SHRM-SCP Recertification Requirements: Everything You Need to Know [2026]

You did something that roughly half of all test-takers don’t manage to do — you passed the SHRM-SCP exam. That credential on your resume signals something powerful: you’re not just practicing HR, you’re leading it at a strategic level. But here’s what catches many senior HR professionals off guard — SHRM-SCP recertification isn’t optional, and the clock started ticking the moment you passed.

Whether you earned your SHRM-SCP last month or you’re two years into your cycle, this guide breaks down exactly what you need to do to keep your credential active. No guesswork, no outdated information — just the verified requirements for 2026.

SHRM-SCP Recertification Requirements at a Glance

Before we get into the details, here’s a quick snapshot of what SHRM-SCP recertification demands:

60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) required every 3-year cycle
Cycle timing: Starts the day you pass your exam, ends the last day of your birth month three years later
Renewal fees: $165 for SHRM members, $210 for non-members
Late renewal fees: $240 for members, $285 for non-members
Grace period: 60 days after your cycle ends
Two paths: Earn 60 PDCs or retake the full exam
Carryover: Up to 20 excess PDCs roll into your next cycle
If you don’t complete it: Your credential is revoked

That last point is the one that matters most. There’s no “inactive” status, no pause button. Miss your deadline and you’ll need to retake the entire exam to get your SHRM-SCP back. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.

Understanding Your SHRM-SCP Recertification Cycle

Your three-year recertification cycle is unique to you. It begins the day you pass the SHRM-SCP exam and ends on the last day of your birth month, three years later. So if you passed in October 2024 and your birthday is in March, your cycle runs until March 31, 2027.

This birth-month timing is important because it means your first cycle might actually be slightly longer or shorter than exactly three years. SHRM designed it this way so every certificant has a consistent, easy-to-remember deadline going forward.

If you’re unsure where you stand, log into your SHRM Certification Portal. It shows your current cycle dates, how many PDCs you’ve earned, and how many you still need. Check it now — not three months before your deadline.

After your initial cycle, each subsequent SHRM-SCP recertification cycle runs exactly three years, always ending on the last day of your birth month.

The 60 PDC Requirement: Three Categories You Need to Know

Not all PDCs are created equal. SHRM organizes professional development credits into three categories, and two of them come with caps you need to be aware of:

1. Advance Your Education — No Cap

This is the most straightforward category and the one most HR professionals lean on heavily. It includes activities like completing courses, attending webinars, earning additional certifications, and participating in structured learning programs. There is no cap on education credits, which means you could technically earn all 60 PDCs through coursework alone.

This is exactly where RecertifyHR’s library of 66+ pre-approved courses becomes invaluable. Every course is already approved by SHRM, so there’s no guesswork about whether your credits will count.

2. Advance Your Organization — Cap of 30 PDCs

These credits come from applying HR knowledge in your workplace. Think projects like implementing a new HRIS, redesigning your organization’s total rewards strategy, or leading a diversity and inclusion initiative. You can earn up to 30 PDCs in this category per cycle.

3. Advance Your Profession — Cap of 30 PDCs

This category covers activities that contribute to the broader HR profession — volunteering for SHRM chapters, mentoring other HR professionals, publishing research, or serving on HR-related boards. This category is also capped at 30 PDCs per cycle.

The strategic approach? Build your foundation with education credits (no cap, fully within your control), then supplement with organizational and professional activities you’re likely already doing. Many senior HR leaders are surprised to learn how many PDCs they can claim from work they already perform.

The SHRM Membership Bonus: 9 Free PDCs

Here’s a detail that too many SHRM-SCP holders overlook: maintaining your SHRM membership automatically earns you 3 PDCs per year. Over your three-year cycle, that’s 9 PDCs just for being a member — 15% of your total requirement handled without lifting a finger.

When you factor in the membership discount on recertification fees ($165 vs. $210), maintaining your SHRM membership during your recertification cycle is a no-brainer for most professionals. You save money on renewal and earn credits passively.

Combined with a structured learning plan, those 9 automatic PDCs mean you really only need to actively earn 51 PDCs over three years — roughly 17 PDCs per year. That’s very manageable, especially with the right resources.

PDCs vs. Retaking the Exam: Why There’s Really Only One Smart Choice

SHRM gives you two paths to recertification: earn your 60 PDCs or retake the SHRM-SCP exam. On paper, both accomplish the same thing. In practice, they couldn’t be more different.

Our recommendation: Always choose the PDC path. The SHRM-SCP exam is 134 questions over 4 hours, split into two 110-minute sections, with a pass rate of roughly 50-56%. That means nearly half of all test-takers fail. Retaking the exam also costs significantly more — between $520 and $695 depending on membership status — compared to the $165-$210 recertification fee for the PDC path. Earning PDCs through ongoing learning is less risky, less expensive, and actually makes you a better HR leader in the process.

