A month ago I asked the question "Is the PHR/SPHR worth the paper it's printed on?". My conclusion? I think getting your PHR/SHPR is a good thing for your career, although I'm suprised SHRM and the HRCI haven't commissioned a study to prove that from a compensation standpoint.
I just completed my portion of the instruction of the PHR/SPHR certification prep class put on by the
Birmingham branch of SHRM (aptly named BSHRM by the locals). I taught the Employee and Labor Relations module. Know what TIPS/FOE is when it comes to dealing with union drives? If you were with us on Thursday and Saturday, you do now.
How much do you have to study to pass the PHR/SPHR? Good question. The HRCI breaks out pass rates for both exams, and lists the pass rate for the PHR (61%) as slightly higher than that of the SPHR (58%).
Why's the pass rate so low? Simple. There's a lot of material covered, and if you don't commit to a pretty strenuous study plan, you're not going to make it. That's good for the profession.
Case in point. To prep for teaching the Employee and Labor Relations module of the certification course for the BSHRM class, I developed a study outline of definitions and concepts I thought the class needed to know, from the material, to have a high confidence level that they would pass the exam. Guess how many defintions and concepts I came up with for the Employee and Labor Relations module alone? Roughly 350 items.
The Employee and Labor Relations module accounts for roughly 20% of both the PHR and SPHR. Do the multiplication and you come up with a projected 1,750 definitions and concepts that need some form of mastery to have a high confidence you'll pass the exam.
With 1,750 items on the table, those that sign up and then forget studying until two weeks before the exam are destined to fail.
For those of you who are currently cramming to study for the exam, good for you. It will be worth it long-term. Put the time in this time around and do it once... and only once....
