- Methods to identify staffing needs and guide talent acquisition efforts
- Talent sourcing tools and techniques to identify and engage prospective candidates
- Recruiting procedures and strategies for screening and selecting qualified applicants
- The lifecycle of hiring and onboarding a selected applicant
HRCI Certification Training Course
HRCI Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) Certification Training Course
We'll get you ready for the HRCI aPHR exam, the knowledge credential for people starting out in HR or managing people without formal HR training.
Course focus: Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Relations, Compliance & Risk Management, mapped to the official HRCI exam content outline.
Course Overview
What the aPHR Course Covers
HRCI describes the aPHR as a entry level credential. The exam covers 5 functional areas, and Compliance & Risk Management carries the most weight at 25%, so we give it the most class time.
Our expert-led class follows the official aPHR exam content outline area by area, with practice questions written in the scenario style HRCI uses. We also walk you through the application, the testing ID and booking with Pearson VUE.
The aPHR is the only HRCI credential with no experience requirement, which makes it a practical first step for anyone moving into HR. It proves you understand the basics of HR operations, recruitment, employee relations, compensation and compliance in a U.S. setting.
Because it is knowledge based, the exam rewards clear understanding of how HR work gets done. We teach each area with plain examples from small and mid sized employers, since that's where many aPHR holders start.
Accumentum is an independent training provider. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by HRCI, and this isn't official HRCI training. HRCI sets exam content, fees and policies, so check hrci.org before you apply.
Course Objectives
What You Will Be Able to Do
01
Cover the Whole Outline
Work through all 5 functional areas in the official aPHR exam content outline, weighted the way the exam weights them.
02
Go Deep on Compliance & Risk Management
Compliance & Risk Management is 25% of the exam per HRCI, so it gets the most class time.
03
Practice With Scenarios
HRCI exams use scenario items that ask for the best answer. We practice that style every session.
04
Be Ready for Test Day
You'll know the format cold: 65 scored questions plus 25 unscored pretest questions in 1 hour and 45 minutes.
05
Apply Employee Relations
Employee Relations is 24% of the aPHR exam per HRCI, so we work it through with practical scenarios.
06
Plan Your Application
Confirm your aPHR eligibility, file with HRCI and book Pearson VUE with confidence.
Who Should Attend
- People starting a career in HR.
- Managers and business owners who handle HR without formal training.
- Career changers and transitioning service members moving into HR.
- Students and recent grads who want an HR credential early.
- Military members transitioning into civilian HR roles.
- Administrative staff who already handle HR tasks.
Prerequisites
- HRCI says no HR experience is required for the aPHR.
- We don't add any enrollment prerequisites of our own. You can take the class before your HRCI application is approved.
Pathway Map
aPHR Course Pathway
Every module opens with the exam domain it maps to, so you can see how the pieces fit together across the course.
Course Content
- The overall purpose and desired outcomes of employee orientation for new hires and/or internal hires
- The concept of instructional design and components of commonly used models and methods for developing an organizational learning strategy
- Elements and suitable applications for various training formats and delivery techniques
- The concept, purpose, and key/desired outcomes of a change management process
- The elements involved in developing and administering an organization’s compensation strategy, such as pay structures, pay adjustments and incentive programs
- Health benefit and insurance programs including, eligibility requirements, enrollment periods and various designs
- Supplemental wellness and fringe benefit programs commonly offered by organizations
- Employee eligibility for, and enrollment in retirement plans, and rules regarding contributions and withdrawals
- 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
- Techniques used to engage employees, collect feedback, and improve employee satisfaction
- Workforce management throughout the employee lifecycle, including performance management and employee behavior issues
- Applicable laws and regulations related to talent acquisition, training, and employee/employer rights and responsibilities, such as nondiscrimination, accommodation, and work authorization
- Applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes affecting employment in union environments
- Applicable laws and regulations related to compensation and benefits, such as monetary and non-monetary entitlement, wage and hour
- Applicable laws and regulations related to workplace health, safety, security, and privacy
Course Features
How We Teach It
Expert-Led Classes
Live instruction with time for questions, so you aren't figuring out the hard parts alone.
Outline Mapping
Every module maps to a functional area in the official aPHR exam content outline.
Practice Questions
Scenario based practice questions with explanations for every answer.
Application Help
We help you check eligibility, apply with HRCI and book your exam with Pearson VUE.
Certification Exam
aPHR exam details
aPHR Exam Readiness
Our class maps to the official aPHR outline so you walk in knowing what to expect.
Per HRCI, the aPHR exam runs 1 hour and 45 minutes plus 30 minutes of administration time, with 65 scored questions and 25 pretest questions. It's a computer based exam taken at a Pearson VUE test center or online at home or work with OnVUE. Fees are a $100 application fee plus a $300 exam fee, $400 total, and HRCI doesn't refund an approved application. The credential is valid for three years, and you keep it by earning 45 recertification credits or retaking the exam. Source: https://www.hrci.org/certifications/individual-certifications/aphr
Exam Format
aPHR Exam at a Glance
Questions
65 scored questions plus 25 unscored pretest questions.
Time
1 hour and 45 minutes plus 30 minutes of administration time.
Delivery
Computer based, at a Pearson VUE test center or online at home or work with OnVUE.
