SPHR
Offered by HRCI
The Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from HRCI is designed for leaders who shape HR strategy and policy in the United States, align people practices with business goals, and guide organizational direction.
EXAM AT A GLANCE
Questions
140
115 scored
Testing time
30
minutes
Sections
5
Delivery
Pearson VUE test center or online proctored (OnVUE)
Passing score
500
Cost
$595 USD total ($495 exam fee + $100 application fee)
Your SPHR Community
Connect with other people preparing for the SPHR.
Not ready to host?
We’ll email you when someone else starts a SPHR group.
We’ll email you when a study group is created for SPHR.
What the exam covers
Leadership and Strategy
33%
Talent Management
23%
Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition
17%
Total Rewards
17%
HR Information Management, Safety, and Security
10%
About the SPHR certification
Unlike SHRM-SCP, the SPHR requires professional-level HR experience to sit, and it weights Leadership and Strategy more heavily than the operational PHR.
Who it’s for
Senior HR leaders who set policy and strategy rather than day-to-day program delivery.
- Testing time
- 2 hours 30 minutes (plus 30 minutes administration time)
- Passing score
- 500 on a 100–700 scaled scale
- Validity
- 3 years; renew with 60 recertification credits (45 HR + 15 Business) or by retaking the exam
- Prerequisites
- 4 years of professional HR experience with a master's, 5 years with a bachelor's, or 7 years without a degree
Official exam page· Details verified August 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
How to prepare
01
Confirm you meet HRCI's professional-level experience route before applying.
02
Prioritize Leadership and Strategy — a third of the exam.
03
Study talent strategy, workforce planning, and total-rewards philosophy (not just administration).
04
Practice scenario questions that ask what an HR leader should do, not what a generalist would do.
05
Sit timed practice exams targeting the 500 scaled-score threshold.
FAQ
Do I need experience for the SPHR?
Yes. Eligibility is 4 years of professional HR experience with a master's, 5 years with a bachelor's, or 7 years without a degree.
How is SPHR different from PHR?
PHR is operational (implementing HR programs and U.S. employment law). SPHR is strategic (policy, leadership, and aligning HR with the business). SPHR also costs more and requires more experience.
Turn your exam date into a SPHR study plan
Tell us when you're taking the SPHR and when you're available to study. We'll build a personalized schedule you can add to your calendar.
Build My SPHR Study Plan