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Which HR Certification Is Best? PHR, SHRM & More Compared (2026)  

Jennifer Newmann

Published: | Last Updated:

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The best HR certification depends on your career stage. If you’re new to HR, start with the aPHR or SHRM-CP, neither requires work experience. If you have a few years in the field, the PHR is the standard next step. Senior HR leaders should look at the SPHR or SHRM-SCP, and professionals working across countries should consider the GPHR. 

Human resources professionals are the glue that holds companies together, and a certification proves you have the skills to do the job. But the alphabet soup of options: aPHR, PHR, SPHR, GPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, CPTD; can be confusing. Here’s what each one covers, who can take it, and how to pick the right one for where you are now. 

Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)

Best for: people starting an HR career. 

The aPHR, offered by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), is the only HRCI certification with no work experience requirement. That makes it the natural first step if you’re still in school or switching careers into HR. 

It covers HR fundamentals like talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation and benefits, compliance, and learning and development. 

Because no experience is required, coursework is the best way to prepare. Some degree programs build exam prep right in, like Bryan University’s online Associate Degree in Human Resources Management which includes one aPHR exam attempt in your tuition, so you can graduate and get certified without paying for the test separately. 

Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

Best for: HR professionals with a few years of hands-on experience. 

The PHR, also from HRCI, proves you can handle the day-to-day operations of an HR department; hiring, employee relations, benefits, and U.S. employment law compliance. 

To be eligible, you need one of the following: 

  • One year of professional HR experience plus a master’s degree or higher 
  • Two years of experience plus a bachelor’s degree 
  • Four years of experience with no degree 

Notice the pattern? Education shortens the experience requirement. A degree doesn’t just prepare you for the exam, it gets you to the exam sooner!  

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

Best for: HR leaders who shape strategy and policy. 

The SPHR is HRCI’s senior-level certification. Instead of daily operations, the exam focuses on the big-picture: workforce planning, business strategy, risk management, and leadership and strategy. 

Eligibility requires one of the following: 

  • Four years of professional HR experience plus a master’s degree or higher 
  • Five years plus a bachelor’s degree 
  • Seven years with no degree 

Most people earn the PHR first and move up. 

SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP

Best for: the SHRM-CP suits students and operational HR professionals; the SHRM-SCP suits strategic HR leaders. 

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the other major certifying body, and it offers two credentials. 

The SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) has no degree or experience requirement, even current students can apply. The exam mixes HR knowledge questions with situational judgment scenarios that test how you would handle real workplace problems. 

The SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) requires at least three years of strategic-level HR work, with at least 1,000 hours per calendar year spent on strategic duties. You can also qualify by holding the SHRM-CP for three years while moving into a strategic role. 

Many HR professionals eventually hold both an HRCI and a SHRM credential, since different employers prefer different ones. 

Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)

Best for: HR professionals with multinational responsibilities. 

The GPHR, from HRCI, proves you can manage HR across borders. Think global talent strategy, international policies, and workforce mobility. 

Eligibility requires global HR experience (direct cross-border responsibility for two or more countries): 

  • Two years plus a master’s degree 
  • Three years plus a bachelor’s degree
  • Four years with less than a bachelor’s degree 

How Hard are HR Certification Exams?

It depends on three things: which exam you take, how much experience you have, and how well you prepare. 

If you’re brand-new to HR, the material can feel overwhelming on your own. That’s why structured coursework helps so much. A degree program covers the same topics the exams test, so you’re studying for your career and your certification at the same time. 

Students in Bryan University’s HR program, for instance, practice with the same workplace tools real HR teams use while covering the exam’s core subject areas. 

A few more tips that help: 

  • Take official practice tests if the certifying body offers them
  • Study a little each day instead of cramming 
  • Sleep well the night before and eat a real breakfast 

Stay calm, if you don’t pass, you can retake the exam (you’ll pay the fee again, but it’s not one-and-done) 

Is an HR Certification Worth It?

Yes. Here’s what certified HR professionals gain: 

  • You stand out to hiring managers. Early in your career, you don’t have years of results to point to. A certification shows you’re serious, prepared, and willing to prove it. 
  • You can earn more. Certified HR professionals generally out-earn peers without credentials. SHRM’s own research found certified professionals report salaries 14–15% higher than non-certified peers.1 
  • Certifications keep gaining value. Employers increasingly list certifications in job postings, especially for mid-level and senior roles. 
  • You can climb the ladder. Each level of certification, from aPHR up through SPHR or SHRM-SCP, signals you’re ready for the next tier of responsibility and pay. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which HR certification should I get first?

If you have no HR experience, start with the aPHR or SHRM-CP. Both are open to beginners and respected by employers. 

Do I need a degree to get HR certified?

No, but it helps. A degree shortens the experience requirements for the PHR, SPHR, and GPHR, and degree coursework doubles as exam prep. 

What happened to the CPLP certification?

ATD retired the CPLP in 2020 and replaced it with the CPTD (Certified Professional in Talent Development). 

How much experience do I need for the PHR?

One year with a master’s degree, two years with a bachelor’s, or four years without a degree.

  1. Society for Human Resource Management. (2022). HR Careers Study. https://www.shrm.org/credentials/certification ↩︎

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