Advance Your HR Career with Professional Certification

Presenter Name(s)And dates go here

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Everything You Wanted to Know…

• Overview of HR Certification – Importance of certification– Certification vs. certificate program– Facts about the HR Certification Institute

• Credentials Offered– PHR, SPHR and GPHR exams– PHR-CA/SPHR-CA certification program– Exam question development

• Steps to Become Certified– Eligibility– Applying for the exam– Exam preparation– Maintaining Your certification

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Why Certify?

• Gain credibility with peers and business leaders• Increase confidence • Competitive advantage when applying for jobs• Personal challenge & satisfaction • Professional skill development• Gain network of professionals around the world

“My work experience and education made me the perfect candidate for my current position, but in the recruitment phase ‘points’ were given to candidates for certification. My points gave me the edge to get the interview and my experience did the rest.”

Gretchen McKinney, PHR

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What is a Certification?

• Certification is a designation from a professional certifying agency that is earned and maintained– Earned by passing a test or other evaluation tool, and – Maintained by earning a minimum number of professional

development and continuing education credits within a specified time period

• Certification requires 3 E’s1. Proven Experience, 2. Education requirements, and3. Passing an Exam

• Certification is different from a certificate program– A certificate program presents a certificate document

presented at the end of a training program to indicate attendance.

– A certificate program does not require recertification.

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Facts about the HR Certification Institute

• The HR Certification Institute is an independent, internationally recognized certifying body for the HR profession. – Requires professionals to demonstrate their expertise in the core

principles of HR practice and the application of those principles. – An affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).– Does not endorse any test preparation programs.

• Over 30+ years of experience certifying HR professionals

• Nearly 30,000 applications received in 2008

• More than 98,000 certified– 55% are SHRM members– 57% are PHR-certified– 43% are SPHR-certified– Over 1000 GPHR-certified

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Three Core Certifications Available

1. PHR*: Focuses on the technical and operational aspects of human resource practices, U.S. laws and regulations.

2. SPHR*: Based on the strategic and policy-making aspects of domestic HR management.

3. GPHR: Focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully operate in a global marketplace. – In addition, the GPHR exam covers major local

employment laws from Canada, China, the European Union, India, the United Kingdom and the United States.

– You can hold the GPHR and either the PHR or the SPHR simultaneously

* PHR and SPHR exams are based on US laws and regulations

Not sure which exam to take? Take a FREE on-line quiz at ww.hrci.org/certification/quiz/

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PHR, SPHR Exams

• PHR and SPHR – Two testing windows per year: May-June and Dec-Jan– 225 questions (200 scored & 25 pretest)– Four hours, structured testing environment (similar to

the Bar Exam, SAT, GMAT, etc.)

• Exam Pass Rates– PHR 64 - 68%– SPHR 55 - 58%

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PHR & SPHR Body of Knowledge

• Both the PHR and SPHR cover the same body of knowledge; HOWEVER the number of questions from each functional area differ on the two exams.

• Content Covered:– Strategic management– Workforce planning and employment– Human resource development– Total rewards– Employee and labor relations– Risk Management

All exams are based on experienced-based knowledge not memorization of facts

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PHR: Break Down of Exam Questions

The focus of the PHR exam is on the technical and operational aspects of the following areas:

12%

26%

17%

16%

22%

7%

Strategic management

Workforce planning andemployment

Human resourcedevelopment

Total Rew ards

Employee and laborrelations

Risk Management

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SPHR: Break Down of Exam Questions

The SPHR focuses on strategic management content– 29% of the 225 questions are under strategic management

29%

17%17%

12%

18%

7%

Strategicmanagement

Workforce planningand employment

Human resourcedevelopment

Total Rew ards

Employee and laborrelations

Risk Management

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GPHR Body of Knowledge

The GPHR Body of Knowledge Covers:• Strategic HR Management 26%• Global Talent Acquisition and Mobility 22%• Global Compensation and Benefits 18%• Organizational Effectiveness & Talent Development 22%• Workforce Relations and Risk Management 12%

Other GPHR Details:• Two testing windows per year: May and December• 165 questions (150 scored & 15 pretest)• Three hours, structured testing environment • 68% pass rate

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PHR-CA/SPHR-CA Certification

• The California certification is designed to augment the experience-based PHR and SPHR credentials and focuses on knowledge of the laws and practices specific to the state of California where they differ from federal laws and practices. – Applicant must hold current PHR or SPHR certification– The exam does not test what has already been covered by

the PHR or SPHR exam.

• Earning the California state-specific credential gives you a distinct competitive advantage – Assures your company or prospective employer that you

know the state’s intricate regulations

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PHR-CA/SPHR-CA Certification

• PHR-CA/SPHR-CA exam offered during two testing windows per year: May and December– 125 questions (100 scored and 25 pretest)– Two hours 15 minutes, structured testing environment

• The CA certification exams covers:– Compensation and benefits 26%– Employee and labor relations 46%– Leaves of absence and workers’ compensation 17%– Health, safety, and security 11%

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Development of Exam Content & Questions

• Bodies of Knowledge– Each certification is based on a body of knowledge that is derived

from a practice analysis study of what HR practitioners know and be able to apply to be considered a competent HR generalist.

