| Many within the field eventually pursue a professional | | | | (HRCI) administers the examination, in affiliation with the |
| human resources certificate program. Completion of | | | | Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) |
| The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | | | | which is the primary authority on human resources |
| certification indicates exemplary skills within the | | | | management and practice within the United States. |
| industry. It shows an individual has not only the | | | | The exam takes four hours to complete and consists |
| theoretical knowledge necessary to be successful in | | | | of 225 multiple-choice questions covering all human |
| the field, but also the practical expertise to apply that | | | | resources basic functions. A passing score on the |
| knowledge. | | | | exam is only one of the requirements for achieving |
| For many HR practitioners, the achievement of PHR | | | | certification. |
| certification is a personal one, allowing them to proclaim | | | | Those who are currently employed in human |
| their dedication to their career and celebrate their | | | | resources must complete two years of exempt or |
| personal successes. It is usually a career move or step | | | | salaried level HR experience before being qualified to |
| in pursuit of greater advancement within their chosen | | | | sit for the PHR exam. This prerequisite is waved in the |
| profession, as it is highly valued as an indicator of | | | | case of students who are enrolled in a degree |
| competency within the field. | | | | program in HR. Students who are within 12 months of |
| Entry level positions in HR may be obtainable for those | | | | completing their degree may sit for the exam prior to |
| with minimal experience; however, advancement in | | | | graduation. |
| one's career often requires additional study. Many | | | | Those who achieved their degree within the past 12 |
| within the HR arena possess associates and | | | | months but do not have exempt HR work experience |
| bachelor's degrees. In some instances, this is viewed | | | | may also sit for the exam. However, in both cases, |
| as sufficient enough evidence of merit to warrant | | | | they are required to obtain the prerequisite 12 months |
| higher positions within the HR field. | | | | of exempt-level HR work experience within five years |
| However, many employers place such merit on the | | | | after passing the test in order to maintain their |
| achievement of professional HR certificates that even | | | | certification. |
| those HR practitioners with a degree often pursue | | | | Maintaining professional human resources certification |
| certification in order to advance their careers or find | | | | under the regulations of SHRM and the PHR requires |
| new and viable positions within the industry. | | | | a number of continuing education requirements to be |
| The PHR certificate is awarded after an individual | | | | met by practitioners on an annual basis. These |
| meets specific criteria. The foremost item of issue is | | | | continuing education units are approved and tracked |
| the certification exam itself. The HR Certificate Institute | | | | by HRCI in accordance with SHRM standards. |