PHR certification is offered by HRCI (Human Resource Certification Institute) for HR professionals who are mainly involved in operations rather than strategic planning. The exam is general in nature and is based on U.S. Federal laws, regulations, and practices. The exam tests the HR programs implementation skills of the candidates generally, at the technical and operational level.
PHR certified professionals are usually 1-4 years experienced professionals who report to senior professionals and mainly handle HR operations. ThePHR professional's job mainly focuses on the HR department activities rather than the activities related to managing the entire organization. PHR follows policies and guidelines of the organization to take decisions.
Prerequisites
Before taking PHR certification exam, you need to have:
- At least 1 years of professional experience in an exempt-level HR position with a Master's degree or higher. OR
- At least 2 years of experience in an exempt-level HR position with a Bachelor's degree, OR
- At least 4 years of experience in an exempt-level HR position with less than a Bachelor's degree.
Exam Details
The Exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions that need to be answered within 3 hours. Each question has only one correct answer.The 25 questions in the exam are pre-test questions and are not graded in the exam.
The pre-test questions are mingled in the exam questions in such a way that they cannot be recognized by the candidate. The intention behind pre-test questions is to improve the exam in future.
The maximum marks for the exam are 700 and you need to pass the exam with 500 marks or better. The exam is conducted in two testing periods per year: May 1 through June 30 and December 1 through January 30.
If you are not able to clear PHR exam then you can retake the exam in the next testing period.
PHR certification is valid for three years after which you need to either retake the exam or earn 60 recertification credit hours.
Exam Objectives
PHR exam tests your general skills in the following domains:
- Business Management and Strategy
- Workforce Planning and Employment
- Human Resource Development
- Compensation and Benefits
- Employee and Labor Relations
- Risk Management
The percentages of questions from each of these topics are: 11% from Business Management and Strategy, 24% from Workforce Planning and Employment, 18% from Human Resource Development, 19% from Compensation and Benefits, 20% from Employee and Labor Relations, and 8% from Risk Management.
Benefits
TPHR certification allows you to:
- Use informationfrom various internal and external sources of the organization and contribute to organization's developments and strategic plans.
- Establish strategic relationships with key individuals inside or outside the organization to influence decision making in important organizational decisions.
- Identify workforce requirements, compensation and benefits requirements, labor relation activities and ensure that they are in compliance with the federal laws.
- Show your commitment towards your profession with enhanced credibility and marketability.
- Get yourself recognized globally for being a highly motivated and a strong professional.
- Become more knowledgeable, get hired fast, and stand distinct among peers.
Expert review
PHR credential has increased my demand and the market value. It has made me more valuable to my organization and I stand distinct among my fellow professionals. I now have an expanded outlook in the HR field and I bring new ideas to the workplace which are always welcomed and appreciated by my company.
JanetLeverling, Human Resource professional, CIT
