Many within the field eventually pursue a professional human resources certificate program. Completion of The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification indicates exemplary skills within the industry. It shows an individual has not only the theoretical knowledge necessary to be successful in the field, but also the practical expertise to apply that knowledge.

For many HR practitioners, the achievement of PHR certification is a personal one, allowing them to proclaim their dedication to their career and celebrate their personal successes. It is usually a career move or step in pursuit of greater advancement within their chosen profession, as it is highly valued as an indicator of competency within the field.

Entry level positions in HR may be obtainable for those with minimal experience; however, advancement in one's career often requires additional study. Many within the HR arena possess associates and bachelor's degrees. In some instances, this is viewed as sufficient enough evidence of merit to warrant higher positions within the HR field.

However, many employers place such merit on the achievement of professional HR certificates that even those HR practitioners with a degree often pursue certification in order to advance their careers or find new and viable positions within the industry.

The PHR certificate is awarded after an individual meets specific criteria. The foremost item of issue is the certification exam itself. The HR Certificate Institute (HRCI) administers the examination, in affiliation with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) which is the primary authority on human resources management and practice within the United States.

The exam takes four hours to complete and consists of 225 multiple-choice questions covering all human resources basic functions. A passing score on the exam is only one of the requirements for achieving certification.

Those who are currently employed in human resources must complete two years of exempt or salaried level HR experience before being qualified to sit for the PHR exam. This prerequisite is waved in the case of students who are enrolled in a degree program in HR. Students who are within 12 months of completing their degree may sit for the exam prior to graduation.

Those who achieved their degree within the past 12 months but do not have exempt HR work experience may also sit for the exam. However, in both cases, they are required to obtain the prerequisite 12 months of exempt-level HR work experience within five years after passing the test in order to maintain their certification.

Maintaining professional human resources certification under the regulations of SHRM and the PHR requires a number of continuing education requirements to be met by practitioners on an annual basis. These continuing education units are approved and tracked by HRCI in accordance with SHRM standards.