Free SHRM PDC + HRCI credit starter path

Free HR Credits Online for HRCI and SHRM Recertification

Earn your first approved HR recertification credit with RecertifyHR's free Change Management course. No credit card required. If you need the rest of your 60-credit cycle, compare the $250/year Annual Pass.

Earn 1 Free Credit See Annual Pass Pricing

Free starter: 1 credit
Course library: 88 courses
Total credits: 121 credit hours

What counts as a free HR recertification credit?

A free HR credit is useful only if it is accepted by the credentialing body you report to. For HR professionals, that usually means an approved HRCI recertification credit, a SHRM PDC, or a course that can support both programs.

RecertifyHR's free course is designed as a low-friction first step: complete one online course, keep the certificate, and decide whether the full course library is the right way to finish the rest of your renewal cycle.

Free credit path by credential

Credential	Typical requirement	How RecertifyHR fits
PHR / SPHR / GPHR / PHRca	60 HRCI credits	Start with the free course, then use category-specific courses as needed.
SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP	60 SHRM PDCs	Use approved education PDCs and keep completion certificates for your SHRM portal.
aPHR	45 HRCI credits	The free credit can help start the renewal cycle; confirm your exact requirement in HRCI.

Always confirm your exact renewal rules in the official HRCI or SHRM recertification portal before submitting credits.

Credit categories available after the free course

General HR

63.5 credits

Core HR recertification credits for PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP renewals.

Business

17.75 credits

Business credit options for SPHR holders who need strategic/business recertification hours.

Global

22.25 credits

Global HR credits for GPHR holders and internationally focused HR professionals.

California

20.5 credits

California HR compliance credits for state-specific recertification needs.

Where to go next

Start the free courseEarn your first approved HRCI/SHRM credit without a credit card.Compare Annual Pass pricingFinish the rest of your cycle with 88 courses for $250/year.Review HRCI recertificationConfirm HRCI renewal requirements for PHR, SPHR, GPHR, PHRca, and aPHR.Review SHRM recertificationConfirm SHRM PDC requirements for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP renewal.

Start free, then decide if the full library is worth it.

Earn one free credit first. If you need a full 60-credit cycle, the Annual Pass gives you approved courses, certificates, and predictable pricing without buying credits one at a time.

Earn 1 Free Credit View Pricing

Free HR credits FAQs

Can I earn free HRCI credits online?

Yes. RecertifyHR offers one free online Change Management course that can count as 1 HRCI recertification credit and 1 SHRM PDC. No credit card is required to start.

Can one course count for both SHRM and HRCI recertification?

Yes, when the course is approved for both programs. RecertifyHR courses are built for HR professionals who may need SHRM PDCs, HRCI credits, or both during the same renewal cycle.

How many free HR recertification credits do I need?

Most PHR, SPHR, GPHR, PHRca, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP holders need 60 recertification credits over a three-year cycle. The free course helps you test the platform and earn your first credit; the Annual Pass is for the remaining credits.

What is the cheapest way to finish the rest of my credits?

If you need more than one credit, RecertifyHR's Annual Pass gives you 88 courses and 121 credit hours for $250/year, instead of buying individual webinars or courses one at a time.