8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a PHP Developer

Before hiring a PHP developer, ask questions that reveal how they keep code secure, current and maintainable, not just whether they know a framework. Good candidates can explain supported PHP versions, common web vulnerabilities, coding standards, testing habits and how they would handle your existing codebase, with concrete examples from past work.

Key takeaways

  • Ask about supported PHP versions: running end-of-life releases is a security and hiring risk.
  • Security knowledge (input validation, prepared statements, session handling) should be non-negotiable.
  • Standards such as the PHP-FIG recommendations and automated tests signal code others can maintain.
  • A short, paid work sample beats trivia questions for judging real ability.

Why PHP hiring needs a sharper screen

PHP still powers a large share of websites, content management systems and internal business tools, so the talent pool is wide and uneven. A developer who learned on older versions may write code that works but is hard to secure or upgrade. Many business applications also carry years of legacy code, so the hire needs to read and improve existing work, not only build new features.

Before you write a job post, decide whether you need a full-time hire, a contractor or a partner. Our comparison of AI tools versus outsourcing for software development can help frame that choice.

The 8 questions to ask

1. Which PHP versions have you worked with, and how do you plan upgrades?

The official PHP site publishes a supported versions table. Each branch gets two years of active support and then two years of security fixes only, after which it reaches end of life. A strong candidate knows which branches are current and can describe an upgrade they handled, including deprecated features they had to replace.

2. How do you prevent SQL injection and cross-site scripting?

Listen for prepared statements or parameterized queries, output escaping, input validation and framework protections. Ask them to name items from the OWASP Top 10, the widely used reference list of critical web application security risks.

3. Which coding standards do you follow?

Many teams follow the PHP Standards Recommendations from PHP-FIG, such as PSR-4 for autoloading and PSR-12 for coding style. The answer matters less than whether they follow a shared standard and use tools to enforce it.

4. How do you test your code?

Ask how they write unit and integration tests, what coverage they aim for on critical paths and how tests run in a deployment pipeline. Developers with no testing habit create costly regressions.

5. Which frameworks and package tools do you use, and why?

Composer for dependency management is standard. Ask how they decide when to use a framework and how they keep dependencies patched.

6. Walk me through a performance problem you solved.

Good answers include measuring first, identifying slow queries or missing caching, and confirming the fix with data.

7. How would you approach our legacy codebase?

Look for a plan: read before rewriting, add tests around risky areas, refactor in small steps and document decisions.

8. How do you handle secrets and configuration?

Credentials should live in environment variables or a secrets manager, never in the repository. Ask how they separate development, staging and production settings.

How to score answers consistently

Use a simple rubric so every interviewer judges candidates on the same basis.

AreaWeak answerStrong answer
VersionsUnsure which versions are supportedNames current branches and describes an upgrade
SecurityRelies on "the framework handles it"Explains specific controls and why they work
StandardsNo consistent styleFollows a shared standard enforced by tooling
TestingTests manually in the browserAutomated tests run on every change
Legacy codeWants to rewrite everythingIncremental refactoring with tests first

Pair the interview with a short, paid work sample that mirrors real tasks, such as fixing a bug in a small sample application. Resumes can look polished while skills lag, a risk covered in our article on hiring people who only look perfect on paper.

Common mistakes when hiring PHP talent

  • Testing memorized syntax instead of problem solving.
  • Skipping a code review of a candidate's past work or sample.
  • Hiring for one framework when the real need is general web engineering.
  • Ignoring communication skills for a role that works with business users.
  • Giving no onboarding plan for a complex legacy system.

If you are considering an external team rather than an individual, our list of nearshore software development companies offers a starting point for vendor research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a PHP developer know a specific framework?

Framework experience speeds onboarding if your application uses that framework, but strong fundamentals matter more. A developer who understands HTTP, security, databases, testing and modern PHP can learn a new framework quickly. Prioritize framework experience only when your timeline leaves no room for learning or your codebase relies heavily on framework internals.

How long should a PHP coding test take?

Keep take-home work to a few hours and pay for it when possible. Long unpaid tests discourage experienced candidates who have other options. A focused task, such as fixing a bug and adding a test, followed by a discussion of their choices, reveals more than a large project and respects the candidate's time.

Is PHP still a good choice for business applications?

For many web applications and content systems, yes. PHP has active releases with published support timelines, a mature package ecosystem and a large talent pool. The bigger risk is usually an outdated version or poorly maintained code, which is why upgrade and testing questions belong in every interview.

Next steps

Write down the PHP version, frameworks and integrations your application uses, turn the eight questions into an interview guide with the rubric above, and prepare a short paid work sample. Include a senior engineer in the final review of code samples.

Last reviewed: October 2026.

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