• Students and recent graduates can take the PHR and GPHR exams at an initial registration rate of U.S.$120. Passing students and recent graduates must pay the balance of the exam fee once they have graduated and documented two years of exempt-level (professional) HR work experience. They have five years from the date of passing the exam to obtain the two years of exempt-level (professional) HR work experience. Student/recent graduate candidates are not eligible to take the SPHR certification exam.
• Student/recent graduates who meet the two-year exempt-level (professional) HR work experience requirement must apply as an HR professional and pay the full exam fee.
• Student/recent graduate candidates must take the exam no earlier than 12 months before their graduation date and no later than 12 months after graduation from a bachelor’s or graduate degree program.
• See Appendix E for information about taking the exam outside of the United States, U.S. territories or Canada.

Completing the Student/Recent Graduate Verification Form

To determine eligibility, students/recent graduates must submit a completed Student/Recent Graduate Verification form in lieu of completing the work experience section of the application.

Students should complete the top portion of the Student/Recent Graduate Verification form and have it signed by a college or university official.

Recent graduates should sign the Student/Recent Graduate Verification form and attach a copy of their diploma or a transcript showing that the degree was granted. The date the degree was granted must appear on the diploma or transcript. Official transcripts are preferred.

Candidates who have changed their names since graduation should indicate their former name on the Student/Recent Graduate Verification form and follow the instructions in the “Name Changes” section in this handbook.

Students who obtain a degree from a college or university outside of the United States or Canada must provide an equivalency certificate in order to take the exam as a student/recent graduate. For a list of organizations that offer this service, please go to www.hrci.org.

Completed Student/Recent Graduate Verificationforms should be mailed with the completed scannable application or a copy of the summary page from the online application to PES. To avoid a resubmission fee (see “Resubmission Fees” in this handbook), students/recent graduates who apply online must mail or fax a completed form and any other required supporting documentation to PES within five business days from the date they submit the online application to PES.

Submitting Proof of Work Experience

Students/recent graduates have five years from passing the exam to obtain two years of exempt-level (professional) HR work experience. The PHR and GPHR certification is awarded after students/recent graduate candidates:

• Obtain and document two years of exempt-level (professional) HR work experience;
• Provide proof of graduation (an official transcript or a copy of the diploma); and
• Pay the balance of the exam fee.

Passing students will receive more information about how to submit this information when they receive their score report.

For more information about completing the application form as a student/recent graduate, please see “Completing the Application” in Appendix C.

Student Use of the PHR and/or GPHR Designation

Passing students/recent graduates cannot use the PHR and/or GPHR designation until they obtain the required work experience, provide proof of graduation and pay the balance of the exam fee.

Students and recent graduates can let prospective employers know they passed the exam and will become certified once they obtain the work experience.