{"id":5671,"date":"2020-07-22T18:41:58","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T22:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/?p=5671"},"modified":"2020-09-04T20:46:56","modified_gmt":"2020-09-05T00:46:56","slug":"should-you-get-hr-certified-phr-sphr-your-guide-to-hr-certification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/pihra-news\/should-you-get-hr-certified-phr-sphr-your-guide-to-hr-certification\/","title":{"rendered":"Should you get HR Certified as a PHR or SPHR? Your Guide to HR Certification"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h1><span class=\"h1-grey-italic margin-bottom-80\">Should you get HR Certified as a PHR\/SPHR? <\/span><\/h1>\n<h3><span class=\"h1-inline-small margin-bottom-25\">Your Guide to HR Certification <\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"h1-inline-small margin-bottom-25\"><span class=\"teal-font\">Interview with Jon Orozco<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img class=\"margin-bottom-45\" title=\"Learn about the PHR\/SPHR HR Credential and prep courses offered by PIHRA!\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/HR-Cert-Blog-Header-PHR-SPHR.png\" alt=\"Woman studying at a table\">[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"h1-grey-italic\"><span class=\"teal-font\">Which HR certification is best for me? <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">If you&#8217;re asking this question, you&#8217;ve come to the right place. Today we&#8217;ll answer a few of these important questions, and explore the <strong>PHR\/SPHR<\/strong> certification in more depth. Determining which HR certification is best for you involves research, budgeting, and defining your career aspirations. Like any investment, it&#8217;s worth taking the time to get it right. Thankfully, the long-term value is clear. HR certifications are linked to <a href=\"\/pihra-news\/is-hr-certification-really-worth-it\/\">increased compensation<\/a> for HR professionals over a ten-year period!&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><span class=\"teal-font\"><strong>How do you become a certified HR professional?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">After you learn about the different HR certifications and find your ideal option, the real work begins. Most certifications require that you register for an exam in advance. After registering for your HR certification exam, the next step is finding a preparation course. If you&#8217;re serious about HR certification exam success, signing up for a prep course is a must. That&#8217;s because an HR certification prep course will help you complete your full review of the exam study materials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><span class=\"teal-font\"><strong>What are the different certifications for human resources?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">There are two main organizations that issue HR certifications: HRCI, and SHRM. The certifications created by these organizations are the best known among employers and across the HR field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">The common HRCI certifications include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1414803&amp;group=\"><strong>PHR <\/strong><\/a>&#8211; Professional in Human Resources<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1414803&amp;group=\"><strong>SPHR <\/strong><\/a>&#8211; Senior Professional in Human Resources<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\"><strong>PHRca&nbsp;<\/strong>&#8211; Professional in Human Resources in California<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\"><strong>GPHR <\/strong>&#8211; Global Professional in Human Resources<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1402986&amp;group=\"> aPHR<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong>&#8211; Associate Professional in Human Resources\n<ul>\n<li><em>The aPHR certification is tailored for entry-level HR professionals.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-10\">The most common SHRM certifications and micro-credentials include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1323446&amp;group=\"><strong> SHRM-CP<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; SHRM-Certified Professional<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1323446&amp;group=\">SHRM-SCP<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong>&#8211; SHRM-Senior Certified Professional<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1387162&amp;group=\"><strong>SHRM California Law HR Specialty Credential<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-45\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1399124&amp;group=\"><strong>SHRM Inclusive Workplace Culture Specialty Credential<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><span class=\"teal-font\"><strong>Which is better &#8211; HRCI or SHRM certification?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-45\">This is the age-old question that each person needs to answers for themselves. While each certification type is beneficial, the exams, costs, and materials are all structured differently. Think about your desired expertise and preferred learning style as you review the HR certification exam details. Today, you can start by learning what the classic HRCI certifications, the <b>PHR and SPHR<\/b> are all about! You&#8217;ll also get to know <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1414803&amp;group=\">instructor Jon R. Orozco, whose PHR\/SPHR prep class is starting on October 6.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"h1-grey-italic margin-bottom-25\"><span class=\"teal-font\">All About the PHR and SPHR Certifications<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Meet the PHR<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">According to HRCI, &#8220;the PHR demonstrates your mastery of the technical and operational aspects of HR management, including U.S. laws and regulations. The PHR is for the HR professional who has experience with program implementation, has a tactical\/logistical orientation, is accountable to another HR professional within the organization, and has responsibilities that focus on the HR department rather than the whole organization.