THE BENEFITS OF HR CERTIFICATIONS
FOR THE MILITARY
Presented by:
Rebecca Hastings, SPHR-CA
HR Content Manager
HR Certification Institute
No recertification credits are awarded for attending this presentation
PRESENTER’S BIO
Rebecca Hastings, SPHR-CA, joined the HR Certification Institute
(HRCI) as HR Content Manager for the PHR and SPHR exams in
February 2013 and earned her California certification in May 2013.
She earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
certification in 1993 and her Senior Professional in Human
Resources (SPHR) in 1997. Soon after earning her SPHR, she was
asked to participate in the HRCI exam development process, an
occasional role she held for many years.
Rebecca was previously with the Society for Human Resource
Management (SHRM) for 23 years. She was SHRM’s second HR
person. She also has a B.S. in business and an M.S. in training and
HR.
TODAY’S AGENDA
 About the HR Certification Institute
•
A Global Certified Community
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What is HR Certification?
Benefits of HR Certification
Value of HR Certification
•
•
•
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•
•
PHR and SPHR Bodies of Knowledge
Exam Eligibility Requirements
What is Exempt-Level HR Experience
Exam Development Process
Certification Exam Information
Certification Exam Fees
Application Steps
 About HR Certification
 HR Certification Exams



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Exam Preparation Resources
Recertification
Financial Assistance
Contact Information
ABOUT THE HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE
MISSION
Develop and deliver the highest quality certification programs
that validate mastery in the field of human resource
management and contribute to the continued improvement of
individual and organizational performance.
HISTORY
1976
2004
2005
2007
2008
2010
2011
2012
Began certifying HR professionals (PHR® and SPHR®)
GPHR® exam launched
Online recertification process started
California exam introduced
Online approved provider directory launched
Final year under old exam eligibility requirements
New exam eligibility requirements commence
Launch of global credentials – HRBP and HRMP
A GLOBAL CERTIFIED COMMUNITY
135,000+
100 countries
Certificants
are growing
in numbers
PHR
SPHR
GPHR
CA
70,526
50,053
1,440
911
HRBP
HRMP
MULTI
229
344
1,377
WHAT IS HR CERTIFICATION?
HR Certification demonstrates to employers and
peers that someone has mastered an HR body of
knowledge.
Certification is achieved and maintained by:
•
Meeting work and education requirements
•
Passing an experience based exam
•
Meeting recertification requirements by staying
current in the field (60 credits in a three year cycle)
BENEFITS OF HR CERTIFICATION
INDIVIDUAL
•
Competitive advantage
•
Mastery of HR knowledge and dedication
•
Recognition from peers and organization
•
Assists in job search and business
•
Network with HR professionals
VALUE OF HR CERTIFICATION
ON HIRING
of employers state that a certified job applicant has a
greater hiring advantage than a non-certified job
applicant.
96%
ON PROMOTION
91%
of employers state that a certified HR professional is
more likely to be considered for promotion than a noncertified HR professional.
ON JOB SECURITY
81%
of employers believe that a certified HR professional
has greater job security than a non-certified HR
professional.
HR CERTIFICATION EXAMS
HR certification exams offered:
• PHR® - Professional in Human Resources
• SPHR® - Senior Professional in Human
Resources
PHR AND SPHR BODIES OF KNOWLEDGE
EXAM ELIGBILITY REQUIREMENTS
For the PHR + SPHR Credentials:
PHR
SPHR
1 year of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s
degree or higher
2 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s
degree
4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a
Bachelor’s degree
4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s
degree or higher
5 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s
degree
7 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a
Bachelor’s degree
WHAT IS EXEMPT-LEVEL HR EXPERIENCE?
• The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employees to be paid a
minimum wage and to receive overtime for extra work hours.
• However, some positions involve a high enough level of discretion and
independent judgement to be declared “exempt” from these rules.
• In order to be eligible to sit for one of the Institute’s exams, individuals
must be able to demonstrate that:
1. They have the minimum years of experience required based on
their educational level;
2. They spent at least 51% of their time handling HR-related tasks;
and
3. Their job requires them to work independently, without close
supervision, using their knowledge and experience.
• Additional information about exempt/non-exempt status and the FLSA
can be found at www.dol.gov and
http://dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/overtime/a1.htm
EXAM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Certified volunteers are critical to every phase of the
exam development process. Once you are certified,
we welcome your involvement.
STEP 1
Develop current standards in HR knowledge + practices
STEP 2
Validates HR knowledge + practices with HR
practitioners
STEP 3
Develop exam questions
STEP 4
Validate exam questions
CERTIFICATION EXAM INFORMATION
EXAMS
Contents
Pass Rates
Format
Duration
Application Dates (refer to
www.hrci.org for latest info.)
