Error: No such template "/CustomCode/storyMod/editLink"!

Certification
Comparison Chart

HR.com prepares you to pass any HR exam - or your money back!

Whether it be from HRCI or SHRM, a professional certification demonstrates to peers and colleagues within the Human Resources profession that you are a recognized expert and have mastered the core HR principles.

HR.com has created this comparison chart to help you understand the available certifications, and decide which credential is best suited for you.

Eligibility About Registration Preparation Recertification

HRCI HR Certification Institute

aPHR - Associate Professional in Human Resources
PHR - Professional in Human Resources
SPHR - Senior Professional in Human Resources
PHRi - Professional in Human Resources (International)
SPHRi - Senior Professional in Human Resources (International)

SHRM Society for Human Resource Management

SHRM-CP - Certified Professional
SHRM-SCP - Senior Certified Professional

Eligibility

	aPHR	PHR	SPHR	PHRi	SPHRi	SHRM-CP	SHRM-SCP
Certifying Body	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	SHRM	SHRM
Exam Eligibility Guidelines	To be eligible for the aPHR you must have a high school diploma or global equivalent. No HR experience is required since this is a knowledge-based credential.	A minimum of 1 year of experience in a professional-level HR position with a Master’s degree or higher, ---- OR ---- A minimum of 2 years of experience in a professional HR position with a Bachelor’s degree, ---- OR ---- A minimum of 4 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with less than a Bachelor’s degree	A minimum of 4 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with a Master’s degree or higher ---- OR ---- A minimum of 5 years experience in a professional HR position with a Bachelor’s degree, ---- OR ---- A minimum of 7 years of experience in a professional-level HR position with less than a Bachelor’s degree	A minimum of 1 year of professional-level experience in an HR position with a Master's degree or global equivalent, ---- OR ---- A minimum of 2 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with a Bachelor's degree or global equivalent, ---- OR ---- A minimum of 4 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with less than a Bachelor's degree or global equivalent The PHRi is only available to candidates outside of the United States.	A minimum of 4 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with a Master's degree or global equivalent ---- OR ---- A minimum of 5 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with a Bachelor's degree or global equivalent ---- OR ---- A minimum of 7 years of professional-level experience in an HR position with less than a Bachelor's degree or global equivalent The SPHRi is available only to candidates outside of the United States.	Intended for individuals that perform HR/HR-related duties, or individuals pursuing a career in Human Resource Management. HR title not required. HR degree not required. Previous HR experience is not required.	Minimum 3 years of work history performing strategic level HR/HR-related duties; or SHRM-CP credential holders who have held the credential for at least 3 years and are pursuing or currently in a strategic role. HR title not required. HR degree not required. 1,000 hrs per calendar year required, comprised of strategic HR/ HR-related work.
Who should take this exam?	Anyone interested in pursuing a career in HR, who lacks the work experience for a more senior-level certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP)	HR practitioners with an operational focus. Exam candidates will need to satisfy exam eligibility criteria.	Senior HR practitioners with a strategic focus. Exam candidates will need to satisfy exam eligibility criteria.	HR practitioners based outside of the United States with an international operational focus. Exam candidates will need to satisfy exam eligibility criteria.	HR practitioners based outside of the United States with an international strategic focus. Exam candidates will need to satisfy exam eligibility criteria.	HR practitioners with an operational focus. Exam candidates will need to satisfy exam eligibility criteria.	Senior HR practitioners with a strategic focus. Exam candidates will need to satisfy exam eligibility criteria.