The exam retake is also all-or-nothing. If you don’t pass, your credential is gone and you’ll need to apply and test again. There’s no partial credit, no “close enough.” The PDC path, by contrast, lets you accumulate credits steadily over three years with complete visibility into your progress.

If you want to make the PDC path as painless as possible, RecertifyHR’s $250/year unlimited access plan gives you more than enough pre-approved content to fulfill your entire requirement — and then some.

What Makes SHRM-SCP Recertification Different from SHRM-CP

If you’ve heard colleagues talk about their SHRM-CP recertification, you might assume the process is identical. The mechanics are the same — 60 PDCs every three years, same categories, same fees — but the professional context is quite different.

The SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) designation is built for strategic and leadership-level HR practitioners. While the SHRM-CP focuses on operational and tactical HR responsibilities, the SHRM-SCP recognizes professionals who are developing HR strategy, influencing organizational policy, and leading HR functions.

Here’s how the two certifications compare:

Experience requirement: SHRM-SCP requires 3+ years of strategic-level HR experience; SHRM-CP has a lower experience threshold
Exam difficulty: SHRM-SCP pass rate is approximately 50-56%, compared to 67-71% for the SHRM-CP
Exam cost: SHRM-SCP exam fees range from $520 (members) to $695 (non-members)
Focus: SCP emphasizes strategy, leadership, and organizational influence; CP emphasizes implementation and operations
Recertification requirements: Identical — 60 PDCs over 3 years for both

What this means for your SHRM-SCP recertification is that while the PDC requirement is the same, the type of professional development you pursue should reflect your strategic role. Look for courses and activities that sharpen your leadership capabilities, deepen your business acumen, and strengthen your ability to align HR strategy with organizational goals.

RecertifyHR’s course catalog includes content specifically designed for senior HR professionals, covering topics like strategic workforce planning, organizational development, and HR analytics — all pre-approved for SHRM PDCs.

How to Earn 60 PDCs Efficiently: A Practical Strategy

Sixty credits over three years sounds manageable in theory, but life has a way of making those years disappear. Here’s a practical framework for staying ahead of your SHRM-SCP recertification requirements:

Year 1: Build Your Foundation (20+ PDCs)

Claim your 3 automatic SHRM membership PDCs
Complete 4-5 pre-approved courses (most are worth 1-3 PDCs each)
Attend one SHRM conference or webinar series
Document any qualifying workplace projects

Year 2: Maintain Momentum (20+ PDCs)

Claim your 3 membership PDCs
Continue coursework — aim for consistency, not cramming
Look for Advance Your Organization opportunities in your current role
Consider mentoring or volunteering for Advance Your Profession credits

Year 3: Close the Gap (20+ PDCs)

Claim your 3 membership PDCs
Audit your total and identify any shortfall early in the year
Complete remaining coursework well before your deadline
Submit your recertification application and fee

The biggest mistake senior HR professionals make? Waiting until year three to start. Front-loading your credits gives you a buffer for unexpected disruptions — and earns you carryover credits if you exceed 60.

With RecertifyHR’s unlimited access for $250/year, you can work through courses at your own pace. Finish one during a quiet week, skip a busy month, then pick back up — all without worrying about per-course costs.

Carryover Credits: Don’t Leave PDCs on the Table

Here’s a feature of the SHRM-SCP recertification system that rewards proactive professionals: up to 20 excess PDCs can carry over into your next three-year cycle. If you earn 75 PDCs in one cycle, 15 of those roll forward automatically.

This is particularly valuable for SHRM-SCP holders who are naturally engaged in continuous learning. If you attend a major conference late in your cycle, lead a significant organizational project, or complete a certification program, those extra credits aren’t wasted.

The carryover cap of 20 PDCs means you could start your next cycle with one-third of your requirement already met. Combined with 9 membership PDCs over the cycle, you’d only need to actively earn 31 additional PDCs — roughly 10 per year.

To maximize carryover potential, consider maintaining a steady pace of professional development throughout your cycle rather than stopping once you hit 60. RecertifyHR’s extensive course library makes this easy — with 66+ courses available, there’s always something relevant to your role and interests.

Fees, Deadlines, and the Grace Period

Let’s talk about the financial side of SHRM-SCP renewal. When your cycle ends, you’ll need to submit both your PDC documentation and a renewal fee:

Standard renewal — SHRM members: $165
Standard renewal — Non-members: $210
Late renewal — SHRM members: $240
Late renewal — Non-members: $285

SHRM provides a 60-day grace period after your cycle end date. During this window, you can still submit your recertification — but you’ll pay the late fee. After that 60-day window closes, your certification is revoked.

Don’t rely on the grace period as your plan. Treat your cycle end date as a hard deadline. Submit your recertification at least 30 days before your cycle ends to avoid any last-minute technical issues or processing delays.

And consider this: the $165 renewal fee covers three full years of credential maintenance. Compare that to the $520-$695 you’d pay to retake the exam if your certification lapsed. Staying current with your SHRM-SCP recertification credits is far less expensive than starting over.

