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Professional in Human Resources

HRCI certification validating technical and operational HR knowledge, including US laws and regulations.

Licensing authority: HRCI · Application information

Initial by examination
Professional in Human Resources
Applicability
Current official PHR page adopts the handbook and seven-area outline that took effect in 2024; no exact unpublished starting day or retirement date is invented.
Application
Apply online to HRCI and obtain eligibility approval before scheduling.
Certification
Pass the PHR examination, demonstrate requisite experience and agree to the Code of Ethical and Professional Responsibility; initial certification only.
Eligibility
{"anyOf":["At least one year of professional-level HR experience plus a master's degree or higher.","At least two years of professional-level HR experience plus a bachelor's degree.","At least four years of professional-level HR experience."]}

Professional in Human Resources

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Computer-based examination at a testing center or through OnVUE online proctoring
Exam questions
Total questions: 115; Scored questions: 90; Unscored questions: 25; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
Time limit
2 hours plus 30 minutes administration time
Passing score
500 scaled score
Exam fee
Exam fee $395 plus application fee $100
Examination outline
  • Business Management (14%)
    • Business environment and industry practices
    • Cross-functional stakeholders and decision making
    • Risk identification and recommended practices
    • Metrics and data for business strategies
    • Organizational culture, values and ethical expectations
  • Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition (14%)
    • Federal law and organizational hiring policy
    • Talent sourcing methods and techniques
    • Talent acquisition lifecycle
  • Learning and Development (10%)
    • Career development and training programs
    • Succession planning support and data
    • Learning and development administration
  • Total Rewards (15%)
    • Total rewards management and communication
    • Non-monetary rewards
    • Benefit program implementation
    • Federally compliant compensation and benefits
  • Employee Engagement (17%)
    • Employee lifecycle effectiveness
    • Participation and engagement programs
    • Performance management strategy
    • Performance and employment activities
  • Employee and Labor Relations (20%)
    • Programs and federal law for outreach and inclusivity
    • Health, safety, security and privacy programs
    • Organizational policy interpretation and compliance
    • Employee complaints, concerns and conflict resolution
    • Positive employee and labor relations
  • HR Information Management (10%)
    • HR database content and technologies
    • Assessment and communication of HR data
    • System security, support and data integrity
Examination sources