18 - 1164 2019 SHRM Handbook - FNL

SHRM-CP®
SHRM-SCP®
2019 SHRM
CERTIFICATION
HANDBOOK
shrmcertification.org
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
SHRM
1800 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
800.283.7476, option 3 (U.S. only) or +1.703.548.3440, option 3 (International)
»» Website: shrmcertification.org
»» General Questions/Information: [email protected]
Prometric
To schedule, reschedule or cancel an exam appointment, visit prometric.com/shrm or call 888.736.0134.
»» International candidates may schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment at prometric.com/shrm

or by contacting their Regional Testing Contact Center (see Appendix C) for the correct
phone number.
»» If scheduling or rescheduling an appointment with testing accommodations, call 800.967.1139.
»» For test site emergency closure information, visit prometric.com/sitestatus.
Questions?
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone (U.S. only): 800.283.7476, option 3
Phone (International): +1.703.535.6360
For more information:

shrmcertification.org
CONTENTS
2 The Journey Begins 16 PREPARE FOR THE EXAM
2 How to Use This Handbook 16 Exam Composition
2 Nondiscrimination Statement 16 Sample Questions
16 Exam Administration
3 ABOUT THE PROGRAM 17 Test Administration Platform Navigation
3 SHRM Certification Program Overview 17 Preparation Resources
4 The SHRM Certification Process
18 TESTING
5 DECIDE TO CERTIFY 18 Testing Identification and Conduct Requirements
5 Exam Eligibility Criteria 19 Testing Irregularities
5 Student Eligibility 20 Inclement Weather and Local or National
6 Selecting the Right Certification Emergencies
6 Taking the Spanish Exam 20 Test Results
6 2019 Testing Schedule 20 Score Information
7 Fees 20 Data Confidentiality
7 Payment Methods 21 Score Validity and the Right to Cancel Scores
21 Request for Rescoring
8 APPLY FOR AND SCHEDULE THE EXAM
21 Exam Item Challenge
8 Application Process
21 Exam Appeals
8 Policies and Agreements
21 Retaking the Test
9 SHRM Certification Candidate Agreement
21 Violations and Investigations
11 Reasonable Accommodations for Testing or
22 Appeals for Investigation Disputes
Certification Process
11 Incomplete Applications 23 ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION
11 Eligibility Verification 23 Earning the Credential
12 Application Denials 23 Online Certified Directory
12 Appeals Provisions 23 Digital Badge
12 Scheduling Exam Appointments 24 Recertification
13 Name Change and Profile Updates 24 Revocation of Certification
13 Exam Level Changes
13 Rescheduling Exam Appointments 25 APPENDICES
14 Exam Transfer 25 Appendix A: Sample Candidate Score and
14 Cancellations Feedback Report
14 Medical or Personal Emergencies 27 Appendix B: Regional Testing Contact Centers
15 ‘No-Shows’ 28 Appendix C: Legal Restrictions
15 Refund Policy
SHRMCERTIFICATION.ORG |1
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Congratulations on your decision to pursue SHRM Certified Professional
(SHRM-CP®) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP®) certification
(together, the “SHRM Certification Program”), which together represent the
next generation of credentials in the field of human resources. Developed
by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), these credentials
provide HR professionals the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of
the core competencies needed to ensure success in today’s demanding
business environment.
By deciding to pursue SHRM certification, you join a growing number of professionals seeking to meet and exceed the higher
expectations of HR in today’s complex global economy. The SHRM Certification Program is designed to help candidates
assume more-strategic leadership positions and perform more effectively as they earn a credential recognized worldwide for
its focus on behavioral competencies as well as technical HR knowledge.
We look forward to supporting you on your journey toward professional development through the SHRM certification process.
HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK

The SHRM Certification Handbook is the primary source SHRM reserves the right, at its discretion, to change
of information for the SHRM Certification Program and the standards, policies, procedures, application, and/
provides individuals with everything they need to know, or requirements for the SHRM Certification Program at
understand, complete, and participate in the SHRM any time. Changes will be posted on the SHRM website
certification process. The Handbook is required reading at shrmcertification.org and/or will be communicated
for those applying for, testing for, and holding the SHRM directly to participants via e-mail consistent with the
certification credentials. All individuals who participate in SHRM Privacy Policy that participants agree to at
this program must comply with the policies, procedures, the time of account creation. (Note: Candidates and
and deadlines in this Handbook and must attest to this fact certificants will receive these and other important
by signing the SHRM Certification Candidate Agreement certification-related informational notices by e-mail even
as part of the application process. The policies and if they have opted out of receiving other messages from
procedures in the Handbook help protect exam content, SHRM). Program participants are strongly advised to
maintain program integrity, and ensure test fairness and check the website often and be attentive to e-mails sent
validity for all candidates and certificants. The SHRM by the SHRM certification team.
Certification Program and certification examinations are
made available to candidates and certificants exclusively The SHRM Certification Handbook is the property of
under the terms set forth in the Handbook, which SHRM. Permission to reproduce its contents must be
constitutes a legally binding agreement between SHRM granted in writing by SHRM.
and all candidates and certificants.
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
SHRM does not discriminate against any person in its provision of certification services on the
basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other
protected characteristic under applicable law.
2| 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
SHRM CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW

