Course Overview

Question 1

What is a Certification?

Answer 1

A career-long commitment that demonstrates dedication, credibility and a mastery of the principles of human resources to your employers, clients, staff members and professional peers around the globe.

Certification attests to the investment you have made in your HR career and holds a recognized place in the profession.

Question 2

How do you get Certified?

Answer 2

You must meet strict professional experience and educational requirements before taking the exam.

To remain certified, you must stay current in the HR profession and recertify every three years. You display your certification by putting the credential after your name.

Question 3

What is The Value of Earning Your Designation?

Answer 3

• Provides you with a fully accredited credential – Our PHR certification is accredited and meets the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) rigorous standards.
• Validates your expertise – HRCI certification provides you with competency based, professionally relevant credentials that are highly valued in HR and business communities.
• Connects you to an exclusive network of motivated HR professionals around the globe – Nearly 140,000 certified HR thought leaders work in more than 100 countries and territories.
• Delivers nearly 40 years of history – Established in 1976, HRCI is the largest HR certification organization in the world.
• Earns recognition from your organization and peers – Business leaders find HR certified professionals to be more self-motivated.

Question 4

What is The Value of Accreditation?

Answer 4

For each of its certifications HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) seeks and maintains accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

NCCA accreditation further validates that your certification(s) meets the highest standards and requirements. Like you, as a dedicated HR professional, HRCI is committed to the highest standards of performance.

NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance). More information about the NCCA is available online at www.credentialingexcellence.org/ncca or by calling +1-202-367-1165. If you wish to search for accredited certifications from HRCI or any other type of accredited certification, please use the NCCA directory.

Question 5

HRCI Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Answer 5

The HRCI Code of Ethical and Professional Responsibility has been adopted to promote and maintain the highest standards of service and conduct for all persons it has certified to use any of its certification marks, including: aPHR, aPHRi, PHR, SPHR, PHRca, GPHR, PHRi and SPHRi.

HRCI determines who is certified and thus authorized to use the marks. Implicit in the acceptance of this authorization is an obligation not only to comply with the mandates and requirements of all applicable laws and regulations but also to take responsibility to act in an ethical and professionally responsible manner. Adherence to these standards is expected from all who hold an HRCI credential and serves to ensure public confidence in the integrity of these individuals.

Question 6

Professional Responsibility

Answer 6

As an HRCI certification holder, you are responsible for adding value to the organizations you serve and contributing to the ethical success of those organizations. You accept professional responsibility for your individual decisions and actions. You also are an advocate for the HR profession by engaging in activities that enhance its credibility and value. You will:

• Adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior.
• Measure the effectiveness of Human Resources in contributing to or achieving organizational goals. Comply with the law.
• Work consistently within the values of the profession. Strive to achieve the highest levels of service, performance and social responsibility.
• Advocate for the appropriate use and appreciation of human beings as employees.
• Advocate openly and within the established forums for debate in order to influence decision-making and results.

Question 7

Professional Development

Answer 7

As an HRCI certification holder, you must strive to meet the highest standards of competence and commit to strengthen your competencies on a continuous basis. You will:

• Commit to continuous learning, skills development and application of new knowledge related to both HR management and the organizations you serve.
• Contribute to the Exam Content Outline, the evolution of the profession and the growth of individuals through teaching, research and dissemination of knowledge.

Question 8

Ethical Leadership

Answer 8

As an HRCI certification holder, you are expected to exhibit individual leadership as a role model for maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct. You will:

• Be ethical and act ethically in every professional interaction.
• Question pending individual and group actions, when necessary, to ensure that decisions are ethical and are implemented in an ethical manner.
• Seek expert guidance if ever in doubt about the ethical propriety of a situation.
• Through teaching and mentoring, champion the development of others as ethical leaders in the profession and in organizations.

Question 9

Fairness and Justice

Answer 9

As an HRCI certification holder, you are ethically responsible for promoting and fostering fairness and justice for all employees and their organizations. You will:

• Respect the uniqueness and intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Treat people with dignity, respect and compassion to foster a trusting work environment free of harassment, intimidation and unlawful discrimination.
• Ensure that everyone has the opportunity to develop their skills and new competencies.
• Assure an environment of inclusiveness and a commitment to diversity in the organizations you serve. Develop, administer and advocate policies and procedures that foster fair, consistent and equitable treatment for all.
• Regardless of personal interests, support decisions made by your organizations that are both ethical and legal.
• Act in a responsible manner and practice sound management in the country or countries in which the organizations you serve operate.

Question 10

Conflicts of Interest

Answer 10

As an HRCI certification holder, you must maintain a high level of trust with your stakeholders. You must protect the interests of those stakeholders as well as your professional integrity and should not engage in activities that create actual, apparent or potential conflicts of interest. You will:

• Adhere to and advocate the use of published policies on conflicts of interest within your organization.
• Refrain from using your position for personal, material or financial gain or the appearance of such.
• Refrain from giving or seeking preferential treatment in the HR processes.
• Prioritize your obligations to identify conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof. When conflicts arise, you will disclose them to relevant stakeholders.

Question 11

Use of Information

Answer 11

As an HRCI certification holder, you must consider and protect the rights of individuals, especially in the acquisition and dissemination of information, while ensuring truthful communications and facilitating informed decision-making. You will:

• Acquire and disseminate information through ethical and responsible means.
• Ensure only appropriate information is used in decisions affecting the employment relationship.
  Investigate the accuracy and source of information before allowing it to be used in employment-related decisions.
• Maintain current and accurate HR information.
• Safeguard restricted or confidential information Take appropriate steps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all communicated information about HR policies and practices.
• Take appropriate steps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all communicated information used in HR-related training.