In any well run company that values the safety of their employees, Human Resources is essential. 

But while most people know HR as a department that focuses on the needs of the organization as a whole, there are also HR directors or members who specialize in the needs of the HR department within a company specifically. 

For those looking to take their HR career to the next level and focus on being a resource to their peers, the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) exam is essential. Here’s what you need to know:

Finding the best PHR prep course is a great way to ensure your success on the first try. So if you’re looking to take and pass the PHR exam, we’ve got your recommendations on the best way to do so.

Check out our picks for the best PHR certification prep courses below!


1. Dooey PHR Prep Course

Doey PHR Training Course

The PHR Prep Course by Dooey is a comprehensive training program designed to prepare you for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification exam. This course is packed with a variety of resources to enhance your learning experience and boost your confidence for the exam.

  • 5 Full length practice exams
  • 50+ Video Lessons
  • 1,000+ Practice Questions
  • 900+ Pages of Study Text
  • 350+ Flashcards

Pros:

  1. Extensive Practice Questions: The course offers 1,000 meticulously crafted practice questions covering every crucial topic you need to master for the PHR exam. This will help you fine-tune your understanding of HR principles and practices.
  2. Interactive Learning: The course includes 50 interactive videos that make learning engaging and memorable. The expert instructors break down complex HR concepts into digestible bites, enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.
  3. Comprehensive Study Aids: The course provides 350 flashcards and a detailed study guide to reinforce your understanding and help you retain critical information. The flashcards are a handy tool for quick revision, while the study guide provides a structured framework for your preparation.
  4. Full-Length Practice Exams: The course includes five full-length practice exams that mirror the format and difficulty level of the PHR certification exam. This will help you assess your readiness, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your time management skills.

Dooey Bottom Line

The PHR Prep Course by Dooey is a robust and comprehensive preparation tool for anyone aiming to ace the PHR certification exam. It offers a wealth of resources to enhance your learning experience and prepare you thoroughly for the exam. However, it requires a high level of self-discipline for self-paced learning and does not offer personalized tutoring.

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2. HRCP PHR Prep Course

HRCP PHR Prep Course

There are two significant benefits to this PHR course that make it our top pick.

First, HRCP offers a hybrid prep course that incorporates video lessons, interactive webinars, Q&A sessions, and several hundred flashcards and pages of written lessons. This provides the perfect combination of convenience and accessibility, and it combines the best aspects of in-person instruction with those of online education.

Why choose HR.com when marketing to HR Professionals?

Second, this is an accelerated prep course, which means you can complete it in a short time. Classes run for about a month and a half, with an exam voucher at the end that’s good for one year after completing the course. This way, you can complete the last step towards establishing yourself as a Professional in Human Resources immediately, or take a little time if necessary.

  • 7 Interactive Online Lessons
  • 30+ Hours of Video Lessons
  • 800+ Practice Questions
  • 900+ Pages of Study Text
  • Electronic Flashcards
  • Accessibility Features
  • PHR Exam Voucher

HRCP Network includes:

If you’re interested in other HR-related certifications, this company offers excellent resources for other certs as well. All of the instructors are qualified and hold the same certs they teach, which ensures you learn from the best instructors possible!

HRCP Bottom Line

HRCP is the fastest and most effective way to prepare for your PHR exam. Check out their course if you want to avoid wasting any time on any step in the certification process.


3. Mometrix PHR Exam Preparation

There’s something you just have to love about simplicity, especially when looking for something to help you study. The simple but focused 47-lesson PHR study guide on offer from Mometrix is a prime example of sweet simplicity.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg though, there are several other aspects of Mometrix’s PHR exam review content to get excited about:

Once you enroll, you’ll have over 300 flash cards and more than 700 multiple-choice practice questions fully at your disposal. There are also a series of videos that help break down dozens of in-depth concepts you’ll no doubt encounter on your exam.

But here’s the best part: 

Mometrix is absolutely risk-free; try out their services for a week, and if it doesn’t feel like a great fit for any reason, you can easily get your money back. Although it’s far more likely that you’ll keep your subscription once you see how effective this study guide can be!

Mometrix Bottom Line

Mometrix offers a streamlined approach that will have you covered when it comes to preparing for the PHR exam. Considering that you can try them and get your money back, it’s a great idea to try it even if you’re only a little curious!

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4. BenchPrep PHR Exam Prep Courses

There’s nothing like hard statistics to back up the effectiveness of a test prep course— which is exactly where BenchPrep is sure to impress you. Students that use BenchPrep’s HR Learning System see score improvements of 16% on average. That’s the difference between a B and an A+!

This human resources certification course was designed by HR director professionals with over 50 years of experience— as professionals and instructors. 

In addition to their core study materials, BenchPrepHR also provides a backup plan if you didn’t perform well on your first attempt. As part of their guarantee, BenchPrep grants you extended access and free course updates until you’re able to pass.

Pass the PHR/SPHR with BenchPrepHR!

