GPHR – Global Professional in Human Resources

There are three main Human Resources certification levels: PHR (Professional in Human Resources), SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources), and GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources), each of which require Human Resource professionals to demonstrate expertise on an exam covering the core principles of HR practice.  These certifications serve as a public recognition of professional achievement and show that the holder has mastered either domestic (PHR or SPHR) or international (GPHR) HR-related knowledge. Since a PHR, SPHR, or GPHR professional must periodically be recertified either through continuing education or reexamination, these certifications also indicate a professional’s dedication to remain informed and involved in the HR field.

In order to be eligible to take an exam, at least 51 percent of your daily activities must be within the human resource function at the exempt (professional) level. These certifications are meant for HR professionals who have at least 2 years of exempt-level HR experience. Since the exams are continuously updated to reflect current trends and practices in HR, recent HR work experience is most beneficial, though it is not required that your HR work experience is either recent or sequential. This work requirement distinguishes PHR, SPHR, and GPHR certifications from other certificate programs, which award certificates as proof of completion of a course of study only.  

Unlike PHR and SPHR certifications, GPHR certification deals with international HR-related knowledge.  As such, the exam for GPHR certification assesses a professional’s mastery of knowledge in a global marketplace.

Exam questions for GPHR certification cover the following functional areas:

The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) offers detailed explanations of the exam areas listed above at http://www.hrci.org.