What is a PHR certification?

A Professional in Human Resources certification is a certification in the human resources field that proves an individual has skills in areas like implementing new programs, logistics, and orientation. The PHR certification is offered by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI).

To obtain a PHR certification, you must pass a three-hour long exam that covers topics like implementing new programs and United States laws and regulations that govern HR.

Once you gain PHR certification, it is valid for three years. To recertify, you must apply again after three years and either retake the exam or present the HRCI with documents confirming professional development hours.

This certification is helpful for HR professionals who work under an HR director or other senior HR manager.

Some examples of HR professionals who would benefit from obtaining a PHR certification include:

Staffing coordinators

Staffing coordinators assist in the recruitment of employees. They screen candidates for different jobs within the company and help in new hire orientation and administrative duties, like managing time-off requests

Staffing specialists

These HR professionals create job descriptions used for online job postings. They also assess applications and resumes. Staffing specialists often are the HR employees that schedule interviews with job candidates and may also manage employee schedules.

HR assistants

HR assistants assist HR managers with basic tasks and administrative responsibilities. These include things such as payroll, recruitment, data entry, and assisting current employees of the company.

HR associates

These HR professionals answer employees' questions concerning matters such as payroll and employee benefits. They often have to organize HR paperwork and job applications as well.

HR representative

Representatives help job candidates and current employees fill out the necessary paperwork. They often have a strong understanding of company employee benefits and policies.

These HR employees manage and maintain employment records at a company. This includes specific employee data, such as performance reviews, contracts, and other employee-related databases.

Personnel manager

These HR employees recruit, hire, and train new employees at a company. They also conduct employee performance reviews annually or after a probationary period.

HR specialist

HR specialists assist in new employee recruitment. They also may hire job candidates and manage job orientations.

HR generalist

HR generalists perform every kind of task that supports a company's staff.

This includes recruiting qualified professionals for open roles, screening and interviewing candidates, writing descriptions for new roles, performing background checks, creating and implementing training and orientations for new employees, and executing performance reviews.

They also administer employee benefits, compensation, and bonuses and evaluate staff complaints.

HR supervisor

HR supervisors manage new employee hiring, regulate employee dynamics and interactions, and oversee payrolls. HR supervisors are often the HR officials that lead training events, such as job orientations.

HR analyst

HR analysts track, record, and manage different forms of employee data for a company. They review and compare salaries to national averages and also between industry-specific roles. They also may conduct surveys and share their findings with their HR managers.