For 70 years, SHRM has served the human resource profession and strived to advance the
practice of human resource management. HR professionals worldwide look to SHRM for
comprehensive resources to help them contribute more effectively in the workplace, accelerate
their careers, and develop strategic perspectives on human resource management.
In continued support of this effort, SHRM has developed Holding a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential
the SHRM Certification Program consisting of two represents more than just the ability to pass an exam.
behavioral competency-based certifications: the SHRM At their core, the certifications were designed to
Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) for early- to mid- provide credential-holders with a means for achieving
career professionals and the SHRM Senior Certified vital personal outcomes leading to successes such as
Professional (SHRM-SCP) for senior-level practitioners. leadership opportunities and career growth, as well as
SHRM regards the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP as organizational successes that could include increased
the new global standard in certification for the HR staff engagement, improvement of overall effectiveness,
profession. and operational efficiency.
The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP are the first-ever By earning a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential,
behavioral competency-based certifications for HR certificants join the fastest-growing community of HR
generalists, based upon a core set of competency and professionals around the world. SHRM certifications
knowledge outlined in the SHRM Body of Competency are recognized by employers across the globe in all
and Knowledge™ (SHRM BoCK™). The SHRM BoCK—a industries. Overwhelmingly, we’ve heard from HR
product of rigorous research involving thousands leaders that they view their SHRM-certified employees
of HR professionals—identifies eight key behavioral as better prospects for leadership opportunities and
competencies and 15 HR functional areas that are as individuals who are invested in the success of their
critical to the success of any HR professional. organizations. In 2016, the SHRM Certification Program
was awarded accreditation by the Buros Center for
Testing, an independent nonprofit organization within
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This award serves
as yet another testament to the merits of the program
and the exams therein by assuring that best practices
in testing and credentialing are being followed in the
development and administration of the SHRM-CP and
SHRM-SCP exams.
SHRM’s competency-based certifications are the

future of HR, and with more than 75,000 ways to earn
professional development credits (PDCs) from more
than 2,200 organizations, staying current in the ever-
evolving HR industry is easier than ever.
To download a copy of the SHRM BoCK, visit

shrmcertification.org/SHRMBoCK
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
THE SHRM CERTIFICATION PROCESS

SHRM offers SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP testing twice a year, once in the spring (May-July) and
again in the winter (December-February).
To be eligible to sit for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam, applicants must meet specific work experience and educational
criteria. Once these criteria are met and the applicant has been approved to sit for the exam, a notice is sent with instructions
on how to schedule an exam appointment.
The exams are delivered by computer at authorized testing centers administered by Prometric, SHRM’s test delivery vendor.
Prometric operates a secure network of thousands of test centers in more than 180 countries.
Upon completion of the exam, preliminary results are provided to candidates, followed by an official score and Candidate
Feedback Report several weeks later. Those who pass the exam are awarded the designated credential and permitted to
display the corresponding registered trademark credential letters (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP) after their name in accordance
with the protocols outlined in this Handbook. New SHRM credential-holders also receive a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP
certificate, wallet card and lapel pin as further recognition of their accomplishment.
Attaining the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential is the first step. Maintaining the credential is the next. Recertification is
required by participating in activities in three categories: Advancing Your Education, Advancing Your Organization, and
Advancing Your Profession. Not only is recertification required to maintain the certification, it also helps credential-holders
enhance their HR knowledge and competencies.
Apply & Achieve

Decide Prepare Test Recertify
Schedule Certification

DECIDE TO CERTIFY
EXAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Individuals applying for the SHRM Certification Program must meet specific educational and work experience criteria
at the time they submit their application to sit for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam. These requirements are outlined
below. NOTE: SHRM membership is not a requirement for eligibility.
CREDENTIAL Less than a Bachelor’s Degree* Bachelor’s Degree Graduate Degree
HR-RELATED NON-HR HR-RELATED HR-RELATED

NON-HR DEGREE NON-HR DEGREE
PROGRAM PROGRAM DEGREE DEGREE
Currently in HR
SHRM-CP** 3 years in HR role 4 years in HR role 1 year in HR role 2 years in HR role 1 year in HR role
role
SHRM-SCP 6 years in HR role 7 years in HR role 4 years in HR role 5 years in HR role 3 years in HR role 4 years in HR role
*Less than a bachelor’s degree includes: working toward a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, some college, qualifying HR certificate
program, high school diploma, or GED.
THE FOLLOWING GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ALSO APPLY
Education
»» HR-related degrees vary in discipline. For a list of common
associate, bachelor, graduate, or global equivalent degree
programs, visit shrmcertification.org ⊲ Decide. **STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
»»Applicants with less than a bachelor’s degree may Students who are enrolled in their final year of an
complete an HR certificate program from an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program at a
institution consisting of six to eight courses that cover the college or university that has been approved as
fundamentals of HR (e.g., Principles of HRM, Compensation
being aligned to SHRM’s curriculum guidelines,
& Benefits, Organizational Development, Recruitment
and who have accumulated at least 500 hours of
& Selection, Employment Law, Training & Development,
HR experience through an internship or other work
Employee Relations, Performance Management). A
qualifying certificate program typically lasts 18 months. opportunities, are eligible to sit for the SHRM-CP
exam. For a current listing of approved schools,
Experience
visit shrmcertification.org ⊲ Decide
»» HR-related experience relates to work in any of the 15
functional areas of HR knowledge that make up the For application procedures, contact your program
technical competency HR Expertise, identified in the administrator.
SHRM BoCK.
»»Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they devoted
at least 1,000 hours to HR-related activities in any
calendar year to qualify as having a year of HR-related
experience.
»» Experience may be either exempt or nonexempt, full or
part time, provided the 1,000-hour standard is met.
»»Applicants are not required to hold an HR title, but they
must demonstrate that they have done HR-related work.
»» Individuals who have mixed roles—for example, office
managers who have both administrative and HR
responsibilities—may also have qualifying experience,
provided their HR-related duties total at least 1,000 hours
in a calendar year. Supervising employees in and of itself
is not considered qualifying HR-related experience.
DECIDE TO CERTIFY
SELECTING THE RIGHT CERTIFICATION