BenchPrep HR’s platform is accessible on your mobile devices and has a ton of handy features to keep you on track. Something especially helpful is a large countdown at the top of the screen as a constant reminder of our upcoming test date. Also, progress meters provide clear indicators of where you’re at and how much further you have to go.

Despite being very business oriented with their curriculum, BenchPrep HR has several interactive components to their approach. You can take advantage of flash cards or the Game Center to switch up your study routine if you start to get bored. There’s literally something for every style and preference which is something that makes BenchPrep HR a highly adaptable course.

BenchPrep Bottom Line

Enrolling with BenchPrep HR is one of the easiest decisions that you can make for yourself. Definitely take a look at their offerings and get started with one of the very best PHR exam prep options on the market!


5. Pearson PHR Certification Prep

What Pearson may lack in finesse, they more than make up for with their course content. Combining these test preparation courses’ custom study materials with a scalable learning platform makes for a truly potent PHR exam prep cocktail. Additionally, one of the best parts of Pearson’s offerings is the flexibility to purchase their items individually or in a bundle.

HRCI PHR Certification Exam Guide

Pearson’s uCertify courses are a key part of their approach to PHR exam review. They mainly employ the use of Labs and Simulators to provide as much hands-on exposure to their materials as possible. All of the lessons, labs, and simulators are also directly mapped in correlation with Pearson’s texts— so their lessons and auxiliary services all feel like one cohesive lesson plan.

You’ll also have access to helpful materials like e-texts, assessments for before and after each course, practice quizzes, tests, and exercises. There are even instructional videos for those who enjoy learning by watching and listening. 

While all of these pieces can be purchased separately, it’s worth noting that Pearson recommends that you use these elements in conjunction with each other.

Pearson Bottom Line

When looking at the testimonials for Pearson, you’ll see almost entirely positive reviews. In fact, many students say that they felt Pearson’s approach to be unique and effective. In addition to our own time spent with Pearson, we can safely recommend them as an invaluable resource when preparing for PHR certification!


6. Distinctive HR PHR Certification Course

What if you’re not a big fan of simplicity? What if you need PHR certification study manuals that are dense and expansive?

Distinctive HR is one of the most fully-featured PHR exam prep providers that we’ve ever seen. This is in part due to their multi-faceted approach that crosses the boundaries of traditional media types.

Seriously, this human resource prep course really went all out. You have access to study guides, audio files, live classes and webinars, sample tests, online videos, and training games when preparing for your certification exam. 

But even with all that content, the goal here is not to overload you; Distinctive HR makes that clear through the inclusion of their self-study options. You’re not forced to take on every single thing that Distinctive HR has created for their students, just the pieces that work the best for you.

Distinctive HR Bottom Line

Professionals that want a ton of content to review and plenty of options in how they approach that content will relish the opportunity to enroll with Distinctive HR. Give Distinctive HR a look to see if this past success can also be a part of your future!


6. HRReview PHR Prep Course Review

Are you looking to further your HR career but also want a more guided and personal approach? If so, we recommend HRReview. Their Start Smart courses are focused and provide you with a handful of study materials that help you nail the finer details.

Starting with pre-tests and handouts for each section, you’ll be able to see how well you fare with a particular section before diving in further to round out your knowledge. They also have presentations you can review, as well as midterm and final exams that will help you to track your progress throughout the process.

Have a busy schedule? That’s okay— the PHR exam instructor records all of their sessions for students to review at a later date. There’s also a WORKBOOK Package that’s loaded with outlines that cover each of the HR functional areas. 

Lastly, they include an AudioReview package with recorded terms, definitions, and a free audio coaching session. This is a huge benefit if you like to study while multitasking; just pop in some headphones and you can study while at the gym or commuting.

HRReview Bottom Line

HRReview lays out their content in a way that makes sense and feels like it’s ordered logically with their students in mind. It’s the little details that help set HRReview apart, and it results in a study plan that helps you to both learn and apply important human resources information.


PHR Exam Course Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the PHR exam?

The total exam time for the Professional in Human Resources exam is 3 hours. The exam consists of 150 scored questions and 25 pretest questions; it can be taken online or at a testing center.

When can I take the PHR Exam?

While exam appointments are available year-round, availability is subject to the resources of a specific testing center. There are also online options for taking the exam. Additional information on the application process for the exam can be found here.

What is the salary range for HR Professionals?

While there are several different roles that can be filled within the HR field (Manager, Administrator, Director, etc.) on average you will see salaries ranging from around $39k and $90k a year.

Kenneth W. Boyd is a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the author of several of the popular "For Dummies" books published by John Wiley & Sons including 'CPA Exam for Dummies' and 'Cost Accounting for Dummies'.

Ken has gained a wealth of business experience through his previous employment as a CPA, Auditor, Tax Preparer and College Professor. Today, Ken continues to use those finely tuned skills to educate students as a professional writer and teacher.