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-10\">The PHR exam content consists of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">39% Employee and Labor Relations<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">20% Business Management<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">16% Talent Planning and Acquisition<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">15% Total Rewards<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">10% Learning and Development&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrci.org\/our-programs\/our-certifications\/phr\">Learn more about the PHR exam here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Meet the SPHR<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">According to HRCI, the SPHR is a credential designed to showcase the HR leadership recognition. From their website: &#8220;The SPHR demonstrates your mastery of the strategic and policy-making aspects of HR management as practiced in the U.S. The credential is designed for big-picture thinkers responsible for planning rather than implementing HR policy. Organizations seek out SPHR professionals for their proven accountability for HR department goals, for breadth and depth of knowledge in all HR disciplines, and for understanding business issues beyond the HR function.&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/data\/hr-certifications-pay\">A study published by PayScale in 2018<\/a> showed that <strong>HR pros with an SPHR credential saw a 9.6% pay boost<\/strong> compared to their peers without certification.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-10\">The SPHR exam content consists of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">40% Employee and Labor Relations<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">20% Business Management<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">16% Talent Planning and Acquisition<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">12% Total Rewards<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">12% Learning and Development&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrci.org\/our-programs\/our-certifications\/sphr\">Learn more about the SPHR exam here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">The upcoming PHR\/SPHR prep course is led by instructor <strong>Jon R. Orozco, SHRM-SCP &#8211; Senior Executive Trainer &amp; Chief Operating Officer. <\/strong>Mr. Orozco is an experienced Subject Matter Expert (SME), Trainer, and Human Resources Business Partner. Adept at providing leadership &amp; development training, Mr. Orozco brings a fresh approach to conflict resolution, professional boundaries, diversity, inclusion, and sexual harassment training that minimizes future incidents and creates an inclusive, equity-based workplace.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><img class=\"alignleft\" style=\"margin: 0px 15px 10px 0px;\" title=\"Jon Orozco, PHR\/SPHR instructor\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ymaws.com\/www.mypihra.org\/resource\/resmgr\/images\/speaker_headshots_3\/jon_orozco.jpg\" alt=\"Jon Orozco Headshot, PHR\/SPHR Prep Course Instructor\" width=\"200\">Mr. Orozco serves as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Employers Choice Online Inc., which is headquartered in Southern California. Mr. Orozco leads the executive team for Employers Choice Screening, Compliance Training Group, and Diversified Risk Management. Mr. Orozco\u2019s achievements include motivating and leading a high-performance management team; attracting, retaining, and recruiting required personnel; and providing mentoring to the management career development program. Previously, Mr. Orozco has held several executive roles and was responsible for implementing the HRIS system and designing total compensation packages and benefits, and crafting work cultures that inspire employees to learn and grow \u2013 and do their best work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-45\">Jon&#8217;s work has led HR professionals on the path toward certification and exam success. We&#8217;re grateful for his time to sit down with us (virtually) and answer a few questions for us about the PHR\/SPHR!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">Jon, can you share a bit about your background as an HR instructor?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Jon Orozco: <\/strong>My first career path was in banking, working as a branch manager of a credit union. I was also a financial literacy instructor, teaching people how to manage their money better and grow their savings. I\u2019ve joined the SHRM board in Washington State and served on it for five years. After earning my master\u2019s in HR and certification, my career progressed in HR, where I eventually became an executive trainer. I teach areas of diversity &amp; inclusion, ethics management, and essentials of effective management, and I also conduct the course, Train The Trainer. Teaching HR is a natural progression of a career path, and I love teaching people to be better HR practitioners.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">In your professional opinion, what sets the PHR and SPHR apart from the rest of the certification options out there?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Jon Orozco: <\/strong>I have multiple certifications, and I do not feel there\u2019s a vast difference between SHRM-S\/CP and S\/PHR. SHRM-S\/CP and S\/PHR do include a great learning system to master the content and pass the test easier. There is another certification: IMPA-S\/CP (public sector human resource), which is also an excellent certification if you are in public service.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">What can participants expect from your PHR\/SPHR prep course?