Which HR Certification Is Right for You?
Jess Miller-Merrell, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
?? Reaching 1 M HR & Recruiters Monthly | ?? Trainer for SHRM & HRCI exams | ?? New courses for AI & Work Investigations | ?? Fractional Marketer for HR Tech
Choosing which HR certification is right for you is easy whether it's HRCI or SHRM starting with our free 7 question HR Certification Quiz. Take the Quiz NOW.
How HR Certification Can Help Your Career
Professionals who earn their HR certification can expect:
What's the Difference Between the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP Exams? What’s the difference between SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP?
The SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) certification is for individuals who are either currently working a job in human resource management or who are pursuing HR as a career. This is the recommended certification for HR professionals or prospective HR professionals who are just starting their journey and professional development.?More information about the SHRM-CP exam.
The SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) certification is for individuals who have more experience in HR; you need to have worked at least three years in HR with a strategic, policy-driven, and leading role in your job. This certification is recommended for more seasoned HR professionals who are looking to continue and evolve their professional development. More information about the SHRM-SCP exam.
Both certifications test your competency and knowledge in SHRM’s Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (SHRM BASK). SHRM BASK uses research-driven content to assess behavioral and technical competencies that HR professionals need. BASK is a model representing knowledge areas that SHRM has researched are the most common and useful viewpoints and skills required in the workplace, including interpersonal navigation, creating an ethical and communicative workplace culture, and business acumen. The BASK requirements change with every spring testing window.
Learn more about how Workology's Ace the HR Exam HR Certification Prep for SHRM and HRCI can help you pass your exam.
When Can I Take the SHRM Exams?
SHRM has two different testing windows to take the exam every year. The Spring Testing Window is May 1-July 15, 2025 and the Fall Testing Window is December 1, 2025-February 15, 2026. SHRM offers both remote and in person testing options.
How Much Does It Cost To Take the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP Exams?
Exam fees for the SHRM-CP or the SHRM-SCP depend on the date of when you apply for the exam. Fees for the SHRM certification exam range from $335-410 and can increase if you pay to rescore or reschedule your exam within the testing window.
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How Do I Study for the SHRM Exams?
Studying for your SHRM exams depends on a lot of factors including your time, learning style, and budget. Students who pass the SHRM exams and are part of our Ace the HR Exam study prep program, study between 80-120 hours of studying using a variety of tools and resources. Here are some tips to help you get started studying for your SHRM exams. The SHRM exam pass rate varies with each testing window. During the 2023-2024 testing window, the pass rate for the SHRM-CP was 71% while the pass rate for the SHRM-SCP was 56%.
#1 – Accountability and scheduling.
Having a plan (as opposed to a single deadline) can help keep you on schedule, especially when your time to study is limited to nights, weekends or your lunch hour. Programs like Workology’s study prep break your studying down into manageable bites with multiple deadlines, setting up a series of accomplishment milestones as opposed to a singular finish date. This helps to ensure you have absorbed each section of exam prep as an item you can check off of a list, and holds you accountable for the deadline for each section.
#2 – Make time for studying.
Your job, especially if you’re already working in human resources at any level, tends to consume a large percentage of your time. If you’re looking into SHRM Certification, it means you’re also looking for ways to be more efficient with your time and better at your job. Like any type of training, in order to accomplish the goal, sometimes you have to prioritize tasks differently so you have time to study. Setting aside blocks of time and treating them as appointments you must keep can help move you forward in the learning process.
#3 – Studying regularly and consistently over time.
Consistency is key to retaining the information you learn. Following a regular study schedule and having a roadmap to follow, can help you retain the information you studied in the first week as well as you do that last. A learning roadmap, which is part of Workology’s certification prep programs, gives you a solid foundation and each block of new information builds on what you previously learned, with real-world examples and solutions to situational questions. We offer this in every part of our SHRM certification prep programs.
#4 – A community of support is critical.
Having a method of communicating with like-minded people who are at a similar stage in their human resources career and can commiserate or share information about their study process can help keep you motivated. You’re not out there on your own and you’re not the only person who is struggling to keep up with a study workload along with a full-time job and family. An online community of people who are also studying for their SHRM Certification can be the support you need to keep up with your study schedule and a cheering section when it comes time to take your exam.
#5 – Adapting to your specific learning style.
There are seven types of learning styles, and you may fall under more than one. It’s important to know how you learn best in order to absorb information in the most efficient way. For example, visual learners have had great results with flashcards and aural learners study more effectively by listening to audio courses.
What SHRM Study Prep Do You Recommend?
Start Your SHRM Certification Prep journey by joining our free webinar. Get the Insider Secrets to Acing your SHRM Certification Exam. You can learn more about Workology's Ace the HR Exam study prep program and our offering by joining our live webinar.
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