HRCI Certification
TSHRM Certification Study Group | Earn Certification Hours | Exam Registration | Topics for Certification Exam | Resources for Preparation
Certification is the highest recognition that can be obtained in the field of Human Resources. It symbolizes professional achievement beyond education and experience. The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification signify mastery of the HR body of knowledge. The Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) certification signifies mastery of international HR.
Candidates must have at least two years of exempt-level human resource experience to earn the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification after passing the examination. The examination for PHR certification generally covers the technical/operational aspects of HR. The SPHR examination focuses more on the strategic/policy issues of the field.
HRCI strongly recommends that candidates taking the PHR exam have two to four years of exempt-level HR experience. It is also strongly recommended that candidates taking the SPHR exam have at least six years of exempt-level HR experience. However, neither is required.
To help our members prepare for the exam, TSHRM offers a certification study group two times per year; in the spring and in the fall.
TSHRM Certification Study Group
TSHRM will hold a Spring and a Fall Certification Study Group. The groups meet for approximately ten weeks before the exam. Beginning September 16, 2008, the Spring PHR/SPHR Study Group will meet each Tuesday from 6:00 PM-8:30 PM at the Parkwood Library in Durham. Click here for location information. The group will review Human Resource Management, 12th Edition by Mathis & Jackson (ISBN-10: 0-324-54275-5 and ISBN-13: 978-0-324-54275-2). A few places to order the book are Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Half.com, Ebay, and iChapters. You may download a free copy of the first chapter of the text at iChapters. But please purchase the book as soon as possible. For more information, contact the Certification Director.
The Fall Certfication Study Group is sponsored by 
.
Earn Certification Hours
TSHRM Certification Study Group is in need of volunteers to facilitate study sessions. Certified PHR or SPHR volunteers can receive 3 hours of recertification credit for a 2 hour study group session. If you have an interest, contact the Certification Director.
Exam Registration
Contact HRCI directly to register for the exam. You can visit the website www.hrci.org for detailed information or call (800) 283-7476.
You should print a Certification Information Handbook (about 45 pages) from the website or call and they will send one to you. This is a good resource. Also, available through the SHRM Store, is the "Certification Guide" by Raymond B. Weinberg, CCP, SPHR. The cost of the book is around $30. The "Certification Guide" provides useful information and a sample exam.
Topics for Certification Exam
Visit the HRCI website for detailed information about the current exam topics.
- Strategic Management
- Workforce Planning and Employment
- Human Resource Development
- Total Rewards
- Employee and Labor Relations
- Risk Management
- Core Knowledge required by HR Professionals
Resources for Preparation
- SHRM Learning System
- Human Resource Certification Preparation Materials
- Duke Continuing Studies, Human Resources Management
For more information about the TSHRM Certfication Study Group, contact the Certification Director.