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Free PHR Exam Prep

Professional in Human Resources

Prepare for the PHR exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.

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Can You Take the PHR Exam?

Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements

Age
Education
Master's degree + 1 year HR experience, bachelor's + 2 years, or 4 years professional-level HR experience
Experience
Professional-level HR experience required under one of HRCI's published pathways
Additional Requirements
  • •Application approval is required before scheduling
  • •Certification can be renewed with 60 recertification credits over 3 years or by retaking the exam
  • •Exam is available at Pearson VUE test centers or via OnVUE online proctoring

PHR Quick Facts

Exam Provider

Pearson VUE / OnVUE

Remote Testing Available
Schedule Your Exam

Retake Policy

HRCI requires 90 calendar days between attempts; each retake needs a new application and all fees unless Second Chance Insurance was purchased, and the same exam may not be taken more than three times in a consecutive 365-day period.

Total Cost Breakdown

Exam Fee$395
Application Fee$100
Total Estimated Cost$495+
Why Choose Us

Free PHR Prep Tools

Reported exam pass rate: 72% (HRCI exam pass rates as of December 31, 2025).. These figures describe exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep user outcomes. Check the exam sponsor’s website for published statistics.

200+ Practice Questions

PHR-style coverage across all seven HRCI exam domains.

AI-Powered Learning

Adaptive support for labor relations and total rewards scenarios.

2026 Updated

Review current HRCI exam blueprint, fees, and pass-rate reporting.

Free Access

Start free PHR practice before purchasing full prep bundles.

Compare:
Kaplan $300+•Achievable $200+•OpenExamPrep $0

What You'll Study

12 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide

PHR Exam Details

Professional in Human Resources

Administered by HRCI (HR Certification Institute)

Official Source
Scaled score of 500 on the HRCI 100-700 scale
Passing Score
115
Questions
2
Hours
$395 exam fee + $100 application fee
Exam Fee
Prerequisites: Meet one PHR eligibility pathway based on education and professional HR experience
Valid for: 3 years

Exam Content Breakdown

Based on the official HRCI (HR Certification Institute) content outline

Business Management14%

Align HR activities with business strategy and operational objectives.

Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition14%

Talent planning, sourcing, hiring, and workforce pipeline execution.

Learning and Development10%

Training, development, and workforce capability-building processes.

Total Rewards15%

Compensation and benefits administration and strategy support.

Employee Engagement17%

Culture, performance support, and employee experience programs.

Employee and Labor Relations20%

Employee relations, labor standards, and workplace conflict management.

HR Information Management10%

HR data, systems governance, reporting, and record-management controls.

What's Included

12 Chapters

Complete exam coverage

Practice Quizzes

With detailed explanations

Free to Start

No credit card required

Ran Chen - AI Engineer, CFP®
CFP®
Why It's Free

Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds

I'm Ran Chen, an engineer with 20+ years of coding experience. I passed my Life Insurance license, EA exam, SIE, Series 6, 63, 65, and finally the CFP® exam.

Through all these exams, one thing became clear: exam prep is expensive. But with AI, we can change that. Quality preparation can now be free for everyone.

About Ran Chen

What's Next After the PHR?

After passing the PHR, you can pursue these career paths

PHR Exam FAQ

Official HRCI (HR Certification Institute) Resources

Verify information with these official sources

More Free Resources

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Ready to Start Your Free PHR Prep?

Review the study guide, practice key concepts, and use the free tools at your own pace.