SHRM-CP Recertification: Complete Guide [2026]

What Is SHRM-CP Recertification and Why Does It Matter?

You worked hard to earn your SHRM-CP. The study sessions, the practice exams, the stress of test day — it all paid off when you saw that passing score. But here’s what catches some HR professionals off guard: your SHRM-CP certification isn’t permanent. To keep it active, you need to complete the SHRM-CP recertification process every three years.

SHRM-CP recertification exists for a good reason. The HR landscape shifts constantly — new employment laws, evolving workplace technologies, changing employee expectations. Recertification ensures you stay current and continue growing. It’s how you prove (to yourself and your employer) that your expertise is up to date.

The good news? The process is straightforward once you understand it. This guide covers everything you need to know about SHRM-CP recertification in 2026: the requirements, the timeline, how to earn your professional development credits (PDCs), what it costs, and how to avoid common mistakes.

SHRM-CP Recertification Requirements at a Glance

Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick-reference summary of the key SHRM-CP recertification requirements:

PDCs required: 60 professional development credits (PDCs) per 3-year cycle
Recertification cycle: Begins the day you pass your exam; ends the last day of your birth month, 3 years later
Alternative path: Retake the SHRM-CP exam in lieu of earning PDCs
Recertification fee (members): $165
Recertification fee (non-members): $210
Late fee (members): $240
Late fee (non-members): $285
Grace period: 60 days after your cycle end date
If not completed: Your credential is revoked

Now let’s break each of these down so you know exactly what to expect.

Understanding Your SHRM-CP Recertification Cycle

One of the most common questions HR professionals ask is: “When does my recertification cycle start and end?” The answer is more specific than you might think.

When Your Cycle Begins

Your three-year recertification cycle starts on the day you pass your SHRM-CP exam. Not the day you receive your certificate in the mail — the day you pass.

When Your Cycle Ends

Your cycle ends on the last day of your birth month, three years after your certification date. For example, if you passed your exam on March 15, 2024 and your birthday is in July, your first recertification cycle would end on July 31, 2027.

This birth-month structure means your cycle may be slightly more or less than exactly three years. It’s a small detail, but it matters for planning.

The 60-Day Grace Period

SHRM provides a 60-day grace period after your cycle end date. If you haven’t hit 60 PDCs by your deadline, you have 60 additional days to finish and submit your recertification application.

The catch: recertification during the grace period comes with a late fee. Members pay $240 (instead of $165), and non-members pay $285 (instead of $210). That’s a $75 surcharge you can easily avoid with some planning.

If you still haven’t recertified after the grace period ends, your SHRM-CP credential is revoked. You’d need to retake and pass the exam to earn it back. No appeal, no extension.

Two Paths to SHRM-CP Recertification

SHRM gives you two options for recertification. Let’s look at both — though one is clearly the better choice for most professionals.

Option 1: Earn 60 PDCs (Recommended)

The standard path is to earn 60 professional development credits over your three-year cycle. It’s what the vast majority of SHRM-CP holders do — it’s flexible, manageable, and actually makes you better at your job.

When you break it down, 60 PDCs over three years comes out to roughly 20 PDCs per year — or fewer than 2 credits per month. That’s very achievable, especially when you consider the range of activities that qualify for SHRM PDCs.

Option 2: Retake the Exam

Your second option is to retake the SHRM-CP exam. Here are the conditions:

You must test at your current certification level (SHRM-CP holders take the SHRM-CP exam)
You can schedule your exam no earlier than 12 months before your cycle end date
If you pass, you’re recertified for another three years
If you fail, your credential is revoked — and you cannot fall back on PDCs you’ve already earned

That last point is the dealbreaker. If you choose the exam path and don’t pass, there’s no safety net. Your PDCs don’t count as a backup plan. Your certification is simply gone.

Our recommendation: Earn your 60 PDCs. It’s lower risk, it keeps you learning throughout your cycle (rather than cramming for an exam), and it gives you full control over your timeline. The exam retake option exists, but it’s really designed as a last resort — not a strategy.

How to Earn SHRM PDCs: The Three Categories

SHRM organizes PDCs into three categories. Understanding them helps you build a solid recertification plan — and ensures you’re getting credit for activities you may already be doing.

