Which HR certification is right for you?
Whether you’re starting your HR career, managing day-to-day responsibilities, or leading HR strategy, choosing a certification is an important step. HRCP can help you explore your options, find a credential that fits your experience and goals, and prepare with confidence.
Not sure where to begin? Start with our free HR Cert Fit Assessment.
Helping HR professionals prepare for certification since 1995. Trusted by more than 100,000 HR professionals.
“I’ve prepared for and taken these exams myself. I know choosing a certification—and figuring out how to prepare—can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to help you take that next step with confidence.”
— Terri Varnell, SPHR, Chief Operating Officer, HRCP
Reviewed by HRCP · October 15, 2026
Which HR certification is right for you?
Different certifications fit different stages of an HR career. If you’re new to HR, consider the aPHR or SHRM-CP. If you manage day-to-day HR operations, explore the PHR or SHRM-CP. If you lead HR strategy, consider the SPHR or SHRM-SCP.
| If you are… | Credentials to explore | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Starting your HR career or new to HR | aPHR® · SHRM-CP® | Compare eligibility |
| Managing day-to-day HR operations | PHR® · SHRM-CP® | Compare eligibility |
| Leading HR strategy | SPHR® · SHRM-SCP® | Compare eligibility |
Not sure? Search HR job postings in your region to see which credentials employers ask for. Eligibility requirements for each credential are in the comparison table below.
Working outside the United States? Explore HRCI’s international credentials (aPHRi, PHRi, and SPHRi) and compare them with other options relevant to your career goals. Note that HRCI says the SPHRi requires documented knowledge of local employment laws; review the full requirements on the SPHRi page at hrci.org and the PHRi page.
Take the Free Cert Fit AssessmentHow are HRCI and SHRM certifications different?
HRCI and SHRM offer HR certifications with different eligibility requirements and exam content. HRCI offers the aPHR, PHR, and SPHR, while SHRM offers the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP. The right choice depends on your experience, the work you perform, and your career goals. Use the comparison below to explore your options.
| HRCI | SHRM | |
|---|---|---|
| Awarded by | HR Certification Institute (HRCI) | SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) |
| Credentials shown here | aPHR, PHR, SPHR. HRCI also offers other credentials, such as the international aPHRi, PHRi, and SPHRi, which are not shown in this table. | SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP |
| Eligibility | aPHR: no HR experience required. PHR: 1 year of professional-level HR experience plus a master’s degree or higher, 2 years plus a bachelor’s degree, or 4 years. SPHR: 4 years plus a master’s degree or higher, 5 years plus a bachelor’s degree, or 7 years. | SHRM-CP: no HR title, degree, or previous HR experience required (a basic working knowledge of HR is recommended). SHRM-SCP: at least 3 years of strategic-level HR work, or the SHRM-CP held for at least 3 years while working in, or transitioning to, a strategic-level role. |
| Exam format and length | aPHR: 90 questions (65 scored and 25 unscored pretest), 1 hour 45 minutes plus 30 minutes administration time. PHR: 115 questions (90 scored and 25 unscored pretest), 2 hours plus 30 minutes. SPHR: 140 questions (115 scored and 25 unscored pretest), 2 hours 30 minutes plus 30 minutes. | SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP: 134 multiple-choice questions in total: 80 knowledge items and 54 situational judgment items. The 134 include 24 unscored field-test items. 3 hours 40 minutes of testing time. |
| Testing locations | Pearson VUE test centers or OnVUE online testing (online availability may vary by location). | Prometric test centers (in person). |
| When you can test | Year-round. After your application is approved, you have 180 days to schedule and take the exam. | Two testing windows a year: May 1 – July 15 and Dec. 1 – Feb. 15. You apply during the application period for the window you want. |
| Exam fees* | aPHR: $400 ($300 exam fee + $100 application fee) PHR: $495 ($395 + $100) SPHR: $595 ($495 + $100) | SHRM-CP: $399 for members, $499 for nonmembers SHRM-SCP: $399 for members, $499 for nonmembers *Early-bird discounts may apply. Check SHRM’s website for current pricing. |
| Renewal | Valid for 3 years. Earn recertification credits: 45 for the aPHR, 60 for the PHR, and 60 for the SPHR (15 of which need to be business credits), or retake the exam. Recertification includes at least one ethics credit. See our ethics credit courses. | Every 3 years: earn 60 professional development credits (PDCs) or retake the exam. |
| Who each is designed for | aPHR: people starting their HR journey or managing people without formal HR training. PHR: HR professionals implementing programs and supporting day-to-day operations, grounded in U.S. laws. SPHR: leaders who shape HR strategy and policy. | SHRM-CP: people performing general HR duties at an operational level, students, and those pursuing an HR career. SHRM-SCP: HR professionals working at a strategic level. |
*HRCI fees are listed on each credential page. Sources: HRCI (aPHR, PHR, SPHR, exam availability and locations, how to apply, recertification) and SHRM (eligibility criteria, certification overview and fees, exam options and fees, recertification). Requirements, exam content, and fees change; HRCI and SHRM set the official rules.
