Qualifying Credit-Earning Activities

Recertification is required every three years. Professionals need to earn 60 professional development credits (PDCs) in order to recertify.

SHRM has addressed the needs of HR professional by creating three avenues by which SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential-holders can earn recertification credits: Advance Your Education, Advance Your Organization, and Advance Your Profession. 

ADVANCE YOUR EDUCATION / No PDC maximum per recertification period

Instructor-Led or Self-Paced Continuing Education Activities


NEW from SHRM: SHRM Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential (25 PDCs), SHRM California Law HR Specialty Credential (25 PDCs), and the SHRM Foundation Veterans at Work Certificate Program (10 PDCs FREE).

Through SHRM's Recertification Provider Program when you see the SHRM Recertification Provider seal, you can trust that these programs have been preapproved for SHRM PDCs. Search our current listing of recertification providers in areas local to you and competency specific. Pre-Approved Activities »   

PDCs are calculated in 15-minute increments. Each 15- minute increment = .25, or a quarter, of one hour. 1-hour educational program = 1 PDC

ADVANCE YOUR ORGANIZATION / 20 PDC maximum per recertification period

Work Projects

Supervisor-endorsed work projects that meet or support organizational goals and demonstrate or advance capabilities in one or more HR Competencies. To be awarded credit, upload documentation to your certification portal providing a defined project objective, a description of the project and your level of involvement, and how the project related to all applicable HR competencies. 

PDCs are calculated based on time spent working on a project. Qualifying work projects fall into one of only two categories:

  • 50+ hours spent and a minimum of 3+ months = 10 PDCs
  • 100+ hours spent and a minimum of 6+ months = 20 PDCs

ADVANCE YOUR PROFESSION / 30 PDC Maximum per recertification period

Thought Leadership and Volunteer Activities

Activities that contribute to the development of the HR profession and the community.

  • Professional membership
  • Volunteer leadership
  • Speaking at conferences
  • Research, writing and publishing

For complete information on how PDCs are earned through each activity review the Recertification Handbook »


Interested in what a completed path to 60 PDCs might look like? Download the Recertification Process Infographic »


Maintain and grow your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP via the SHRM Certification app!

  • Easily add your PDCs under the Advance Your Education section.
  • Track all of the activities you have already added to your record.
  • Find upcoming approved activities in your area.
  • Search and filter by competencies or date, or use your location to find activities close to you.
  • Receive notification when you are eligible to apply for recertification.

Download now from the iTunes App Store or Google Play!

View a video tutorial on the app here.


These categories parallel the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK) three main elements of Strategic Mindset/Effective Individual Performance, Successful Business Outcomes and Advancing the HR Profession, respectively—further evidence of the relevance of these credentials to the contemporary practice of HR.