– This study is validated– A practice analysis is conducted every 3-5 years to reflect the most

current body of knowledge• Exam questions are developed by a panel of subject matter

experts– Every question passes three levels of review:

• Item Development• Item Review• Forms Review

– Questions are “pre-tested” before being used as a scored question in the examination

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Steps To Become HR Certified

Step 1: Determine which exam you are eligible to take

Step 2: Apply for the exam

Step 3: Study, Study, Study

Step 4: Take the exam

Step 5: Maintain your certification

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Step 1: Determine Eligibility

• 2009 - 2010 Eligibility requirements for PHR, SPHR & GPHR– An ideal PHR candidate

• Must have a minimum of two years of exempt-level (professional) generalist experience.

• Has a tactical/logistical orientation.• Focuses on program implementation rather than creation.

– An ideal SPHR candidate• Must have a minimum of two years of exempt-level (professional)

generalist experience.– Ideally four to eight years of progressive exempt-level (professional)

experience.• Designs and plans rather than implements.• Has extensive knowledge of all aspects of HR and ultimate

responsibility in the HR department.– An ideal GPHR candidate

• Must have at least two years of exempt-level (professional) experience.

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

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Step 1: Determine Eligibility, con’t.

New Eligibility Requirements will go into effect with the Spring 2011 Testing Window

PHR Eligibility SPHR Eligibility GPHR Eligibility

4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree or no degree.

2 years of  demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree

1 year of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree

7 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree or no degree

5 years of  demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree

4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree

4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience (with 2 of the 4 being global HR experience) with less than a Bachelor’s degree or no degree

3 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience (with 2 of the 3 being global HR experience) with  a Bachelor’s degree

2 years of demonstrated global exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or more

For more information go to www.hrci.org

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Step 2: Apply for the Exam

Step 1: Read the 2009 Certification Handbook – Available online www.hrci.org or by request– Provides details on application process and exam details

Step 2: Apply online at www.hrci.org – 2009 registration periods:

• January 12 – March 13 (April 17 late deadline $50 fee)• July 13– October 9 (Nov 13 late deadline $50 fee)

Step 3: Schedule date to take the exam– Schedule as soon as Authorization to Test (ATT) letter has been

received– Exam must be taken during testing window for which candidate is

scheduled– Appointments may be rescheduled via Prometric during the

existing testing window by going online or calling

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Step 3: Prepare for the Exam

• Read the body of knowledge (test specifications) for the particular exam

• Decide on your personal study style (classroom, study groups, online, self-study)

• Take the online assessment exam (PHR or SPHR) at www.hrci.org

• Find a preparation program, if needed (The HR Certification Institute does not endorse any preparation programs)– Self-study -- SHRM Learning System, SHRM Global

Learning System, HR textbooks, HR Certification Institute Certification Guide, etc.

– Study groups -- chapters, employer groups, etc.– Preparation classes -- universities, SHRM, etc.

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• Sixty (60) recertification credit hours are required every three years. Credit may be earned in the following categories:

• Continuing Education (no max)• Instruction (20 hours max)• On-the-Job Experience (20 hours max)• Research/Publishing (20 hours max)• Leadership (10 hours max)• Professional Membership (10 hour max)

• OR you may take the exam again!

Step 4: Maintain Your Certification

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• SPHRs must have 15 hours of the 60 in strategic management activities

• GPHRs must have 30 hours of the 60 in international activities

• PHR-CAs or SPHR-CAs must have 15 hours of the 60 in CA state-specific activities

• Online recertification tracking and application system at www.hrci.org

Step 4: Maintain Your Certification

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Recertification Resources

• Recertification conference calls & presentations

• Monthly virtual Recertification Counselor/Virtual Strategic Management Counselor– http://www.hrci.org/recertification/vsm/– http://www.hrci.org/recertification/vrc/

• Call or email recertification questions– info@hrci.org– 1-866-898-4724

• Go to our website at www.hrci.org/recertification– Recertification Handbook– Strategic Pointers– Directory of Pre-Approved Programs

• Take our virtual tour of the online recertification process– http://www.hrci.org/recertification/vrt/

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Financial Assistance for Certification

• There are many scholarship opportunities available for those pursuing HR certification – SHRM Foundation offers a $750 scholarship to SHRM

members pursuing a college degree or professional certification

• Go to www.shrm.org/foundation to learn more

– Many local SHRM chapters offer certification scholarships• Check your local chapter

– Many employers offer financial reimbursement to employees seeking continuing education

• Contact your benefits manager to see if your employer offers financial assistance

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Questions?

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

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Contact Info: HR Certification Institute

HR Certification Institute1800 Duke Street

Alexandria, VA 223141-866-898- 4724

info@hrci.org www.hrci.org