About SHRM certification
SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, launched its own certifications in January 2015 and awarded its 100,000th certification about two years later. Today the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP sit alongside HRCI's credentials as the two most recognized generalist HR certifications in the US, and SHRM's reach is enormous: nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries.
Getting SHRM certified is simpler than it used to be. The SHRM-CP has no experience requirement, and from the December 2026 testing window both exams cost the same, $350 to $499, after SHRM cut its senior exam price by as much as $196.
The credentials side by side
| Credential | Cost | Eligibility | Exam | Pass rate | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHRM-CP | $350 to $499 | None required. | 134 questions (80 knowledge, 54 situational judgment, 24 of them unscored) in two timed sections of up to 110 minutes each, about 4 hours in the seat. | Not published | 60 professional development credits (PDCs) every 3 years, or retake the exam. |
| SHRM-SCP | $350 to $499 | At least 3 years of strategic-level HR work, with at least 1,000 hours a year. | 134 questions (80 knowledge, 54 situational judgment, 24 unscored) in two timed sections of up to 110 minutes each. | Not published | 60 PDCs every 3 years, or retake the exam. |
How to get certified, step by step
- Pick your level. Choose the SHRM-CP if you're early or mid-career, or the SHRM-SCP if you have three or more years of strategic HR work.
- Apply in the early bird period. Early bird applications save $49. For the December 2026 to February 2027 window, early bird ran June 3 to August 31; standard runs to December 24.
- Schedule with Prometric. Book your seat as soon as you're approved, since popular dates fill late in the window.
- Study for 10 to 16 weeks. Focus on the BASK and situational judgment practice.
- Pass and recertify. Earn 60 PDCs every three years, and pay the $165 or $210 recertification fee.
Dates, renewal, and the details that trip people up
2026 to 2027 SHRM exam dates
- Winter window: testing December 1, 2026 to February 15, 2027. Standard applications close December 24, 2026.
- Spring window: testing usually runs May 1 to July 15, with applications opening in January. Check SHRM for 2027 dates.
SHRM recertification and PDCs
Your three-year cycle starts the day you pass and ends on the last day of your birth month three years later. You need 60 professional development credits (PDCs) from three categories: Advance Your Education (no maximum), Advance Your Organization (up to 30), and Advance Your Profession (up to 30). Up to 20 extra education credits can carry over. The fee is $165 for members and $210 for nonmembers, rising to $240 and $285 in the 60-day grace period.
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Read the full guides
Sources
- SHRM: Exam options and fees
- SHRM 2026 Certification Handbook (PDF)
- SHRM: Recertification
- SHRM: HR certification
- Chief Learning Officer: SHRM notches its 100K certificant (2017)
- SHRM press release, June 19, 2026
Fees, eligibility rules, and testing dates change. We checked every figure against the certifying body on the date shown, but confirm with the official source before you apply. HRTally isn't affiliated with SHRM, HRCI, PayrollOrg, WorldatWork, or IFEBP.
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<a href="https://www.hrtally.com/hr-certifications/shrm-certification/">SHRM certification: SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP explained</a> (source: HRTally)
Suggested citation: HRTally Research Team. "SHRM certification: SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP explained." HRTally, updated October 24, 2026. https://www.hrtally.com/hr-certifications/shrm-certification/
Frequently asked questions
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Written by the HRTally Research Team
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