If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, enter “My Recert File” from the www.hrci.org homepage and access your recertification record, then click on “Apply to Be a Volunteer.” Use the online application to summarize your experience and identify the volunteer opportunities for which you wish to apply. Please note that volunteers who are involved in exam development must agree not to recertify by exam, and not to teach certification preparation courses for the duration of their term and for a two-year period afterwards.

PHR and SPHR Item Writing Panel: The HR Certification Institute hosts two PHR and SPHR item writing panels, an eastern regional panel and a western regional panel. Panel members are trained in item development and coached in writing consistent and high quality items for the exams. PHR and SPHR item writing panels meet twice a year for two days each, and panel members are expected to write 25 questions (items) before each meeting. Candidates must be SPHR-certified. Panel members are selected to achieve a balance of expertise reflective of the test specifications as well as gender, cultural, racial and geographic diversity.

California Item Writing Panel: The HR Certification Institute hosts one item writing panel for the California certification exam. Panel members are trained in item development and coached in writing consistent and high quality items. This panel meets once or twice a year for two days each, and panel members are expected to write 25 questions (items) before each meeting. Candidates must be PHR-CA or SPHR-CA certified. Panel members are selected to achieve a balance of expertise reflective of the test specifications as well as gender, cultural, racial and geographic diversity.

GPHR Item Writing Panel: The HR Certification Institute hosts one item writing panel for the GPHR exam. Panel members are trained in item development and coached in writing consistent and high quality items. This panel meets once or twice a year for two days each, and panel members are expected to write 25 questions (items) before each meeting. Candidates must be GPHR-certified. Panel members are selected to achieve a balance of expertise reflective of the test specifications as well as gender, cultural, racial and geographic diversity.

Item Review Panels (PHR/SPHR, GPHR and California certification exams): These panels review items written by members of the item writing panels for accuracy, consistency, format and overall appropriateness. The panels meet once or twice a year for two days each. Candidates must hold the appropriate senior-level certification for the items they are reviewing and have demonstrated previous successful experience as an item writer. Panel members are selected to achieve a balance of expertise reflective of the test specifications as well as gender, cultural, racial and geographic diversity.

Exam Forms Review Panels (PHR/SPHR, GPHR and California certification): These panels, comprised of former members of the item writing or item review panels, review and approve all exam forms before the examinations are administered. Panels meet once or twice a year for two days each. Candidates must hold the appropriate senior-level certification for the exams they are reviewing, be detail-oriented and well-versed in several functional areas of the field.

HR Certification Institute Board of Directors: The HR Certification Institute is led by its volunteer board of directors. The board, comprised of up to 13 HR professionals, provides strategic direction to the organization. The board meets four times a year. Qualified candidates must be certified and have previous HR Certification Institute or SHRM volunteer leadership experience. In addition, candidates should be well-versed in several functional areas of human resources.

Speakers Bureau: The HR Certification Institute is considering creating a Speakers Bureau in which we’ll be encouraging “Certification Ambassadors” to speak about the highlights and benefits of becoming HR certified. If you have speaking experience and would like to be considered for an ambassadorship, please indicate this on your volunteer form.

For additional questions about becoming an HR Certification Institute volunteer, please contact one of the HR Content Managers in our office at (866) 898-4724 or info@hrci.org.