Considering SHRM PHR/SPHR Certification in India? Here's My Experience and Advice

Hello Friends,

I am writing this email to share my experience regarding the details and scope of the SHRM PHR/SPHR exam in India. I am an HR generalist with around 3.5 years of experience. I recently cleared the PHR exam, which I took in June '09.

Who should go for SHRM certification?
If you are working in the US or planning to move there, or if your company in India has made it mandatory, you can pursue it. The course content is primarily based on US Federal laws and related topics. Therefore, if you are in India, it may not be as beneficial to you.

What course material can you use?
I have no US experience and studied 'PHR/SPHR: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide' by Anne Bogardus. I also used CertGear's practice tests and tried various free online tests. Besides these, I did not use any other course material. If you are thorough with Anne Bogardus's book, you may not need to spend a significant amount on HRCI study material.

Additionally, the PHR/SPHR certification is valid for 3 years, requiring recertification every 3 years.

Lastly, before pursuing this certification, ensure you conduct thorough research. All related information is available at www.hrci.org.

I hope my experience will be helpful to many.

Good Luck!

Cheers!!!
Shivani

From my knowledge and experience, I can only say that the Society for Human Resources Management is the institution accredited to issue certification to become eligible as a Certified Professional in Human Resources to practice HR in the US or Canada.

The rest of the institutes are not known whether valid. What is HRCI?

Your discussion of SHRM and offering a link to HRCI is confusing to us because you are mixing both institutes as one, but they are different.

Partho

Hi,

You are right. HRCI and SHRM are two different institutes, but there is more to it.

The PHR/SPHR certification is awarded by the HR Certification Institute, which is the credentialing body for human resource professionals and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), USA, the world's largest organization dedicated exclusively to the human resource profession.

Hope it clarifies your doubt.

Dear Shivani,

Why do you discuss HRCI when SHRM has its office in India? Instead of HRCI, why do you not advise joining SHRM, which is the parent organization as you mentioned? According to me, we have to register ourselves with SHRM to practice HR in the USA. Only SHRM is the accredited agency for such certification.

Partho

Hi,

You are right. HRCI and SHRM are two different institutes, but there is more to it. The PHR/SPHR certification is awarded by the HR Certification Institute, which is the credentialing body for human resource professionals and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), USA, the world's largest organization dedicated exclusively to the human resource profession.

Hope this clarifies your doubt.

Hi Shivani,

First of all, congratulations on completing the test successfully. Actually, I am planning to register myself for PHR, and your message is a real guidance to me. Is HRCI themselves conducting any practice tests?

Thank you!

Dear Shivani,

Congratulations on clearing your PHR exams! I have 8 years of experience in HR, and I am also keen on attempting either PHR or SPHR. Could I email you privately, as I would like to know more details on how to go about preparing for the exam?

Look forward to a positive response.

Kind regards,
Charmaine

Dear Shivani,

I think we should congratulate each other as I also became PHR certified by June '09. It was a wonderful course, and I took my exams through Prometric in Qatar. Obtaining this certification truly enhances your CV and career prospects.

As you mentioned, recertification is necessary. However, have you considered pursuing higher certifications like SPHR and GPHR? These advanced certifications can propel your career to new heights. For instance, you could join a multinational corporation in India with operations in the USA and serve as an International/Global HR Manager.

While this certification will be beneficial, it requires thorough preparation as the exam consists of 225 questions to be completed online within 4 hours with no negative marking.

Thanks,
Shahed

Hey Shahed,

Congratulations to you too! I hope you and Shivani both can respond to my request for help in preparing for PHR/SPHR. I know the value that a certification from SHRM or CIPD holds in the rest of the world. I was based in the UAE and recently relocated to India, and I really want to pursue a certification from SHRM. If both Shivani and you can share with me the details about the sites you visited to get the free online tests, it would be really helpful.

My email id is [Login to view]. I request both of you to kindly add me as a contact.

Kind regards, Charmaine

Hi Shivani,

Can you please guide me regarding this certification? After going through all the posts on Google about this certification, I believe it's a real tough one to prepare for. But at the end of the day, I really want to do this certification. Can you please help me out with study materials and how to go about it? I'm planning to take the exam on June 10.

Regards,
Priyanka

Hi All, All your replies provided real insight regarding PHR/SPHR certifications. Can you please suggest any other HR certification that is useful in India?

Regards,
Himani

I am currently working in Qatar. I would like to apply for PHR and SPHR. Do you think that it will be helpful for me? I have more than 7 years of experience in the HR Department as a Payroll Administrator. Do you think that it will boost my career to the next level?

Kindly reply.

Regards,
Abdul

Dear Madam,

Congratulations on clearing your PHR exams. I am a student in the final semester of my master's with a specialization in HR. I need to know if I am eligible for the exam, and if not, how can I become eligible?

Looking forward to your reply. Thank you :)

Best Institute for SHRM Certification in Pune, India

Hi Everyone, kindly help me with which institute is the best for SHRM certification in Pune, India.

To give you a brief background, I have been in recruitment for over 3 years now. I am planning to pursue a good SHRM certification course. To my knowledge, it's an online certification.

Could you please assist me with the following:

1. Please share a link to the best certification site or institute.

Questions About Certification

My questions for you are:

1. Will I receive a degree/certification mailer from the institute upon completion of my certification?
2. What is the fee structure and curriculum?

Thanks and Regards,
Sidhaant