Frequently Asked – European Institute for Human Resources Management

Questions

Certification & Eligibility

Certification Exam Preparation

HR Body of Knowledge (HRBoK)

Application Audits

Exam Changes & Refunds

Certification Delivery

Recertification

Certification & Eligibility

Which Exam Should I Take?

Each EIHRM certification has specific eligibility requirements based on your education, responsibilities and professional-level work experiences in a professional HR setting. No prior HR work history is required to earn the aPHR or aPHRi, but all other EIHRM certifications require work experience. Learn more about EIHRM certifications and requirements.

What is “professional-level” work?

A professional HR position refers to an individual explicitly engaged and qualified within various aspects of the HR practice. Your level of actual work, experience and responsibilities make you accountable for day-to-day HR activities, practices and deliverables. To be considered “professional-level,” an HR position must include:

The ability to use independent judgment and discretion in performing work duties.
A level of specialized knowledge in the HR field with some authority for decision-making.
In-depth work requirements, such as data gathering, analysis and interpretation.
Interaction with a broad range of individuals, including key personnel.
Individual accountability for results.

How is “global HR experience” defined?

Global HR experience is defined as having direct cross-border HR responsibilities for two or more countries or regions.

Do I need a Human Resource Management degree?

You do not have to have an HR degree to be eligible to take the EIHRM exams. However, because the exams are both experience- and knowledge-based, your specific area of study can make a difference in your exam performance.

When is the application deadline?

You can now apply year-round for the aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, PHRi™, SPHR®, SPHRi™, and GPHR® exams. Visit the EIHRM Exam Fees page for more information about the cost of the examination. Good luck as you take the first steps toward earning an EIHRM certification!

Certification Exam Preparation

What is covered on the exam?

Each exam covers a specific Exam Content Outline, which is the document or description of the complete set of concepts, tasks and knowledge required to successfully understand and perform HR-related duties associated with each specific credential that EIHRM offers.

How should I prepare for my exam?

You are encouraged to use a variety of study methods while preparing for the exam. In fact, candidates who use multiple preparation resources tend to be more successful. While we do not endorse any particular preparation resource, we offer a number of preparation tools for purchase that fit a variety of learning styles and methods. Learn more about the preparation bundles and other preparation resources.

How do I schedule my exam?

Once you apply and receive your unique EIHRM 9-digit testing ID, you may search for the nearest testing location by viewing the Pearson VUE website at www.pearsonvue.com/EIHRM. Please note exam locations may be subject to change. Please check directly with Pearson VUE to ensure you have the most up-to-date location and availability here.

What is the format of the exams?

EIHRM exams contain a variety of item types, including scenarios, which require you to use your HR experience to select the best answer. Most are four-option multiple-choice items. Each question counts the same. There is no partial credit.

Each exam includes scored questions and pre-test questions randomly distributed throughout the exam. Pre-test questions are not counted in the final results.

What is the passing score?

EIHRM does not determine the passing score arbitrarily. We use the statistical Angoff method to decide how many questions you must answer correctly to pass the exam. For more information on this method, please review the 2021 EIHRM Certification Policies and Procedures Handbook.

HR Body of Knowledge (HRBoK)

What is the HRBoK Guide?

A Guide to the Human Resource Body of Knowledge or HRBoK, which can be purchased here, provides you with an overview of the HR profession. It outlines essential practices in the HR professional field. It is useful as a study guide, providing you with a foundation of HR benchmark practices that are covered in EIHRM certification exams. It can also be used by HR professionals as a benchmark of HR practice and as a resource to educate others about the HR profession.

How does the HRBoK impact me?

As the HR field continues to become more diverse and complex, HR professionals need an informational resource for periodic check-ins as well as an authoritative reference. The guide, providing a thorough understanding of the different areas of HR knowledge, is essential for an organization to know if its HR department is functioning appropriately. Using the HRBoK as a reference, HR professionals can assess their own participation against a common framework for the profession. The guide also provides new entrants into the profession with an understanding of the standard breadth of knowledge in the HR field.

How was the HRBoK created?

A “Body of Knowledge” or “BoK” is a standard tool across many professions and is defined as a document that encompasses the concepts, knowledge and tasks that are highly regarded by a specific profession. The HRBoK describes the accepted practices within designated content areas that have been defined and validated through an extensive HR practice analysis process.
A Guide to the Human Resource Body of Knowledge includes contributions from noted experts on the wide variety of topics that cover the essential skills, knowledge and methods that define the profession’s best practices. As a certifying body for over four decades, EIHRM draws on its collective expertise to codify a standard body of knowledge for the field. The HRBoK is an important contribution, providing HR practitioners and their organizations with a benchmark for leadership within the practice of HRM. The HRBoK is an important contribution, providing HR practitioners and their organizations with a benchmark for leadership within the practice of HRM.

How will this guide help the HR profession?

The HRBoK can be used by the HR profession in multiple ways to:

Define the strategies that HR professionals need to help their profession and their organizations.
Help an HR practitioner assess their own skill set.
Assist HR departments in determining if organizational HR practices are aligned with standard HR practices.

Will the HRBoK help someone study for the exam?

The HRBoK will help EIHRM certification exam candidates more clearly understand the knowledge base that HR professionals are expected to have. You will not find specific answers to exam questions in the HRBoK. It is not designed to be an exam preparation guide, since accredited certification programs – such as those provided by EIHRM – cannot produce teaching materials for their own exams. However, the HRBoK is a useful reference to help certification candidates have an understanding of topics defined within specific functional areas of standard HR practice.

