Human Resources professionals who have achieved the PHR or SPHR designation know that the path to certification is challenging. In addition to documenting qualifications, a long and difficult exam must be successfully completed. The PHR or SPHR exam is so grueling that many don’t pass on the first try.
Given the significant investment to attain a PHR or SPHR certification, it’s important to be attentive to the requirements to recertify. The PHR or SPHR is valid for a three-year period.
Requirements for PHR or SPHR Recertification
Recertifying a PHR or SPHR designation involves:
- Retaking the PHR or SPHR exam.
- Completing 60 hours of HR-related continuing education before the three-year anniversary of your PHR or SPHR certification cycle.
- 15 of the 60 hours must be directly related to strategic management when recertifying the SPHR.
- In addition to the exam or continuing education, a fee must be paid for PHR or SPHR recertification.
Most PHR or SHPR certified professionals prefer the continuing education option. The required 60 hours may be completed through activities such as continuing education, instruction, research, professional membership, or new, meaningful on the job activities.
Jump-start the PHR or SPHR Recertification Process
Some PHR or SPHR certified professionals don’t think about recertification until the end of the PHR or SPHR certification cycle. It’s very important to begin tracking your recertification activities immediately upon attainment of the PHR or SPHR credential.
PHR or SPHR recertification credits are tracked online through the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI.) Newly certified professionals should visit HRCI's PHR or SPHR recertification page and begin the process of tracking activities.
Enter data on the recertification page immediately upon completion of each PHR or SPHR recertification qualifying activity, such as conference attendance, delivering a workshop, publishing an article, or taking a course. An alternative to immediate data entry is to create an electronic or hard copy file to maintain backup material that documents all PHR or SPHR recertification activities.
Provide Details of PHR or SPHR Recertification Activities
Detail all PHR or SPHR recertification activities. It is not sufficient to simply list the name, date and location of the activity. Be sure to enter a brief description as well.
Conference breakout sessions attended for PHR or SPHR recertification credit must be described, even though the conference is entered as a single activity. List a description and the duration of each concurrent or keynote session attended.
PHR or SPHR recertification credit is awarded once for each activity. Delivering two seminars with similar titles to two different groups will result in recertification credit for only one of the activities.
Strategic management credit for the SPHR can be difficult to attain. The Society for Human Resources Management lists numerous courses that qualify for PHR or SPHR recertification credit. Many of these meet the strategic management criteria.
Plan Your Approach to PHR or SPHR Recertification
Start early and plan carefully to attain the 60 credits needed for PHR or SPHR recertification. With three years to complete the requirements, a thoughtful approach will ensure a smooth path to the next cycle of PHR or SPHR certification.
Lillian LeBlanc - Ms. LeBlanc is an HR exeutive, commercial pilot, skilled public speaker and published author. She holds an MBA.
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