1. Advance Your Education

This category covers structured learning: courses, workshops, webinars, conferences, and formal education programs. It’s where most professionals earn the bulk of their PDCs.

A key advantage: the Advance Your Education category has no PDC limit. You could earn all 60 of your required PDCs through education activities alone. The other two categories have caps, but education does not.

Qualifying education activities include:

SHRM-approved online courses and eLearning programs
HR conferences and seminars (like the annual SHRM conference)
Webinars on HR-related topics
College or university courses in HR or business
Instructor-led workshops and training programs

When choosing education activities, look for programs that are pre-approved by SHRM for PDCs. Pre-approved activities are automatically accepted — no documentation needed. This saves time and eliminates guesswork.

RecertifyHR, for example, is an official SHRM Education Partner, which means every course in the catalog is pre-approved for SHRM PDCs. With 66+ courses available and unlimited access for $250 per year, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to stack up education credits on your own schedule. The courses are also pre-approved for HRCI credits, so if you hold a dual certification, you’re covering both with the same coursework.

2. Advance Your Organization

This category recognizes HR work you do on the job that goes beyond your standard responsibilities — projects and initiatives that push your organization forward.

Examples include:

Leading a company-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative
Implementing a new HRIS or payroll system
Developing a new employee onboarding program
Creating and rolling out a workforce planning strategy
Conducting an organizational pay equity audit

This category is capped at a portion of your total PDCs, so you can’t rely on it exclusively. But it’s a great way to earn credits for impactful work you’re likely already doing.

3. Advance Your Profession

This category covers activities where you give back to the HR profession — leadership, mentoring, volunteering, and thought leadership.

Examples include:

Serving on a SHRM chapter board or committee
Mentoring an HR professional or student
Writing articles or blog posts on HR topics
Speaking at HR conferences or local chapter events
Volunteering for HR-related nonprofit work

Like the Advance Your Organization category, this one has a cap. But it’s another avenue for earning credits while doing meaningful work.

Bonus: SHRM Membership PDCs

Here’s a detail that’s easy to overlook: active SHRM membership earns you 3 PDCs per year, automatically. Over a three-year cycle, that’s 9 PDCs just for maintaining your membership — no additional effort required. Make sure these are reflected in your recertification portal.

SHRM-CP Recertification Costs and Fees

Beyond whatever you spend on earning your PDCs, there are fees for the recertification application itself.

Standard Recertification Fees

SHRM members: $165
Non-members: $210

Late Recertification Fees (Grace Period)

SHRM members: $240
Non-members: $285

If you’re paying for SHRM membership anyway (which earns you 3 PDCs per year), the reduced recertification fee is an added benefit.

As for earning your PDCs, costs vary widely. A national conference can run $1,500+. Individual online courses cost $50 to $200 each. Or you can take the unlimited-access route through platforms like RecertifyHR at $250 per year, covering all the credits you need for a single, predictable cost.

Step-by-Step SHRM-CP Recertification Process

Here’s exactly how to recertify your SHRM-CP, from start to finish:

Know your cycle dates. Log in to your SHRM Certification portal to confirm when your current cycle ends. Mark it on your calendar — and set a reminder at least 6 months before.
Create a PDC plan. Map out how you’ll earn your 60 credits across the three-year cycle. Aim for roughly 20 per year so you don’t end up scrambling at the end.
Earn and log your PDCs. Complete qualifying activities and log them in the SHRM Certification portal as you go. Pre-approved activities from SHRM Education Partners are often reported automatically.
Track your progress. The portal shows your running PDC total by category. Check periodically to make sure you’re on pace.
Submit your recertification application. Once you’ve hit 60 PDCs, submit your application through the portal. You can do this at any point during your cycle — you don’t have to wait until the end.
Pay your recertification fee. $165 for members, $210 for non-members. Pay on time to avoid the late surcharge.
Receive confirmation. Once approved, your new three-year cycle begins and your digital badge is updated.

Pro tip: Don’t wait until year three to start earning credits. Front-loading your PDCs in years one and two gives you a buffer in case life gets busy later.

Common SHRM-CP Recertification Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the mistakes that trip people up most often:

1. Procrastinating Until the Final Year

Three years feels like a long time — until it isn’t. Professionals who wait until their final year often find themselves scrambling, overspending on last-minute courses, or missing their deadline. Spread your credits across all three years.

