HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) exams will soon be made available to more locations worldwide. The HR certification organization announced a partnership with computer-based testing provide Pearson VUE, in which HRCI will utilize Pearson VUE’s network of 5,000 test centers to deliver exams for its suite of certification exams. 
The availability of year-round testing via Pearson VUE’s test centers will be effective March 1, 2018, according to a joint press release by the two organizations.
“In addition to year-round testing, candidates for HRCI credentials will now have expanded access to the Pearson VUE network of global test centers,” said Dr Amy Schabacker Dufrane, SPHR, CAE, the CEO of HRCI, said in the release. “Working with Pearson VUE, HRCI will continue to provide the most trusted, respected and recognized credentials for HR excellence worldwide.”
“With a team of PhD-level measurement scientists, Pearson VUE will continue to work with HRCI subject matter experts to apply global best practices in creating valid, fair and reliable exams that measure increasingly important competence and practice-based experience in the HR field,” added Bob Whelan, President of Pearson Assessments. “We’re looking forward to working with HRCI to continue the development and delivery of its impressive HR certification programs.”
HRCI also announced that it will offer a new credential beginning May 2018: The Associate Professional in Human Resources – International™ (aPHRi™) will be a “designation of foundational knowledge for students, early-career HR professionals, non-HR practitioners and those transitioning into HR roles.” For more information about HRCI’s seven existing credentials and group certification programs, visit HRCI.org.