You have one year after your purchase date to complete all elements.
What's Your Specialty?
Build specialized knowledge and expand your influence by earning a SHRM Specialty Credential. These credentials allow HR professionals to demonstrate targeted competence in several key areas while enhancing credibility among peers and employers. Earning a SHRM Specialty Credential is an investment in your continued career development and can be accomplished by engaging in content-specific, competency-based education and achieving a successful score on an online assessment or project.
Specialty Credentials are an approved professional development activity for recertification credits towards your SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® certification.
The SHRM AI+HI Specialty Credential was absolutely amazing! The instructor...brought incredible energy and engagement to every session. Her ability to make the material come alive through real-world examples, practical tips, and interactive breakout rooms truly elevated the experience. I appreciated how well-rounded the class was, offering not just theory but tools and techniques I can apply right away. It was hands down one of the most impactful and engaging learning sessions I've attended.
Jenna Ivkovich, SHRM-CP, Lechler, Inc.
The SHRM Workplace Investigations Specialty Credential was informative, well paced and interactive. Very helpful to work through an actual case using the techniques we were learning throughout the day. I will be implementing what I have learned when working HR cases moving forward...Highly recommend this course series.
Marli Barkee-Wolff, Martin County School District
The SHRM People Analytics Specialty Credential was everything I hoped it would be and then some. From feeling intimidated about my desire to tell stories with numbers to feeling I am on the right path is an understatement. This has sparked a new found passion and I look forward to delving deeper into the field.
Cathy Evans, SHRM-SCP, PPMW
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Available Specialty Credentials
SHRM AI + HI
Harness the power of artificial intelligence and human ingenuity to optimize HR processes and drive strategic business outcomes. Become a future-ready HR leader by integrating cutting-edge AI tools with human insight, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency.
SHRM California Law HR
Stay ahead of California’s evolving employment laws with in-depth, region-specific expertise. Mitigate legal risks and foster a compliant, inclusive workplace through proactive HR practices tailored to California regulations.
SHRM Foundation Skills First
Lead the shift to skills-based talent management, ensuring fairer, more effective hiring and development practices. Empower your organization to unlock hidden talent and foster agility by prioritizing skills over traditional credentials or degrees.
SHRM HR Department of One
Master the art of solo HR management with practical tools and strategies tailored for single-person HR departments. Increase your impact and efficiency by streamlining processes, ensuring compliance, and delivering comprehensive HR support.
SHRM People Analytics
Elevate your HR decision-making by mastering data-driven strategies that unlock actionable workforce insights. Gain a competitive edge with advanced analytics skills, enabling you to drive organizational performance and demonstrate measurable HR impact.
SHRM Talent Acquisition
Transform your talent strategies with proven, innovative approaches for attracting and retaining top candidates. Enhance your credibility as a recruitment expert, positioning yourself to deliver superior hiring outcomes in a dynamic talent market.
SHRM Total Rewards
Design and implement holistic rewards programs that attract, motivate, and retain top talent. Drive organizational performance by aligning compensation, benefits, and recognition with business goals and employee needs.
SHRM U.S. Employment Immigration
Navigate complex immigration challenges with confidence and support a global workforce. Strengthen your talent pipeline by expertly managing immigration processes and policies, including I-9 and E-Verify compliance.
SHRM Workplace Investigations
Master a 7-step framework for fair, compliant workplace investigations and apply it through a hands-on case study. Resolve issues, protect organizational integrity, and foster trust with consistent, transparent handling of sensitive employee matters.
Specialty Credentials FAQs
Please see our Accessibility policy page for the complete details on what is supported and how to request accommodations.
Specialty Credential programs are available in in-person and virtual formats (pending availability). Please view the program offerings to determine scheduling availability, as they vary.
Yes, you will be given downloadable details when you receive the Welcome Letter for the program.
The test is not timed, but should be completed in one sitting. You will have 3 attempts. This is a non-proctored test that you can take remotely.
A SHRM Specialty Credential is evergreen and does not expire once it is obtained
A SHRM Specialty Credential recognizes competency-based professional development accomplished in a focused practice field. Those completing a SHRM Specialty Credential have demonstrated specialized knowledge in a complex and continually evolving topic area. Once earned, practitioners will receive a certificate of accomplishment and a digital badge verifying their specialty. In addition, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential-holders who complete a SHRM Specialty Credential will have the designated set of professional development credits (PDCs) allotted to the specialty credential automatically uploaded to their SHRM Certification Portal.
The SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) are the most comprehensive competency-based certifications for HR professionals. Based upon a core set of competency and knowledge, the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (SHRM BASK), the SHRM-CP, and the SHRM-SCP provide certificants with a roadmap for achieving vital personal outcomes leading to successes such as leadership opportunities and career growth, as well as organizational successes that could include increased staff engagement, improvement of overall effectiveness and operational efficiency.
SHRM has discontinued the Caltech Specialty Credentials as part of our ongoing efforts to refine and update our credentialing portfolio, ensuring alignment with the evolving demands of the HR profession and the dynamic landscape of the workplace. However, it is important to note that existing Caltech Specialty Credentials remain valid and fully recognized by SHRM. Holders of these credentials continue to benefit from their professional value and recognition within the HR community.