How to Get SHRM Certified in 2023: The Ultimate Guide for HR Professionals

Hi there! As an HR professional myself, I know how valuable getting the SHRM certification can be for advancing your career. This comprehensive guide will provide you with my expert insights on everything you need to know about getting SHRM-certified in 2023.

An Overview of SHRM Certification

Before jumping into the details, let‘s start with an overview of what exactly the SHRM certification is all about.

SHRM, or Society for Human Resource Management, is the world’s largest HR association with over 300,000 members globally. It offers two main certifications:

SHRM-CP – For early and mid-career HR professionals
SHRM-SCP – For senior-level and executive HR professionals

These certifications are widely recognized as the gold standard for HR expertise. According to SHRM’s 2022 survey, certified professionals earn over $30,000 more annually compared to their non-certified peers.

So in a nutshell, SHRM certification validates your strategic HR skills and knowledge as per the latest global standards. It shows employers that you are committed to advancing the HR profession.

Now let‘s explore the key details about SHRM certifications that you should know.

Eligibility Criteria for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP

Before applying for the exams, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria set by SHRM. This ensures you have the required HR experience and competencies.

SHRM-CP Eligibility

To be eligible for SHRM-CP, you must have at least 1 year of professional HR experience. Other options are:

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with an HR emphasis
HR-related certification like PHR/SPHR
Relevant work experience in teaching, consulting, or research related to HR principles and practices

So in summary, SHRM-CP is ideal for early career professionals looking to validate their foundational HR skills.

SHRM-SCP Eligibility

For SHRM-SCP, you need at least 3 years of professional HR experience in a strategic role. Other options are:

SHRM-CP certification + 3 years as an HR professional
Graduate degree + 3 years as an HR professional
Relevant experience as an HR instructor at college level

The key is having sufficient experience applying HR principles in a strategic leadership role. So SHRM-SCP is more suited for senior professionals.

I would recommend checking the detailed eligibility criteria on SHRM’s website before applying.

Exam Format and Details

Now let’s look at the exam format and other key details:

Delivery method – You can take the exam either online/remotely or at a test center. I prefer the online option for flexibility.
Exam duration – You get a total of 4 hours to complete the exam.
Number of questions – There are between 125-175 questions in the exam.
Topic coverage – The exam covers HR competencies across 9 behavioral areas (like leadership, consultation, relationship management) and 15 HR functional areas (like talent acquisition, learning & development, total rewards).
Passing score – You need a minimum score of 200 out of 300 to pass the exam. The questions are mix of knowledge, situational judgement, and application questions.
Exam fee – The exam fee ranges from $300 to $400 based on your SHRM membership status.

Personally, I recommend booking your exam date well in advance and not leaving it to the last minute. Give yourself 3-4 months for preparation.

The exam covers a wide breadth of HR topics so ample prep time is key.

Steps to Prepare and Pass the SHRM Exam

Based on my own SHRM exam prep experience, here are my top 7 tips on how to thoroughly prepare and pass the test:

1. Read the SHRM Body of Competency & Knowledge (SHRM BoCK)

This is the official exam content outline published by SHRM. It covers all the required HR disciplines and competencies tested. Read it thoroughly first to understand the exam coverage.

2. Take Practice Tests

Practice makes perfect! Taking sample questions and practice tests is key to passing the actual SHRM exam. Fortunately, there are several official and third-party resources for this.

I recommend using SHRM’s e-learning portal which has 900+ practice questions. You can also find practice tests on reputable sites like Pocket Prep.

3. Use Prep Courses and Study Guides

A structured prep course is highly useful for comprehensive review of all SHRM exam domains.

Some reputable providers I recommend are SHRM Learning System, HRCP, SHRM Seminars, Distinctive HR, and HCI.

You can also refer to the SHRM BoCK study guide, flashcards, and advanced prep tools.

4. Focus on Your Weak Areas

Analyze the practice test results to identify your weak and strong domains. Then spend more time strengthening your weak areas through targeted review.

For me, HR technology and analytics were weaker domains. So I spent extra time studying those topics using online courses.

