Major Changes to SHRM Recertification Policies Announced

​Three policy changes affecting the process for recertifying the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credentials were introduced at the SHRM 2019 Annual Conference & Exposition in June and will go into effect on Aug. 1. The changes were designed to improve how SHRM certification-holders earn and record professional development credits (PDCs).

"Our goal is to simplify processes while increasing options for programs that count toward recertification," said Nancy A. Woolever, SHRM-SCP, SHRM's vice president of certification operations. "As the SHRM certification program matures, we want to continue to implement policy changes that make sense, increase flexibility for SHRM-certified professionals, and remove barriers to achieving recertification."

For details, please visit SHRM's recertification page or e-mail recertification@shrm.org.

Earn and Record PDCs During Grace Period

As of Aug. 1, any PDCs that SHRM certification-holders earn during their grace period (the 60 days between their certification end date and expiration of their credential) may be applied toward their recertification requirement to earn 60 PDCs within a three-year cycle. (Current policy does not allow PDCs to be earned during the grace period.) The new policy will give SHRM-CPs and SHRM-SCPs more time to add PDCs to their accounts.

There is no maximum on the number of PDCs one can earn during the grace period, notwithstanding certain categories of recertification credits that have limits (20-PDC limit in Advance Your Organization, 30-PDC limit in Advance Your Profession).

Since the grace-period PDC activity will occur after the regular recertification cycle ends, credential-holders who seek to record PDCs under the new policy will need to remit a $50 late fee in addition to their recertification application.

Begin Earning PDCs for Next Cycle Right Away

Also as of Aug. 1, the new recertification cycle for recertifying SHRM-CPs and SHRM-SCPs will begin the next day after they recertify. (Current policy sets the new cycle’s start date after the previous cycle’s end date.) This change is particularly advantageous to those who recertify early. The credential-holder's end date will not change, and will continue to be on the last day of their birth month.

Carry Over Up to 20 Credits into Next Cycle

Effective Aug. 1, SHRM credential-holders who have recertified with more than 60 PDCs in their account will be able to carry over as many as 20 PDCs into their next recertification cycle. (Current policy does not allow carryovers.)

SHRM requires SHRM-CPs and SHRM-SCPs to earn 60 credits within three years to remain certified. Now those who have completed recertification with an excess of credits will have the opportunity to apply some of those credits—a maximum of 20 PDCs—to their next three-year cycle.

The carryover amount will be autoloaded into the account in the Advance Your Education category. 

For more information on SHRM Certification, and to register for the exam, please visit our website.

Already SHRM-certified? Be sure to maintain your credential by recertifying. Learn more about recertification activities here.