The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification costs $495 in total. That is a $100 application fee plus a $395 exam fee, both paid to HRCI. The application fee is non-refundable once HRCI approves your application.
Exam fees are only part of your PHR certification cost, though. Prep materials, an optional retake plan, and renewal every three years all add to what you spend. This guide breaks down each fee and compares the PHR with three other popular HR credentials.
PHR application and exam fees, paid to HRCI
a $100 application fee plus a $395 exam fee
What Fees Does HRCI Charge for the PHR?
Every HRCI credential uses the same two-part pricing: an application fee and an exam fee. For the PHR, you pay both when you apply online. A few optional or situational fees can apply later:
- Application fee: $100, non-refundable once approved
- Exam fee: $395
- Second Chance Insurance (optional): $250, which covers one retake if you don’t pass
- Rescheduling: $150, charged by Pearson VUE each time you move your appointment
- Eligibility extension: $150 for 60 extra days to sit the exam
- Exam type change: $100, plus any price difference, if you switch exams before booking
Once HRCI approves your application, you have 180 calendar days to schedule and take the exam. You can test at a Pearson VUE center or online with a live remote proctor. HRCI now accepts applications year-round, so you can apply whenever you’re ready.
Second Chance Insurance can only be bought with your exam application. You can’t add it later, so decide before you pay.
What Is a PHR Certification?
The PHR is a credential for HR professionals who handle day-to-day operations. It shows you know US employment law and can apply HR practices in real workplaces. HRCI, which has certified HR professionals for more than 50 years, is the only body that awards it.
The PHR is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). That independent accreditation is one reason many employers trust the credential.
Pursuing an HRCI certification reflects a commitment to strengthening your knowledge, demonstrating your expertise, and advancing the practice of HR.
Amy S. Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE, CEO of HRCI
What’s on the PHR Exam?
The PHR exam has 115 questions: 90 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions. You get 2 hours to answer them, plus 30 minutes for check-in and instructions. Questions cover seven functional areas:
- Employee and Labor Relations: 20%
- Employee Engagement: 17%
- Total Rewards: 15%
- Business Management: 14%
- Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition: 14%
- Learning and Development: 10%
- HR Information Management: 10%
Employee and Labor Relations carries the most weight. It covers US federal laws on health, safety, and privacy, plus handling employee complaints and union relations. Plan your study time around these weights.
Who Is Eligible for the PHR?
You need professional-level HR experience to sit the PHR exam. How much depends on your education:
- Master’s degree or higher: at least 1 year of professional-level HR experience
- Bachelor’s degree: at least 2 years of professional-level HR experience
- No degree: at least 4 years of professional-level HR experience
If you don’t have that experience yet, the aPHR is a good place to start. It needs no HR experience at all.
How Does the PHR Compare With the aPHR, SPHR, and SHRM-CP?
HRCI offers a ladder of credentials, from the entry-level aPHR to the senior-level SPHR. SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, offers its own SHRM-CP. Here is how their costs and requirements line up.
Compared
PHR vs. aPHR, SPHR, and SHRM-CP
| Credential | HR experience needed | Exam cost | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| aPHR (HRCI) | None | $400 | 45 credits every 3 years |
| PHR (HRCI) | 1 to 4 years, by degree | $495 | 60 credits every 3 years, $169 fee |
| SPHR (HRCI) | 4 to 7 years, by degree | $595 | 60 credits every 3 years, $169 fee |
| SHRM-CP (SHRM) | None | $350–$499 | 60 credits every 3 years, $165 fee for members |
HRCI costs include the $100 application fee. The SHRM-CP range runs from the member early bird rate to the nonmember standard rate. Figures from hrci.org and shrm.org, checked Oct 6, 2026. Full references in the Sources section.
The SPHR suits senior HR leaders who focus on strategy and policy. It costs $595 and needs 4 years of experience with a master’s degree, 5 with a bachelor’s, or 7 without a degree. Its 60 renewal credits must include 15 business credits.
The SHRM-CP is the most common alternative to the PHR. SHRM says it needs no degree or experience, which makes it open to early-career professionals. Early bird pricing runs from $350 for SHRM members to $450 for nonmembers, and standard rates are $49 higher.
