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SHRM-CP (SHRM Certified Professional)

The leading HR certification for early-to-mid career professionals. SHRM-CP validates your ability to apply HR knowledge in real-world situations—focusing on both technical competencies and behavioral skills that effective HR professionals need.

✓ Best for: HR professionals with 1–4 years of experience, HR coordinators moving into generalist roles, or those implementing HR policies and serving as a point of contact for staff and stakeholders

Who Is SHRM-CP For?

✓ This certification is a good fit if you…

  • Work in an HR role implementing policies, handling employee relations, or managing HR operations
  • Have 1–4 years of HR experience (or an HR degree with less experience)
  • Want to demonstrate both HR knowledge and practical application skills
  • Are an HR coordinator or generalist aiming for advancement
  • Work in the US or for US-based companies (SHRM is most recognized domestically)
  • Want the most widely recognized HR certification from the largest HR professional organization

✗ You might consider alternatives if you…

  • Have 4+ years of strategic HR experience—consider SHRM-SCP instead
  • Work outside the US—PHR/SPHR or regional certs may have more local recognition
  • Are brand new to HR with no experience—you may need to gain experience first to be eligible
  • Focus on compensation/benefits specifically—consider CCP or CEBS for specialization
  • Work in HR analytics—specialized analytics certifications may be more relevant

Prerequisites (In Plain English)

Eligibility is based on education + HR experience:

Education Level HR Experience Required
Less than Bachelor's degree 3–4 years in HR role
Bachelor's degree (HR-related) 1 year in HR role
Bachelor's degree (non-HR) 2 years in HR role
Graduate degree (HR-related) Currently in HR role
Graduate degree (non-HR) 1 year in HR role

What counts as an "HR role"? Positions where at least 1,000 hours per year are spent on HR duties including: employee relations, recruiting, training, compensation, benefits, compliance, HRIS, organizational development, etc. The role doesn't need "HR" in the title if you perform HR functions.

Students: If you're in your final year of an HR-related bachelor's or master's program, you may be eligible to take the exam.

What You'll Learn

SHRM-CP tests both HR knowledge and behavioral competencies:

HR Knowledge Areas:

  • People: HR strategic planning, talent acquisition, employee engagement, learning & development, total rewards
  • Organization: Structure of the HR function, organizational effectiveness, workforce management, employee and labor relations, technology management
  • Workplace: HR in the global context, diversity & inclusion, risk management, corporate social responsibility, employment law and regulations

Behavioral Competencies:

  • Leadership: Leadership & navigation, ethical practice
  • Interpersonal: Relationship management, communication, global & cultural effectiveness
  • Business: Business acumen, consultation, critical evaluation

Key distinction: About 50% of exam questions are situational judgment—they describe a workplace scenario and ask what an HR professional should do. This tests application, not just knowledge recall.

Exam Format & Scoring

Question format: 134 questions total. Mix of standalone knowledge items and situational judgment items (workplace scenarios). About 24 are pretest questions that don't count toward your score.

Time limit: 4 hours (240 minutes). Most candidates use 2.5–3.5 hours.

Passing score: 200 out of 200 on a scaled score. The passing threshold is determined through statistical analysis—there's no fixed percentage.

Testing windows: SHRM-CP is offered during specific windows (typically Spring and Winter). Check SHRM's website for current testing periods.

Testing options: Prometric testing centers or online proctored from home.

Results: Preliminary pass/fail shown immediately. Official results within a few weeks.

Cost breakdown:

  • SHRM member exam fee: $410 (early bird) to $475 (standard)
  • Non-member exam fee: $510 (early bird) to $575 (standard)
  • SHRM membership: $244/year (professional) or $59/year (student)
  • Tip: Join SHRM first—membership saves money on the exam and provides study resources

Recommended Study Plan

Standard Track

3–4 months

For HR professionals with moderate experience:

  1. Month 1: Get the SHRM Learning System (or alternative prep course). Work through People and Organization content. Take notes on unfamiliar concepts.
  2. Month 2: Complete Workplace content and behavioral competencies. Start practice questions—focus on situational judgment question strategy.
  3. Month 3: Heavy practice question phase. Take diagnostic tests to identify weak areas. Review employment law concepts (frequently tested).
  4. Month 4: Full practice exams. Refine test-taking strategy for situational questions. Schedule exam when scoring 70%+ consistently.

