PSHRA-CP
PSHRA-CP (Public Sector HR Association Certified Professional)
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
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ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The PSHRA-CP is a certification issued by the Public Sector HR Association for entry-level and mid-level public sector HR professionals - people holding or targeting titles such as HR assistant, recruitment specialist, HR manager, or compensation and benefits analyst. It is earned by passing an exam that validates experience, knowledge, and skills; PSHRA states that preparation courses are not available for the exam. The exam is built on six content domains and their published weights: Compliance, Documentation and Policy Development (17%), Recruitment and Selection Processes (44%), Classification and Compensation (12%), Employee and Labor Relations and Performance Management (15%), Employee Benefits Programs and Plans (6%), and HR Information Systems and Data Analysis (6%). The exam is computer-based and taken from home under live remote proctoring using the Weblock locked browser, available 24/7 year-round except December 24 and 25. After paying the registration fee you have a 14-day exam window. Candidates who do not pass wait 90 days before a retake, and there is no limit on attempts, though the retake fee applies each time. Because no official study guide exists, preparation means building your own plan around the published domain weights, with roughly half your study time on recruitment and selection. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by PSHRA.
What you'll study
About PSHRA-CP preparation
How is the PSHRA-CP exam delivered?
It is a computer-based exam taken from home with a live remote proctor; PSHRA does not use testing facilities. You need the Weblock secure browser installed, a computer or laptop with a webcam, a mobile phone with a front-facing camera, and a government-issued photo ID. Scratch paper and pencil are optional. Chromebooks and iPads do not work with Weblock.
How long is my exam window once I register?
Your exam window is 14 days from the time you pay the registration fee, and registration typically completes within one hour of payment. If you choose Pay Later at checkout, the 14-day access period starts when payment is applied. Exam registration fees are non-refundable, and missing the window means re-enrolling in the program.
What happens if I do not pass?
You must wait 90 days before attempting the retake, and PSHRA emails a reminder when that period ends. There is no limit to the number of attempts, but the retake exam fee is required for each attempt. Registration fees are non-refundable, so budget for the possibility of more than one attempt.
Is there an official study guide or prep course?
No. PSHRA states the exams are designed to test current knowledge, so there are no study guides or courses associated with them. That means your preparation has to be self-directed: use the published domain weights to allocate time, and lean on your day-to-day public sector HR experience rather than memorizing a fixed body of material.
Which domain should I spend the most time on?
Recruitment and Selection Processes, at 44% - nearly half the exam. Compliance, Documentation and Policy Development follows at 17%, then Employee and Labor Relations and Performance Management at 15% and Classification and Compensation at 12%. Employee Benefits Programs and Plans and HR Information Systems and Data Analysis are 6% each, so together they account for only about an eighth of the exam.
When can I actually sit for the exam?
Proctored exams run 24/7 year-round except December 24 and 25. Annually, proctors are unavailable from 11:59 PM Central on December 23 through 12:01 AM Central on December 26. Because you control the 14-day window, PSHRA recommends registering only when you are ready to test rather than paying early.
What technical setup causes the most problems?
Browser and hardware mismatches. Weblock must be installed before you register or log on - without it you cannot take the exam from home - and PSHRA advises using the Try Weblock link to confirm the install works. Chromebooks and iPads are incompatible, and you need both a webcam-equipped computer and a separate front-facing phone camera.
Can I get testing accommodations?
Yes. Accommodation requests are handled through PSHRA's Certification Exam Accommodations Form rather than through the proctor or the registration checkout. Submit the form before you pay, since the 14-day exam window begins at payment and registration fees are non-refundable once paid.
How should I sequence my study time?
Front-load recruitment and selection until you can explain the full hiring flow without notes, then move to compliance and policy documentation, then employee and labor relations and performance management. Treat classification, compensation, benefits, and HRIS as shorter final passes. Build in a review week before you pay the fee, since paying starts the clock on your 14-day window.