Choosing between HRCI and SHRM starts with your experience, career goals, and the credentials employers recognize in your field. Compare the eligibility requirements and exam content, then choose the path that best supports your next step.
HRCP offers preparation materials for the aPHR, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP, as well as the international aPHRi, PHRi, and SPHRi. Explore the guide for the certification you’re considering: aPHR exam prep guide, PHR exam prep guide, SPHR exam prep guide, SHRM-CP exam prep guide, SHRM-SCP exam prep guide, aPHRi exam prep guide, PHRi exam prep guide, or SPHRi exam prep guide.
Do I need HR experience to get certified?
It depends on the certification. The aPHR and aPHRi require no HR experience, and the SHRM-CP does not require a degree, HR title, or previous HR experience. The PHR, SPHR, and SHRM-SCP have experience requirements.
Meeting the eligibility requirements is one part of choosing a certification. The right fit also depends on your current responsibilities and career goals.
Starting your HR career
The aPHR requires no HR experience, and neither does the aPHRi, for professionals working outside the U.S. The SHRM-CP doesn’t require a degree or previous HR experience; SHRM recommends a basic working knowledge of HR.
Doing operational HR
The PHR requires professional-level HR experience, with the amount depending on your education. The PHRi, for professionals working outside the U.S., uses the same experience levels, with a degree or global equivalent. The SHRM-CP is designed for HR work at an operational level.
Leading HR strategy
The SPHR requires professional-level HR experience, with the amount depending on your education. The SPHRi, for professionals working outside the U.S., uses the same experience levels, with a degree or global equivalent, and requires documented knowledge of local employment laws. The SHRM-SCP requires at least 3 years of strategic-level HR work, or the SHRM-CP held at least 3 years while working in or transitioning to a strategic role.
Each credential name above links to its official HRCI or SHRM page. Review full requirements before you apply: HRCI certifications and SHRM eligibility criteria.
How do Micro HR digital credentials differ from HR certification?
HR certification and Micro HR digital credentials support different professional development goals. Certification assesses knowledge across a broad HR body of knowledge. Micro HR offers focused learning in specific HR topics, with assessments and digital credentials that recognize your achievement.
Build knowledge in the areas that matter to you, earn verifiable badges through Credly, and share your accomplishments on LinkedIn, your résumé, and professional profiles. Micro HR can support your development before, during, or after certification preparation. Micro HR credentials are not equivalent to passing a certification exam.
Explore Micro HR Digital CredentialsCompare Certificates, Digital Badges, and CertificationHow do I get HR certified?
Getting certified takes six steps: choose a credential and confirm eligibility, prepare, apply, take the exam, use your designation, and stay certified by renewing every three years.
1. Choose and confirm eligibility
Pick the credential that fits your experience and goals, then confirm you meet the eligibility requirements with HRCI or SHRM. The Cert Fit Assessment can help you narrow your options.
2. Prepare with HRCP materials
Choose the study format that fits you: print, online, or print and online. Follow a study schedule to organize your time, work through the content one unit at a time, and use practice assessments to find the areas that need more review. Then build confidence with timed and mock exams. Prep courses are also available through our partners if you prefer more structure.
3. Apply
Apply with the credentialing organization (HRCI or SHRM), which sets the eligibility rules and handles applications. Exam and application fees are paid to HRCI or SHRM and are separate from HRCP study materials.
4. Take the exam
After your application is approved, schedule your exam following the credentialing organization’s authorization process: Pearson VUE or online for HRCI, Prometric for SHRM.
5. Use your designation
After you pass, you can use your credential after your name, on business cards, and in your professional correspondence.
6. Stay certified
Renew every three years with recertification credits (HRCI) or PDCs (SHRM), or by retaking the exam.
How can HRCP help me prepare for HR certification?
HRCP offers study materials and practice assessments to help you organize your preparation, identify areas for review, and build confidence for exam day. Choose print, online, or print and online materials to fit your study preferences.
Give your studying structure
Create a routine and follow a study schedule to keep you on track.
Find the areas that need more attention
Practice assessments help you see where to focus your review.
Build confidence for exam day
Assess your exam readiness by completing and reviewing the mock exams.
Choose how you study
Pick print, online, or print and online materials, or join a prep course.
What’s in the programs
- 2026 Complete HRCP Program (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP): six units, 900+ pages of study content, 600+ flashcards (printed, digital, or both, depending on your edition), and 2,150 questions across 17 practice assessments: 1 preliminary assessment, 6 practice exams, 6 timed exams, 3 mock exams, and 1 situational judgment exam.
- 2026 aPHR HRCP Program: five units, 400+ pages of study content, 300+ flashcards, and 1,440 questions across 13 practice exams: 1 preliminary assessment, 5 practice tests, 5 timed exams, and 2 mock exams.
