What Is PHR Certification?

Human resources is a critical business area that involves many stages, including recruiting, onboarding, and management, to ensure the success of a company and its employees. Roles in human resources are poised to grow in the coming decade, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the career path can be a rewarding one, especially if you enjoy problem solving and communications [1, 2].

If you're interested in an HR career, the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification is a credential you can earn to demonstrate your knowledge of HR practices. In this article, we'll discuss what the PHR certification entails, including how to prepare for it. Afterward, if you're interested in pursuing a career in HR, consider enrolling in the HCRI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate, where you'll learn key skills in recruitment, performance management, and more.

What is PHR certification?

The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) is a certification you can earn to demonstrate your knowledge of human resources management, including both technical and operational areas. It's granted by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), a Virginia-based credentialing and learning organization. HRCI's certifications are widely acknowledged in the HR industry. 

What's on the PHR certification exam? 

Earning your PHR certification requires successfully passing an exam that will test you on seven functional areas: , which we've outlined below [3].

• Business Management

• Employee and Labor Relations

• Employee Engagement

• HR Information Management

• Learning and Development

• Total Rewards

• Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition

The PHR exam consists of a total of 115 questions: 90 scored questions and 25 pretest questions. Your pretest questions do not factor into your final results. You'll have two hours to complete the exam with an additional 30 minutes required for administration time [3]. 

How does the new PHR outline differ from the old? The latest outline incorporates two new domains: HR Information Management and Employee Engagement. Additionally, the domain previously identified as Talent Planning and Acquisition has been renamed to Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition.

How much is the PHR exam?

The PHR exam costs $495 USD, which includes an exam fee of $395 and an application fee of $100. 

Who should get PHR certification?

The PHR certification is meant for professionals seeking to validate their technical proficiency in HR management, inclusive of US laws and regulations. Geared toward experienced HR professionals, the certification underscores practitioners’ operational responsibilities within the HR department of an organization.

Eligibility criteria 

To qualify for the PHR exam, you must fulfill one of the following conditions set by the HRCI:

• Possess a minimum of one year of experience in a professional-level HR position and have a master’s degree or higher and

• Possess at least two years of experience in a professional-level HR position and have a bachelor’s degree

• Accumulate a minimum of four years of experience in a professional-level HR position

The HRCI outlines a "professional-level" HR position as someone who:

• Uses independent judgment and discretion in job tasks

• Possesses specialized HR knowledge with decision-making authority

• Manages detailed work requirements, such as data analysis and interpretation

• Engages with a diverse range of individuals, including key personnel

• Holds personal accountability for achieving targets

Read more: HR Entry-Level Job Guide: Jobs, Salaries, and Strategies to Get Hired

PHR vs. SHRM: What's the difference? The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certifications are both widely recognized credentials in the field of human resources. 

Yet, while the PHR necessitates both education and work experience, the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), under SHRM, welcomes applications from candidates with no prior work experience alongside those with professional experience. The SHRM-CP route is ideal if you’re enrolled in a college. 

How to maintain your PHR certification

After passing the exam, your PHR certification is valid for three years [3]. To sustain your PHR credential, you must accumulate 60 HR recertification credits within three years. As an alternative, you can retake the exam.

How to register for the PHR exam

There are in-person and online options to complete the PHR exam, either at a Pearson VUE test center or online using the OnVue system. Prior to scheduling an exam appointment with Pearson VUE, you will need to complete the HRCI Application Process. Upon approval of your application and receipt of your unique nine-digit testing ID from HRCI, you have a 180-day window to choose your exam date and location. 

With online proctoring through OnVUE, live monitoring and enhanced security features are incorporated, allowing you the flexibility to take the exam at your convenience.

Preparing for the PHR exam

The HRCI offers a variety of self-study exam preparation bundles to ease your training for PHR. Below are some options you can explore.

1. HRCI PHR Cert Prep 

The HRCI's PHR Cert Prep course offers videos, practice exams, flashcards, and interactive games for flexible, on-demand preparation. If you complete all content before your exam date, you qualify for HRCI’s "pass or your money back" policy. 

Original price: $449

Bundled price: $399

2. PHR Prep – powered by MindEdge

Mobile-friendly, HRCI PHR Prep by MindEdge includes case studies, exam tips, module questions, a 175-question practice exam, and more. The "Ask the Expert" feature lets you ask direct questions to an HR expert. 

Original price: $399

Bundled price: $349

3. PHR Timed Practice Exam by HRCI

The PHR Timed Practice Exam, featuring 50 timed practice questions, lets you assess your answering speed. You can reset and retake the timed exam within a 180-day access window as often as needed. 

Original price: $85

Bundled price: $75

Benefits of being PHR-certified

The following are some notable advantages to obtaining the PHR certification, accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) [4]:

• Earning a PHR certification signals comprehensive knowledge of human resource management.

• Payscale notes significant pay increases for PHR-certified professionals in health care (27.7 percent), retail and customer service (25.0 percent), and accommodation and food services (22.1 percent) industries [5].

What salary can you earn with the PHR certification?

A PHR designation can allow for an average annual base salary of $81,000 [6]. However, it’s important to note that pay levels vary by company. Below is a breakdown of salaries offered by popular firms for individuals with PHR certification, according to Payscale [6]: 

• Edenwald: $115,000

• ADP: $97,843

• Renewal By Anderson: $91,495

• Amazon: $87,295

• USI Insurance: $83,988

• Compass Group: $68,465

• NASDAQ: $73,137

• Paychex: $70,000

Develop your HR skills with Coursera

Build important HR knowledge and skills with the HCRI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate. This beginner-level program includes five courses, which prepare you to effectively recruit, select, and onboard new employees; develop and implement employee policies and procedures that align with organizational goals; and understand and navigate legal and ethical considerations in Human Resources.