Since January 1, 2021, all HRCI certifications have required 1 ethics-themed activity as part of your 45 or 60 total recertification credits. This is not an additional credit—it is one of your regular credits with an ethics focus. When you submit your recertification application at my.hrci.org, you check the ethics affirmation box to confirm you completed an ethics activity.
This guide explains what counts as an HRCI ethics credit, which certifications need it, how to report it in the HRCI recertification portal, and how to complete your ethics requirement online. For complete HRCI recertification details, see our HRCI recertification guide.
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HRCI's Ethics Requirement Explained
Per HRCI's ethics requirement page (hrci.org/recertifications/ethics-requirement), all HRCI credential holders must complete at least one activity with an ethics theme during their recertification cycle. This requirement took effect January 1, 2021, and applies to all HRCI certifications:
- aPHR (Associate Professional in Human Resources)
- aPHRi (Associate Professional in Human Resources - International)
- PHR (Professional in Human Resources)
- PHRi (Professional in Human Resources - International)
- PHRca (Professional in Human Resources - California)
- SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)
- SPHRi (Senior Professional in Human Resources - International)
- GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources)
Key Facts About the HRCI Ethics Requirement
- Part of your total: The ethics credit is one of your 45 or 60 total credits, not an extra credit
- Required for all certifications: aPHR, PHR, SPHR, GPHR, and international versions all need it
- Ethics theme: The activity must include ethics content, but it can also cover other HR topics
- Reported via affirmation: You check a box in your recertification application confirming you completed an ethics activity
Which HRCI Credentials Need an Ethics Credit?
| Certification | Total Credits | Ethics Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| aPHR / aPHRi | 45 credits | 1 ethics activity (part of the 45) |
| PHR / PHRi / PHRca | 60 credits | 1 ethics activity (part of the 60) |
| SPHR / SPHRi | 60 credits (15 Business min) | 1 ethics activity (part of the 60) |
| GPHR | 60 credits (15 Global min) | 1 ethics activity (part of the 60) |
All HRCI certifications require the ethics activity. The ethics credit is not an additional requirement—it is one of your regular 45 or 60 credits that happens to have an ethics theme.
What Counts as an HRCI Ethics Credit: Pre-Approved vs Self-Reported
HRCI accepts two types of ethics-themed activities: pre-approved ethics courses and self-reported activities with an ethics focus. Both satisfy the ethics requirement, but pre-approved courses make it easier to submit your recertification application because the ethics designation auto-populates in the HRCI portal.
HRCI Pre-Approved Ethics Courses
Pre-approved ethics courses have been reviewed by HRCI and carry a pre-approval program ID. When you enter the program ID in the HRCI recertification portal at my.hrci.org, the course's credit hours and ethics designation auto-populate.
- • HRCI-approved ethics courses from approved providers
- • Ethics-themed webinars with pre-approval IDs
- • Conference sessions on ethics topics (check with provider for pre-approval status)
Self-Reported Ethics Activities
Self-reported activities with an ethics theme also qualify. You must document the activity and report it manually in the HRCI recertification portal, then check the ethics affirmation box when you submit your application.
- • HR webinars or courses covering ethics topics
- • Conference sessions on workplace ethics, compliance, or professional conduct
- • Self-study activities (books, white papers) with ethics content
- • Presenting on ethics topics at HR events
How to Report Your HRCI Ethics Credit in my.hrci.org
Reporting your HRCI ethics credit is straightforward. You log your ethics-themed activity along with your other recertification credits, then check the ethics affirmation box when you submit your recertification application.
Log Into the HRCI Recertification Portal
Visit my.hrci.org and log in with your HRCI credentials. Navigate to your certification dashboard and select 'Add Activity' to begin entering your recertification credits.
Enter Your Ethics Activity
If you completed a pre-approved ethics course, enter the pre-approval program ID and the course's credit hours and ethics designation will auto-populate. If you completed a self-reported activity, manually enter the activity details, credit hours, and select 'Ethics' as the activity theme.
Add Your Other Credits
Continue entering the rest of your 45 or 60 recertification credits, including any specified credits (Business, Global, or California) if your certification requires them.
Check the Ethics Affirmation Box
When you submit your recertification application, you will see an ethics affirmation checkbox. Check the box to confirm you completed at least one ethics-themed activity during your cycle.