About

	aPHR	PHR	SPHR	PHRi	SPHRi	SHRM-CP	SHRM-SCP
Accreditation	HRCI NCCA	HRCI NCCA	HRCI NCCA	HRCI NCCA	HRCI NCCA	SHRM The Buros Center for Testing	SHRM The Buros Center for Testing
Body of Knowledge	Click Here	Click Here	Click Here	Click Here	Click Here	Click Here	Click Here
Number of Certified Members in Good Standing (as of Jan 12, 2021)	7,692 active	71,130 active	47,903 active	2,144 active	1,759 active	65,730	45,677
Industry Pass Rate	71% (as of Dec 31 2024)	69% (as of Dec 31 2024)	70% (as of Dec 31 2024)	78% (as of Dec 31 2024)	74% (as of Dec 31 2024)	71% (based on the spring 2024 testing window)	56% (based on the spring 2024 testing window)
Exam Cancellation Policies	Once an exam application is approved, no refunds will be made if you no longer wish to take the exam. "Never scheduled an exam appointment" or "missed the exam appointment" (during the 180 calendar days eligibility period) No refund, exception or extension will be provided. You will need to reapply and pay all applicable fees. Refunds may be considered if an application is made ineligible. However, a processing fee will be applied.	Once an exam application is approved, no refunds will be made if you no longer wish to take the exam. "Never scheduled an exam appointment" or "missed the exam appointment" (during the 180 calendar days eligibility period) No refund, exception or extension will be provided. You will need to reapply and pay all applicable fees. Refunds may be considered if an application is made ineligible. However, a processing fee will be applied.	Once an exam application is approved, no refunds will be made if you no longer wish to take the exam. "Never scheduled an exam appointment" or "missed the exam appointment" (during the 180 calendar days eligibility period) No refund, exception or extension will be provided. You will need to reapply and pay all applicable fees. Refunds may be considered if an application is made ineligible. However, a processing fee will be applied.	Once an exam application is approved, no refunds will be made if you no longer wish to take the exam. "Never scheduled an exam appointment" or "missed the exam appointment" (during the 180 calendar days eligibility period) No refund, exception or extension will be provided. You will need to reapply and pay all applicable fees. Refunds may be considered if an application is made ineligible. However, a processing fee will be applied.	Once an exam application is approved, no refunds will be made if you no longer wish to take the exam. "Never scheduled an exam appointment" or "missed the exam appointment" (during the 180 calendar days eligibility period) No refund, exception or extension will be provided. You will need to reapply and pay all applicable fees. Refunds may be considered if an application is made ineligible. However, a processing fee will be applied.	If a candidate cancels less than 30 days but no later than five days prior to an exam appointment, a $53 cancellation fee will be charged by Prometric.	If a candidate cancels less than 30 days but no later than five days prior to an exam appointment, a $53 cancellation fee will be charged by Prometric.
Time in the Market	5 years	45 years	45 years	5 yrs	5 yrs	6 years	6 years

Registration

	aPHR	PHR	SPHR	PHRi	SPHRi	SHRM-CP	SHRM-SCP
Accrediting Body	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	SHRM	SHRM
Test Booking Period	Registration open year-round	Registration open year-round	Registration open year-round	Registration open year-round	Registration open year-round	a) Jan. 4-Apr. 8 b) May 14-Nov. 9 *subject to change	a) Jan. 4-Apr. 8 b) May 14-Nov. 9 *subject to change
Testing Windows	OPEN: Exams are given year-round	OPEN: Exams are given year-round	OPEN: Exams are given year-round	OPEN: Exams are given year-round	OPEN: Exams are given year-round	a) Dec 1 – Feb 15 b) May 1 - July 15	a) Dec 1– Feb 15 b) May 1 - July 15
Exam Price	$300 + $100 application fee	$395 + $100 application fee	$495 + $100 application fee	$395 + $100 application fee	$495 + $100 application fee	$495 (SHRM members) $595 (non-SHRM members)	$595 (SHRM members) $695 (non-SHRM members)
Exam Format	65 mostly Multiple Choice Questions + 25 Pre-Test Multiple Choice Questions 1 hour, 45 mins	90 mostly Multiple Choice Questions + 25 Pre-Test Multiple Choice Questions 2 hours	115 mostly Multiple Choice Questions + 25 Pre-Test Multiple Choice Questions 2 hours, 30 minutes	145 mostly Multiple Choice Questions + 25 Pre-Test Multiple Choice Questions 3 hours 15 minutes	105 mostly Multiple Choice Questions + 25 Pre-Test Multiple Choice Questions 2 hours 30 minutes	110 Multiple Choice Questions + 24 Field Test Questions Exam Time: 3 hours, 40 minutes	110 Multiple Choice Questions + 24 Field Test Questions Exam Time: 3 hours, 40 minutes