What Does PHR Exam Prep Cost?
Prep is often the largest cost after the exam itself. HRCI sells its own official materials, and the price depends on how much support you want:
- HRCI PHR Cert Prep: $499, or $449 when bundled with your exam application
- HRCI PHR Cert Prep with Companion Textbook: $549, or $499 in a bundle
- HRCI PHR Cert Prep with Video: $699, or $649 in a bundle
- Practice exams: $85 for a timed or untimed exam, or $150 for both
- Instructor-led preparation class: $1,180, sold through HRCI
Bundle prices apply when you buy prep together with your exam application. If you know you want the official prep, buying it then saves you $50.
How Much Does It Cost to Keep Your PHR?
Every HRCI certification is valid for three years. To keep your PHR, you must earn 60 recertification credits in that time, or retake the exam. At least one activity must focus on ethics.
The recertification fee is $169 for one credential, plus $50 for each additional one. If you miss your deadline, you have 12 more months to recertify. During that time, your credential is suspended, and HRCI adds a $100 fee.
What If You Don’t Pass the PHR on Your First Try?
You can retake the PHR exam 90 days after your previous attempt. With Second Chance Insurance, HRCI sets up the retake automatically, and you pay no more fees. Without it, you reapply and pay the application and exam fees again.
That makes the $250 insurance worth considering if you’re nervous about the exam. Without it, a second attempt costs the full $495 again.
How to Find a PHR Tutor or Course
A good tutor or course can help you focus on your weakest functional areas. Follow these tips when choosing a test prep tutor near you:
- Look for instructors who hold the PHR, SPHR, or another advanced HR certification.
- Compare self-paced and instructor-led options to match your learning style.
- Read reviews and testimonials from past students.
- Check whether the course includes practice exams and progress tracking.
- Ask about pass rates for the instructor’s previous students.
Questions to Ask PHR Instructors
A short first conversation tells you a lot. Ask these questions to help you find the right PHR instructor:
- How long have you been teaching PHR exam prep?
- What study materials are included in the course fee?
- How much time should I study outside of class?
- Do you offer one-on-one sessions or support after the course ends?
- How do you stay current with HRCI exam changes?
Sources
- "PHR Certification," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/certifications/individual-certifications/phr. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "Exam Fees," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/certifications/apply-for-certification/exam-fees. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "HR Certification for PHR Exam," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/certifications/certification-preparation/phr-certification-preparation. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "Second Chance Insurance," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/certifications/apply-for-certification/second-chance-insurance. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "Foundational Professional Strategic Certification Policies and Procedures Handbook," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/docs/default-source/pdf-documents/cert-handbook.pdf?sfvrsn=8cddfc49_6. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "Exam Eligibility Extension Form," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/exam_eligibility_extension_form_20170424_v4.pdf?sfvrsn=afa4d61_0. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "HRCI Frequently Asked Questions," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/help-center/faqs. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "PHR Exam Content Outline," HRCI, 2024. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/docs/default-source/2024-document-control/hrci_phr-exam-content-outline-2024.pdf?sfvrsn=d84d45d4_1. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "aPHR Certification," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/certifications/individual-certifications/aphr. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "SPHR Certification," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/certifications/individual-certifications/sphr. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "Submitting Your Recertification Application," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/recertifications/submitting-your-recertification-application. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "Fees and Deadlines," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/recertifications/submitting-your-recertification-application/fees-and-deadlines. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "Pass Rates," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/pass-rates. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "HRCI Exam Statistics," HRCI. Available at: https://www.hrci.org/certifications/hrci-exam-statistics. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "Exam Options and Fees," SHRM. Available at: https://www.shrm.org/credentials/certification/exam-options-fees. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "SHRM HR Certification," SHRM. Available at: https://www.shrm.org/credentials/certification. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "SHRM Recertification," SHRM. Available at: https://www.shrm.org/credentials/certification/recertification. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- "Human Resources Specialists," Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026. Available at: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
Summarize with AI:
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
