Recertification Provider Program Optimizes Professional Development

​A commitment to lifelong learning is an essential component of SHRM certification. Credential-holders at both the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP levels must demonstrate that they are continually advancing their knowledge, skills and abilities. They accomplish this by meeting the recertification requirement to earn 60 professional development credits (PDCs) over a three-year period.

More than 36,000 SHRM-certified professionals successfully recertified their credentials in 2021, an unprecedented number. SHRM's Recertification Provider Program played a critical role in supporting them. More than 3,300 businesses, organizations and educational institutions participate in this program by providing a wide variety of relevant, readily available opportunities for professional development activities that qualify for PDCs.

The program was established to serve as the primary tool by which SHRM credential-holders can locate pre-approved providers of classes, conferences, webinars, workshops and more that award PDCs. Program participants deliver innovative ideas and best practices that align with the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™, the foundational document of SHRM certification, spanning all of the HR competencies and functional areas described in it.

The ever-increasing demands placed on the HR profession mean that this accessible repository of preferred providers continues to be a necessity for today's busy HR professionals.

Advancing Education Advances Organizations

The professional development activities that SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential-holders engage in while working toward recertification do more than benefit them as individuals—their professional development also benefits their workplaces, businesses, schools and communities.

One of the most important reasons for the existence of SHRM certification is to help HR professionals become better at their jobs and, in turn, better their organizations. That's how the "Advance Your Education" category of recertification credits ties in with the "Advance Your Organization" category. Through certification and recertification, SHRM credential-holders improve both themselves and their workplaces.
 
Even the members of the SHRM Recertification Provider Program benefit, because their participation helps their own businesses grow.

The program is a win-win for all involved: the SHRM-CPs and SHRM-SCPs who recertify, the organizations that incorporate the knowledge and skills their SHRM-certified professionals gain, and the organizations and individuals who provide the courses and conferences that advance HR knowledge and skills. 

Making the Provider Program Stronger 

The workplace continues to evolve. The COVID-19 pandemic, the most dramatic example, suddenly created a remote workforce for many businesses, for which HR professionals have had to conceive and institute plans to manage. A more recent example is the Great Resignation, which has created a need for more effective procedures for hiring new talent. What's next?

SHRM credential-holders are uniquely situated to improve themselves and the workplace. The SHRM Recertification Provider Program gives them opportunities to do so. Recertification is all about learning and growth, and that's SHRM's approach to the program. We're always looking to add participants with readily available content that's relevant and applicable to today's HR challenges.

If you've attended an HR-focused class, conference, webinar or workshop, or know of an organization or individual with the HR knowledge and expertise that could add value to this ever-expanding program, please e-mail the SHRM recertification team with information at RecertificationProvider@shrm.org.

The result will be a win for anyone on a journey of continual learning.

Jonnie Huynh is specialist, SHRM certification, Recertification Provider Program. Barton Zerfas is a contractor with the SHRM recertification team.