1. technology and computing
2. computer certification

Take Your PHR/SPHR
One Step Further,
Get California Certified
October 20, 2014
Presenter’s Bio
Rebecca Hastings, SPHR-CA
HR Content Manager
Rebecca Hastings, SPHR-CA, is the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) HR
Content Manager for the PHR and SPHR exams. She earned her California
certification in May 2013 and now manages the California exam as well.
She earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification in 1993
and her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) in 1997. Soon after
earning her SPHR, she was asked to participate in the HRCI exam development
process, an occasional role she held for many years.
Rebecca has more than two decades of HR experience and subject matter
expertise in a variety of roles.
She has a B.S. in business and an M.S. in training and HR.
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You Already Understand Professional Certification
Professional certification is a designation that you earn.
It identifies you as having demonstrated the skills, experience, and
applied knowledge that qualify you to practice.
It is not an individual assessment of your competence or
performance.
The four components of certification:
• Eligibility through a combination of professional experience and
formal education
• Demonstrated applied knowledge and skills through an exam
• Adherence to a professional ethical standard
• Ongoing professional development through recertification
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You Know HRCI
HRCI is the leading provider of credentials for the global HR
profession. We are:
• Independent
• Recognized for developing and administering certifications that
are
 Rigorous
 Meaningful
 Grounded in real-world, practical skills and knowledge
• Committed to advancing the HR profession
More than 135,000 HR professionals in more than 100
countries worldwide display their HRCI certifications as
evidence of their expertise and abilities.
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You Are Part of a Global HR Community
PHR
77,408
CA
1,161
SPHR
53,577
MULTIPLE
DESIGNATIONS
1,558
GPHR
1,730
HRMP
389
HRBP
496
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What makes HRCI certification the Gold
Standard?
HRCI certifications are 100% independent – They are not
influenced, compromised or beholden to any organization
HRCI certifications are accredited – They have passed a yearslong review and meet the highest standards in professional
credentialing
HRCI eligibility and recertification requirements are rigorous, which
increases the inherent value of your credential
HRCI certifications bring 37 years of recognition by employers
worldwide
And for those who practice HR in California, HRCI is the only
provider of specific, targeted certifications
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How the California Exam Got Started
In 2006, the California State Council of SHRM asked the HR
Certification Institute to create a new exam because:
• California law typically overrides federal law
• California regulations are frequently revised
• California law is often seen as a predictor of future federal
employment law changes
After thoroughly researching the market and conducting a formal
practice analysis, the new California exam was launched in April
2007.
In 2011, the Institute updated the California body of knowledge as
needed. Exams administered in May 2013 reflected the results of
the latest study.
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Why Add California Certification?
• Proves your expertise on ever-changing laws and regulations
• Gives a distinctive competitive advantage and professional
credibility in California HR
• Demonstrates commitment to maintaining knowledge of
California laws.
• Assists in job search and professional connections
• Results in recognition from peers and organizations
• Creates networking opportunities with other HR professionals
• Demonstrates that you can practice HR anywhere
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California Exam Eligibility Requirements
• Must hold a current PHR or SPHR certification
• Be practicing in or have HR responsibilities in the state of
California
• Have to maintain PHR/SPHR certification to maintain the
California credential
The California certification exam is separate from the PHR or
SPHR exam.
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WHAT CALIFORNIA HR PROFESSIONALS SAY
•
“I decided to earn the SPHR-CA certification to set myself apart from those who
aren’t certified. The SPHR credentials validate that I am a strategic partner in
the organization while the California certification speaks to my familiarity of
California HR laws.”
– Kristi West, SPHR-CA, GPHR
•
“Business leaders look for the California certification as one’s validation of
expertise in California employment law. Recently I changed jobs, and in the
middle of this economic downturn, I had four job offers to choose from. I
attribute this to my certifications, particularly my California certification.”
– Annette Snyder, SPHR-CA, GPHR
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Examples of California Laws
Different from Federal Law
• Kin care
• Employment Development Department (EDD) requirements
• Required supervisory training for sexual harassment prevention
• California WARN
• Cal/OSHA
• California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
• Proposition 65
• Cal-COBRA
• California Consumers Reporting Act (CCRA)
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10/20/2014 | HR Certification Institute
California Body of Knowledge
12%
22%
Compensation/ Wage and
Hour
20%
Employment and Employee
Relations
Benefits and Leave of
Absence
46%
Health, Safety and Workers'
Compensation
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10/20/2014 | HR Certification Institute
Exam Breakdown
Exam s
13
PHR
SPHR
GPHR
CA
HRBP
HRMP
Content
Operational and
Tactical
Strategic/Policy
International HR
practices
California laws and
practices
Operational and
tactical
Strategic/Policy
Pass Rate
56-60%
47-58%
48-70%
55-76%
In Development
In Development
Format
175 multiple choice
questions
175 multiple choice
questions
165 multiple choice
questions
125 multiple choice
questions
170 multiple choice
questions
130 multiple choice
questions
Duration
3 hours
3 hours
3 hours
2 hours and 15
minutes
3 hours and 15
minutes
2 hours and 30
minutes
Exam Periods
Spring:
01 May – 30 June
Spring:
01 May – 30 June
Spring:
01 May – 31 May
Spring:
01 May – 31 May
Spring:
01 March – 31
March
Spring:
01 March – 31
March
Winter:
01 December – 31
January
Winter:
December 1 –
January 31
Winter:
01 December – 31
December
Winter:
01 December – 31
December
Winter:
01 September – 30
September
Winter:
01 September – 30
September
Pricing – HR
Professional
400 USD
525 USD
525 USD
325 USD
275 USD
375 USD
Association
Member
350 USD
475 USD
475 USD
275 USD
250 USD
350 USD
10/20/2014 | HR Certification Institute
Exam Development Process
Certified volunteers are critical to every phase of the exam
development process. Once you are certified, we invite you to
learn more about volunteer roles and commitments.