Applicants should consider the following when deciding which certification (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP) to select:
»»1. Their level of education and experience in terms »» 3. The breadth and depth of their HR knowledge
of the program’s eligibility criteria. and experience.
The SHRM Certification Program has very specific There are eight key behavioral competencies
eligibility requirements to ensure that individuals and 15 HR functional areas that are critical to the
applying for the program are true HR professionals success of any HR professional. Content for all
who have the requisite knowledge, skills, and areas is covered on the exam. To get an idea of
abilities to potentially achieve success on the the things that an HR professional needs to know
exam. In most cases, applicants may be able to and do for both credential levels, applicants should
determine their appropriate certification level on review the SHRM BoCK. To download a copy of the
this information alone. However, some may choose SHRM BoCK, visit shrmcertification.org/SHRMBoCK.
a higher or lower level based on other criteria such
as those listed below.
»» 2. The actual work they do or have most recently

done in the field.
If a candidate’s current or most recent work has TAKING THE SPANISH EXAM
been operational in nature and involves activities
such as implementing policies, serving as an SHRM also offers the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP
HR point person in their organization or with exams in Spanish. To apply to take the Spanish-
organizations they support, and/or performing day- language exam, applicants must first create a
to-day HR functions, then SHRM-CP is likely the profile, then apply through their personal portal.
better choice.
If a candidate’s current or most recent work has

been strategic in nature and involves activities such
as developing policies and strategies, overseeing
the execution of HR operations, analyzing
performance metrics, and/or contributing to the
alignment of HR strategies with organizational
goals, then SHRM-SCP may be the better choice.
2019 Testing Schedule

Testing for the SHRM certification exams is offered twice a year, in the spring and in the winter. Applications are
accepted during the regular application period for the basic testing fee. Applicants who apply after the regular
application period and before the late application deadline will incur a $75.00 nonrefundable late application fee.
Applications submitted after the late application deadline date will not be accepted.
EXAM WINDOWS REGULAR APPLICATION DEADLINE LATE APPLICATION DEADLINE TESTING
Spring 2019 Jan. 2 – March 22 March 23 – April 12 May 1 – July 15
Winter 2019 May 13 – Oct. 18 Oct. 19 – Nov. 9 Dec. 1, 2019 – Feb. 15, 2020
Please note: The exam application deadlines close on March 22, April 12, Oct. 18, and Nov. 9 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

DECIDE TO CERTIFY
Fees
TYPE AMOUNT DETAILS
• Nontransferable
• Fee includes application processing fee (see below);
testing seat during the registration windows; exam score
Exam Fee $300.00 USD - Member* reports; and complimentary certificate, lapel pin, and wallet
(SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP) $400.00 USD - Nonmember card once certification is attained.
• Fee does not include study materials, study group support
or preparatory classes; traveling expense to and from
testing centers; or retest, transfer, and cancellation fees.
Included in the exam fee

Application Processing Fee $50.00 USD
Nonrefundable
Late Application Fee $75.00 USD Nonrefundable
• One time only

Transfer Fee $100.00 USD • Request must be submitted no later than 5 business days
prior to the scheduled exam appointment
• Payable to Prometric
Cancellation Fee $53.00 USD • If cancellation is requested within 30 days of, but no later
than 5 days before, the originally scheduled appointment
• Payable to Prometric
Reschedule Fee $53.00 USD • If the request is received 5 to 29 days before the originally
scheduled appointment
• Fee applies to requests for a rescore made by candidates

Rescore Fee $50.00 USD
who do not achieve a passing score on the test.
• No fee, provided the ADA requirements outlined in

Special Accommodation No Fee
The SHRM Certification Handbook are followed.
$100.00 USD - Member • Fee applies to participation in the recertification process.

Recertification Application Fee
$150.00 USD - Nonmember A completed recertification application must be submitted.
Recertification Late Fee $50.00 USD Nonrefundable
*In order to receive member pricing, a candidate must be a member at the time of application submission.
Payment Methods
The SHRM Certification Program accepts Visa, ACH/Wire
Mastercard, American Express, money orders, checks, Please contact: [email protected], 800.283.7476,
ACHs, and wire transfers. Payments must be in U.S. option 3 (U.S. only) or +1.703.535.6360 (International)
currency and made payable to the Society for Human
Check/Money Order
Resource Management (SHRM). ACHs and wire transfers
Please send to:
should be sent to the specific bank account designated
SHRM Certification Program
by SHRM. If payments (and refunds) are made by wire,
PO Box 79178
there are associated fees. All payments should be
Baltimore, MD 21279-0178
accompanied by proper documentation. Please note that
checks and money orders take 2-3 weeks to process. For information on volume pricing, call +1.703.535.6496 or
e-mail [email protected]
APPLY FOR AND SCHEDULE THE EXAM
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for the exam, please follow the eight-step process below.
1 Go to shrmcertification.org ⊲ Apply and select the APPLY NOW button..
2 Create a user account. Enter your name as it appears on your unexpired original government-issued ID.
3 During an open registration window, select the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification exam.
4 Complete the application form with your eligibility, job and demographic information.
5 Complete and submit paperwork for testing accommodations if applicable.
Sign the affirmation statement agreeing to abide by the following:
5
»»SHRM Certification Candidate Agreement
»»SHRM Bylaws & Code of Ethics
»»SHRM Privacy Policy
6 Submit payment for your exam. Please note that payment by credit card is the preferred method.
Upon successfully completing the verification process, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter via e-mail within
7
10 business days.
After receiving your ATT letter, schedule your exam with SHRM’s test delivery vendor at prometric.com/shrm or
8
call 888.736.0134.
The following conduct is strictly prohibited in relation to exam applications, registration, and scheduling:
»» Providing false or misleading information about your identity or that of any other person.
»» Registering for the SHRM exam with another individual’s SHRM login information.
»» Allowing someone else to register under your SHRM login information.
»» Allowing someone else to use your SHRM login information to take the SHRM exam.
»» Obtaining more than one SHRM login.
»» Holding multiple reservations at the same time under different SHRM registration logins.
Engaging in any of the above-described prohibited conduct constitutes a serious violation of SHRM policies and
may result in SHRM canceling your exam registration or invalidating your exam score, prohibiting you from testing, or
suspending or revoking your certification (if you have become a certificant), and may further subject you to sanctions
under the SHRM discipline procedures set forth in the SHRM bylaws.
Policies and Agreements