Fees
$100 application fee plus $300 exam fee, $400 total, per HRCI.
Eligibility
HRCI says no HR experience is required for the aPHR.
Recertification
Valid for three years. Keep it by earning 45 recertification credits or retaking the exam.
Careers
Where the aPHR Can Take You
People use the aPHR to land a first HR role, to formalize HR duties they already handle, or to show a hiring manager they are serious about an HR career change.
HR Assistant
Supports recruiting, onboarding and HR records.
HR Coordinator
Runs day to day HR processes for a team or site.
Recruiting Coordinator
Schedules interviews and manages candidate communication.
Office or Operations Manager
Handles HR tasks in a small business without a dedicated HR team.
Study Plan
How We Prepare You for the aPHR
We assume no HR background. Each session explains the concept, shows how it plays out at work and then practices the kind of question HRCI asks.
Most students prepare over a few weeks. You'll get a study plan by functional area, practice sets and a final review before you book with Pearson VUE.
Start From Zero
No HR jargon assumed. We define terms as we go.
Everyday Examples
Hiring, onboarding, pay and policy examples from real workplaces.
Practice Sets
Short sets after each area and a full length practice exam.
Booking Help
We walk you through the HRCI application and Pearson VUE scheduling.
Funding
Paying for aPHR Training
We are an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor, so eligible service members can often use those programs toward aPHR training. Your education counselor decides what gets approved, and we help you put the paperwork together.
If you're paying yourself or through your employer, PathPay spreads tuition into monthly payments. Email info@accumentum.net and we will send a quote for the aPHR class that you can pass to a manager or training budget owner.
Army CA
Send us your request details and we will provide the course quote and documents your counselor asks for.
Air Force COOL
We are an approved vendor. We help you confirm the credential is on your COOL list before you apply.
PathPay
Monthly payments instead of one lump sum. See the PathPay page for current terms.
Employer Paid
We provide quotes and course outlines your employer can use to approve the spend.
Domain Guide
aPHR Domains in Detail
Talent Acquisition (19%)
Methods to identify staffing needs and guide talent acquisition efforts Talent sourcing tools and techniques to identify and engage prospective candidates Recruiting procedures and strategies for screening and selecting qualified applicants The lifecycle of hiring and onboarding a selected applicant
Learning & Development (15%)
The overall purpose and desired outcomes of employee orientation for new hires and/or internal hires The concept of instructional design and components of commonly used models and methods for developing an organizational learning strategy Elements and suitable applications for various training formats and delivery techniques The concept, purpose, and key/desired outcomes of a change management process
Compensation & Benefits (17%)
The elements involved in developing and administering an organization’s compensation strategy, such as pay structures, pay adjustments and incentive programs Health benefit and insurance programs including, eligibility requirements, enrollment periods and various designs Supplemental wellness and fringe benefit programs commonly offered by organizations Employee eligibility for, and enrollment in retirement plans, and rules regarding contributions and withdrawals
Employee Relations (24%)
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 Techniques used to engage employees, collect feedback, and improve employee satisfaction Workforce management throughout the employee lifecycle, including performance management and employee behavior issues
Compliance & Risk Management (25%)
Applicable laws and regulations related to talent acquisition, training, and employee/employer rights and responsibilities, such as nondiscrimination, accommodation, and work authorization Applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes affecting employment in union environments Applicable laws and regulations related to compensation and benefits, such as monetary and non-monetary entitlement, wage and hour Applicable laws and regulations related to workplace health, safety, security, and privacy
After the Exam
Applying, Testing and Staying Certified
You apply with HRCI first. Once your application is approved, you schedule your aPHR exam with Pearson VUE at a test center or online with OnVUE. HRCI does not refund an approved application, so we help you check eligibility before you pay.
After you pass, the aPHR is valid for three years. To keep it, you earn 45 recertification credits in that time or retake the exam. We point you to the kinds of learning that count so recertification doesn't sneak up on you.
Keep Exploring
Related Courses and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our aPHR class and the exam.
The Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) is an HRCI credential. Details are on the official page at https://www.hrci.org/certifications/individual-certifications/aphr.
No. We're an independent training provider and we aren't an HRCI partner. Our course follows the public HRCI exam content outline. HRCI sells its own prep materials at hrci.org.
HRCI lists a $100 application fee plus a $300 exam fee, $400 total. Once an application is approved, HRCI doesn't give refunds.
HRCI says no HR experience is required for the aPHR.
Yes. HRCI offers the exam year round at Pearson VUE test centers or online with OnVUE.
We are an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. Email info@accumentum.net and we will help you check what your benefit covers.
No. HRCI says no HR experience is required for the aPHR.
HRCI lists 1 hour and 45 minutes plus 30 minutes of administration time, with 65 scored and 25 pretest questions.
HRCI requires 45 recertification credits over three years, or you can retake the exam.
If you do not yet meet the PHR experience requirement, the aPHR is the place to start. You can move to the PHR once you qualify.
Enrollment
Enroll in aPHR Training
Ready to start? Register on our registration page or email info@accumentum.net with questions about the aPHR class.
Start Your aPHR Prep
Questions about schedules or funding? Email info@accumentum.net.