What Is the SPHR and Is It Right for You?

Key takeaways

The SPHR is a certification you can earn to advance in a leadership and planning role in human resources (HR).

• The salary for an HR professional with a SPHR credential can earn up to 45 percent more than a senior human resource generalist [1, 2].

• The SPHR exam covers various functional areas such as leadership and strategy, talent management, and HR information management.

• You can earn this certification to advance your HR career or take on a policy planning role in human resources.

Learn more about the SPHR certification and how to apply. If you’re ready to start earning credentials right away, you can strengthen your management and hiring skills with the Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization. Earn a shareable certificate in just two months with this five-course series.

What does SPHR stand for?

SPHR® stands for Senior Professional in Human Resources and refers to a professional certification administered by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). As one of HRCI’s eight certifications, the SPHR validates the knowledge and skills of HR professionals. More specifically, the exam demonstrates mastery of the strategic and policy-making aspects of HR and is geared toward HR professionals who are planning rather than implementing policy. 

Getting the SPHR certification can benefit you in several ways, including:

• Building your confidence and authority in HR

• Keeping your HR knowledge current

• Qualifying for advanced HR roles, such as HR manager, senior people manager, or HR director

• Earning a higher salary

Is SPHR worth it?

According to Payscale, a senior human resources generalist earns an average salary of $76,516 per year [1]. In contrast, the salary for someone with SPHR averages $111,000 [2], an increase of more than 45 percent.

HRCI certification cost and details

Here is some basic information about the exam:

• Cost: $495 for the exam; application fee of $100 [3]

• Availability: You can take the exam year-round at a Pearson VUE testing center or remotely using OnVUE, an online testing program.

• How long certification lasts: Three years

• Staying certified: Earn 60 recertification credits over three years (including 15 business management and strategy credits) or retake the exam.

Continue reading to learn what the SPHR exam covers and how to determine whether you should take it. 

What does the SPHR certification online or in-person exam cover?

The SPHR exam takes two hours and 30 minutes (plus 30 minutes of administration time) and consists of 115 questions and 25 pretest questions. Question types include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and scenario questions. The exam tests your HR knowledge and your ability to apply principles to solve real-world problems and combine different elements or approaches to solve complex problems.

The exam covers the following functional areas:

• Leadership and strategy (33 percent): Developing HR strategy, contributing to organizational strategy, monitoring risk, influencing people management practices

• Talent management (23 percent): Creating talent management programs to encourage a high-performing workforce

• Workforce planning and talent acquisition (17 percent): Forecasting organizational talent needs and developing strategies to attract and engage talent

• HR information management, safety, and security (10 percent): Identifying the necessary tools to report on organizational strategy while also overseeing employee safety and security

• Total rewards (17 percent): Monitoring the effectiveness of compensation and benefits for attracting and retaining employees 

To pass the SPHR exam, you must earn a scaled score of at least 500 out of 700. 

Is the SPHR right for you? 3 signs to look for

Now that you know what the SPHR includes, your next step is to determine whether you should take the exam. Look for these three signs:

1. You meet the eligibility criteria. 

To be eligible to take the exam, you must meet one of the following sets of requirements: 

• Four years of professional HR experience and a master’s degree or higher 

• Five years of professional HR experience and a bachelor’s degree 

• Seven years of professional HR experience with less than a high school diploma or equivalent

HRCI’s Certification Policies and Procedures Handbook defines professional experience as:

• Having decision-making authority

• Using independent judgment when performing duties

• Experience in roles requiring data collection and analysis

• Experience interacting with people at multiple levels

• Individual accountability for results

The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) is a similar certification, testifying to your mastery of the technical and operational aspects of HR management. To be eligible, you must meet one of the following sets of requirements: one year of HR experience and a master’s degree or higher, two years of HR experience and a bachelor’s degree, or four years of HR experience.

Read more: What Is PHR Certification?

2. You want to plan HR policy. 

In an entry-level or individual contributor position in HR, you would mainly implement existing policies. An SPHR certification shows you can plan policies and strategies that impact the organization. 

3. You want to apply for jobs that require this certification. 

With the certification (and the experience and education required to take it), you may be able to qualify for more advanced HR roles. When exploring advanced roles in HR, you may find that some employers require having the SPHR certification or list it as a desired credential. Getting certified can increase the number of career opportunities available to you.

SPHR certification requirements

To take the SPHR exam, you need to apply through HRCI, read the handbook, and schedule your exam within six months of getting approved. The HRCI also offers preparation materials so that you can walk into your exam feeling confident.

Explore our free resources for HR professionals

If you’re planning to advance along an HR career path, you can keep your finger on the pulse of the industry by subscribing to Career Chat. Or check out the following resources to keep learning more:

• Watch on YouTube: Why Power BI Skills Are Essential for HR, Finance, and Business Intelligence

• Take a course-matching quiz: Which Data Analysis Course Should You Take? Find Out in 1 Minute

• Bookmark a Skill & Tool Cheat Sheet: Excel Formulas Cheat Sheet

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