SHRM Certification CP and SCP Review: Is it Worth it?
Is SHRM certification worth it? If that’s on your mind, you are at the right place.
Unlike lawyers, teachers, and doctors, HR professionals don’t need a certification to operate. But if you browse through HR positions on job boards, you will see that many companies prefer to hire SHRM-certified professionals, or even require applicants to have certification.
However, since the certification represents a significant investment of time and money, it is a good idea to understand it before making a decision.
To learn more via video, watch the video below. Otherwise, skip ahead to continue reading.
What is the SHRM Certification?
The SHRM Certification is a global human resource credential offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), a professional HR membership association.
The certification consists of a four-hour exam containing two types of multiple-choice questions: knowledge-based and scenario-based. The certification exam is accredited by the Buros Center for Testing, an institution that attests that the HR credentials meet the highest standards.
As the most widely recognized credential in the industry, many professionals all over the world pursue SHRM certification aiming for career growth and recognition.
The certification sets professionals apart from the crowd in recruiting situations, but it is also a great weapon when seeking a promotion. It not only shows employers that you have extensive knowledge but also demonstrates your commitment to developing as an HR professional.
SHRM-CP vs. SHRM-SCP
The SHRM offers two types of exams, the SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and the SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Both SHRM CP and SHRM SCP are designed for different audiences, based on the level of experience in the field.
The SHRM-CP is designated for HR professionals who are engaged primarily in operational roles. So, if your responsibilities include policy and procedure implementation, employee relations coordination, and other day-to-day administrative tasks, the SHRM-CP is your best alternative.
If you operate in a senior role with a focus on strategic matters, go for the SHRM-SCP. Keep in mind that strategic matters include major tasks such as aligning HR strategies with the organizational goals, managing people who implement HR operations, and developing policies based on the analysis of performance metrics, for example.
Even if you are in a senior role, you are not eligible for the SHRM-SCP exam or decide for yourself that you want to go for the SHRM-CP first.
SHRM Eligibility Criteria
Both exams have rigorous eligibility criteria. All applicants must meet particular academic and work experience standards at the time they submit their application for eligibility for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree in the HR field, you must work for at least 1 year in an HR position to become eligible for the SHRM-Certified Professional exam, and at least 4 years to become able to sit for the SHRM-SCP exam.
Check your eligibility for both exams below:
Keep in mind that the pass rate for the SHRM-SCP exam is around 50% while the pass rate for the SHRM-CP exam is 70%. This tells us that even HR professionals who qualify for the SHRM-SCP certification have a hard time succeeding. So, if you feel like your experience is not extensive enough yet, go for the SHRM-CP first.
Benefits of Getting the SHRM Certification
Earning an SHRM CP certification is an excellent way to step up in your HR career. It not only increases your self-confidence but also makes you more reliable in the eyes of other HR professionals. For human resources professionals looking to walk their way up to an executive HR position, being certified helps to get there.
Let’s explore a few benefits of obtaining an SHRM certification:
Advantages during recruiting processes
If you still did not get the dream job, at the company you desire, getting a certification will help stand out from the other applicants when the ideal position opens up.
Most large companies require candidates to have an HR certification from a credible institution. This helps them filter the candidates before they start reviewing applications.
Higher salary
If you are happy at the company where you currently work, the SHRM also represents an advantage for you.
Estimates show that the median pay for an HR professional with an SHRM certification was close to $88K while those without any certification made around $46K. That represents nearly double the salary for certified professionals. That is also because SHRM-certified professionals are promoted faster and tend to hold positions of higher authority compared to non-certified people.
Boost in recognition
Besides making you more prone to promotion, an SHRM certification boosts your confidence and fellow professionals’ recognition. This doesn’t seem as valuable as a higher salary, but recognition represents a big part of job satisfaction and professional fulfillment.
The initials that will appear after your name on business cards or your LinkedIn profile show expertise and represent an advantage in networking situations.