Accelerated Track

6–8 weeks

For experienced HR professionals with strong foundational knowledge:

  1. Weeks 1–2: Take diagnostic test to identify gaps. Skim familiar content, deep-dive on weak areas.
  2. Weeks 3–4: Focus on situational judgment question strategy. Practice the "SHRM mindset"—what would an ethical, professional HR person do?
  3. Weeks 5–6: Practice exams. 500+ questions minimum. Analyze patterns in wrong answers.
  4. Weeks 7–8: Final review of weak areas. Take timed practice exams. Book exam when ready.

Key study tip: Situational judgment questions don't always have one "right" answer—they ask for the "best" answer. Think about what a calm, ethical, legally compliant HR professional would do, even if you've seen different approaches in your actual workplace.

Prep Resources

Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Official Resource

SHRM Learning System

The official prep course from SHRM. Comprehensive coverage, practice questions, and online tools. Expensive but thorough and directly aligned to exam.

~$700–1,000+ depending on format

View Options
Best Value

SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP Certification All-in-One Exam Guide

Comprehensive book covering all exam content. More affordable than SHRM Learning System. Includes practice questions.

~$40–50

View on Amazon (affiliate)

Pocket Prep SHRM App

Mobile app with practice questions. Good for studying on the go. Includes detailed explanations.

Free tier + premium ~$20/month

View App (affiliate)

LinkedIn Learning SHRM Prep

Video courses covering SHRM-CP content. Good supplement if you have LinkedIn Learning access through employer or library.

~$30/month or free with library card

View Course (affiliate)

Free Resources

  • SHRM website: Free articles, templates, and resources for members
  • SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (BASK): Free download outlining exam content
  • r/humanresources: Reddit community with exam tips and experiences

Official Information

Verify current eligibility requirements, testing windows, and pricing with SHRM:

Visit SHRM Official Page →

External link to shrm.org.

Alternative Certifications to Consider

📈

SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional)

If you have 4+ years of strategic HR experience. More senior-focused, covers HR strategy and policy development.
📋

PHR (Professional in Human Resources)

HRCI's competing cert. More US employment law focused. Some employers prefer one over the other—check job postings in your market.
🎓

aPHR (Associate Professional in HR)

If you don't meet SHRM-CP experience requirements. Entry-level HRCI cert with no experience needed.
🏆

SPHR (Senior Professional in HR)

HRCI's senior cert. Alternative to SHRM-SCP for experienced HR leaders. Compare based on your target employers' preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

SHRM-CP vs PHR—which is better?

Both are respected. SHRM-CP focuses on competency-based skills and workplace application. PHR is more US employment law heavy. Check job postings in your target market—some employers specify one or the other. In recent years, SHRM-CP has gained ground as the more popular choice, but PHR remains well-recognized.

How hard is the SHRM-CP exam?

Moderately challenging. The situational judgment questions are the hardest part—they require thinking like an ideal HR professional, which may differ from your actual workplace experience. With proper preparation (2–4 months), most qualified candidates pass. SHRM reports pass rates around 65–70%.

Is SHRM-CP worth it for career advancement?

For HR careers, generally yes. Many HR job postings list SHRM-CP (or equivalent) as preferred or required. SHRM data suggests certified HR professionals earn more than non-certified peers. It also demonstrates commitment to the profession and ongoing development.

Can I take SHRM-CP without HR experience?

Only with the right education. If you have an HR-related graduate degree, you can take the exam while currently in an HR role (no minimum tenure). Without an HR degree, you'll need 2–4 years of HR experience depending on your education level.

How do I maintain SHRM-CP?

Earn 60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) every 3 years. PDCs come from continuing education, conferences, webinars, professional activities, and more. Alternatively, you can retake the exam or earn SHRM-SCP (which supersedes SHRM-CP).

Should I join SHRM before taking the exam?

Yes—the math works out. SHRM membership costs $244/year for professionals. Members save $100 on exam fees. Plus you get access to HR resources, templates, research, and networking. For the exam alone, membership practically pays for itself.

When should I take SHRM-SCP instead?

SHRM-SCP is for HR professionals who develop policies and strategies, lead HR functions, or have significant strategic HR experience (typically 4+ years). If you're implementing policies rather than creating them, SHRM-CP is likely the right fit. When in doubt, check SHRM's eligibility tool.