As part of the application process, applicants are Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves
required to review and acknowledge their acceptance with this information prior to applying for the program.
of various important policies and agreements, such The text for the SHRM Certification Candidate
as the SHRM Certification Candidate Agreement, the Agreement is on the next page. All other documents
SHRM Bylaws & Code of Ethics, and the SHRM Privacy can be viewed by clicking on the document type or
Policy. visiting shrmcertification.org ⊲ Apply.

SHRM Certification Candidate as well as the terms and conditions contained in The
SHRM Certification Handbook, and that you agree to
Agreement abide by all of them.
The SHRM Candidate Agreement (“Candidate I confirm that I am the person whose name and address
Agreement”) is a critical component of The SHRM appear on my SHRM exam registration. I further confirm
Certification Handbook and a legally binding contract that I am the person whose name appears on the
between you and SHRM that sets forth the terms and identification I presented to the proctor to begin the
conditions under which SHRM will permit you to apply for examination process. I confirm that all information that
the SHRM Certification Program and register for and take I provided to SHRM at the time of my application for
SHRM certification examinations. You must acknowledge certification and registration for the SHRM certification
and accept all terms of the Candidate Agreement. exam and at any time thereafter was complete,
accurate, and true in every respect and that if any of
Below is the full text of the Candidate Agreement: the information that I previously provided to SHRM has
The SHRM Certification Candidate Agreement changed since the time I provided it, I have submitted
(“Candidate Agreement”) is a legally binding contract updated information that is complete, accurate, and true
between you and SHRM that sets forth the terms and and reflects all such changes. I understand that providing
conditions under which SHRM will permit you to apply false, misleading, or incomplete information to SHRM
for the SHRM Certification Program and schedule shall be considered an intentional and willful breach of
an appointment for and take a SHRM certification the Candidate Agreement and will subject me to one or
examination. You must read, acknowledge and accept more of the consequences provided herein for violations
the terms of this Candidate Agreement in each of the of the Candidate Agreement.
following instances: (1) at the time you apply for the SHRM
Certification Program, (2) each time you schedule an I am taking the SHRM certification examination solely for
appointment for a SHRM certification examination, and the purpose of attaining a SHRM certification for myself
(3) before you can start taking a SHRM certification exam and for no other purpose. I confirm that I am not taking the
on the day of your scheduled examination. Adherence SHRM exam in my capacity as a test preparation agent or
to the Candidate Agreement is necessary to enable tutor or for the purpose of obtaining such employment. I
SHRM to maintain a fair and secure testing process confirm that I will not be employed as a test preparation
and to ensure the integrity of the SHRM Certification agent or tutor for a period of three (3) years following the
Program. Each of the below statements included in this completion of this examination. I have read and will comply
Candidate Agreement reflects a requirement, rule, or with all policies and procedures set forth in The SHRM
policy that has previously been communicated to you Certification Handbook, the terms of which are expressly
in The SHRM Certification Handbook, which sets forth incorporated herein, including but not limited to the rules
SHRM registration, certification, and testing policies and about testing procedures; the ban on bringing prohibited
procedures and establishes the standards of conduct information and items into the testing room; and other
required of candidates and certificants. The complete prohibited conduct before, during, and following the exam
contents of the SHRM Certification Handbook are administration. I have read, understand, and agree to the
expressly incorporated into and made part of the terms of limited remedies available to candidates in the event of
the Candidate Agreement. any errors in test delivery or administration, investigations,
scoring, or score reporting.
Each time you register for and take a SHRM certification
examination, you must reaffirm your agreement to these I have been informed and understand that the following
terms. If you do not do so within the allotted time, you items and conduct are strictly prohibited during SHRM
will not be permitted to register for or take a SHRM certification exams, at any time after check-in and prior
certification examination. If you fail to accept these to completing the exam, including during breaks:
terms on the day of your SHRM examination, you will not
»» Access to or use of a cellular phone or any device
receive a refund.
that connects to a cellular network or the Internet.
By selecting “I Agree” at the end of the Candidate »» Access to or use of any electronic device, camera,
Agreement, you are acknowledging that you have read recording device, or photographic equipment of any
and understand these requirements, rules, and policies, kind.
»» Access to or use of any books, notes, papers, note- answer choices, passages, images, or graphics from
taking materials, study materials, or test-taking aids the exam; identifying terms or concepts contained
of any kind. in exam questions or responses; sharing answers to
»» Copying, capturing, recording, collecting, questions; referring others to information I saw on the
reconstructing, memorizing, discussing, transmitting, exam; reconstructing a list of topics on the test; and
or distributing exam content. soliciting or discussing exam questions, answer choices,
»» Looking at the content of another candidate’s passages, images, graphics, or topics in person,
monitor. through telephonic or electronic communication, or
in Internet ”chat” rooms, on social media, in private
»» Disruptive or abusive behavior.
or public groups, on message boards, in forums, or
»» Talking or communicating with anyone other through any other means.
than a test center administrator or proctor, or an
approved test reader if my request for a test reader I understand and agree that I also am not permitted
accommodation has been approved in writing in to possess, solicit, read, study from, or otherwise use
advance. confidential information about SHRM certification
»» Violating test center rules. examinations during my own exam preparation. I certify
»» Any prohibited conduct set forth in The SHRM that I have not engaged in such conduct prior to taking the
Certification Handbook, including but not limited exam and that I will not engage in such conduct during or
to the sections on Testing Identification & Conduct after the exam. I also agree not to ask any other individual
Requirements and Testing Irregularities. to disclose exam content to me or to seek out actual live,
»» Any conduct that violates this Candidate Agreement, confidential exam content from any other source. I agree
SHRM policies or procedures, or test center rules. that if I receive or have access to information or material
in any form and from any source, including but not limited
I understand and agree that I must abide by all test to e-mail, instant messages, text messages, website
center rules. I further understand and agree that content, social media posts, electronic bulletin boards,
possessing any prohibited item or engaging in any Internet-based groups, digital or electronic files, and/
prohibited conduct shall be considered an intentional or paper documents, that I reasonably believe contains
and willful breach of the Candidate Agreement and the confidential SHRM certification examination content, or
certification policies and procedures set forth in The has been represented to contain confidential SHRM exam
SHRM Certification Handbook. content, I will immediately report its existence to SHRM by
sending an e-mail to [email protected]. I agree
I am aware that SHRM certification examinations that I will fully cooperate with any investigation by SHRM
are confidential exams and that their contents are related to my receipt of or access to information believed
disclosed to me at the time of test administration in or represented to contain confidential SHRM certification
a limited context to permit me to test to attain SHRM exam content.
certification and for no other purpose. I understand that
SHRM certification exams and exam questions, reading I understand and agree that any alleged violation of
passages, answer choices, graphic images, and all this Candidate Agreement or any alleged activity that
related exam content are copyrighted and that they are may compromise the validity, integrity, or security
protected by U.S. and international copyright and trade of any portion of a SHRM certification exam will be
secret laws. I agree that I will not discuss or disclose investigated by SHRM. I also understand that if SHRM
SHRM certification exam content orally, in writing, on the has a reasonable basis to question the validity of
Internet, or through any other medium existing today any exam score, SHRM reserves the right, in its sole
or invented in the future. I agree that I will not copy, discretion, to withhold and/or cancel and/or invalidate
reproduce, adapt, disclose, or transmit exam questions exam scores. I also understand and agree that if I
or answer choices or any exam content, in whole or in provide false or misleading information, violate the
part, or assist or solicit anyone else in doing the same. terms of this Candidate Agreement, refuse to comply
I further agree that I will not reconstruct exam content with any directions given to me by test center staff,
from memory, by dictation, or by any other means for engage in any activity that may compromise the validity,
the purpose of sharing that information with any other integrity, or security of the SHRM exam, or fail to fully
individual or entity. I understand that prohibited acts cooperate in any investigation related to the SHRM
include but are not limited to describing questions, Certification Program that SHRM may:
10 | 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

