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Pass Your HR Certification
with Confidence.

Live, instructor-led prep for the PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP exams — in partnership with Distinctive HR and HR industry leader David Siler.

DHR
In partnership with Distinctive HR — founded by David Siler, SPHR, GPHR, SHRM-SCP
HR Certification prep course
90%+
Pass Rate
40yrs
David’s Experience
🎥

Not sure if you’re ready?

Attend our FREE 60-minute LIVE preview webinar — HR Certification Prep: What’s It All About? — and get your questions answered before you commit.

Register Free
90%+
Pass Rate
1,500+
Practice Questions
25+
Years of Expertise
8–12
Weeks to Certify
Why This Course

A certification is more than a credential.
It’s a career accelerator.

Through our partnership with Distinctive HR, Catapult delivers the industry’s most comprehensive instructor-led prep program. Built around the actual HRCI and SHRM content outlines, every hour you invest maps directly to what you’ll face on test day.

🎯

Built to the Exam

Coursework follows the exact HRCI and SHRM content outlines — and targets the high-probability items so you don’t waste study time on filler.

👪

Live Instruction

Small-cohort, instructor-led sessions with David Siler and the Distinctive HR team — plus a weekly live Q&A “hour-of-power.”

🎓

Flex from Anywhere

All-virtual format means you can attend from work, home, or the road. Scheduling flexibility without sacrificing live interaction.

🧠

The Seven Princes Framework

David’s proprietary framework for thinking like a strategic HR leader — the mindset built into the SPHR exam. Exclusive to this program.

Tools & Resources

Everything you need.
Nothing you don’t.

Built for how adults actually learn — audio, video, flashcards, practice quizzes, and live lecture working together so the material sticks.

Rather than lean on a single study manual, our program wraps the HRCI and SHRM content in the formats learners prefer — so you’re not just memorizing. You’re mastering.

Study Manual
PowerPoint booklet of slides
David Siler’s Seven Princes book
Virtual flashcards
Downloadable / streaming audio files
Hundreds of practice exam questions online
Testing games & videos on tough topics
Learning Management System (LMS) access
Live Online Office Hours with the Instructor
Best practices for standardized test-taking
Comprehensive final practice exam
Recognized & Approved By
HRCI

HRCI Approved Provider

PHR & SPHR Exam Prep

SHRM

SHRM Preferred Provider

SHRM-CP & SHRM-SCP Prep

DHR
Partner

Distinctive HR Partnership

Led by David Siler

Meet Your Instructors

Taught by people who’ve been where you are.

Three instructors. Decades of combined experience. All actively credentialed. All guiding you through to exam day.

David Siler

Founder · Distinctive HR

40 years as a senior-level HR practitioner and 30 years guiding candidates through cert prep. Author and creator of the DHR learning system and the Seven Princes framework. Former Fortune 100 HR executive. Award-winning lecturer and thought leader. Master’s in Psychology.

PHRSPHRGPHRSHRM-SCP

Ken Defeo

Instructor · Since 2012

27+ years in compensation and benefits. VP of APAC Compensation at GXO Logistics. Expertise across Strategic Planning, Comp & Benefits, Affirmative Action, Compliance, Employment Law, Talent Acquisition, and Talent Management. BA in Business Administration & Economics.

SPHRSHRM-SCP

Brittany Siler

Instructor

7+ years in HR cert prep. Among the first group to sit the aPHR exam, and holds all HRCI and SHRM core credentials. Has helped build new instructor-led programs, edited quiz & text materials, and created instructional videos. BS in Animal Science; BA in Psychology.

aPHRPHRSPHRSHRM-CPSHRM-SCP
Before You Enroll

The details, up front.

We’d rather over-share than surprise you. Here’s everything you need to know about registering, materials, and scheduling.

  • Materials shipping fee will be added at checkout.
  • All classes are virtual with live instruction.
  • Study course times are Eastern Standard Time.
  • For specific class dates within a session, click the blue dates button on the registration page.
  • All registrants must pay on or before the first day of class to receive materials.
  • We recommend paying by credit card. Checks must be mailed at least two weeks prior to class start.
  • Materials arrive on or around the session start date.
  • If you cancel after receiving materials, a nonrefundable $500 materials fee applies.
  • Webinar log-in instructions are sent 24 hours before the session, and again 1 hour before class.
  • LMS access begins on the first day of your class.
  • Once a class closes on our website, please choose a future date.
  • To register for a closed class, email Learning@letscatapult.org.
  • Only credit card payments are accepted for closed classes.
  • A $150 late fee is added to process a late registration.
  • We cannot guarantee materials will arrive in time for the first night of class.
  • For online exam scheduling and delivery, visit hrci.org and shrm.org.
Success Stories

What course graduates are saying.

★★★★★

“I absolutely LOVED this web-based Study Course. I’ve taken the ‘traditional’ SHRM 12-week course and talk about boring lectures. David’s prep course is hands down the best.”

— Tammy Schmitt
HR Manager, CertainTeed Corp
★★★★★

“The variety of learning methods — audio, online sample tests, flash cards, study manual — was a tremendous help. The classroom lectures truly got me engaged in all aspects of Human Resources.”

— Laura Tomanelli, SPHR
HR Generalist, Village of Pinehurst
★★★★★

“David Siler’s exceptionally prepared lectures and materials covered every base and increased my confidence ten-fold. The best preparation around.”

— Nancy M. Rodgers, PHR
HR Manager, Rural Health Group
Frequently Asked

Questions, answered.

How long is the certification course?
Course length varies by credential and format. Typical instructor-led prep programs run 8–12 weeks with weekly live sessions, giving you enough time to work through all exam domains thoroughly. We’ll match a timeline to your target exam date when we talk through your plan.
Who teaches the course?
The course is taught by Distinctive HR — founded and led by David Siler, author of the DHR learning system and the Seven Princes framework. David has 40 years of senior-level HR experience and 30 years guiding candidates through cert prep. He is joined by instructors Ken Defeo (SPHR, SHRM-SCP) and Brittany Siler (all HRCI and SHRM core certs).
What’s included in the course?
Study Manual, PowerPoint booklet, David Siler’s Seven Princes book, virtual flashcards, downloadable/streaming audio, online access to hundreds of practice exam questions, testing games and videos, LMS access, Online Office Hours with the instructor, test-taking best practices, and a comprehensive final practice exam.
Can you customize this training for my team?
Our HR training is built on the foundations of compliance with employment regulations and best practices. We can build customized training programs tailored to your industry, your existing HR policies, and the specific gaps or challenges your team faces. Private team training is one of our most popular offerings because it delivers directly relevant content without the one-size-fits-all approach.
What is the pass rate?
Candidates of this course consistently achieve pass rates above national averages for both HRCI and SHRM exams — our program enjoys a 90%+ pass rate. The instructor-led approach, real-world context, and structured exam domain coverage are the consistent factors behind our candidates’ success.
What happens if I don’t pass on my first attempt?
We support our candidates through the process — including retakes. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, we’ll work with you to identify which domains need more focus and build a targeted study plan for your next sitting. Contact us after your exam and we’ll figure out next steps together.

Ready to start your certification journey?

Choose the format that fits your schedule — live instructor-led or self-paced. Not sure yet? Attend our FREE preview webinar to see the program in action before you commit.

Disclaimer: The HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) does not endorse any particular preparation program or offering. We encourage prospective certification holders to use a variety of resources that reflect their learning styles and needs. Purchasing a certification product is NOT required and HRCI does not guarantee that an individual will pass based on the purchase of a certification preparation product.