2. Not Logging Activities as You Go

Attended a great webinar 18 months ago? If you didn’t log it in your SHRM portal at the time, you might forget about it — or worse, lose the documentation you need to claim credit. Log your PDCs immediately after completing each activity.

3. Choosing Non-Pre-Approved Activities Without Checking

Not every professional development activity qualifies for SHRM PDCs. Verify that a course is pre-approved by SHRM or fits the qualifying criteria before you commit. Choosing pre-approved courses from a SHRM Education Partner eliminates this risk entirely.

4. Ignoring the Grace Period Deadline

The grace period is a safety net, not a plan. If you enter it, you’re already late and will pay a higher fee. More importantly, if you don’t finish within those 60 days, your credential is gone. Treat your cycle end date as the real deadline.

5. Choosing to Retake the Exam Without a Backup Plan

As we discussed, choosing the exam retake path is an all-or-nothing bet. If you fail, your certification is revoked and you can’t fall back on PDCs. Unless you have a very specific reason for retaking the exam, earn your PDCs instead.

6. Forgetting About Free and Low-Cost PDC Opportunities

You don’t have to spend a fortune on recertification credits. SHRM membership alone gives you 3 PDCs per year. Many SHRM chapters host free or low-cost events. And platforms like RecertifyHR offer a free Change Management course worth 1 PDC — a no-risk way to get started and see how online, self-paced learning fits into your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions About SHRM-CP Recertification

How many PDCs do I need to recertify my SHRM-CP?

You need 60 professional development credits (PDCs) within your three-year recertification cycle. That’s about 20 per year. There’s no annual minimum — you can distribute them however works best, as long as you reach 60 by your cycle end date.

What happens if I don’t recertify my SHRM-CP on time?

You enter a 60-day grace period where you can still recertify by paying a late fee ($240 for members, $285 for non-members). If you still haven’t recertified after the grace period expires, your SHRM-CP credential is revoked and you’d need to pass the exam again from scratch.

Can I earn all 60 PDCs through online courses?

Yes. The Advance Your Education category has no PDC cap, and online courses fall squarely within it. You could earn all 60 PDCs through online learning alone. It’s one of the most popular approaches because of the flexibility — complete courses on your own schedule, from anywhere. Platforms like RecertifyHR offer 66+ pre-approved courses with a 95%+ completion rate.

How much does SHRM-CP recertification cost in total?

The application fee is $165 for SHRM members or $210 for non-members. Beyond that, costs depend on how you earn PDCs. Conferences can cost $1,000+ each. Individual courses range from $50 to $200. An unlimited-access platform like RecertifyHR at $250 per year covers all the credits you need. Total three-year cost typically ranges from $900 to several thousand dollars.

Is it better to earn PDCs or retake the SHRM-CP exam?

For the vast majority of professionals, earning 60 PDCs is the better choice. The exam retake path carries significant risk: if you fail, your credential is revoked and you cannot fall back on PDCs. Earning PDCs is lower risk, keeps your knowledge current throughout the cycle, and gives you full control over your timeline.

Do SHRM PDCs carry over to the next recertification cycle?

No. PDCs do not roll over from one cycle to the next. Once you recertify, your count resets to zero. There’s no recertification benefit to earning more than 60 PDCs in a single cycle (though the professional development itself is always valuable).

Keep Your SHRM-CP Active — Without the Stress

SHRM-CP recertification doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you think of it as SHRM-CP renewal or recertification, the key is understanding the requirements, starting early, and choosing a reliable source for your professional development credits.

Here’s the simple version: earn 20 PDCs per year, log them as you go, and submit your application before your cycle ends. Do that, and recertification becomes a non-issue — just a natural part of your ongoing professional growth.

If you’re looking for a straightforward way to earn your recertification credits, RecertifyHR was built exactly for this. As an official SHRM Education Partner, every course is pre-approved for SHRM PDCs (and HRCI credits, if you hold a dual certification). With 66+ courses, unlimited access, and the ability to learn on your own time, it’s designed to make recertification as painless as possible.

Start with a free Change Management course (1 PDC) to see how it works — no commitment, no credit card. Or check out the full pricing and course catalog to plan your recertification strategy for this cycle.

Your SHRM-CP is worth protecting. A little planning now saves you a lot of headaches later.