»» Issue a report of the factual findings of the to provide an accommodation following receipt of
investigation to legitimately interested parties, appropriate documentation to support the request.
including but not limited to my employer. Please contact us at [email protected] so we can
»» Pursue a civil lawsuit against me and/or refer the provide the necessary paperwork to support your
matter for criminal prosecution by state and/or request.
federal authorities or any government agency with
Prometric, SHRM’s test delivery vendor, is equipped
jurisdiction.
to make and can appropriately respond to timely
»» Invalidate or cancel my scores, before or after the accommodation requests in accordance with the above
scores are reported, without a refund. requirements. Prometric may not, however, be able
»» Revoke, suspend, or decline to grant eligibility for to comply with such requests made by candidates
any SHRM certification. taking the exam outside the U.S., where local operating
»» Revoke, suspend, or decline to grant any SHRM conditions, laws, or customs render such requests
certification or SHRM membership. unlawful, impossible, or economically unfeasible.
»» Ban me from taking SHRM certification Upon approval, SHRM will provide reasonable and
examinations for a fixed period or permanently.
appropriate accommodations related to the testing
All the information, statements, and certifications process (e.g., extra exam time, using a test reader, etc.) or
that I have provided to SHRM are true and correct. I to another certification-related process or policy. Please
have read and agree to comply with all the terms and visit prometric.com/accommodations for a list of testing
conditions set forth in this Candidate Agreement, accommodations provided by Prometric.
including all terms and conditions set forth in The Any information provided regarding the need for
SHRM Certification Handbook, and I understand accommodation will be treated with strict confidentiality;
and accept the consequences for making false or the need for the accommodation will only be shared
misleading statements to SHRM and for violating the by SHRM with its test delivery vendor to facilitate the
terms of this Candidate Agreement. accommodation at the testing site. Learn about approved
personal items allowed at testing locations at prometric.
com/permissible-items.
Reasonable Accommodations for
Testing or Certification Process Incomplete Applications
SHRM is fully committed to providing reasonable Applicants whose applications are incomplete will
accommodations for a candidate’s medical condition that receive an e-mail outlining what information is missing
constitutes a qualifying disability under the Americans and when it is due. The missing information must
with Disabilities Act (ADA), for testing throughout the be submitted by the due date for the application to
certification and recertification processes. To request be considered complete and ready for processing.
testing accommodation, mark the appropriate question Applications submitted after the late application
on the exam application, download and complete the deadline will not be accepted.
Testing and Certification Accommodations Request form,
and submit the form with supporting documentation. Eligibility Verification
To request a modification to SHRM’s certification or
recertification policies (not testing accommodations), SHRM conducts random reviews of applications
fill out and submit the request form with supporting during each testing window to verify eligibility. If
documentation. In either case, please do not send selected, applicants will be asked to obtain and submit
medical records. (We do not require, nor do we wish to appropriate documentation to confirm information from
receive, medical records as part of the request.) their application, such as their reported education
and HR experience. It is not SHRM’s practice to
All requests must be made at the time of application. contact employers or educational institutions to obtain
SHRM is unable to add accommodations to an existing verification documentation on the candidate’s behalf;
exam appointment. If, however, you experience a rather, the candidate is responsible for providing all
qualifying disability or other medical issue that would requested documentation.
constitute a qualifying disability under the ADA after
Applicants whose applications are selected for verification
you have submitted your application, SHRM will strive
SHRMCERTIFICATION.ORG | 11
will be notified by e-mail and will have 10 business days information refuting the original decision;
to submit all required documentation. Applicants must »» Be sent no later than 10 business days after the
satisfy the verification process requirements before date on the notification letter; and
they are permitted to continue through the certification
»» Be sent via e-mail to [email protected].
process. Failure to comply with the verification process in
a timely manner, and/or falsification or misrepresentation
of requested information, will result in denial of the Scheduling Exam Appointments
application and/or revocation of the authorization to
test, as well as the forfeiture of all fees. Additionally, Applicants must complete the full application process
an applicant who does not comply with the verification (i.e., apply, pay, satisfy all verification requirements
process will be selected for verification review if if applicable, and receive approval to test) to be
reapplying for a future testing window. considered a candidate of the SHRM Certification
Program. Once this happens, the candidate will receive
an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter via e-mail instructing
Application Denials him or her to schedule an exam appointment with
Prometric, SHRM’s test delivery vendor. Upon receipt
An application will not be accepted, and/or the of this letter, candidates are encouraged to schedule
candidate’s authorization to test may be revoked, for their appointment right away to secure their preferred
any of the following reasons: test date, time, and location. Candidates who wait
»» Failure to meet the minimum eligibility until the last minute run the risk of missing out on their
requirements. preference. Should a candidate be unable to schedule an
»» Submission of an incomplete application. appointment, all fees will be forfeited.
»» Submission of a completed application after the late Appointments may be scheduled online at prometric.
application deadline. com/shrm (the preferred method) or by phone at
»» Failure to comply with verification review. 888.736.0134. International candidates who wish to call
should refer to Appendix B: Regional Testing Contact
»» Falsification of information on the application. Centers for the appropriate contact number.
»» Misrepresentation of work experience or other
When scheduling an appointment, candidates will need
information on the application.
to provide the following information:
»» Violation of testing procedures or the SHRM Bylaws
& Code of Ethics. »» Their full name exactly as it appears on the
ATT letter, which should match the unexpired
Applicants who fail to meet the minimum eligibility
government-issued ID that will be used as proof of
requirements or whose applications are incomplete
identity at the testing center.
will receive a full refund of the exam fee (minus the
nonrefundable application processing fee). Applicants »» The Eligibility ID number as listed at the top of the
whose applications are late or contain falsified or ATT letter.
misrepresented information, who fail to comply with the »» A daytime phone number.
verification process, or who violate testing procedures will
»» The exam sponsor (SHRM).
forfeit all fees.
»» The exam for which registration is requested
(SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP).
Appeals Provisions
Candidates will receive an e-mail confirming their exam
Applicants who are denied authorization to sit for the appointment and confirmation number. The confirmation
certification exam will be notified via e-mail. They may number is different from the Eligibility ID number and will
appeal the decision to SHRM. The appeal must: be required to confirm, reschedule, or cancel an exam
appointment. It is the responsibility of the candidate
»» Be in writing;
to confirm the correct date and time of the scheduled
»» Include the specific reason for the appeal; exam appointment. SHRM will not be able to reschedule
»» Be accompanied by evidence or other pertinent missed appointments.