Demonstrate commitment to the HR profession
Investing in the SHRM certification shows your long-term commitment to the human resources career, which makes it easier for HR managers to trust bigger responsibilities. If your manager sees your engagement in professional development, he or she will have more inclination to dedicate time to mentor you.
Extra incentive to expand HR knowledge
Knowing that you have the SHRM certification exam coming up will motivate you to study HR concepts that you wouldn’t review without this incentive. The Society of Human Resources Management provides the SHRM Learning System as a resource for exam preparation.
Exam Study Material
The study materials include:
- HR competencies, which include business acumen, consultation, relationship management, and ethical practice
- People, which covers talent acquisition, employee engagement, employee retention, workforce management, and total rewards
- Organization, which comprises employee and labor relations, behavioral competencies, organizational effectiveness, and technology management
- Workplace, which covers diversity and inclusion, U.S. employment law and regulations, risk management, and corporate social responsibility
Keep yourself competitive in the industry. By going through the learning modules, you gain the knowledge necessary to keep yourself up to date with new HR technology resources and new employment laws and regulations.
You will benefit not only yourself but also your company with powerful human resources knowledge. This investment even helps you protect your company from lawsuit risk by ensuring regulatory compliance.
Interested in reviewing other certifications? Then check out our HR certifications at HR University.
What the SHRM Investment Looks Like
All the SHRM certification benefits come at a price. Both the SHRM-CP and the SHRM-SCP certification exams cost $475 if you are not a member of the Society of Human Resources Management. There is also a $50 application fee, which makes the total investment $525 for non-members.
If you are a member of the SHRM, you get $100 off the certification price. This means that members pay $375 plus the $50 application fee.
Considering that the Society of Human Resources Management annual fee is $219, it is worth it to become a member if you want to get certified. The institution offers many resources for members interview guides, termination checklists, research, metrics, and even updated legislative policies.
If you want to save some money, plan your certification enrollment in advance to access the early-bird exam fee, which is $300 for members and $400 for non-members.
Besides the financial investment, you will have to dedicate a few hours per week for at least a couple of months to get ready for the certification exam. As you have noticed by this point, the exam compiles many complex topics in every area of HR, so even if you have extensive experience in the field, you will need to commit to the exam preparation if you want to pass.
Many people enroll in preparatory courses offered by local colleges or online programs. Receiving expert instruction is a great way to get you ready and confident for the competitive edge of the exam. But it also represents another financial investment.
Recertification Requirements
The SHRM certification expires three years after you take the exam. This means that if you want to make your initial investment count longer, you must get certified every three years.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to take the exam again. The SHRM developed a system to check if you are engaging in professional development activities during these three years. If you prove that you do, you get automatically recertified. So, there are two options for you to renew your license:
- Earn 60 professional development credits (PDCs) within your three-year recertification cycle
- Re-take and pass the certification exam within the last year of your recertification cycle
Review the details about the competencies you need to develop on the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM Bock).
Is the SHRM Certification Worth It?
If you are committed to your professional growth, to the overall development of the HR profession, and continuous learning, the SHRM certification will help you achieve your goals.
Investing in a credible HR certification, like the SHRM, represents the difference between being a good HR professional and a leading HR expert. A certification like this will open several doors in your career and will help you to remain competitive in this ever-evolving industry.
FAQs
Here are answers to some additional common questions about the SHRM certification:
What does SHRM certification mean?
SHRM certification means that you are certified through the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). SHRM is a global organization that deals with HR and employer-employee relations.
How do you qualify for SHRM certification?
To qualify for the SHRM certification, you should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. You also need to have completed at least 12 months of experience in HR and meet all other eligibility requirements for SHRM certification.
How much does a SHRM certification cost?
The SHRM certification costs between $149 and $400 depending on if you’re already a member.
Is the SHRM test hard?
The SHRM test is not an easy test to take. It is extensive and will require a lot of studying, but all SHRM certification exams are designed in the same way with fair questions
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into an HR role, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft a great HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy.
