You’ve been familiar with the recruiting, firing, and payroll processes of your company’s HR department for some time. Still, none of those seem quite as difficult as getting ready for your HR certification exam.

That makes sense. These are not easy A’s, with pass percentages of 65% for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) test and 67% for the Society for HRCI exam certification. However, you may increase your chances of passing your HR certification test the first time around with a well-thought-out strategy and some advice.

Your company will get at least two major advantages by certifying your HR staff. It first demonstrates your high expectations for the caliber of work produced by your HR personnel. Second, it increases loyalty and retention by demonstrating to your HR personnel that you appreciate their professional growth.

Keep reading and exploring to learn how you can step into HR excellence with HR Certification Institute’s HRCI exam in 2026.

What is HRCI?

The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) offers HR professionals the HRCI certification. The HRCI provides a range of competency-based certifications for human resources professionals and non-HR professionals who would benefit from knowing the basics of HR. Obtaining HR certification demonstrates to prospective and existing employers your dedication to professional excellence and improving your company.

The HRCI exam evaluates your knowledge and expertise in important HR functional areas. Both conventional multiple-choice questions and scenario-based topics that mimic actual HR scenarios are included in the tests. You must fulfill the qualifying conditions and pass the relevant test in order to obtain your desired HR certification.

Who is an HR?

An HR (Human Resources) professional or department oversees all aspects of an organization’s workforce, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, performance, and offboarding. They also ensure legal compliance, manage payroll and benefits, and cultivate a positive workplace culture to align employees with business objectives. They serve as a connection between the potential employees and management, handling matters such as strategic workforce planning, employee welfare, and policy.

A company’s personnel are managed by the human resources (HR) division. Finding qualified candidates to fill available positions, employing new staff, creating and enforcing regulations, obtaining and maintaining benefits and other workforce programs, and carrying out other crucial duties are all under the purview of this crucial business division.

How Does HR Support Employees?

As a human resources specialist, you assist staff members by offering training, ongoing education, and assistance with their health and well-being. Sustaining employee happiness and morale requires adequate human resources. Although each firm may have a different approach to employee assistance, your HR department with HR certification may help employees in the following ways:

• Offering A Professional Path Inside The Company

As a human resources specialist, after passing the HR certification, you assist staff members by providing them with a career path within the organization. Clearly defined opportunities for promotion, development, and transfers to other divisions or departments can be provided by your department. When workers are ready for new challenges, this encourages them to stay with the company rather than look for possibilities elsewhere.

• Providing Opportunity For Ongoing Education

HR may manage programs for continuous education that are advantageous to both employers and employees after passing the HR certification. This might include credentials, professional growth, or course tuition reimbursement. Offering workers the chance to develop their skill sets and industry knowledge may improve morale and encourage them to stay with the firm. Programs for education support are frequently effective recruiting and retention strategies.

• Educating And Assisting Managers

As a human resources professional, you could collaborate with managers and department heads to advance their expertise. Employees across the corporation will benefit from your training of corporate leaders. Staff motivation, constructive criticism, disciplinary matters, diversity, technical proficiency, and legal compliance may be the main topics of your HR certification training.

• Supporting Health And Wellness

Health insurance, employee assistance programs, retirement savings, and disability benefits are all likely to be managed by your HR department. These initiatives can assist workers in resolving disputes and controlling stress outside of the office that could otherwise impede their productivity. These program advantages are extended to the immediate family in certain firms. You can all learn it in HR certification programs.

Additionally, you may help managers develop staff wellness initiatives that incorporate stress-reduction techniques, good food recommendations, and exercise challenges. Healthy workers often use fewer sick days, which can boost productivity. While some employers work with outside contractors to deliver services, others supply these on-site.

What Abilities Are Necessary To Work In Human Resources?

To be successful in this kind of profession, you will need to acquire certain HR abilities after getting the HR certification. Among the most crucial abilities are:

• Active listening: Practicing active listening techniques will probably help you pay attention to crucial information and demonstrate to staff members that you respect their time and viewpoint.
• Analysis: Data is frequently used by HR specialists to assess hiring practices and worker performance. It can be useful to be able to interpret this data.
• Operations: You can succeed in an HR position if you have strong organizational abilities, data entry and analytical skills, and the ability to multitask.
• Communication: You spend a lot of time speaking with people in interviews, training sessions, and discussions when working in human resources. Additionally, you’ll probably create a lot of emails, manuals, and other materials.
• Training: You might have to create and conduct adult training programs for both new and current staff members.
• Technical abilities: The precise technical skills required can vary depending on the organization you work for, but most businesses consider computer proficiency and the ability to handle databases, spreadsheets, and word processing software to be beneficial. You will learn all the above skills in our HR certification program for the HRCI exam.

