SHRM Certification

How do I become SHRM certified?

The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are based on the SHRM BoCK and its two major aspects of modern HR practice, competencies and knowledge. Accordingly, the exams contain two types of questions:

1. Knowledge Items, which cover the four Knowledge Domains (People, Organization, Workplace, and Strategy) associated with the SHRM BoCK’s Technical Knowledge competency.
   
   Knowledge items assess candidates' understanding of factual information. Examinees are asked questions on particular subject areas. Correct answers will receive full credit. Incorrect answers will receive no credit.
2. Situational Judgment Items, assesses the candidate's judgment and decision-making skills associated with situations calling for proficiency in the behavioral competencies.
   
   Situational judgment items assess candidates’ competencies and decision-making skills, which are not easily measured using traditional knowledge-based questions. Examinees are presented with realistic work-related scenarios and asked to choose the best of several possible strategies to resolve or address the issues described in each scenario. Because more than one strategy may be effective for addressing actual work-related scenarios, examinees will receive full credit for choosing the best possible answer, or partial credit for choosing the second-best possible answer. Incorrect answers, which reflect ineffective strategies, will receive no credit.

Answers to these questions will contribute to the final score for the exams. In addition, both exams contain “field test” items, the answers for which will not be scored. More information is available at www.shrm.org.

SHRM Certifications available to Human Resource Professionals

SHRM has introduced two new certifications that assess both competencies and HR knowledge - the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

HR professionals who implement policies and strategies, serve as point of contact for staff and stakeholders, deliver HR services, and perform operational HR functions, should take the SHRM-CP exam.

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)

HR professionals who develop strategies, lead the HR function, foster influence in the community, analyze performance metrics, and align HR strategies to organizational goals, should take the SHRM-SCP exam.