HRCI certification

PHR — Professional in Human Resources

The operational HR credential — proving you can run day-to-day HR programs, not just recite policy.

Who it's for: HR professionals implementing HR programs and policies and handling day-to-day HR operations in the U.S.

Try 10 free practice questions →

Eligibility

1 year of professional-level HR experience with a master's degree or higher
2 years of professional-level HR experience with a bachelor's degree
4 years of professional-level HR experience with less than a bachelor's degree

Founding-member price$89

Planned standard price$139

Lifetime access, no subscription. Planned pricing — nothing is billed until early access opens.

Exam format

Questions

90 scored + 25 pretest

Time allowed

2 hours

Delivery

Computer-based at Pearson VUE or via OnVUE

Fees

$395 exam + $100 application = $495 total

Exam content outline

The knowledge domains this exam draws from, and how heavily each is weighted.

Employee & Labor Relations		20%
Employee Engagement		17%
Total Rewards		15%
Business Management		14%
Workforce Planning & Talent Acquisition		14%
Learning & Development		10%
HR Information Management		10%

Reflects HRCI's exam content outline effective 2024. HRCI updates these outlines periodically — we recheck before every content refresh.

Sample questions

A preview of the style and difficulty you can expect from the PHR question bank.

An employee is terminated for poor performance with no prior documented warnings and claims wrongful termination. In an at-will state, what most weakens the employer's position?

Lack of a written employment contract
Absence of documented performance issues supporting the decision ✓
The employee's length of service
The employee's job title

Even in at-will states, undocumented performance issues make it harder to defend a termination against claims of pretext or discrimination.

Which test primarily determines whether an employee is exempt from FLSA overtime requirements?

Years of service
Job title alone
Salary level and duties performed ✓
Union membership

FLSA exemption depends on meeting both a minimum salary threshold and duties that fit a recognized exemption category — job title alone doesn't decide it.

Recertification

3-year cycle; 60 HR recertification credit hours, or retake the exam.

Other credentials

Get in before PHR prep launches.

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