Preparation

	aPHR	PHR	SPHR	PHRi	SPHRi	SHRM-CP	SHRM-SCP
Accrediting Body	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	SHRM	SHRM
Test Prep/Study Material Provider(s)	10-week virtual online, live instructor-led program	16-week virtual online, live instructor-led program 10-week ACCELERATED virtual online, live instructor-led program	16-week virtual online, live instructor-led program 10-week ACCELERATED virtual online, live instructor-led program	16-week virtual online, live instructor-led program 10-week ACCELERATED virtual online, live instructor-led program	16-week virtual online, live instructor-led program 10-week ACCELERATED virtual online, live instructor-led program	16-week virtual online, live instructor-led program 10-week ACCELERATED virtual online, live instructor-led program	16-week virtual online, live instructor-led program 10-week ACCELERATED virtual online, live instructor-led program
Price Range of Cert Prep	$150 - $800	$35 - $1199	$35 - $1199	$35-$1199	$35-$1199	$450 - $1400 SHRM Learning System $920 (USD) for non-members $695 (USD) for members	$450 - $1400 SHRM Learning System $920 (USD) for non-members $695 (USD) for members
Exam Location/Delivery:	Remote (available only in Can or US) or in-person testing via Pearson Vue Testing Center	Remote (available only in Can or US) or in-person testing via Pearson Vue Testing Center	Remote (available only in Can or US) or in-person testing via Pearson Vue Testing Center	Remote (available only in Can or US) or in-person testing via Pearson Vue Testing Center	Remote (available only in Can or US) or in-person testing via Pearson Vue Testing Center	Remote or in-person testing via Prometric Testing Center	Remote or in-person testing via Prometric Testing Center

Recertification

	aPHR	PHR	SPHR	PHRi	SPHRi	SHRM-CP	SHRM-SCP
Accrediting Body	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	HRCI	SHRM	SHRM
Recertification Requirements	Retake and pass the same certification exam OR earn 45 credits worth of HR-related continuing professional development activities over 3 years. An unlimited amount of Webcast Credits can be used.	Retake and pass the same certification exam OR earn 60 credits worth of HR-related continuing professional development activities over 3 years. An unlimited amount of Webcast Credits can be used.	Retake and pass the same certification exam OR earn 60 credits worth of HR-related continuing professional development activities over 3 years. 15 credits must be classified as Strategic / Business Management An unlimited amount of Webcast Credits can be used.	Retake and pass the same certification exam OR earn 60 credits worth of HR-related continuing professional development activities over 3 years. An unlimited amount of Webcast Credits can be used.	Retake and pass the same certification exam OR earn 60 credits worth of HR-related continuing professional development activities over 3 years. 15 credits must be classified as Strategic / Business Management An unlimited amount of Webcast Credits can be used..	60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) every three years, or retake the certification exam. No Limit on Instructor-Led or Self-Paced Credits. Visit www.shrmcertification.org	60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) every three years, or retake the certification exam. No Limit on Instructor-Led or Self-Paced Credits. Visit www.shrmcertification.org
Recertification Fees:	$169 USD for 1 certification Each additional certification = $50 USD Suspended Fee = $100 USD	$169 USD for 1 certification Each additional certification = $50 USD Suspended Fee = $100 USD	$169 USD for 1 certification Each additional certification = $50 USD Suspended Fee = $100 USD	$169 USD for 1 certification Each additional certification = $50 USD Suspended Fee = $100 USD	$169 USD for 1 certification Each additional certification = $50 USD Suspended Fee = $100 USD	SHRM Members = $165 USD Nonmembers = $210 USD (non-refundable, whether or not your application is approved)	SHRM Members = $165 USD Nonmembers = $210 USD (non-refundable, whether or not your application is approved)

Error: No such template "/CustomCode/design/set_no_sidebar"!