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Jon Orozco: <\/strong>The needs of the students drive my course. I lay out a tentative schedule for the class but reassess weekly to refocus on areas of need or move onto others if the students have the content locked down. We also take several tests together to get all students into the groove of test-taking to eliminate the jitters and uneasiness that students feel. My idea behind this is that students take 10+ tests in our class, master the content, walk into the testing center, and ace the test on the first attempt. I expect the practitioners to be able to leverage this credential in their current role and follow them as they develop their careers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">Who is eligible for the PHR\/SPHR Certification?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Jon Orozco: <\/strong>At a minimum for the PHR, you have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position + a high school diploma. However, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrci.org\/our-programs\/our-certifications\/phr\">PHR requirements<\/a> reduce with a college degree or graduate degree. In comparison, the SPHR requires seven years of experience in a professional-level HR position. Similarly, those <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrci.org\/our-programs\/our-certifications\/sphr\">SPHR requirements<\/a> reduce with a college or graduate degree.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">Why are you excited to teach the PHR\/SPHR Prep Course this summer?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Jon Orozco: <\/strong>Our workplace has changed significantly from daily in-face interactions to virtual talks via the webcam. I see HR evolving into a strategy, and tactician role as more of our tasks and work becomes automated. I think that competent, strategic HR practitioners will fill the void of the needed culture advisor in various workplace issues and problems \u2013 I enjoy teaching through that lens. As I tell my students, it is not about memorization, it\u2019s about the application and providing competent advice to be a trusted advisor.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">What feedback have you received from HR professionals about the PHR\/SPHR? How has this credential helped them professionally?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Jon Orozco: <\/strong>A credential shows a baseline for competence and a commitment to professional development and lifetime learning, which will be a distinct advantage over other candidates. Lastly, the 60 credit recertification requirement through continuous learning credit, activities, and events keep HR practitioners on their toes and updates new HR knowledge.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">To be led by Jon this fall, sign up for PIHRA&#8217;s PHR\/SPHR Prep Course!<\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">Join a virtual cohort of HR professionals to study for the PHR\/SPHR exam! Under Jon&#8217;s instruction, you&#8217;ll cover exam materials during a 9-week preparation course.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">PIHRA&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1114900&amp;group=\">HR Certification Prep Courses<\/a> are always offered at competitively low rates. Additionally, HR professionals enjoy more hands-on instruction in PIHRA&#8217;s prep classes thanks to our exclusive class sizes. Furthermore, once you&#8217;re certified, you can always rely on PIHRA <a href=\"\/calendar\">webinars, conferences, and programs<\/a> for ongoing recertification credit opportunities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Learn more about our upcoming PHR\/SPHR prep course!<br \/>\n<\/strong>Registration closes October 9, 2020 at 8:00pm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1414803&amp;group=\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/sign-up-here-teal.png\" alt=\"Register Here for the SHRM California Law HR Specialty Credential\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>More HR certification courses starting soon:<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"20%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1387162&amp;group=\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/shrm-ca-circle.png\" alt=\"SHRM California Law HR Specialty Credential\" width=\"100%\"><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1399124&amp;group=\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/shrm-inclusivity-circle.png\" width=\"100%\"><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1323444&amp;group=\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/aphr-circle.png\" width=\"100%\"><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"20%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1323446&amp;group=\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/shrmcp-scp-circle.png\"><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"20%\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"20%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1414803&amp;group=\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/phr-sphr-circle.png\" width=\"100%\"><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"20%\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/phrca-circle.png\" width=\"100%\">(Coming Soon)<\/td>\n<td width=\"20%\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"20%\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"20%\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is HR certification worth it? How do you get started? Learn more about the PHR\/SPHR credential offered by HRCI and how PIHRA can help you pass your certification exam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5681,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[68],"tags":[2054,1404,1877,1406],"yst_prominent_words":[3351,3346,3350,1361,3348,113,3362,3311,3341,3318,3317,3312,3169,51,3343,3342,1100,3349,3361,3360],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5671"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5671"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5926,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5671\/revisions\/5926"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5671"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=5671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}