5. Leverage Multiple Study Resources

Relying on just one study guide or resource is not enough.

Useprep books, online courses, SHRM’s resources, study groups, mentor guidance, and flashcards to prep from different sources.

Varied resources will give you different perspectives and help strengthen your grasp of key exam concepts.

6. Form a Study Group

Connect with colleagues or peers who are also preparing for the exam. Discuss questions, exchange notes, and take mock tests together.

This helps simulate the actual exam environment besides keeping you motivated.

7. Manage Your Time During the Exam

Do not spend too much time on any single question during the exam. Mark it for review and come back later if needed.

Allocate time wisely across sections. Rush through the initial questions so you have ample time for harder questions.

Following these tips diligently helped me pass the SHRM-SCP exam in my first attempt. So stay focused, be thorough in your prep, and you can certainly be SHRM certified as well!

Cost of SHRM Certification and Exam Fees

Let‘s also cover the exam registration and overall costs involved in getting SHRM certified:

SHRM member exam fee – $300 per exam attempt
Non-member exam fee – $400 per exam attempt

There can be retake fees if you have to re-take the exam. Also factor in prep course fees depending on your chosen study option.

Becoming a SHRM member first is highly recommended as it lowers the exam fee considerably. Annual SHRM membership costs $219.

Some employers sponsor or reimburse SHRM certification and related prep costs. So do check if your company offers this benefit.

Overall, the investment is well worth the long-term boost to your HR career prospects and earnings potential from SHRM certification.

Recertification Requirements

Once certified, you need to recertify every 3 years to maintain an active certification status.

The key recertification requirements are:

Earn 60 professional development credits (PDCs) within 3 years
OR retake the certification exam

PDCs can be earned by doing things like:

Attending HR conferences and workshops
Participating in SHRM seminars and e-learning
Completing higher education/college courses
Authoring published HR content

So in summary, recertification ensures you stay current by continuously developing your HR competencies.

Career Benefits of Earning the SHRM Certification

Based on my experience, here are some of the most valuable ways in which SHRM certification can benefit your HR career:

Validates your expertise – Getting SHRM-certified is a prestigious achievement that cements your credibility as an HR expert. You gain instant recognition and respect.
Higher earning potential – As mentioned earlier, SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP professionals enjoy a significant pay boost over their peers. Increase in annual compensation ranges from $10,000 to over $30,000.
Expanded career opportunities – SHRM certification expands your opportunities for advancement into leadership roles. Many top HR job openings specify it as a desired or required qualification.
Keeps you upskilled – Preparing for the certification helps you develop a deeper understanding of key HR disciplines. Recertification requirements also ensure you stay continually updated on the latest HR best practices.
Builds professional network – As part of the SHRM community, you gain access to networking events and connections with over 300,000 HR professionals globally.

So in summary, SHRM certification clearly demonstrates your specialized skills, knowledge, and credibility as an HR expert. It delivers immense value for shaping your professional journey in HR.

Final Tips for SHRM Exam Success

As you prepare to earn the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential this year, keep these tips in mind:

Start early – Give yourself at least 3-4 months to prep thoroughly for the exam. Don‘t delay or cram at the last minute.
Use multiple study resources – Combine SHRM’s official prep tools with third-party courses, guides, and practice tests for comprehensive coverage of all exam domains.
Focus on applying concepts – SHRM exams test your ability to apply concepts to HR scenarios. So practice interpreting questions and using judgement.
Review challenging areas – Spend more time strengthening your weak or less familiar topics instead of just reviewing strengths. A balanced knowledge across sections is key.
Think positively – Stay motivated and confident through your prep process. With discipline and commitment, you can absolutely achieve SHRM certification.

Conclusion

I hope this detailed guide provides you everything you need to know about earning the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential in 2023. The certification can truly fast track your HR career and establish you as a strategic HR leader.

Stay focused on thorough preparation using the right resources and tips. Most importantly, believe in yourself! Leverage the SHRM community for support too.

You got this. Wishing you all the best! Please feel free to reach out if you need any other tips or have additional questions. Happy to help you in your SHRM certification journey.