HR Certification

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PHR



The PHR exam focuses on the technical and operational aspects of human resource practices, U.S, law and regulation based.

The Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) certification is designed for the HR professional who

  • focuses on program implementation
  • has tactical/logistical orientation
  • is accountable to another HR professional within the organization
  • typically has two to four years of professional (exempt-level) work experience in all HR disciplines, but whose experience lacks the breadth and depth of a more senior-level HR practitioner 
     
  • has not yet had progressive and increasingly complicated HR work experience
  • has responsibilities that focus on the HR department rather than on the whole organization
     

Exam Content

The PHR exam is divided into six functional areas:

  • Business Management and Strategy (11%)
  • Workforce Planning and Employment (24%)
  • Human Resource Development (18%)
  • Compensation and Benefits (19%)
  • Employee and Labor Relations (20%)
  • Risk Management (8%)

For complete exam content, please review the PHR/SPHR Body of Knowledge. 

Exam Details

 Exam Format       Exam Duration Eligibility Requirements
175 multiple-choice questions 3 hours long

1 year of demonstrated professional HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher;

2 years of demonstrated professional HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree;

4 years of demonstrated professional HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree.

Click here to review the 2011 exam eligibility requirements.