To Take Effect 2011
In keeping with best practices for certification programs, the HR Certification Institute conducted an extensive multi-pronged study of the eligibility requirements of their three core products: Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR). Based on feedback from both certified and non-certified HR professionals, business leaders, students and academicians, the requirements will now include a combination of education and experience.
These changes will go into effect in the May-June 2011 testing window.
| What are the new eligibility requirements? |
|
PHR Eligibility |
SPHR Eligibility |
GPHR Eligibility |
• 1 year of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher
• 2 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree
• 4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree |
• 4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher
• 5 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree
• 7 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree |
• 2 years of demonstrated global exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher
• 3 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience (with 2 of the 3 being global HR experience) with a Bachelor’s degree
• 4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience (with 2 of the 4 being global HR experience) with less than a Bachelor’s degree |
Why are the eligibility requirements changing?
• Based on recommendations from over 14,000 HR professionals, certificants, business leaders, students and academicians the HR Certification Institute’s exam eligibility requirements are changing to reflect the needs and requirements of the HR profession.
• The new eligibility requirements result in better alignment with the candidate profile that possesses the level of practical experience and HR knowledge to perform successfully on the exam.
• The new eligibility requirements were developed in cooperation with HR practitioners, academicians and current certificants including recent student certificants. The eligibility requirements will help candidates be more successful in passing the exam.
How were the requirements developed?
• As a part of our standard business practices we evaluate the eligibility requirements to determine if they are in alignment with the needs of the HR industry.
• The HR Certification Institute embarked on a multi-pronged study of the current eligibility requirements for our three core products: the PHR, SPHR and GPHR exams.
• The study included a task force and focus groups comprised of all our stakeholders (certificants, HR practitioners, senior business leaders, SHRM leaders, students, student advisors and academicians).
• Recommendations on changes to our eligibility requirements from these groups were then posed to the HR community through an open-comment period in which all certificants, SHRM members and other HR professionals were invited to provide their views on the proposed changes.
• Over 14,000 people responded to the survey.
• The respondents were overwhelming in favor of the proposed changes.
• The new eligibility requirements result in better alignment with the candidate profile that possesses the level of practical experience and HR knowledge to perform successfully on the exam.
• The eligibility requirements will help candidates be more successful in passing the exam.
When will the new eligibility requirements go into effect?
• The new eligibility requirements will begin with the spring 2011 testing window (May-June 2011).
• The last PHR, SPHR and GPHR exam to be administered under current eligibility requirements will be the winter 2010 (December 2010 —January 2011) testing window.
Who will be most affected by the new eligibility requirements?
• Prospective GPHR certificants: Those who were able to sit for the GPHR exam without demonstrated exempt-level experience in global HR will not be able to sit for the exam beginning 2011.
• Prospective SPHR certificants: Those that are eligible for SPHR under the current eligibility requirements may only be eligible to take the PHR under the new requirements that go into effect in 2011.
• Students: Students will no longer be eligible to take the exams without the required work experience. Students will be able to take the exam once they have graduated and achieved the required number of years of demonstrated work experience that is required for the certification they wish to achieve and the degree they hold.
• Current certificants who wish to recertify by exam: One can recertify by examination in 2011 or after but must qualify to sit for the exam under the new eligibility requirements even if they were eligible to sit for the exam under current eligibility requirements.
Click here to view current eligibility requirements
2010 Eligibility Flier
