The Human Resource Certification Institute is an affilliate of the Society for Human Resource Management.  It is an independent nonprofit organization, however, with a separate board of directors.  HRCI oversees the entire certification process, setting the standards and procedures for, and granting certification to, individuals for three distinct professional certifications:

     PHR, Professional in Human Resources

     SPHR, Senior Professional in Human Resources

     GPHR, Global Professional in Human Resources

Each certification requires a certain number of years of exempt-level (professional) experience in the field and successful completion of an extensive examination administered by HRCI.  Certified professionals are required to complete a specified amount of continuing professional education and experience or re-examination every three years.

For up-to-date information regarding HRCI certification and recertification, visit:  www.hrci.org