OBTAINING YOUR GUIDING CREDENTIALS

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OBTAINING YOUR GUIDING CREDENTIALS

• Presented by
• Karen Brzezinski, SPHR
• WISHRM Certification Director
• WISHRM State Conference
• October 2006

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Everything You Wanted to Know

• What is certification and why is it important to
  my HR career?
• All about the PHR and SPHR exams
• The new GPHR certification
• The HR Body of Knowledge
• Computer based testing
• How to Apply and Prepare
• Once youre certified..
• Recertification

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Why do it?

• Credibility
• Confidence
• Competitive advantage
• Challenge
• Skill Development
• Personal Satisfaction
• Recognition from Peers

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Certification Facts

• As of March 2006
• Nationally more than 82,000 certified
• 46,000 are PHR
• 35,000 are SPHR
• 396 are GPHR
• In Wisconsin more than 2,000 certified
• 1100 are PHR
• 880 are SPHR
• 5 are GPHR

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HRCI Certification Exams

• PHR - Operational/technical
• Pass rate 64-67
• SPHR - Strategic/policy
• Pass rate 53-60
• GPHR International HR Practices
• Pass rate 65-74

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Basics of PHR and SPHR Exams

• Two years of exempt level (professional)
  experience in HR or student classification.
• Computer-based
• 225 questions (200 scored for certification 25
  being tested for future exams).
• Four hours, structured testing environment
  (similar to the Bar Exam, SAT, GMAT, etc.)
• Tests what an HR generalist (private
  sector/nationwide) needs to know

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TESTING WINDOWS

• PHR and SPHR offered twice annually during 8 week
  windows
• December 1 January 31
• May 1 June 30
• GPHR offered twice annually during 4 week windows
• December 1 December 31
• May 1 May 31
• Registration deadline is Oct 13, late deadline is
  Nov 17, 2006

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Domestic HR Body of Knowledge

• PHR SPHR
• Strategic management 12 26
• Workforce planning/employment 26 16
• Human resource development 15 13
• Compensation and benefits 20 16
• Employee and labor relations 21 24
• Occupational health/safety/security 6
  5

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2006 PHR Exam Fees

• APPLICATION FEE 75
• EXAM FEE
• SHRM Members 175
• Nonmembers 225
• Student/recent graduate 45
• (balance due upon meeting requirements)
• LATE FEE 50

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2006 SPHR Exam Fees

• APPLICATION FEE 75
• EXAM FEE
• SHRM Members 300
• Nonmembers 350
• LATE FEE 50

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2006 GPHR Exam Fees

• APPLICATION FEE 75
• EXAM FEE
• SHRM Members 300
• Nonmembers 350
• Student/recent graduate 45
• (balance due upon meeting requirements)
• LATE FEE 50

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Student/Recent Graduate Program

• From 12 months before to 12 months after
  graduation
• Pay 120 for PHR or GPHR (NOT SPHR)
• Obtain 2 years exempt level experience before you
  can use the designation and have to pay the
  balance
• Must obtain those 2 years within 5 years

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Pay if you Pass Program

• Must apply via paper form (NO online reg)
• Pay 120
• Pay balance if you pass, owe nothing more if you
  do not pass
• Eligible
• State Council members
• Chapter president and president-elect
• Chapter certification director
• Others (see HRCI website)

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Benefits of Computer Based Testing (CBT)

• More testing dates
• More test center locations 250 in the US/Canada
• Wisconsin test centers Milwaukee Madison
• Immediate preliminary pass/fail results
• Consistent test-taking environment
• Easy to use
• Built in calculator and clock

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Where do Questions Come From

• Teams of certified HR professionals who have
  special training in item development
• Every question passes three levels of review
• Every question pre-tested before being used to
  score the exam

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When Youre Ready to Apply

• Read the handbook thoroughly (available online or
  request a hard copy or take one home today)
• Apply online at www.hrci.org (or use the Scantron
  form and mail in your application)
• Pay attention to the deadlines
• Schedule your exam appointment early

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Getting Ready

• Read the handbook completely (again!)
• Find your personal study style
• Take the online assessment exam (PHR or SPHR)
• Most candidates spend an average of 40 hours
  preparing for the exam.

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How to Prepare

• Many ways to prepare HRCI does not endorse any
  one study method or product
• HRCI Certification Guide (PHR, SPHR)
• HRCI Online Assessment Exam (PHR,SPHR)
• Self-study -- flash cards, textbooks, the SHRM
  Learning System, Global Learning System
• Study groups -- chapters, employer groups
• Prep classes -- universities, SHRM (PHR, SPHR)
• None of these teaches to the test

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After the Exam

• You will find out preliminary pass/fail status
  immediately!
• Detailed exam results will be mailed to your home
  address within three weeks of testing.
• If you passed, your certificate and pin will
  arrive with your score report.
• If you didnt pass, your results will show you
  how you did by functional area.

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When Youre Certified

• Youll be able to use the initials PHR, SPHR,
  GPHR
• A letter recognizing your achievement can be sent
  to your boss from HRCI per your request
• Sample press release available
• PHR/SPHR/GPHR accessories from the SHRMStore
• Youll be part of the growing community of
  certified HR professionals
• Youll be invited to Certified-Only VIP Lounge
  at SHRM Annual Conference
• Youll receive the quarterly e-newsletter,
  Certified Mail.

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Recertification

• Required every three years (36 months)
• HRCI provides ID and password for website
• Log on to track your recertification credits via
  www.hrci.org.
• Most professionals can accumulate enough hours in
  less than two years
• Submit your information as soon as you obtain the
  required recertification credits
• 100 fee

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Questions?

• Contact information
• Human Resource Certification Institute
• 1-866-898-HRCI (4724)
• info_at_hrci.org www.hrci.org
• 1800 Duke Street
• Alexandria, VA 22314
• My email
• Karen.brzezinski_at_ministryhealth.org