Professional in Human Resources (PHR) is an industry certification

Certification

Certification refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization. This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, assessment, or audit...

 for people working in the human resource management

Human resource management

Human Resource Management is the management of an organization's employees. While human resource management is sometimes referred to as a "soft" management skill, effective practice within an organization requires a strategic focus to ensure that people resources can facilitate the achievement of...

 profession. The certification, awarded by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HR Certification Institute), signifies that individuals possess the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management

Management

Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...

necessary to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the body of knowledge in the field.

Eligibility

To be eligible to sit for the PHR exam, an individual must be able to document two years of exempt-level (professional) human resource management experience. However, students or previous college graduates less than 12 months from graduation may also apply, but only through the end of 2010. Starting in 2011, the HR Certification Institute will no longer offer the exam to recent graduates or students who do not possess the required exempt-level work experience. Although two years of exempt-level HR experience is required to sit for the exam, the ideal candidate for this certification is an individual who:

• Focuses on program implementation.
• Has tactical/logistical orientation.
• Has accountability to another HR professional within the organization.
• Has two to four years of exempt-level generalist HR work experience, but because of career length may lack the breadth and depth of a more senior-level generalist.
• Focuses his or her impact on the organization within the HR department rather than organization wide.
• Commands respect through the credibility of knowledge and the use of policies and guidelines to make decisions.

Exam

The exams are administered at computer-based testing centers throughout the world. The exams are offered twice a year: May 1 through June 30 and December 1 through January 31.

The exam is knowledge- and experience-based. Candidates are given four hours to answer 225 multiple-choice questions. The test specification are based on the PHR/SPHR Body of Knowledge, which is composed of six functional areas.

Preparation

The HR Certification Institute does not endorse any one way to prepare or study for the PHR exam. There are several organizations that offer study materials and prep courses to assist individuals in their study efforts.

Organizations that offers certification preparation are the Society for Human Resources Management , many universities such as Utah State University , and organizations of the like.

Recertification

Recertification is the cornerstone of any reputable certification program. Certifications differ from certificate programs because certifications, by definition, include a work experience component. Certificate programs, on the other hand, award certificates once a course of study has been completed and do not require previous work experience or recertification. To maintain the PHR credential, those passing the PHR exam must recertify every three years through continuing education activities. Recertifying a certificant's designation demonstrates a commitment to stay abreast of changes taking place in the human resource management field.