Proposed PHR and SPHR eligibility changes
I recently received an invitation from HRCI to provide feedback on their proposed changes for PHR and SPHR certification.
The proposed new eligibility requirements for the PHR examination are:
- 4 years demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree
- 2 years demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree
- 1 year demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree
The proposed new eligibility requirements for the SPHR credential are:
- 7 years demonstrated exempt-level HR experience without a Bachelor’s degree
- 5 years demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree
- 4 years demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with Master’s degree
My feedback to them was a resounding “YES!” I strongly favor these proposed changes. They address several issues I have had with the current eligibility requirements since they changed them some years ago. The two designations should not have the same eligibility requirements. That has never made any sense. I like that they value education, something the current requirements ignore. I believe that if these changes are implemented, it will strongly enhance the value of human resource certification, and I support the proposed changes, even though they could negatively impact my business, at least in the short run.