Certification 2020

SHRM Certification – Advance Yourself, Advance Your Organization!

The HR profession is no longer just about what you know, but rather how you effectively implement that knowledge in the workplace each and every day. The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credentials are state-of-the-art certifications offered by SHRM, the world’s largest HR membership organization and the industry leader in HR professional development.

SHRM certifications directly link to on-the-job scenarios and realistic work situations, making them the most relevant certifications available for HR professionals. Built upon one comprehensive SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (BoCK), SHRM certification is applicable across industries, geographic borders, job responsibilities and career levels. The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credentials are based on the current HR landscape, focusing on the competencies and knowledge HR professionals need to lead in today’s business community. The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credentials reflect what HR practitioners need to know to be leaders in their organizations and in the profession, and the exams are accredited by The Buros Center for Testing.

Selecting the Right Exam

You have made the important decision to pursue SHRM certification. Congratulations! Now you must decide whether to apply for the SHRM-CP or the SHRM-SCP exam.

The first step in selecting the right credential for you is to determine your eligibility. Eligibility for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP is based on your combination of education and HR-related work experience. See Exam Eligibility Criteria for details.

Even if you are eligible to sit for the SHRM-SCP exam, you may still choose to pursue the SHRM-CP. This credential is designed for HR professionals who are engaged primarily in operational roles—implementing policies, serving as the HR point of contact for staff and stakeholders, and/or performing day-to-day HR functions. If this is your focus, the SHRM-CP is likely your best option.

The SHRM-SCP certification is designed for HR professionals at a senior level who operate primarily in a strategic role—developing policies and strategies, overseeing the execution of HR operations, analyzing performance metrics, and/or contributing to the alignment of HR strategies to organizational goals.

One approach to selecting the right exam is to read the SHRM BoCK and assess which proficiency statements best represent the work you perform on a daily basis. If your daily work most resembles the proficiency statements listed for advanced professionals, then we suggest applying for the SHRM-SCP exam. If your daily work most resembles the proficiency statements listed for all professionals, then we suggest applying for the SHRM-CP exam.

International applicants also choose between the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP based on the credential most relevant to them. Please note that international exams may ask about employment law concepts rather than the employment laws of any particular country or region.
For additional information e-mail certification@shrm.org.

Considering certification? Need to maintain your certification?