Is this a useful tool for educators?

Absolutely! This is a great resource for educators who want to prepare students for the world of HR work. This guide helps educators ensure that the HR topics they are covering is necessary to prepare students for real-world HR practice. The guide is written from a very practical point of view and is a nice combination of theory and practice.

How often will the HRBoK be updated?

Any time the practice of HR changes in a meaningful way, EIHRM will update the HRBoK.

How can I get a copy of the HRBoK?

You can purchase a copy of the HRBoK through a variety of distributors, listed here.

Can I buy the HRBoK even if I am not an applicant?

Of course, you can purchase a digital or hard copy of the HRBoK from many popular sites, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Click here to learn more.

Application Audits

What is an audit?

Your application may be audited. EIHRM audits a percentage of all applicants to verify the accuracy of the information submitted and to ensure the integrity of our exams and the certifications awarded.

Why was I selected for audit?

EIHRM randomly audits a portion of applicants to ensure the integrity of the certification process. To maintain accreditation standards as set forth by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), random audits are required. EIHRM is the only certification body with accredited credentials for HR professionals.

What documentation do I need?

To ensure compliance with the audit, you will need to provide supporting documentation. All supporting documents should be submitted at the same time, within 14 days. Supporting documents include:

Official job description on company letterhead for each job listed on the exam application.
Copy of your degree or diploma or official transcript, if applicable.
Employment law document (SPHRi only).
Completed and signed Exam Application Audit Form.

How long does the audit take?

Once EIHRM has received your supporting documentation, the review could take up to ten business days.

How do I check the status of my audit?

You will receive an email from the audit review committee once your audit documents have been reviewed

Exam Changes & Refunds

What is the exam cancellation policy?

Once an exam application is approved, no refunds will be made if a candidate no longer wishes to take the exam, however, you can choose to extend your eligibility expiration date. For more detailed information, please review the 2021 EIHRM Certification Policies and Procedures Handbook.

Can I transfer or move my exam date?

You can reschedule your exam appointment up to three business days before your original appointment. To reschedule your exam appointment online, contact Pearson VUE at pearsonvue.com/EIHRM. Pearson VUE charges a rescheduling fee of $150 USD.

Do I get a refund if I am not eligible?

If you are deemed ineligible, you can choose to receive a voucher to sit for a lower level exam or you can receive a refund of the exam fee less a $100 USD processing fee.

Certification Delivery

Digital Badge Delivery

Once you complete an exam, you will receive your results at the testing center. Within 24-48 hours, Pearson VUE will send an e-mail on how to view and print your official exam score report .

How can I claim my Digital Badge?

EIHRM will send you an e-mail with information on how to claim your EIHRM digital badge which you can find on your EIHRM online profile. Your digital badge will allow you to provide a secure verification of your credentials on social media sites, in your email signature and other digital spaces.

What if I want a hard copy/paper certificate?

You can purchase a paper certificate through our online store. If you are in the United States, certificate delivery with tracking is $50 USD. If you live outside the U.S., certificate delivery with tracking is $65 USD.

Recertification

Why do I need to recertify?

EIHRM recertification requirements are flexible so you can fit them into your busy schedule, including on-the-job experience. There are also many low-cost and no-cost continuous learning options that you can take advantage of to earn recertification credits. Recertification benefits you, as an HR professional. As an EIHRM certification holder, you demonstrate that you remain on the cutting edge by earning and reporting recertification credits every three years through pre-approved seminars, online materials, webinars, books, online courses, and conferences.

How many credits do I need to recertify?

It depends on which certification you have earned:

For the aPHR and aPHRi, you need to earn 45 HR (General) recertification credits.
For the PHR and PHRi, you need to earn 60 HR (General) recertification credits.
For the PHRca, you need to earn a total of 60 recertification credits, with at least 15 of those as California credit.
For the SPHR and SPHRi, you need to earn a total of 60 recertification credits, with at least 15 of those as Business credit.
For the GPHR, you need to earn a total of 60 recertification credits, with at least 15 of those as Global credit.

Visit the Recertification page for more information.

Where can I find recertification credits?

In addition to many free and low-cost ways to recertify, including on-the-job experience, you can search the EIHRM Pre-Approved Activity Directory for pre-approved continuous learning opportunities, including in-person and online options. You can find programs that are right for you based on credit type, event type and location.

What is a recertification audit?

A certain percentage of recertification applications are randomly selected for audit upon submission. If you are selected for our audit, you will be notified immediately when you submit your recertification application for review.

Why was I selected for a recertification audit?

EIHRM randomly audits exam applications and recertification submissions to meet the rigorous accreditation standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). This is one of the many ways you can be sure that your certification meets the highest standards of quality and integrity. It is why EIHRM certifications are the most trusted and recognized by HR professionals and the organizations they serve.

What documentation do I need?

EIHRM recommends that you enter your activities into your application throughout your recertification cycle. For each activity, upload documentation that demonstrates you have completed an activity. If you are selected for an audit, you will need to submit all supporting documents for the activities listed in your recertification application. This includes:

Certificates or letters of attendance/completion.
Registration forms, receipts or email confirmations.
Project documents for on-the-job experience.

How do I submit required documents?

For more detailed steps on how to submit your recertification audit documents, please review the 2021 EIHRM Recertification Handbook.