certificate attesting that they have met the standards of the credentialing organization and are entitled to make the public aware of their credentialed status, usually through the use of acronyms (i.e., PHR, SPHR or GPHR) after their names.
Certifications differ from certificate programs because certifications, by definition, include a work experience component. Certificate programs, on the other hand, award certificates once a course of study has been completed and do not require previous work experience.
Purpose and Use of Certification
PHR and SPHR certification shows that the holder has accepted the challenge to stay informed of new developments in the HR field. The PHR and SPHR exams are completely voluntary. The PHR and SPHR designations are a visible reminder to peers and co-workers of the holder's significant professional achievement. PHR and SPHR certified professionals should proudly display their certificates and use the credentials on business correspondence.
Exam Overview
The PHR & SPHR exams are multiple-choice and consist of 150 scored questions plus 25 pretest questions randomly distributed throughout the exam (a total of 175 questions). Three hours are allotted to complete the exam. The GPHR exam is also multiple-choice and consists of 100 scored questions plus 25 pretest questions randomly distributed throughout the exam (a total of 125 questions). Two hours and 15 minutes are allotted to complete the exam.
ARE YOU READY?
Study Groups
The Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association is happy to connect individuals interested in forming study groups for upcoming exams. Go to www.hrci.org. for registration details. A Study group is being formed by NOHRA. If you are interested in preparing for your exam with others (current session or upcoming sessions), please contact our chapter HRCI Coordinator via email at hrci.chair@toledoshrm.org
To register for the exam please go to www.hrci.org.
Please contact Jim Yates for more information or to register for the study group at (419) 247-1830 or jbyates@eastmansmith.com
Please note that the regular testing application deadline for the Spring testing window is March 22, 2013 and the late application is through April 19, 2013*
*A $75.00 nonrefundable late fee is applied to all applications submitted during this time.
Please contact contact our chapter HRCI Coordinator via email at hrci.chair@toledoshrm.org for more information or to register for the study group.
HRCI Online Assessment Exam
HRCI offers an online assessment exam comprised of actual exam questions that have appeared on previous exams but were removed from the item bank to develop the assessment exam. Before registering for the exam, consider taking this online assessment exam. The assessment exam exposes candidates to the types of questions on the actual exam. For more information about the assessment exam (including fees), visit the HRCI web site at www.hrci.org.
Choosing the Appropriate Exam Level
Candidates should choose the exam level that best represents their mastery of the HR body of knowledge. HRCI has found that appropriate exempt-level HR work experience and educational background contribute significantly to success on the exams. With this in mind, HRCI strongly recommends that PHR candidates have two to four years of exempt-level (professional) HR work experience and SPHR candidates have six to eight years of exempt-level (professional) HR work experience.
PHR Eligibility
- A minimum of 1 year of experience in an exempt-level (professional) HR position with a master’s degree or higher
- A minimum of 2 years of experience in an exempt-level (professional) HR position with a bachelor’s degree
- A minimum of 4 years of experience in an exempt-level (professional) HR position with a high school diploma
SPHR Eligibility
- A minimum of 4years of experience in an exempt-level (professional) HR position with a master’s degree or higher
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in an exempt-level (professional) HR position with a bachelor’s degree
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in an exempt-level (professional) HR position with a high school diploma
GPHR Eligibility
- A minimum of 2 years of global experience in an exempt-level (professional) HR position with a master’s degree or higher
- A minimum of 3 years of experience (with 2 of the 3 being global HR experience) in an exempt-level (professional) HR position with a bachelor’s degree
- A minimum of 4 years of experience (with 2 of the 4 being global HR experience) in an exempt-level (professional) HR position with a high school diploma
THE IDEAL PHR CANDIDATE:
- Focuses on program implementation.
- Has tactical/logistical orientation.
- Has accountability to another HR professional within the organization.
- Has two to four years of exempt-level generalist HR work experience, but because of career length may lack the breadth and depth of a more senior-level generalist.
- Has not had progressive HR work experience by virtue of career length.
- Focuses his or her impact on the organization within the HR department rather than organization-wide.
- Commands respect through the credibility of knowledge and the use of policies and guidelines to make decisions.
THE IDEAL SPHR CANDIDATE:
- Designs and plans rather than implements.
- Focuses on the "big picture."
- Has ultimate accountability in the HR department.
- Has six to eight years of progressive HR experience.
- Has breadth and depth of HR generalist knowledge.
- Uses judgment obtained with time and application of knowledge.
- Has generalist role within organization.
- Understands the affect of decisions made within and outside of the organization.
- Understands the business, not just the HR function.
- Manages relationships; has influence within overall organization.
- Commands credibility within organization, community and field by experience.
- Possesses excellent negotiation skills.
PHR and SPHR Exam Functional Areas | PHR | SPHR |
---|---|---|
Business Management & Strategy | 11% | 30% |
Workforce Planning and Employment | 24% | 17% |
Human Resource Development | 18% | 19% |
Compensation and Benefits | 19% | 13% |
Employee and Labor Relations | 20% | 14% |
Occupational Health, Safety and Security | 8% | 7% |