PHR®
SPHR®
Operational &
tactical
Strategic/Policy
59–67%
52–60%
175 multiple-choice
questions
175 multiple-choice
questions
3 hours
3 hours
SPRING 2014
Early registration period: January through March
Late registration period: March through April
WINTER 2014
Early registration period: June through October
Late registration period: October through November
Exam Periods
SPRING
May 1–June 30
WINTER
December 1–January 31
CERTIFICATION EXAM FEES
PHR®
SPHR®
HR Professional
400 USD
525 USD
Association
Member
350 USD
475 USD
Note: A 75 USD late fee will be
incurred after regular deadline.
APPLICATION STEPS
STEP 1: Go to www.hrci.org
STEP 2: Complete application and payment
STEP 3: Schedule Exam
STEP 4: Take Exam
STEP 5: Receive Results
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES
Bodies of Knowledge
FREE
Get familiar with the bodies of knowledge (www.hrci.org).
PHR/SPHR Official Certification Guidebook
Purchase from iShop (ishop.hrci.org), SHRM Store and leading
book stores.
Online Assessment Exams
$
Available for PHR® and SPHR® certification exams.
Consists of actual retired exam questions.
Assess your level of HR knowledge and experience.
Test-Your-Knowledge Quizzes
FREE
10-question quiz with answers and rationale (www.hrci.org).
Social Networks
FREE
Approach our groups on LinkedIn, Facebook and SHRM
Connect to form study groups or study tips.
$
EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES
Local Professional Chapters
Contact your local SHRM, industry (CUPA-HR, etc.), or affinity
(NAAAHR, etc.) Chapters. They often form study groups or
classes to help members prepare for certification exams.
College/University Sponsored Courses
Many local college + universities offer semester-long or
condensed courses to help prepare for the exam. Visit your
local university website or www.shrm.org for more information.
Certification Preparation Courses
SHRM has numerous certification preparation courses or
search online for other providers of certification preparation
courses.
RECERTIFICATION
60 recertification credits are required every three
years
• Helps achieve HR knowledge and skills
• Stays current with the changing HR trends,
policies and practices in HR field
• Recertification categories:
Continuing Education (no max.)
Instruction
On-the-Job Experience
Research/Publishing
HR Leadership Roles
Professional Membership
Or retake the exam!
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
SHRM Foundation
80 certification scholarships (worth US$750 each)
are available for SHRM members.
Your Employer
Many organizations reimburse the HR certification
exam fees through employee assistance or
professional development programs.
Local Professional Chapters
Many local SHRM chapters offer their own
certification scholarships. Check with the chapter in
your area for more details.
GET CERTIFIED
C–
E–
R–
T–
I–
F–
I–
E–
D–
Check your eligibility
Evaluate your readiness
Read the HRCI Certification Handbook
Try some practice questions
Identify & fill experience/knowledge gaps
Face reality
Identify your challenges
Enjoy the result
Demonstrate commitment by recertifying
HELPFUL RESOURCES
If you are transitioning out of the military and are interested in the field of human resource
management here are some tips to get you started, provided by Rebecca Hastings, SPHR-CA, HR
Content Manager at the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) - www.hrci.org – the professional
certification organization for the HR profession.
[The links provided below are offered as a starting point and are not an endorsement by HRCI of
any product or service.]
Learn more about the HR profession. Sites to explore:
http://hrpeople.monster.com/benefits/articles/13
http://humanresources.about.com/od/hrbasicsfaq/a/hr_role.htm
http://www.hrci.org/exam-preparation
Translate your military experience into civilian terminology. Sites to explore:
http://www.gijobs.com/military-experience-to-civilian-terms.aspx
http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/resume-writing/translating-military-skillsinto-resume.html
http://www.realwarriors.net/veterans/treatment/civilianresume.php
Identify specific gaps in your knowledge and experience by using the PHR/SPHR Body of
Knowledge:
http://www.hrci.org/docs/default-source/web-files/phr_sphr-body-of-knowledge-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=2
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Browse HR job listings to learn what qualifications you must have for different types of
positions:
http://jobs.monster.com/v-human-resources.aspx
http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/human-resources/
http://jobs.shrm.org/home/home.cfm?site_id=1612
Build a LinkedIn Profile. Sites to explore:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/a/linkedinprofile.htm
http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/03/04/8-mistakes-you-should-nevermake-on-linkedin/
Be open to alternative employment opportunities such as internships (Google
“internships” for top sites).
Contact temporary agencies specializing in HR (again, Google will lead you to them) and
set up an interview. Most will test your skills and some will provide training.
Temporaries get a chance to show employers what they can do on the job. Make a
good impression and you might land yourself a job.
CONTACT INFORMATION
+1.571.551.6700
Visit the Military web page on HRCI web site at
http://www.hrci.org/military
Follow HR Certification Institute on:
Twitter.com/HRCertInstitute
Facebook
Linkedin.com/companies/hr-certification-institute