• Step 1
• Develop current standards in HR knowledge + practices;
• Step 2
• Validate HR knowledge + practices with HR practitioners;
• Step 3
• Develop exam questions;
• Step 4
• Validate exam questions.
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Application Steps
Take Exam
Schedule Exam
Pay Fees
Sign Affirmation
Statement
Complete
Application
Go to
www.hrci.org and
access your
online account
For HRBP and HRMP applicants, there is an extra step – Credential Readiness Assessment (CRA).
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Exam Preparation
• To maintain the integrity of its certifications, HRCI does not offer
test preparation, nor is it connected to any test-preparation
product or organization.
• There are many well-regarded test-preparation and
recertification providers that can help you get ready for HRCI’s
certification exams or get recertified.
• HRCI has compiled a list of self-study and instructional
resources that are currently available on the market.
• For additional information, visit:
• http://www.hrci.org/exam-preparation
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California Exam Preparation Resources
•
California Body of Knowledge
•
•
California Certification Guide
•
•
10-question quiz with answers and rationale (www.hrci.org).
Social Networks
•
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Consists of actual retired exam questions. Assess your level of HR
knowledge and experience.
Test Your Knowledge Quiz
•
•
Purchase from iShop or other leading bookstores.
Online Assessment Exam
•
•
Self-assess your comfort level with the test blueprint (www.hrci.org).
Approach our groups on LinkedIn or Facebook to form study groups or to
learn study tips.
10/20/2014 | HR Certification Institute
California Recertification Requirement
Why is recertification part of certification?
• To ensure that your knowledge and skills are current
• To maintain the credibility and relevance of your letters
Why should you recertify?
• To continue developing your HR knowledge and skills
• To stay up-to-date on the evolving trends and practices in HR
• To demonstrate your ongoing competence and commitment to HR
• To avoid taking the exam again!
60 recertification credits are required every three years to maintain your PHR or
SPHR
15 of those credits much be California-specific
California hours will be prorated during your first recertification cycle to sync up with
your PHR or SPHR
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Recertification Options for California Credits
Recertification categories:
• Continuing Education (Courses, seminars, or conferences) – Up to 60
hours
• Instruction/Training (Teaching HR-related subjects) – Up to 20 hours
• On-The-Job Experience (A first-time work experience) – Up to 20
hours
• Research/Publishing (Primary research on HR-related topics) – Up to
20 hours
Programs and activities do not have to be pre-approved to count
Self-reported activities must be California-related
Indicate how the activity is linked to the California Body of Knowledge
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Recertification – Defining HR-related
Defining HR-related
• Regardless of the category you are earning credit for, all
activities entered must be HR-related;
• If the activity you complete relates to any domain within the HR
Body of Knowledge and it adds to your HR knowledge, it will be
approved for credit;
• Not all activities must be pre-approved with a program ID
number to be considered for credit;
• For any activities not pre-approved, just calculate the total hours
spent in educational time, to determine the correct amount of
credit;
• Upload documentation as you go along, to ensure a seamless
process should you be selected for an audit of your
recertification application.
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10/20/2014 | HR Certification Institute
Recertification Steps
Pay Fees
Go to
www.hrci.org and
access your
online account
Enter your
recertification
activities as you
complete them
Upload
supporting
documentation
Submit your
application for
recertification
Complete the
affirmation
statement
For HRBP and HRMP applicants, there is an extra step – Credential Readiness Assessment (CRA).
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10/20/2014 | HR Certification Institute
The HRCI – SHRM separation: What happened?
• HRCI’s independence and fiduciary obligations
• Our long and beneficial affiliation with SHRM included:
– A Strategic Partnership Agreement to serve the profession
– An Operating Agreement for shared services
– SHRM’s ongoing support for HRCI certification
• With growth, a divergence of strategies and culture
• SHRM announces its own certification program
• SHRM cancels the Operating Agreement
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10/20/2014 | HR Certification Institute
What does this mean for HRCI – and You?
For HRCI
New headquarters
New infrastructure: Accounting, Finance, IT, HR, Payroll, Benefits
The end of many close relationships
And
A great opportunity for new alliances and closer relationships with
certificants!
For You
Confusion about your current and future certifications
Confusion and pressure on SHRM chapters and councils
Confusion among cert prep and recertification providers
And
Benefits from improvements in HRCI!
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10/20/2014 | HR Certification Institute
What does this mean for the future?
HRCI’s strategy for moving forward:
Growth!
• New and strengthened alliances
• New technologies
• New services
More than ever, HRCI credentials will increase your
credibility and open doors!
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10/20/2014 | HR Certification Institute
Contact Information
1-866-898-4724 (Toll-Free Line)
[email protected]
www.hrci.org
Follow the HR Certification Institute on:
@HRCertInstitute @RebeccaSPHR
Facebook
HRCI Voices LinkedIn Group
Certification Matters Blog (www.hrci.org)
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