Introduction

Congratulations on your choice to prepare and sit for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) exam. These accredited exams are the gold standard of HR credentialing and represent decades of professional rigor and stringent practice analysis study conducted by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI®). HR professionals who are working to earn these most recognized HR credentials will see changes in the areas of responsibility and knowledge that are the results of a 2017 detailed study of the current state of HR practice in the United States.

This book is meant for anyone seeking either the PHR® or SPHR® certification with the new exams based on the changes to the exam content outlines effective August 1, 2018. It is also an ideal review for any HR practitioner who wants to increase their knowledge and professional depth of HR practices. If you are preparing for other HRCI® exams in the PHR/SPHR family, this book may also be useful to review for additional context across the HR field of study for those exams.

This review guide has been designed to work along with the PHR and SPHR Human Resources Complete Certification Exam Study Guide, also from Sybex. The study guide provides more depth and review of the functional areas covered by the exam content outlines and more real-world examples. This review guide helps solidify the required experience- based knowledge to help you successfully prepare and pass the PHR® or SPHR® exam.

Book Structure

This book has been laid out in a comprehensive and systematic way that follows the exam content outlines for the PHR® and SPHR® exams. The individual chapters cover distinct functional areas of human resources. The book has two parts. The first part consists of Chapters 1-5 and is designed to prepare individuals who want to sit for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) certification exam. The second part consists of Chapters 6-10 and is designed to prepare individuals who want to sit for the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) certification exam. It is not necessary to review the entire book, as each part covers the necessary exam content outline for that particular exam.

Part One: PHR®

• Business Management
• Talent Planning and Acquisition
• Learning and Development
• Total Rewards
• Employee and Labor Relations

Part Two: SPHR®

• Leadership and Strategy
• Talent Planning and Acquisition
• Learning and Development
• Total Rewards
• Employee Relations and Engagement

While the exam content outlines list the responsibilities before the required knowledge, this review guide covers the knowledge first. The reasoning is that an HR practitioner cannot assume responsibilities and take proper action without first understanding the key knowledge for a particular area. Also, this book does not cover each responsibility or knowledge point in order in the chapter text but elects to group key concepts together as they would likely be handled by function in a professional HR setting. I have kept the numbering convention the same at the beginning of each chapter; so the responsibilities start at "1" for each new functional area, but the required knowledge continues from the previous chapter for both parts. I believe this structure will make it easy for you to learn the information in the shortest time with the highest possible retention.

How to Use This Book

Several learning tools are included in the book. These tools will help you retain vital exam content as well as prepare to sit for the actual exams.

Objective Map and Opening List of Objectives At the beginning of the book you'll find a detailed exam objective map showing you where each of the exam objectives is covered. In addition, each chapter opens with a list of the exam objectives it covers. Use these resources to see exactly where each of the exam topics is covered.

Exam Essentials Each chapter includes a number of exam essentials. These are the key points that you should take from the chapter, identifying topics on which you should focus when preparing for the exam.

Chapter Review Questions To test your knowledge as you progress through the book, there are review questions at the end of each chapter. As you finish each chapter, answer the review questions and then check your answers-the correct answers appear in the appendix, "Answers to Review Questions." You can go back to reread the section that deals with any question you got wrong to ensure that you answer correctly the next time you're tested on the material.

Interactive Online Learning Environment and Test Bank

The interactive online learning environment that accompanies PHR® and SPHR® Human Resources Certification Complete Review Guide: 2018 Exams provides a test bank with study tools to help you prepare for the certification exam-and increase your chances of passing it the first time! The test bank includes the following:

Sample Tests All the questions in this book are provided, including the chapter tests that include the review questions at the end of each chapter. In addition, there are two practice exams (one each for the PHR® and SPHR®) that have a variety of question formats that match the newly structured exams as of the fall of 2018. Use these questions to test your knowledge of the review guide material. The online test bank runs on multiple devices.

Flashcards One set of questions is provided in digital flashcard format (a question followed by a single correct answer). You can use the flashcards to reinforce your learning and provide last-minute test prep before the exam.

Other Study Tools A glossary of key terms from this book and their definitions is available as a fully searchable PDF.

Go to www.wiley.com/go/sybextestprep to register and gain access to this interactive online learning environment and test bank with study tools.

Overview of the HRCI® Credentials

HRCI® has several credentials in the HR field that serve HR professionals in the United States and international settings. They range from entry-level credentials for people transitioning to or beginning a career in HR to credentials for senior HR professionals responsible for strategic HR decisions and functions within an organization.

For more than 40 years, HRCI® has used rigorous standards and evaluations of current HR practices, along with experts from the field, to develop and validate an HR body of knowledge that is wide ranging and the gold standard for HR professionals. From this body of knowledge, exam content outlines are created for each certification that serve as the foundation for exam questions for each certification exam. At the time of this publication, HRCI® offers eight credentials. Here's a brief look at each:

Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)TM HRCI's Associate Professional in Human ResourcesT (aPHRT) is the perfect certification to help you with your career growth and provide you with the confidence to launch into the HR profession. The aPHR is specifically designed for professionals who are just beginning their HR career journey and proves your knowledge of foundational human resources.

Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the aPHR you must have a high school diploma or global equivalent. No HR experience is required since this is a knowledge-based credential.

Associate Professional in Human Resources-International (aPHRi)TM If you are new to HR and want to distinguish yourself in the field, the Associate Professional in Human Resources-InternationalT (aPHRiT) helps propel your career growth and provide you with the confidence to launch into the HR profession. HR professionals in the United States are not eligible for this exam.

Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the aPHRi, you must have a high school diploma or global equivalent. No HR experience is required since this is a knowledge-based credential.

Professional in Human Resources (PHR)® This is the flagship HR credential from HRCI®. The most widely known certification, PHR demonstrates mastery of the technical and operational aspects of HR management, including U.S. laws and regulations. The PHR is for the HR professional who has experience with program implementation, has a tactical/logistical orientation, is accountable to another HR professional within the organization, and has responsibilities that focus on the HR department rather than the whole organization.

Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the PHR, you must meet one of the following conditions for education and experience:

• At least one year of experience in a professional-level HR position plus a master's degree or higher
• At least two years of experience in a professional-level HR position plus a bachelor's degree
• At least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position plus a high school diploma

Professional in Human Resources-California (PHRca)® The PHRca demonstrates mastery of the laws, regulations, and HR management practices unique to...