Why Recertify?
Recertification demonstrates your continued dedication to stay up to date with the rapidly changing HR profession. To retain the PHR, SPHR, GPHR designations, the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) requires recertification every three years by either accumulating 60 educational hours or by retaking the examination (“Recertification by Examination”).
How to Earn Recertification Credit Hours
Find detailed information at: http://www.hrci.org/recertification
There are a variety of ways to earn recertification credit hours, including many which are free or low cost:
- Continuing Education- There are pre-approved courses, seminars, conferences, and webcasts available. Most of the NKY SHRM monthly meetings are HRCI pre-approved for credit. National SHRM members have access to free webcasts. In addition to the monthly pre-approved seminars offered through NKY SHRM, there are a number of other local organizations which offer pre-approved credit. Our HRCI Committee representatives can provide you with additional information.
- Instruction- Teach an HR related subject within your organization or in a classroom setting.
- On-the-Job Experience- Earn credit for your first-time work experiences.s
- Research & Publishing- Conduct primary research on an HR-related topic and publish the results. HR professionals can now earn recertification credit for creating blog posts covering HR-related subjects. For more information, please visit #.
- Leadership- Active participation on HR-related boards, committees and other HR leadership activities.
- Professional Membership- Membership with national or international HR-related professional associations.
- Recertification Credit for SPHR- SPHR recertification requires that you have a minimum of 15 strategic hours out of your total 60 credit hours. Strategic credit is much harder to find but there are many free webcasts available through the SHRM website that qualify. On the job experience is also an inexpensive method to earn SPHR credit.
Track Your Recertification Activities Online
The HRCI website provides a section called My Recert File, where you can easily track and manage all of your recertification activities. The activities include continuing education, instruction, on the job experience, research and publishing, leadership, and professional membership.
Virtual Recertification Tour
HRCI offers an on-line tour of their website which is focused specifically toward individuals who would like to learn how to manager their recertification activities. The Virtual Recertifaction Tour can be found at http://www.hrci.org/recertification.
Virtual Recertification Counselor
HRCI also offers on-line bi-monthly meetings to assist you with any recertification questions. This is an easy resource to use. The schedule and notes from previous meetings can be found at http://www.hrci.org/recertification
LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, & Blogs
For those who are active on social media, follow NKY SHRM, SHRM, and HRCI on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. This is a great way for you to network with other certified professionals and share information about opportunities available for earning recertification. HRCI sponsored blogs are another way to stay current and connected.
Or You Can Simply Retest
Some people find that the time and effort required to earn recertification credit hours is not an option for them, but they still would like to retain their certification. For these individuals, HRCI provides the option to retake the exam.
SHRM Certification
SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential holders qualify for recertification credits by participating in professional development activities in three categories:
These three areas align with the three main elements of the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK). Recertification will be required every three years. Professionals will need to earn 60 professional development credits (PDCs) in order to recertify.
| PDC Category | Description / Examples | PDC Maximum
(per recertification period) |
| Advance Your Education | Continuing education activities, including: Instructor-led: · Conferences · Seminars · College/University courses · e-Learning (instructor-led) · Chapter programsSelf-Paced · e-Learning (self-paced) · Videoconferences · Webcasts · Audiocasts · Podcasts · Books and e-Books |
Instructor-led:
No maximum Self-paced: 30 PDCs |
| Advance Your Organization | Supervisor-endorsed work projects that:
· Meet or support organizational goals and demonstrate or advance capabilities in one or more HR Competencies |
20 PDCs |
| Advance Your Presentation | Thought leadership and volunteer activities that contribute to the development of the HR profession and the community, including:
· Professional membership |
30 PDCs |
Track Your Recertification Activities Online
The HRCI website provides a section called My Recert File, where you can easily track and manage all of your recertification activities. Their website walks you step by step through the process on how to enter your recertification credits. #
Step 1
Keep track of your professional development activities.
Step 2
Log on to portal.shrm.org and enter your email address and password.
Step 3
Click on “Add PDCs” and then choose the related PDC category
- Advance Your Education
- Advance Your Organization
- Advance Your Profession
Step 4
In the Advance Your Education category, input the Activity ID (if one is provided), click “Search”, and view the populated activity details. Confirm that this information is correct. Click “Submit” to save the PDCs in the Portal.
If an Activity ID is not provided, or for PDCs that fall under Advance Your Organization or Advance Your Profession categories, manually input the information requested.
Step 5
After you’ve earned all 60 PDCs and are ready to submit your application, click on “Apply for Recertification.” This link will be available one year into your recertification period.
When entering PDCs, ensure that the activities you enter occurred between the beginning and end dates of your three-year recertification period. You must wait until the activity end date to record any activity.
Please note: It is recommended that you record your activities in the Portal as soon as you complete them. You should track all professional development activities during your three-year recertification period, even those beyond the required 60 PDCs or a category maximum.
New Recertification Feature!
All SHRM conferences, seminars and e-Learning programs that you attend, can be matched to your SHRM membership account*, will auto-populate in your recertification portal, so you don’t have to enter anything yourself.
*If your SHRM certification e-mail address matches your member e-mail address, you’re all set. If they are different, or if you’re not sure- simply log in to shrm.org/my/account to update your information.
Now Available: Exclusive app for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential-holders. 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 a number of different ways including by competencies, by date, or use your location to find activities close to you.
- Be notified when you are ready to apply for recertification.
Currently available for iOS users. Droid release early 2017. View a video tutorial on the app here.
Some people find that the time and effort required to earn recertification credit hours is not an option for them, but they still would like to retain their certification. For these individuals, HRCI provides the option to retake the exam.
SHRM has a recertification handbook available at the following link:
#/documents/recertification%20handbook_final.pdf
Or you can Simply Retest
Some people find that the time and effort required to earn recertification credit hours is not an option for them, but they still would like to retain their certification. For these individuals, SHRM provides the option to retake the exam. To be eligible to retake the exam, you must:
- Take the exam at least 1 year into, and before the end of, your 3-year recertification period.
- Recertify only at the certification level you currently hold.
- Complete the exam application process.
- Pay the full examination fee.
- If you plan on retaking the exam to renew your certification please contact certification@shrm.org for additional assistance.
