Updated July 2026
Introduction
The ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist - Human Resources Exam Specification document defines the purpose, audience, testing options, exam content coverage, test framework, and prerequisites for earning the Certified Implementation Specialist - Human Resources certification.
Exam Purpose
The Certified Implementation Specialist – Human Resources exam confirms you have the knowledge and skills to configure, implement, and maintain the ServiceNow HR suite. This certification validates their ability to manage HR architecture, configure core applications and Employee Center, implement HR Journeys, and apply security to protect HR data. Certified individuals optimize HR service delivery and enhance employee experience.
Exam Audience
The ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist – Human Resources certification demonstrates that a successful candidate has the skills and essential knowledge to contribute to the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the ServiceNow Human Resources suite of applications. Here is the recommended experience:
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- Three to six months of field experience participating in ServiceNow deployment projects or maintaining ServiceNow instances
- Participation in at least one ServiceNow HR deployment project
- Practical knowledge of Human Resources processes and some knowledge of IT Service Request workflows is also helpful
- Specific HR Applications
- HR Case Management
- Lifecycle Events
- Journey Designer
- HR Integrations
- HR Administration
- HR Dashboards & Reports
- For each HR application, know the following
- Baseline application functionality, features, tables, and roles installed with each application
- Basic and advanced operations performed by HR users and the system
- System architecture and security
- Key tables used in the application and their relationships
- Roles and default Access Controls
- Integration capabilities
- Selection of appropriate features and functions to meet business requirements
- Implementation approaches to meet requirements that preserve upgradability, scalability, and maintainability
Exam Preparation
Exam questions are based on official ServiceNow training materials, the ServiceNow Product documentation site for the HR product, the ServiceNow Product Documentation site for Employee Center and the ServiceNow developer site. Study materials posted elsewhere online are not official and should not be used to prepare for the examination.
ServiceNow recommends completing these training course(s) in preparation for the Certified Implementation Specialist - Human Resources exam.
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- Welcome to ServiceNow
- ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals
- Get Started with Now Create
- ServiceNow Platform Implementation
- Employee Center Essentials
- Introduction to HR Service Delivery
- Human Resources (HR) Fundamentals
- Human Resources (HR) Implementation
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Additional Resources
In addition to the above, these additional resources are valuable in preparation for the exam.
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- Candidate Journey Guide – a resource to guide you through the entire certification process
- Human Resources (HR) Simulator
- Service Portal Fundamentals
- Performance Analytics Fundamentals & Advanced
- ServiceNow Localization Fundamentals
- Common Service Data Model (CSDM)
- Configuration Management Database (CMDB) Fundamentals
- Continual Improvement Management Essentials
- Workforce Optimization Essentials
- Process Optimization Essentials
- Get Started with Universal Request
- Official practice exams are available through our trusted partner, MeasureUp — please refer to Knowledge Article KB0013408 for more information on how to access them.
Exam Scope
This table shows the exam domains, weightings, sub-topics, and the percentage of questions represented in each domain. The listed sub-skills should NOT be considered an all-inclusive list of the exam content.
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Number of Domains
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Exam Domain
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Percent of Exam
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1
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Describe and use the ServiceNow HR System Architecture
- Plugins
- HR Table Structure
- Application Scoping
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30%
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2
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Configure and Implement ServiceNow Core HR Applications and Employee Center
- Users, Groups, Skills, and Roles
- Assignment Rules
- HR Service, HR Catalog Items, and Record Producers
- Employee Center Branding
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40%
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3
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Describe and Use Platform, Role, and Contextual Security
- Describe how Platform, role, and contextual security are used in ServiceNow
- Understand how the Delegated Developer role works
- Understand how to configure security options to protect HR data
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30%
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Total
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100%
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Exam Registration
Step 1: Register for your exam
- Registration = payment. This step secures your exam attempt. Learning credits and credit card payments are accepted. Instructor-led training completion includes one free exam attempt. Discounted exam pricing may be available through associated company benefits.
- You can register at any time. Once registered, you have 90 days to schedule and complete your exam.
- Exam fees are non-refundable. Register only when you are prepared to schedule your exam.
Step 2: Schedule your exam
- Click here to register for the CIS-HR exam. Note: ServiceNow provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities or English as a Second Language (ESL) while taking the certification exam.
- Schedule within 90 days. After registration, you must schedule your exam appointment and complete your exam within 90 days.
Step 3: Choose your exam delivery method
- From the My Exams page, you will be directed to Pearson.
- Choose to take your exam at a Pearson test center or online with OnVUE, where proctors observe via a webcam.
Step 4: Complete your exam
- If you do not complete your exam within 90 days, your registration will expire, and you will need to register and pay the full exam fee again (start at step 1 again).
Exam Structure
Exam Duration
The exam duration is 90 minutes.
Number of Items
The exam consists of 60 questions.
Multiple Choice (single answer)
For each multiple-choice question on the exam, there are at least three possible responses. Select the correct response.
Multiple Select (select all that apply)
There are at least four possible responses for each multiple-select question on the exam. The question will state how many responses should be selected. Select ALL correct responses. Partial credit is not provided.
Exam Result
An exam result notification is immediately displayed as a *conditional pass or fail after completing and submitting the exam.
In addition, an exam result report is available and shows your exam result and the percentage of items in each section you answered correctly. Your exam result is conditional, meaning your results are preliminary and may be updated upon final review.
*A conditional result means the exam can be audited and reviewed at any time, and the certification may be revoked after investigation if it is found that the ServiceNow Test Security Policies have been violated.
Understanding Your Results:
Each question on the exam is worth one point. Your total score is compared to a predetermined cut score - this score is not publicly shared and is not always 70% - to determine a pass or fail outcome. The section percentages on the exam result notification show how you performed in each domain, but they do not determine your overall result, should not be averaged, and do not indicate expertise.
If You Pass:
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- You will earn the Certified Implementation Specialist – Human Resources certification and receive a Credly digital badge to showcase your achievement.
- To maintain your certification, complete annual maintenance exams (deltas) and pay the yearly Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) fee.
If You Do Not Pass:
- Review the exam blueprint and the recommended training before retaking the exam.
- The retake policy requires a waiting period between attempts and payment of the exam fee for each attempt.
Sample Questions
Sample Item #1:
In which application scope is the HR Case Management application?
A. Human Resources: Integrations
B. Human Resources: Core
C. Human Resources: Lifecycle Events
D. Human Resources: Service Portal
Answer: B
Sample Item #2:
How many COEs may be associated with an HR Service?
A. 1
B. 5
C. 10
D. Unlimited
Answer: A
Sample Item #3:
What determines if an employee can view a Knowledge article on the Employee Center?
A. Can / Cannot Contribute User Criteria
B. Can / Cannot Read HR Criteria
C. Can / Cannot Read User Criteria
D. Can / Cannot Read ACL Criteria
Answer: C
Sample Item #4:
Which of these options allow an HR Administrator to configure a personal copy of the HR Case Dashboard? (choose two)
A. Layout
B. Add Content
C. Modify Layout
D. Change Layout
E. Delete Content
Answer: B, D
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