- Online and Print & Online editions add an audio screen reader, a built-in AI Virtual Assistant, and highlighting, note-taking, glossary, and search tools. Print and online editions include online access for 24 months from your purchase date, plus the online Guide for Successful Exam Preparation and sample study schedules.
Supporting experience: HRCP has provided HR certification study materials since 1995, updates the materials every year, and has helped more than 100,000 HR professionals prepare. Our main author served eight years on the HRCI Board of Directors.
Want a preview? Take the free 20-question practice test (it requires a free HRCP account), explore our study schedules, or join one of our webinars.
Explore HR Certification Prep MaterialsJoin Our WebinarsIs there a money-back guarantee?
Prepare with the confidence of HRCP’s You Pass or Your Money Back guarantee. If you meet all of the guarantee requirements and don’t pass, you may be eligible for a refund of the purchase price of the HRCP Program. Terms and conditions apply.
The guarantee applies to the aPHR, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP. Read the requirements and terms on our money-back page. Separately, every purchase also comes with our 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee.
What HRCP customers say
“Passed my PHR exam today, thanks to the HRCP prep materials! The practice exams helped a bunch”
— Nicole L.
“I just passed my SPHR test today using the online & print materials for preparation. I highly recommend HRCP’s prep materials as they were instrumental in preparing me to pass this test.”
— Jake Z.
“I used the HRCP program for about 90% of my studying. I passed my PHR on my first try and would highly recommend this product as your main study resource.”
— Blake T.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what we hear most from people choosing an HR certification. Questions? Call 801-343-3699, email info@hrcp.com, or use the chat on our site.
Which HR certification should I get first?
It depends on your experience and the work you do. If you are starting your HR career, explore the aPHR and SHRM-CP. If you do professional-level, operational HR, explore the PHR and SHRM-CP. If you lead HR strategy, explore the SPHR and SHRM-SCP. Then review the eligibility requirements for the credential you’re considering. HRCP’s free HR Cert Fit Assessment can help you narrow your options.
Is HRCI or SHRM certification better?
Choosing between HRCI and SHRM starts with your experience, career goals, and the credentials employers recognize in your field. Compare the eligibility requirements and exam content, then choose the path that best supports your next step. Searching HR job postings in your region can show which credentials employers ask for.
Do I need HR experience to get certified?
It depends on the certification. The aPHR and aPHRi require no HR experience, and SHRM says the SHRM-CP does not require a degree, HR title, or previous HR experience. The PHR, SPHR, and SHRM-SCP have experience requirements. See the comparison table and the official eligibility pages at hrci.org and shrm.org.
How often do I have to renew my HR certification?
Every three years. HRCI certifications are valid for three years; you maintain them by earning recertification credits (45 for the aPHR, 60 for the PHR, and 60 for the SPHR, 15 of which need to be business credits) or by retaking the exam. Recertification includes at least one ethics credit. See our ethics credit courses. SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP holders recertify every three years by earning 60 professional development credits (PDCs) or retaking the exam.
How much do the HR certification exams cost?
HRCI lists $400 for the aPHR ($300 exam fee plus $100 application fee), $495 for the PHR ($395 plus $100), and $595 for the SPHR ($495 plus $100). SHRM lists $399 for members and $499 for nonmembers for both the SHRM-CP and the SHRM-SCP at the regular price; early-bird discounts may apply. Fees change, so check hrci.org and shrm.org for current pricing. HRCP study materials are priced separately.
Is a digital badge the same as a certification?
No. HR certification assesses knowledge across a broad HR body of knowledge, usually through an exam. Micro HR offers focused learning in specific HR topics, with assessments and digital credentials that recognize your achievement. Micro HR digital credentials are not equivalent to passing a certification exam; they serve a different goal. Learn more in our guide to certificates, digital badges, and certification.
What if I work outside the United States?
Explore HRCI’s international credentials, the aPHRi, PHRi, and SPHRi, and compare them with other options relevant to your career goals. Eligibility differs by credential; for example, HRCI says the SPHRi requires documented knowledge of local employment laws. See the aPHRi, PHRi, and SPHRi exam prep guides, and review full requirements at hrci.org.
Does HRCP offer a money-back guarantee?
HRCP offers You Pass or Your Money Back for the aPHR, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP. If you meet all of the guarantee requirements and don’t pass, you may be eligible for a refund of the purchase price of the HRCP Program. Terms and conditions apply. See the money-back page for the requirements. Separately, every purchase has a 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee.
Ready to take your next step?
Take the Free Cert Fit Assessment to explore your options, or browse HRCP preparation materials for the certification you’ve chosen.
Take the Free Cert Fit AssessmentBrowse HR Certification Prep MaterialsaPHR®, PHR®, SPHR®, aPHRi™, PHRi™, SPHRi™, and HRCI® are trademarks of the HR Certification Institute. SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP® are registered trademarks of SHRM. HRCP is an independent exam prep provider.