To get established in the HR field, the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification is a great way to do it. It is a way to demonstrate one's knowledge regarding all aspects (technical and operational) of HR Management. It also shows one's mastery in the U.S. rules and regulations. This credential is for the HR professional who has a logical orientation and experience in implementation of the program. It mainly focuses on the HR department. The PHR preparation courses and free practice tests are available online.

Eligibility criteria

There are several criteria for the PHR certification that should be met:

• Master’s degree + minimum one year’s experience in a professional-level HR position
• Bachelor’s degree + minimum two years’ experience in a professional-level HR position
• Diploma in High School + minimum four years’ experience in a professional-level HR position

The PHR certification remains valid till three years after taking the relevant test. To maintain it even after 3 years, the students need to earn sixty recertification credits or pass the exam again.

The PHR exam is 3 hours long. It comprises of 175 questions in total, out of which are 25 pretest questions and 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). It is an online or computer-based test. The exam is available a year-round, based on the test centers available.

Exam topics and their weightage

The PHR certification exam emphasizes on the following topics:

• Workforce Planning and Employment – 24%
• Employee and Labor Relations – 20%
• Compensation and Benefits – 19%
• Human Resource Development – 18%
• Business Management and Strategy – 11%
• Risk Management – 8%