Exam Comparison
PHR vs SHRM-CP
Comparing the HRCI Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). Both fall under Professional Certifications. Both are covered by the Professional Cert Exam Prep: SHRM, LEED, PMI & Six Sigma app.
The Bottom Line
The classic HR certification question, and the honest answer: both are respected, and your market decides. SHRM-CP has the momentum and the larger professional association behind it; the PHR has the longer legacy and a sharper focus on U.S. employment law and HR operations. Check which one appears in job postings you actually want.
PHR vs SHRM-CP: At a Glance
| Detail | PHR | SHRM-CP |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | HRCI Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) |
| Governing Body | HRCI | SHRM |
| Number of Questions | 115 | 160 |
| Time Limit | 2.75 hours | 3 hours 40 minutes |
| Passing Score | 500/700 | 200/400 |
| Exam Fee | $395 (HRCI members) / $500 (non-members) | $300 (SHRM members) / $400 (non-members) |
| Category | Professional Certifications | Professional Certifications |
| C3RT App | Professional Cert Exam Prep: SHRM, LEED, PMI & Six Sigma Soon | Professional Cert Exam Prep: SHRM, LEED, PMI & Six Sigma Soon |
Content Areas Compared
PHR Domains
- Business Management(20%)
- Talent Planning and Acquisition(16%)
- Learning and Development(10%)
- Total Rewards(15%)
- Employee and Labor Relations(39%)
SHRM-CP Domains
- HR Competencies, Leadership(~15%)
- HR Competencies, Business(~15%)
- HR Competencies, Interpersonal(~15%)
- People, Talent Acquisition and Retention(~18%)
- Organization, Structure and Culture(~18%)
- Workplace, Employee Relations and Risk(~19%)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PHR and SHRM-CP?
The PHR (HRCI) is the older credential, oriented toward operational and tactical HR with heavy U.S. regulatory and employment-law content, it reads like an exam for the person who administers HR correctly. The SHRM-CP tests SHRM’s competency model, mixing HR knowledge with situational-judgment questions about how an HR professional should act, behavioral scenarios more than statute recall. Both target early-to-mid-career practitioners; eligibility, blueprints, and formats differ enough to reward reading both bodies’ current requirements before committing.
Can I take both the PHR and the SHRM-CP?
Some practitioners hold both to cover all employer preferences, but the payoff is marginal against double fees and recertification cycles. The stronger long-term move is one certification now and its senior tier (SPHR or SHRM-SCP) when your experience qualifies.
Which should I take first, PHR or SHRM-CP?
Take one, not both at this level. Choose SHRM-CP if your employers and local HR community are SHRM-centric (increasingly the default, given SHRM’s membership scale) or you test well on judgment scenarios. Choose the PHR if your role is compliance-heavy, your leadership specifically respects HRCI, or you prefer concrete knowledge questions over situational ones.
Does C3RT cover both the PHR and the SHRM-CP?
C3RT is building apps for both the PHR and the SHRM-CP. Both will be available on iOS and Mac.
The HRCI Professional in Human Resources (PHR) (PHR) is administered by HRCI. The SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) (SHRM-CP) is administered by SHRM. C3RT is not affiliated with either organisation. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.