Name Change and Profile Updates obtain a new ATT letter if you have a minor name change,
provided you have notified SHRM of the issue according
As a rule, candidates must make sure all profile to the required process.
information is kept up-to-date. This includes name,
e-mail, phone, mailing address, etc. Candidates are
encouraged to access their online account on a regular Exam Level Changes
basis at shrmcertification.org/portal to take care of this. A candidate may request an exam level change (SHRM-
CP to SHRM-SCP or SHRM-SCP to SHRM-CP) once
Legal Name Changes – If, after applying but before
during an exam window. The exam level change request
taking the exam, a candidate has a legal name change,
must be submitted at least 10 business days before
the candidate must go to the online portal and submit
the scheduled exam date. If an exam appointment
a name change request at least 10 business days
has already been scheduled, it must first be canceled
before the scheduled exam appointment. Supporting
with Prometric. Once the exam appointment has been
identification indicating the new name in full must
canceled, the candidate can then move forward with
accompany the request. The updated name must match
scheduling the new appointment.
the name on the applicant’s unexpired government-
issued ID that will be used for admission to the exam. To request an exam level change, candidates must
send an e-mail to [email protected] specifying
Minor Name Changes – A candidate whose confirmation which exam they wish to take. Candidates requesting
notice or ATT letter contains minor errors (e.g., wrong to change from SHRM-CP to SHRM-SCP must provide
middle initial, missing hyphen, etc.) should notify SHRM applicable work experience to ensure that the eligibility
through the online portal at least 10 business days before requirements for the SHRM-SCP are met. If the request is
the scheduled exam appointment. It is not necessary to approved, SHRM will issue a new ATT letter.
Rescheduling Exam Appointments

Candidates are permitted to reschedule their exam appointment, provided their request is submitted within an acceptable
time frame. Please be aware that certain stipulations may apply. Guidelines for exam rescheduling are as follows:
TIME FRAME RESCHEDULE PERMITTED STIPULATIONS
Requests submitted 30 days or