How Many HR Certification Exams Do We Offer?

There are plenty of HR certification exams, but Troytec only offers the two best of the best exams, which can help you become one of the competitive HR professionals in 2026 and beyond. So, here are the details for the two HR exam certification programs offered by the HRCI exam council:

1. PHR Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Exam

For human resource professionals with prior HR certification expertise, the PHR test serves as a credential. The examination evaluates a person’s knowledge and abilities in areas including risk management, employee and labor relations, compensation and benefits, workforce planning and employment, and strategic management.

The PHR or HR certification gives one a competitive advantage in the employment market and shows dedication to the HRCI exam field. This HR credential demonstrates that a person possesses the abilities and information required to carry out a professional HR function as well as a thorough awareness of HR practices and rules.

In addition to access to a network of HR experts and resources, passing the PHR test offers chances for career development and promotion. For HR experts who want to advance their careers and prove their subject-matter competence, the PHR test is a useful tool. People can progress in their professions and become recognized as HR specialists by obtaining the PHR or HR certification.

2. GPHR Global Professional in Human Resource Exam

A worldwide recognized credential for human resource (HR) professionals is the GPHR Exam. The largest HR association in the world, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), offers it. The GPHR certification offers HR professionals a chance to exhibit their proficiency in international practices and legislation while also demonstrating a high degree of knowledge and skill in the HR area.

Global staffing, pay and benefits, employee and labor relations, and HR development and measurement are just a few of the HR subjects included in the GPHR exam. The purpose of the test is to evaluate a person’s comprehension and application of HR knowledge in a worldwide setting.

It assesses a candidate’s capacity to manage HR projects and programs in a worldwide setting as well as their comprehension of the intricacies of international HR laws, rules, and practices.

For HR professionals who wish to further their careers, increase their HR knowledge and expertise, and show their dedication to professional growth, the GPHR certification by HR Certification Institute is a great resource. It improves one’s credibility and reputation as an HR expert and gives one a competitive advantage in the employment market.

How To Prepare For The HR Certification Exams?

Fortunately, you may learn from others who have passed the HR certification test because you are not the only person to do so. A few tried-and-true suggestions can make the path to those coveted certificates smoother.

1. Enroll In A Prep Course.

The online HR Certification Exam Preparation course at UNC Charlotte provides the necessary content in three-hour chunks once a week. The courses cover example examinations, make use of flashcards, talk about the best ways to take standardized tests, and—above all—provide access to a professional with years of experience as a coach, mentor, and HR specialist.

Success or failure can be determined by taking a prep course. Usually, in the weeks preceding the HR test, it provides the necessary information in portion-controlled quantities. This helps people absorb the knowledge and keeps them from cramming at the last minute.

2. Do Some Studying, But Not Too Much.

You shouldn’t try to wing this exam. 134 questions total—80 knowledge and 54 situational-judgment items—make up the four-hour SHRM-CP exam. You have two hours to answer ninety questions on subjects such as labor relations and employees in the PHR. Locate a study group. Create flashcards. Take practice tests. Understand the stuff.

3. Evaluate Your Own Preparedness.

Learning from your failures could be the finest study assistance. You’ll be able to identify areas that require further study once you’ve completed enough practice exams. A certain set of topics is covered by both the SHRM-CP and the PHR credential. You may gain the extra points you need to ace the test by going over your errors to identify any ideas you could be missing.

Ultimately, don’t worry if you have to retake the test. Those who have had to try again will be in good company with you. Recall that certification is valuable and worthwhile.

Conclusion

The PHR and GPHR certification exams are challenging, but they’re not insurmountable. With customized learning pathways that highlight strengths and erase weaknesses, you may assist your students in overcoming the well-known rigor of the PHR. Give your staff a route to success so they can demonstrate their abilities to you and the HRCI. Please review the material below to learn more about how you may assist students in getting ready for their HR certification exams.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What Is The HRCI Exam In 2025?

A professional certification that verifies your HR knowledge and abilities and advances your HR career is the HRCI Exam in 2025.

How Can I Get Ready For The 2025 HRCI Exam?

You may get ready by reading official HRCI guidelines, taking practice exams, and enhancing your HR knowledge through online courses.

Why Should I Take The HRCI Exam In 2025?

In 2025, taking the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) Exam will increase your credibility, offer job prospects, and show that you are an expert in human resources.