What Happens If You Don’t Complete SHRM-SCP Recertification

Let’s be direct about the consequences: if you don’t earn 60 PDCs and submit your renewal by the end of the grace period, your SHRM-SCP credential is revoked. Not suspended. Not paused. Revoked.

To get it back, you’d need to:

Reapply for the SHRM-SCP exam
Pay the full exam fee ($520-$695)
Study for and pass the 134-question, 4-hour exam — with its roughly 50-56% pass rate
Start a brand new three-year recertification cycle

For a senior HR professional, that’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a real threat to your professional credibility and career momentum. The SHRM-SCP signals strategic capability, and a gap in your certification can raise questions during executive searches and board-level HR discussions.

The solution is straightforward: don’t let it lapse. Set calendar reminders at the start of each year in your cycle, track your PDCs quarterly, and use an affordable resource like RecertifyHR to ensure you always have access to pre-approved content when you need it.

Why RecertifyHR Is Built for SHRM-SCP Holders

As a senior HR professional, your time is arguably your most valuable resource. You need a recertification solution that respects that. RecertifyHR is an official SHRM Education Partner and HRCI Approved Provider, which means every course in the library is pre-approved — no submission hassles, no approval waiting periods.

Here’s what makes it particularly well-suited for SHRM-SCP recertification:

66+ pre-approved courses covering strategic HR topics relevant to senior practitioners
$250/year for unlimited access — complete as many courses as you want with no per-course fees
Self-paced format that fits around executive-level schedules
PDCs automatically count toward your SHRM recertification — no manual reporting required
Content aligned with SHRM competencies at the strategic level

At $250 per year, three years of unlimited access costs $750 total — still more affordable than retaking the SHRM-SCP exam once. And you walk away not just recertified, but genuinely sharper in your role.

Browse the full course catalog here and see how quickly you can start earning SHRM-SCP PDCs.

For a complete step-by-step of activity-level rules, read How to Earn SHRM PDCs: Complete Guide. If you also hold SHRM-CP, pair this with the SHRM-CP recertification guide so both credentials stay on track.

Frequently Asked Questions About SHRM-SCP Recertification

How many PDCs do I need for SHRM-SCP recertification?

You need 60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) within your three-year recertification cycle. There’s no annual minimum — you can distribute them however you prefer across the three years, though we recommend earning at least 20 per year to avoid a last-minute crunch.

Is SHRM-SCP recertification the same as SHRM-CP recertification?

The requirements are identical: 60 PDCs over three years, the same fee structure, and the same three PDC categories. The difference lies in the credentials themselves. The SHRM-SCP is designed for strategic-level HR leaders with 3+ years of strategic experience, while the SHRM-CP is geared toward operational HR professionals. Your professional development choices should reflect your strategic focus.

Can I carry over extra PDCs to my next SHRM-SCP recertification cycle?

Yes. Up to 20 excess PDCs earned during your current cycle can carry over into your next three-year cycle. Only PDCs beyond the 60 required are eligible for carryover, and the maximum is 20 regardless of how many extra you earn.

What happens if I miss my SHRM-SCP recertification deadline?

You have a 60-day grace period after your cycle end date to submit your recertification with a late fee ($240 for members, $285 for non-members). If you miss the grace period, your SHRM-SCP credential is revoked and you must retake the full exam to regain it.

How much does SHRM-SCP recertification cost?

The recertification fee is $165 for SHRM members and $210 for non-members. Late renewal costs $240 for members and $285 for non-members. These fees are separate from any costs for earning your PDCs. With RecertifyHR’s $250/year unlimited plan, you can earn all the PDCs you need affordably.

Can I retake the SHRM-SCP exam instead of earning PDCs?

Technically, yes — you can retake the 134-question exam instead of earning 60 PDCs. However, we strongly advise against it. The SHRM-SCP exam has a pass rate of approximately 50-56%, costs $520-$695, and requires significant study time. If you fail, your credential is gone. Earning PDCs through professional development is safer, cheaper, and more beneficial to your career.

Keep Your SHRM-SCP Certification Active

You worked hard to earn the SHRM-SCP — harder than most people realize, given that nearly half of all test-takers don’t pass. That credential represents your strategic HR expertise, your leadership experience, and your commitment to the profession. Don’t let it expire because recertification felt like something you’d “get to later.”

SHRM-SCP recertification is straightforward when you approach it with a plan: earn 20 PDCs per year, leverage your SHRM membership for automatic credits, and use a trusted learning platform to fill in the gaps. The three-year cycle gives you plenty of runway — but only if you start early.

RecertifyHR makes the entire process easier with 66+ pre-approved SHRM courses, unlimited access for $250/year, and content designed for senior HR professionals like you. Start earning your SHRM-SCP recertification credits today and protect the credential you’ve earned.

Get started with RecertifyHR — $250/year for unlimited SHRM-SCP PDCs

SHRM-SCP Recertification Requirements: Everything You Need to Know [2026]