Yes None
more before original appointment
Requests submitted 5 to 29 days

Yes Candidate must pay Prometric a cancellation fee of $53.00.
before original appointment
Requests submitted less than 5 days Candidate is considered a “no-show,” will forfeit all fees, and will
No
before original appointment have to reapply and pay the fees for a future exam window.
To reschedule an exam appointment, candidates should cancel an exam appointment and who does not arrive
visit prometric.com/shrm or call SHRM’s test delivery for his or her scheduled exam appointment will be
vendor (Prometric) at 888.736.0134. International considered a “no-show,” will forfeit all exam fees, and
candidates should refer to Appendix B: Regional Testing will be required to submit a new application and fees to
Contact Centers for the appropriate contact number. take the exam in the future.
To reschedule an exam appointment with an approved Note: Relevant exceptions to this rescheduling policy
testing accommodation, call 800.967.1139. may be made as required for candidates who must
reschedule due to their own documented medical
Candidates who attempt to reschedule an appointment condition that constitutes a qualified disability under
less than 30 days before closure of the exam window the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need
are not guaranteed that a new appointment will be to reschedule for this reason, please contact us at
available. A candidate who does not reschedule or [email protected] for more information.
Exam Transfer A candidate who attempts to cancel an appointment

less than five days before the scheduled appointment,
Candidates may request a transfer to the next testing or does not cancel the appointment at all, will forfeit
window one time only per exam application, for a fee all exam fees. The candidate will have to submit a new
of $100.00. A Prometric cancellation fee of $53.00 application and fees to take the exam in the future.
may also apply (see Cancellations section). This
Note: Relevant exceptions to this cancellation policy
option is available to candidates under the following
may be made as required for candidates who must
circumstances:
cancel their exam due to their own documented
»» The candidate has a scheduled appointment medical condition that constitutes a qualified disability
but determines no later than five business days under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you
before the appointment that he or she is unable need to cancel for this reason, please contact us at
to test. Before the transfer can be carried out, [email protected] for more information.
the candidate must first cancel his or her existing
appointment with Prometric, then submit a transfer
request to SHRM via the candidate portal. Medical or Personal Emergencies
»» The candidate has not scheduled an appointment
and determines that he or she would prefer to For purposes of the SHRM Certification Program,
postpone testing until the next testing window. medical or personal emergencies are defined as
In this situation, candidates may request an exam unplanned events affecting the candidate or an
transfer up until the last day of the current testing immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent)
window. that arise within five days of the scheduled exam
Candidates who receive a transfer but who are unable appointment and prevent the candidate either from
to test during their new appointment will forfeit all fees, taking the exam or from rescheduling, transferring, or
except in the case of a medical or personal emergency. canceling an exam appointment.
Under these circumstances, supporting documentation
An event that can be anticipated is not considered
must be provided.
a medical or personal emergency. A candidate’s
Note: Relevant exceptions to this exam transfer policy inability to take the exam due to work commitments
may be made as required for candidates who must or insufficient or inappropriate preparation is not
transfer their exams due to their own documented considered a personal emergency.
medical condition that constitutes a qualified disability
Candidates who experience medical or personal
under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
emergencies within five days prior to a scheduled exam
If you need to transfer your exam for this reason,
appointment may request a partial refund (see Refund
please contact us at [email protected] for more
Policy section). A refund request must be submitted
information.
to SHRM no later than 30 days after closure of the
exam window. All requests must include supporting
Cancellations documentation as to the nature of the medical or

personal emergency. Requests will be reviewed on a
To cancel an exam appointment, candidates must visit case-by-case basis.
prometric.com/shrm or call SHRM’s test delivery vendor
Note: Relevant exceptions to this medical or personal
(Prometric) at 888.736.0134. International candidates,
emergencies policy may be made as required for
see Appendix B: Regional Testing Contact Centers for
candidates who experience a medical or personal
the correct phone number.
emergency related to their own documented medical
To cancel an exam appointment with an approved condition that constitutes a qualified disability under
testing accommodation, call 800.967.1139. the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you have
experienced a personal or medical emergency as a
If a candidate cancels less than 30 days but no later result of this reason, please contact us at
than five days before his or her exam appointment, a [email protected] for more information.
Prometric cancellation fee of $53.00 will be charged.

‘No-Shows’
For purposes of the SHRM Certification Program,
‘no-shows’ are candidates who:
»» Fail to schedule an exam appointment with Prometric, SHRM’s test delivery vendor;
»» Cancel the exam appointment less than five business days before the scheduled date;
»» Do not appear for the exam on the scheduled appointment date;
»» Arrive at the testing center more than 30 minutes after the exam starting time; or
»» Arrive at the testing center without proper identification.
No-show candidates forfeit all exam fees.
Refund Policy
Candidates may be eligible for a refund under the following circumstances:
CIRCUMSTANCE POLICY
Withdrawal from the program on or before Candidates will receive a full refund of their exam fee, less the $50.00
1 the late application deadline, with no nonrefundable application processing fee and the $75.00 late application fee
scheduled exam appointment if applicable.
Candidates will receive a full refund of their exam fee, less the $50.00
Withdrawal from the program on or before
nonrefundable application processing fee, the $75.00 late application fee if
2 the late application deadline, with a
applicable, and a $53.00 Prometric cancellation fee if withdrawal is requested
scheduled exam appointment
less than 30 days before the scheduled appointment.
Situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Candidates whose

