SHRM Releases HR Certification Program Details

Author: Gloria Ju

June 19, 2014

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) announced in May that it is developing a new competency-based HR certification program. This week, SHRM released details about the program (including the names of the two types of certification) ahead of its Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, which begins June 22.

HR professionals with existing HR certifications (such as the PHR or SPHR) in good standing will be eligible for the new SHRM Certification - at no cost - beginning on January 1, 2015. Such an individual must complete the following three steps by December 31, 2015:

  • Document that his or her current certification is in good standing;
  • Sign the SHRM Code of Ethics; and
  • Complete a brief (approximately one-hour) online tutorial on HR competencies.

HR professionals seeking certification for the first time may apply for the exam beginning January 1, 2015. The first exam window is tentatively scheduled for mid-2015. SHRM estimates that the exam will take about two-and-one-half to three-and-one-half hours to complete.

The new certification has two levels with different eligibility requirements.

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) applies to individuals who hold an existing generalist- or professional-level HR certification and have the following HR work experience:

  • At least three years for those with less than an HR-related bachelor's degree or four years if non-HR-related;
  • At least one year for those with an HR-related bachelor's degree or two years if non-HR-related; and
  • Either a current HR role for those with an HR-related graduate degree or at least one year if non-HR-related.

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) applies to individuals who hold an existing senior- or advanced-level HR certification and have the following HR work experience:

  • At least seven years for those with less than an HR-related bachelor's degree or eight years if non-HR-related;
  • At least five years for those with an HR-related bachelor's degree or six years if non-HR-related; and
  • At least three years for those with an HR-related graduate degree or four years if non-HR-related.

Alternatively, individuals may also complete one recertification cycle at the SHRM-CP level. Note that one year of HR work experience means working more than 1,000 hours in an HR role in a calendar year, and the HR experience may be in either an exempt or nonexempt capacity.

The certification costs have yet to be revealed. SHRM membership is not required in order to complete the SHRM Certification process.

SHRM states that each HR professional "has the prerogative to decide whether to obtain the new SHRM Certification, keep or drop any other existing certification, or indeed maintain no certification." According to SHRM, individuals will not lose or have to give up any of their current credentials in order to obtain the new SHRM Certification.

SHRM also announced the creation of a separate credentialing arm, the SHRM Certification Commission. The Commission will manage all aspects of the certification program, including the overall development of the exam, eligibility requirements and issuance of recertification (which will remain at every three years). According to SHRM, in the certification industry this is a commonly used best practice by professional societies that also provide certification to ensure there is no conflict of interest.