PHRca Exam Information and Outline
Professional in Human Resources - California
PHRca Exam Syllabus & Study Guide
Before you start practicing with our exam simulator, it is essential to understand the
official PHRca exam objectives. This course outline serves as your roadmap.
The information below reflects the 2026 syllabus defined by
HRCI.
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
| Functional Area | No. | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Functional Area 01: Compensation and Benefits (19%) | 01 | California wage and hour laws (minimum wage, overtime, double-time). |
| 02 | Meal and rest period requirements and penalties. | |
| 03 | Wage payment requirements (timing, final pay, deductions, commissions). | |
| 04 | California-specific leaves of absence (PDL, CFRA, paid sick leave). | |
| 05 | Employee classification (exempt vs. non-exempt, independent contractor ABC test). | |
| 06 | Unemployment and disability insurance (SDI, PFL). | |
| 07 | Reporting time pay and split-shift premiums. | |
| 08 | Public works and prevailing wage requirements. | |
| Functional Area 02: Employment Relations and Employee Engagement (21%) | 01 | California's "at-will" employment and its exceptions. |
| 02 | Proprietary information and non-compete restrictions in California. | |
| 03 | Employee privacy rights (monitoring, personnel files, drug testing). | |
| 04 | Discipline and discharge processes (progressive discipline, documentation). | |
| 05 | Union-management relations and agricultural labor laws (ALRA). | |
| 06 | Engagement and retention strategies tailored to California's workforce. | |
| 07 | Investigations of employee complaints (harassment, retaliation). | |
| Functional Area 03: Talent Acquisition and Development (19%) | 01 | California fair hiring practices (Ban the Box, salary history ban). |
| 02 | Pre-employment testing and background check requirements. | |
| 03 | Recruiting and sourcing for California-based roles. | |
| 04 | Onboarding requirements (Form I-9, Wage Theft Prevention Act notices). | |
| 05 | California-mandated training (sexual harassment prevention, safety). | |
| 06 | Competency-based performance management. | |
| 07 | Career development and promotion practices. | |
| 08 | Methods to measure training ROI and workforce readiness. | |
| Functional Area 04: Health, Safety, and Risk Management (16%) | 01 | Cal/OSHA standards and compliance requirements. |
| 02 | Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (IIPP). | |
| 03 | California Workers' Compensation system and reporting. | |
| 04 | Workplace violence prevention and response strategies. | |
| 05 | Ergonomics and repetitive motion injury requirements. | |
| 06 | Emergency action and fire prevention planning. | |
| 07 | Drug-free workplace issues in the context of legal cannabis. | |
| 08 | Risk assessment and mitigation techniques. | |
| 09 | Business continuity and disaster recovery planning. | |
| Functional Area 05: Compliance and Business Strategy (25%) | 01 | California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). |
| 02 | Legislative and regulatory monitoring in California. | |
| 03 | HR’s role in organizational strategic planning. | |
| 04 | Reporting requirements for EEO and pay data (SB 973). | |
| 05 | Impact of globalization and remote work on California compliance. | |
| 06 | Mass layoff and plant closing requirements (California WARN). | |
| 07 | Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. | |
| 08 | Legal and ethical standards for HR professionals in California. |