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Human Resources Certification

What is Certification?

Certification is a voluntary action to grant recognition to professionals who have met a comprehensive level of training and work experience. Certified individuals are issued a certificate attesting that they have met the professionals standards of the credentialing organization (HRCI) and are entitled to make the public aware of their credentialed status, usually through the use of initials (e.g., PHR or SPHR) after their names. SHRM and its affiliates strongly support professional certification. HRCI (Human Resource Certification Institute) offers three certifications for HR professionals:
  • PHR® (Professional in Human Resources)
  • SPHR® (Senior Professional in Human Resources)
  • GPHR® (Global Professional in Human Resources)

(HRCI now also offers state-specific certifications for California, PHR-CA and SPHR-CA.)

Maine Certification Prep Courses

USM, Portland: Susan Nevins (207) 228-8410. snevins@usm.maine.edu

CMCC, Lewiston:  training@cmcc.edu

Thomas College at EMMC, Bangor: Paul Bolin, MBA, SPHR, (207) 973-5777, pbolin@emh.org

Why is Certification Desirable?

Certification sets those with the credential apart–or above–those without it. There are a number of advantages to seeking certification.

Certification becomes a public recognition of professional achievement, both within and outside of the profession. For many, achieving certification becomes a personal professional goal---a way to test knowledge and to measure it against one’s peers. Others see certification as an aid to career advancement.

Purpose and Use of Certification

PHR, SPHR and GPHR certification shows that the holder has demonstrated mastery of the domestic or international HR body of knowledge and, through recertification, has accepted the challenge to stay informed of latest developments in the HR field.

The HRCI exams are completely voluntary. Organizations incorporating PHR, SPHR or GPHR certification as a condition of employment or advancement do so of their own volition. Individuals should determine for themselves whether the use of this process, including eligibility and recertification requirements, meets their needs and complies with any applicable laws.

The PHR, SPHR and GPHR designations are a visible reminder to peers and co-workers of the holder’s significant professional achievement. PHR-, SPHR- and GPHR-certified professionals should proudly display their certificates and use the credentials on business correspondence.

Qualifications

To qualify for either exam, an individual should have two (2) years of exempt-level HR work experience. You should choose the exam that best fits your knowledge and skills in the field:

PHR Candidate

  • 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.
  • Has not had progressive HR work experience by virtue of career length.
  • Focuses his or her impact 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.

SPHR Candidate:

  • Designs and plans rather than implements.
  • Focuses on the “big picture.”
  • Has ultimate accountability in the HR department.
  • Has six to eight years of progressive HR experience.
  • Has breadth and depth of HR generalist knowledge.
  • Uses judgment obtained with time and application of knowledge.
  • Has generalist role within organization.
  • Understands the effect of decisions made within and outside of the organization.
  • Understands the business, not just the HR function.
  • Manages relationships; has influence within overall organization.
  • Commands credibility within organization, community and field by experience.
  • Possesses excellent negotiation skills.

GPHR Candidate:

  • Develops and implement global HR strategies
  • Manages cross-border HR operations and international assignments

Certification Exam Topics

The PHR and SPHR exam cover six HR functional areas. The exam materials are weighted according to exam level. The PHR/SPHR body of knowledge has been changed significantly beginning with the 2007 exams. Click here for additional information. Please review the current HRCI handbook for specifics.

Functional Topic

PHR Exam

SPHR

Strategic Management

12%

29%

Workforce Planning & Employment

26%

17%

Human Resource Development

17%

17%

Total Rewards

16%

12%

Employee and Labor Relations

22%

18%

Risk Management

7%

7%

 

100.00%

100.00%

Exam Preparation

Whether you select to self-study, create a study group or take an HR Certification preparation course, select the method that will ensure your success. There are numerous resources to assist you in the PHR/SPHR exam preparation.

Currently the University of Southern Maine (228-8410, snevins@usm.maine.edu, or cce@usm.maine.edu), Central Maine Community College (755-5282,  training@cmcc.edu, or www.cmcc.edu), and Thomas College (973-5777, pbolin@emh.org or www.thomas.edu/ced) offer HR Certification Preparation courses.

Exam schedules are available on the HRCI site. 2008 exams and fees are currently shown.

Fees vary for SHRM members and non-SHRM members. A $50 late fee added if application is not received by regular deadline.

Exam Preparation Resources

HR Certification Website (www.hrci.org). Everything you need to know and more about human resources certification.

Society for Human Resources Website (www.shrm.org). Great articles and materials to supplement the text. SHRM offers the comprehensive SHRM Learning System as a resource to prepare for the HR exam. Deatils available at http://www.shrm.org/learning/. Your ME State Council can get a special discount with group purchases.

Preparation Books:

  • Certification Guide by Raymond Weinberg (2005). ISBN: 1-58644-064-0. Alexandria, VA: HRCI.
  • Professional in HR Certification Study Guide by Ann Bogardus ( 2003). ISBN: 0-7821-4252-4. Sybex Publishing.
  • PHR Exam Prep by Cathy Lee Gibson. (2006). ISBN: 0-7897-3450-8. Que Publishing.
  • SPHR Exam Prep by Larry Phillips. (2006). ISBN: 0-7897-3497-4. Que Publishing.

Text Books:

Human Resources Management by Robert Mathis and John Jackson (2006). ISBN: 0-324-28959-6. Mason, OH: South-Western/Thomson Corporation.

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Websites

Maine State HR Certification Contact:

Jodie Griffith, PHR
HR Certification
InterMed, P.A.
100 Foden Road, West Suite 205
South Portland, ME 04106
Tel: (207) 523-3721
E-mail: jgriffith@intermed.com