You can earn 3 professional development credits (PDCs) toward recertification by reading an aligned book then writing an essay that meets the program criteria.
SHRM Read for Recertification Credit Program
Read. Write. Recertify.
Reading for recertification credit is a great way to broaden knowledge and earn SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® professional development credits (PDCs) along the way.
Learn how to submit your essay for the SHRM Read-for-Recertification Credit program:
Before You Start:
Confirm Book Alignment: Ensure the book aligns with the SHRM BASK competency model.
Understand Essay Requirements: Essays should reflect your understanding of the book and its relevance to SHRM competencies.
1. Read the Book
- Choose a book from your preferred source (purchase, borrow, or library). There is no registration required for the activity.
2. Submit Your Essay
- Prepare Your Essay:
- Write an essay that demonstrates how the book aligns with SHRM competencies and contributes to your professional development.
- Ensure the essay meets the required standards for submission.
- Submit via Formstack:
- Navigate to the SHRM Read-for-Recertification Credit Program submission form.
- Fill out the required fields (e.g., your name, email, Identify Competency, Full Book Title, and Author Name(s)).
- Upload your essay directly through the form.
- Review and confirm submission.
- Once submitted, your essay will be stored for potential audit purposes during recertification.
- You will receive an email confirmation upon successful submission. Keep this email for your records.
3. Self-Report Your PDCs
Follow these steps to self-report your Professional Development Credits (PDCs) in the SHRM Certification Portal:
- Log in: Go to portal.shrm.org and log into your SHRM Certification Portal.
- Add PDCs: Click "Add PDCs" and select "No" for the question, "Do you have an activity ID?"
- Choose Category: Select "Advance Your Education" as the category.
- Enter Details: Provide:
- Book Title, Start/End Dates, Author Name (speaker/presenter).
- Program Type: Choose "eBook".
- PDCs Earned: Enter 3 PDCs.
- Important: Do not exceed 3 PDCs to avoid an automatic audit flag.
- Submit: Review and click "Submit" to complete.
Program FAQs
About the Program
Currently, the SHRM Certification Recertification Requirements Handbook does not indicate a limit for the number of PDCs earned through self-paced and instructor-led activities which include the Read-for-Recertification Credit program.
Important! SHRM Certification can change this policy so always check the current handbook for guidance as you plan your recertification activities.
Yes. You will earn 3 PDCs for reading and writing about any aligned book.
You can obtain the book from your favorite bookseller or library.
Yes. You can access the book in any format.
SHRM Certification may select your essay for auditing and contact you for more information at your time of recertification.
Essay Writing
Please answer the question "What lessons have you learned by reading this book and how will you apply them in your work?" Do not review, recap, or summarize the book. Instead, write about how the information has changed or will change your work, professional relationships, career plans, and perspective.
For inspiration, skim this participant essay the program accepted.
About 500 words. Non-narrative text such as the book title, author name, chapter headings, etc. does not count.
Try to submit your essay as soon as you finish reding the book.
Yes, as long as you use them responsibly. AI tools like ChatGPT can help organize your thoughts, refine ideas, and structure plans. However, ensure the content originates from you, avoid sharing sensitive information, validate outputs for accuracy, and use them ethically to maintain professional standards.
Essay Upload
No. The first version you submit is the only version that will be considered.
Upload your essay directly to the SHRM Read-For-Recertification Credit Program form.
Essay Evaluation
The relevance and thoroughness of your reply to the question are most important. There is no evaluation of punctuation or other technical aspects of your writing.
Reasons why the program might contact you about your essay include:
- The book is not aligned with SHRM BASK competency model.
- The essay does not match the book title on the submission form.
- The essay does not answer the question.
- The essay falls far short of the target 500 words.
- If your recertification is flagged for audit.
Reporting PDCs
Self-report your activity by following the instructions below:
- Log in: Go to portal.shrm.org and log into your SHRM Certification Portal.
- Add PDCs: Click "Add PDCs" and select "No" for the question, "Do you have an activity ID?"
- Choose Category: Select "Advance Your Education" as the category.
- Enter Details: Provide:
- Book Title, Start/End Dates, Author Name (speaker/presenter).
- Program Type: Choose "eBook".
- PDCs Earned: Enter 3 PDCs.
- Important: Do not exceed 3 PDCs to avoid an automatic audit flag.
- Submit: Review and click "Submit" to complete.
Other Questions?
Please contact us at shrmrecert@shrm.org
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