Exam Content Outlines

Below are the sections of the exam content outlines for this functional area. These specifications detail the responsibilities and knowledge covered on the certification exams. The item numbering is not sequential here because it reflects the numbering system employed in the exam content outline.

PHR Functional Area 3: Learning and Development (10%)

Responsibilities:

01    Provide consultation to managers and employees on professional growth and development opportunities.

02    Implement and evaluate career development and training programs (e.g., career pathing, management training, mentorship).

03    Contribute to succession planning discussions with management by providing relevant data.

Knowledge of:

25    Applicable federal laws and regulations related to learning and development activities

26    Learning and development theories and applications

27    Training program facilitation, techniques and delivery

28    Adult learning processes

29    Instructional design principles and processes (e.g., needs analysis, process flow mapping)

30    Techniques to assess training program effectiveness, including use of applicable metrics

31    Organizational development (OD) methods, motivation methods and problem-solving techniques

32    Task/process analysis

33    Coaching and mentoring techniques

34    Employee retention concepts and applications

35    Techniques to encourage creativity and innovation

SPHR Functional Area 3: Learning and Development (12%)

Responsibilities

01    Develop and evaluate training strategies (e.g., modes of delivery, timing, content) to increase individual and organizational effectiveness.

02    Analyze business needs to develop a succession plan for key roles (e.g., identify talent, outline career progression, coaching and development) to promote business continuity.

03    Develop and evaluate employee retention strategies and practices (e.g., assessing talent, developing career paths, managing job movement within the organization).

Knowledge of

30    Training program design and development

31    Adult learning processes

32    Training and facilitation techniques

33    Instructional design principles and processes (e.g., needs analysis, content chunking, process flow mapping)

34    Techniques to assess training program effectiveness, including use of applicable metrics

35    Career and leadership development theories and applications

36    Organizational development (OD) methods, motivation methods and problemsolving techniques

37    Coaching and mentoring techniques

38    Effective communication skills and strategies (e.g., presentation, collaboration, sensitivity)

39    Employee retention strategies

40    Techniques to encourage creativity and innovation