Submit Your Application and Pay the Fee
Review your credits, submit your application, and pay the recertification fee ($169 for one designation, plus $50 for each additional, per the HRCI fees page checked 2026-09-15). HRCI will review your application and send your new certificate.
Online Ethics Courses for HRCI Recertification
Many HR professionals prefer to complete their ethics requirement through online courses because they are convenient, self-paced, and include completion certificates for documentation. When looking for an online ethics course, prioritize HRCI pre-approved courses that auto-populate in the HRCI recertification portal.
RecertifyHR offers online HR courses covering a range of topics. While you should verify the specific ethics designation of any course before relying on it for your ethics requirement, the platform's $250/year Annual Pass provides access to 88 courses and 121 credit hours for your full recertification cycle.
Complete Your HRCI Ethics Requirement Online
- Start with free: Try RecertifyHR's free Change Management course (no card required)
- HRCI pre-approved courses with certificates you can keep for your records
- $250/year Annual Pass for unlimited access to 88 courses
- Self-paced learning so you can complete courses on your schedule
Does SHRM Require an Ethics Credit for Recertification?
No. SHRM recertification does not have a separate ethics requirement. SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP holders need60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) over three years across three categories:
- Advance Your Education (no maximum)
- Advance Your Organization (maximum 30 PDCs per cycle)
- Advance Your Profession (maximum 30 PDCs per cycle)
While SHRM does not require a standalone ethics credit, ethics-themed courses and webinars count toward your Advance Your Education PDCs. Many activities qualify for both HRCI credits and SHRM PDCs, so you can use the same ethics course for dual recertification if you hold both HRCI and SHRM certifications. However, you must submit separately to each organization's portal. See our SHRM recertification guide for complete SHRM requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HRCI require an ethics credit for recertification?
Yes. All HRCI certifications (aPHR, aPHRi, PHR, PHRi, PHRca, SPHR, SPHRi, and GPHR) require 1 ethics-themed activity inside your 45 or 60 total credits (not an additional credit). When you submit your recertification application at my.hrci.org, you check the ethics affirmation box to confirm you completed an ethics activity.
What counts as an HRCI ethics credit?
Per HRCI's ethics requirement page (hrci.org/recertifications/ethics-requirement), qualifying activities include HRCI pre-approved ethics courses, ethics-themed webinars, conference sessions on ethics topics, or self-reported activities with an ethics focus. The activity must be part of your 45 or 60 total credits.
Which HRCI certifications need an ethics credit?
All HRCI certifications require 1 ethics-themed activity: aPHR, aPHRi, PHR, PHRi, PHRca, SPHR, SPHRi, and GPHR. This requirement has been in effect since January 1, 2021.
How do I report my HRCI ethics credit?
Log into the HRCI recertification portal at my.hrci.org, enter your recertification credits (including the ethics activity), and check the ethics affirmation box when you submit your application. HRCI pre-approved courses auto-populate their credit hours and type when you enter the pre-approval ID.
Does SHRM require an ethics credit for recertification?
No. SHRM recertification does not have a separate ethics requirement. SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP holders need 60 PDCs over three years across three categories (Advance Your Education, Advance Your Organization, Advance Your Profession), but ethics is not a standalone requirement. See our SHRM recertification guide for details.
Can I use the same ethics activity for both HRCI and SHRM recertification?
Yes, if the activity qualifies for both. Many ethics-themed courses and webinars count for both HRCI credits and SHRM PDCs. However, you must submit separately to each organization's portal—HRCI at my.hrci.org and SHRM at my.shrm.org.
What is a pre-approved ethics course?
A pre-approved ethics course is a course that HRCI has reviewed and approved as meeting the ethics requirement. When you enter the pre-approval ID in the HRCI recertification portal, the course's credit hours and ethics designation auto-populate, making it easier to submit your application.
Related HRCI Recertification Resources
HRCI Recertification Guide
Complete HRCI recertification requirements, deadlines, credit types, and portal guide.
PHR Recertification Guide
PHR-specific recertification requirements, 60-credit cycle planning, and free credit options.
SPHR Recertification Guide
SPHR recertification requirements including the 15 Business credit minimum.
SHRM Recertification Guide
SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP 60-PDC requirements, categories, and portal guide.
Earn Your HRCI Ethics Credit and Complete Your Recertification Cycle
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