Have questions about recertifying your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certifications? The SHRM Certification Team has answers! Send additional questions to recertification@shrm.org.
Q: I understand that to recertify, I am required to earn 60 professional development credits (PDCs) within three years. I have accomplished this several months before my current three-year recertification cycle ends. If I earn additional credits between now and then, can I apply those PDCs to my next cycle?
A: Yes. If you complete recertification for your SHRM certification with more than 60 PDCs in your account at the time you recertify, you may carry over up to 20 PDCs into your next recertification cycle.
Q: Are only certain types of PDCs eligible for carryover?
A: All PDCs are eligible to be carried over. Regardless of what types of carryover credits are added to your recertification account, however, they all are entered in the Advance Your Education category. Here’s an example of this: You earn 50 PDCs in the Advance Your Profession category. When you recertify, 30 will be used toward your current cycle and the other 20 will be carried forward into the Advance Your Education category.
Q: Why is there a limit to the number of credits I can carry over?
A: Recertification is all about development and staying up-to-date in HR. Recertifying demonstrates that your knowledge and skills are current during a particular period of time. This ensures your commitment to lifelong learning and continued professional growth and development.
Q: Does credit carryover also apply retroactively? That is, can I add PDCs to the recertification cycle I’ve already completed?
A: No, PDCs cannot be added to a previous cycle. Carryover credits can only be applied forward to your next three-year recertification cycle.
Q: Can I earn additional credits if I use what I learned from a SHRM event or specialty credential to improve a process or program at work?
A: Applying knowledge learned in a program is the perfect way to increase the impact learning has for you as an individual—and it benefits your organization. You can use your knowledge to create a project to improve something at work. Follow the guidelines online to Advance Your Organization by completing a 40-hour project for 10 PDCs, an 80-hour project for 20 PDCs or a 120-hour project for 30 PDCs to earn a maximum of 30 PDCs in the Advance Your Organization category.
Q: Is there an example of a workplace improvement project road map I can use to develop projects I want to complete to improve processes at work?
A: Yes, an example of a variety of work projects designed to apply knowledge learned in the Inclusive Workplace Culture Specialty Credential is available.
To learn more about how to obtain and maintain your SHRM certification, visit shrm.org/certification.
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