Human Resources
HRCI PHR®Professional in Human Resources
PHR (Professional in Human Resources) from HRCI is the operational HR certification — co-existing with SHRM-CP, both credentials are widely accepted.
30 free questions · no credit card · cancel anytime
Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the HRCI PHR® exam.
- Passing score
- 500 / 700
- Format & length
- 115 questions (90 scored + 25 pretest) · 2 hours testing
- Voucher cost
- $495 total ($395 exam + $100 application fee)
- Prerequisites
- Bachelor's + 1 year HR (or master's + < 1 year, or non-degree + 4 years)
- Validity
- 3 years (60 recertification credits)
What’s tested
Key topics on the HRCI PHR® exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official HRCI PHR® exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Business Management
- Talent Planning & Acquisition
- Learning & Development
- Total Rewards
- Employee & Labor Relations
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
HR professionals at the operational/tactical level. PHR is more US-law-heavy than SHRM-CP and preferred by some employers.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
PHR is the original operational HR credential and still the preferred signal for employers who want proof of US-employment-law fluency (FLSA, FMLA, Title VII, ADA, OSHA) over the more competency-focused SHRM-CP. With a ~65% first-attempt pass rate, it's a genuine filter on HR-resume keyword searches. PHR pairs naturally with later SPHR pursuit and is required or strongly preferred for federal HR roles and union-heavy employers where labor law literacy is non-negotiable.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
500 questions covering every objective on the official HRCI PHR® exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking HRCI PHR® unlocks every other Human Resources exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
Read while you study
HRCI PHR® articles & study guides
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about HRCI PHR®
How many questions does the HRCI PHR® bank have?
500 questions, organized into 5 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Human Resources exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the HRCI PHR® content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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