When choosing the best Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) certification study guide, you can start at the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), which sets candidate eligibility requirements and administers the exam. The institute’s online assessment exam will measure your certification readiness and give you a sense of the style and types of questions you will be expected to answer on the official exam. The results can help you decide the best SPHR® certification study guide based on the coursework you need and the available instructional tools that match your learning style.

Recommended by the HRCI, the Official PHR®/SPHR® Certification Guide is available from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This organization also serves as a good resource for more information on the credentialing process and the various exam preparation options. To earn SPHR® certification, the HRCI requires each candidate to meet strict HR-demonstrated experience and educational requirements before being eligible to take the exam. Each test includes 225 questions in various versions, which means the best SPHR® certification study guide includes comprehensive material on all HR function areas. Once certified, professionals must also stay current by taking a re-certification exam every three years.

The SHRM guide, along with other SPHR® certification study guides, offers a pre-test to measure your professional areas of expertise and weakness and identify your learning style. From the results, you can create your own study plan by selecting the specific areas of coursework you need and the knowledge tools that match your preferences. For example, some people learn best working alone, reading and taking detailed notes; others learn through group discussion or by watching presentations. If you comprehend new information more easily in a group environment, you may want to choose a SPHR® certification study guide that offers classroom instruction or online discussion forums with other HR professionals preparing for the test. If you prefer to work alone without interruption, consider a SPHR® certification study guide with structured lesson plans or online prep classes and practice tests.

The variety of online SPHR® certification study guides available range in price. They also range in quality of learning tools. You also can get help with deciding which one will be the wisest investment of time and money if you also talk with other SPHR®-certified professionals for further guidance and counsel.