Associate Professional in Human Resources™ Practice Exam

Associate Professional in Human Resources™ Practice Exam

The Associate Professional in Human Resources® (aPHR®) certification from HRCI offers an ideal opportunity to accelerate your career advancement. It is designed for two specific categories of individuals: those embarking on their HR career journey and non-HR professionals.

Exam Prerequisite:

• No HR experience is required since this is a knowledge-based credential.

Who should take the exam?

The target audience for the HR Certification Institute's (HRCI) Associate Professional in Human Resources® (aPHR®) exam includes:

• Early-Career HR Professionals
• Non-HR Professionals with HR Responsibilities
• Recent HR Graduates
• Entry-Level HR Assistants/Associates
• Supervisors/Managers with HR Duties
• Business Partners/Analysts Supporting HR

Exam Details

• Exam Name: Associate Professional in Human Resources
• Exam Languages: English
• Exam Questions: 65 scored questions + 25 pretest questions
• Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes (plus 30 minutes administration time)
• Certification Validity: 3 years

Course Outline 

The Exam covers the given topics  - 

Topic 1: Understand Talent Acquisition (19%)

Knowledge of:

• Methods to identify staffing needs and guide talent acquisition efforts (for example, forecasting, job analysis, the creation and structure of job descriptions, and alternative staffing approaches)
• Talent sourcing tools and techniques to identify and engage prospective candidates (for example, employer branding, social media, candidate pipelines, resume mining, job postings, job fairs, and employee referrals)
• Recruiting procedures and strategies for screening and selecting qualified applicants (for example, recruitment firms/staffing agencies, skills assessments, interview techniques and best practices, and biases)
• The lifecycle of hiring and onboarding a selected applicant (for example, reference and background checks, offer letters and counteroffers, employment contracts, and the distribution and collection of company-mandated documents; such as employee handbook and policy acknowledgments, nondisclosure or other agreements, and benefits paperwork)
• The use of technology for collecting, storing, reviewing and analyzing candidate/applicant information and recruiting data (for example, applicant tracking systems, human resource information systems (HRIS), return on investment (ROI), cost-per-hire, and time-to-fill)

Topic 2: Explore Learning & Development (15%)

Knowledge of:

• The overall purpose and desired outcomes of employee orientation for new hires and/or internal hires (for example, setting expectations, building relationships and acclimation)
• The concept of instructional design and components of commonly used models and methods for developing an organizational learning strategy (for example, knowledge, skills and, abilities (KSAs), ADDIE model, needs analysis, goals/objectives, available training resources and intended audience)
• Elements and suitable applications for various training formats and delivery techniques (for example, blended, virtual, self-paced, instructor-led, on-the-job, role play, facilitation, and in-house vs. external training services)
• The concept, purpose, and key/desired outcomes of a change management process (for example, assessing readiness, communication plans, identifying needs, and providing resources and training)
• Methods and tools used to track employee development and measure the effectiveness of the training (for example, learning management systems (LMS), reporting, post-training evaluation and metrics)

Topic 3: Learn about Compensation & Benefits (17%)

Knowledge of:

• The elements involved in developing and administering an organization’s compensation strategy; such as pay structures, pay adjustments and incentive programs (for example, external service providers, market analysis, job evaluation/classifications, merit increases, pay scales/grades, cost of living adjustments, and service awards)
• Health benefit and insurance programs including, eligibility requirements, enrollment periods and various designs (for example, high deductible plans, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, preferred provider organizations, and short or long-term disability)
• Supplemental wellness and fringe benefit programs commonly offered by organizations (for example, employee assistance programs (EAPs), gym membership, online therapy, housing or relocation assistance, and travel/transportation stipends)
• Employee eligibility for, and enrollment in retirement plans, and rules regarding contributions and withdrawals (for example, 401(k), 457(b), catch-up contributions, and hardship withdrawals)
• Components of wage statements and payroll processing (for example, taxation, deductions, differentials, garnishments, leave reporting and final pay, and total reward statements)

Topic 4: Understand Employee Relations (24%)

Knowledge of:

• The purpose and difference between mission, vision and value statements, and how they influence an organization’s culture and employees
• How HR supports organizational goals and objectives through HR policies, procedures, and operations (for example, functions of human resource information systems (HRIS), organizational structures, preparing HR-related documents, basic communication flows & methods, SWOT analysis, and strategic planning)
• Techniques used to engage employees, collect feedback, and improve employee satisfaction (for example, employee recognition programs, stay interviews, engagement surveys, work/life balance initiatives and alternative work arrangements)
• Workforce management throughout the employee lifecycle, including performance management and employee behavior issues (for example, goal setting, benchmarking, performance appraisal methods & biases, ranking/rating scales, progressive discipline, termination/separation, offboarding, absenteeism, and turnover/retention)
• Policies and procedures to handle employee complaints, facilitate investigations, and support conflict resolution (for example, confidentiality, escalation, retaliation, and documentation)
• The elements of diversity and inclusion initiatives and the impact on organizational effectiveness and productivity (for example, social responsibility initiatives, cultural sensitivity and acceptance, unconscious bias and stereotypes)

Topic 5: Learn about Compliance & Risk Management (25%)

Knowledge of:

• Applicable laws and regulations related to talent acquisition, training, and employee/employer rights and responsibilities; such as nondiscrimination, accommodation, and work authorization (for example: EEOC, DOL, I-9 form completion, employment-at-will, Title VII, ADA, Immigration Reform and Control Act, Title 17 [Copyright law])
• Applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes affecting employment in union environments (for example, WARN Act, NLRA, collective bargaining, and alternative dispute resolution methods)
• Applicable laws and regulations related to compensation and benefits, such as monetary and nonmonetary entitlement, wage and hour (for example: ERISA, COBRA, FLSA, USERRA, PPACA, and tax treatment)
• Applicable laws and regulations related to workplace health, safety, security, and privacy (for example: OSHA, Drug-Free Workplace Act, ADA, HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, WARN act, and sexual harassment)
• Risk assessment and mitigation techniques to promote a safe, secure and compliant workplace (for example, emergency evacuation procedures, violence, business continuity plan, intellectual and employee data protection, and theft)
• Organizational restructuring initiatives and their risks to business continuity (mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, integration, offshoring, downsizing and furloughs)