Society for Human Resources Management: Your Guide to Passing the Exam

Human resource workers have the option of becoming certified through the Society for Human Resources. Although no state currently requires human resource professionals to become certified, earning this certification can only help you advance your career.

Benefits of Becoming Certified

To become certified professionals, students must pass strict tests covering ethics, current employment laws and other important business topics that a human resource worker handles. While certified workers have the potential to earn much higher salaries, they also benefit from job mobility, as the certification allows them to switch positions with minimal training.

Difference in Exam Levels

To earn a Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) certificate, you must pass at least one of three different certification exams:
  • Global Professionalin Human Resources: The GPHR exam tests human resource skills on an international level. A passing grade proves a worker has the skill to run a human resource department anywhere in the world. This multiple-choice exam includes 165 questions that cover markets and HR practices throughout the world.

  • Professional in Human Resources: The PHR exam covers many laws that are set forth by the U.S. Government. Its 225 questions cover generic topics that a human resource professional will face on a daily basis.

  • Senior Professionalin Human Resources: Passing the SPHR exam certifies students at the highest level attainable for HR management. Again, there are 225 questions, but the material is extremely technical. Those desiring to be human resource managers will find the SPHR certification to be most useful.

Test Preparation Courses

The best way to pass the rigid GPHR, PHR and SPHR exams is by taking an SHRM preparation course. Different colleges offer preparation courses, but most use the same system, called the SHRM Learning System®.
 
You can buy the SHRM Learning System® through the SHRM Web site. It is available in a six-part book format or at a three-day seminar. The program starts at $565.

Taking the Test

There are restrictions on who may take the PHR or SPHR exams. Applicants must have worked in human resources for a minimum of two years to be eligible. However, those who wish to take the SPHR exam are advised to have worked in human resources for a minimum of six years.
 
Each test is worth a total of 700 points. To gain certification, you must complete the test with a passing score of at least 500 points. Should you score lower, you must retake the exam.

Quick Test Taking Tip
The SHRM exams can be quite lengthy and can take quite a lot of time to complete. The Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) advises test takers to skip questions that are not immediately known to ensure that the test is completed within the time limit.

Resources

HRCI (2004). PHR, SPHR and GPHR Exam Preparation. Retrieved on March 25, 2008, from the HRCI.org Web site: http://www.hrci.org/Certification/2007HB/STUDYEX/.

HRCI (2008). 2008 PHR, SPHR and GPHR Handbook. Retrieved on March 25, 2008, from the HRCI Web site: http://www.hrci.org/Certification/2008HB/.

SHRM (n.d.). Certification Preparation from SHRM. Retrieved on March 25, 2008, from the SHRM Web site: http://www.shrm.org/education/about.asp.