situations are approved will receive 50% of their exam fee, less the $50.00
Medical or personal emergency that takes nonrefundable application processing fee and the $75.00 late application fee
place within 5 days prior to the scheduled if applicable.
3
exam appointment, thereby preventing the
candidate from testing Requests must be received no later than 30 days after closure of the exam
window. All requests must include supporting documentation as to the nature
of the medical or personal emergency.
Any withdrawal, transfer, medical, or personal emergency, or failure to appear due to a medical condition that
constitutes a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may make candidates eligible for
additional exceptions to the Refund Policy. Candidates must provide proper documentation to support such a request.
Candidates who believe they qualify for an exception should contact SHRM at [email protected].
All refund requests must be submitted via e-mail to [email protected] by the appropriate deadline using
the SHRM Certification Exam Cancellation/Refund Request Form, which can be found on the SHRM certification
website at shrmcertification.org ⊲ Apply and Schedule.
PREPARE FOR THE EXAM
Exam Composition The distribution of items with respect to content and item
type is the same for both the SHRM-CP exam and the
The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams consist of 160 SHRM-SCP exam. As shown below, approximately half of
multiple-choice questions, of which approximately the items on each exam are allocated across the three
95 are stand-alone knowledge-based questions and Behavioral Competency Clusters and the other half are
approximately 65 are situational judgment items. allocated across the three HR Knowledge Domains.
Knowledge items are designed to assess an examinee’s

understanding of factual information and are focused Sample Questions
on two content areas of the SHRM Body of Competency
and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK). Items referred to as basic SHRM provides sample questions for both the SHRM-
Knowledge Items (KIs) cover key concept topics in the CP and SHRM-SCP exams. The sample questions are
HR Knowledge Domains, while those referred to as designed specifically for helping candidates become
Foundational Knowledge Items (FKIs) cover key concept acquainted with how questions may be presented on
topics in the Behavioral Competency Clusters. Examinees SHRM’s exams and include both situational judgment
receive credit for selecting the correct answer to a given items and knowledge item questions.
question; otherwise, no credit is awarded.
These questions are not scored and should only be
Situational judgment items are designed to assess an used as a guideline for understanding how questions
examinee’s judgment, application, and decision-making may appear on the exam. Performance on the sample
skills as they relate to the behavioral competencies questions is not indicative of performance on the SHRM-
outlined in the SHRM BoCK. Examinees are presented CP or SHRM-SCP exam. To access the sample questions,
with realistic work-related scenarios and are asked to please visit shrmcertification.org ⊲ Test.
choose the best of several possible strategies to resolve
or address the issues described in each scenario.
Although more than one strategy may be effective for Exam Administration
addressing actual work-related scenarios, examinees
The SHRM certification exams are administered by
receive credit only for choosing the best possible answer.
Prometric, SHRM’s test delivery vendor. The exams
Both exams also include approximately 30 field-test are delivered by computer. The duration of the exam
items, which are not counted as part of a candidate’s appointment is 4 hours and 15 minutes. That time is
score. Field testing allows SHRM to gather data on a broken down into four parts outlined in the chart below.
question’s effectiveness before it is included on future
In For
exams as a scored item. The field-test items on the BREAKDOWN OF TESTING TIME
SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are randomly mixed
throughout the exam so that candidates will not be able to Confidentiality Reminder 2 minutes
distinguish them from scored items.
Introduction and Tutorial 7 minutes
BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCY
ITEM TYPE
CLUSTERS
Leadership (13%) Exam 4 hours (240 minutes)
Situational Judgment (40%)
Business (18.5%)
Foundational Knowledge (10%)
Survey 5 minutes
Interpersonal (18.5%)
HR KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS ITEM TYPE
People (17%) For each section, a countdown timer will appear on the
screen. Each section is separate and independently
Organization (17%) HR-Specific Knowledge (50%)
timed; minutes do not roll over. For instance, if a
Workplace (16%)
candidate spends less time on the introduction, extra
minutes are not rolled over to the exam portion.

PREPARE FOR THE EXAM
Test Administration Platform

Navigation
Prometric, SHRM’s test delivery vendor, offers a user-
friendly test administration platform that provides many
state-of-the-art features. Candidates will be provided with
an opportunity to become familiar with the platform via a
brief tutorial at the beginning of their test appointment.
However, those who would like an early preview may
access a demo of the tutorial at shrmcertification.org ⊲ Test.
Preparation Resources
SHRM recommends that candidates planning to seek
SHRM certification carefully review the SHRM Body
of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK), paying
particular attention to the exam specifications and
distribution of items across areas. Candidates should
study all aspects and content, including the Glossary and
the SHRM BoCK Resource List. To download a copy of the
SHRM BoCK, visit shrmcertification.org ⊲ Decide.
In addition, to help candidates gain a better

understanding of the content areas covered in the
certification exams, SHRM offers (for separate purchase) a
certification preparation tool: the SHRM Learning System®
for SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, which is available in self-study
and instructor-led formats. For more information, visit
shrmcertification.org ⊲ Prepare.
TESTING
TESTING IDENTIFICATION AND CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS

The SHRM certification exams are administered in highly secure testing centers. All
candidates are required to provide proof of identity with an unexpired, original government-
issued photo ID with signature (primary ID). The name and photo on the ID must be an exact
match to the name on the candidate’s Authorization to Test (ATT) letter.
If the primary ID does not have a photo or signature, a second form of identification (secondary ID) must be provided
that contains the missing information. The name on the secondary ID must be the same as the name on the primary ID.
Examples of acceptable forms of primary and secondary identification include but are not limited to the following:
PRIMARY ID SECONDARY ID
Driver’s License Valid employer identification card
Passport Valid credit card with signature
Military ID Valid bank card with photo
Examples of acceptable names on required IDs are below. Candidates who do not have the appropriate form of ID
should contact SHRM at [email protected] at least five business days before their scheduled appointment date to
discuss their options.
Examples of Acceptable Names on Required ID
NAME ON APPLICATION NAME ON ID ADMITTED TO TEST?
Jamie Taylor-Smith Jamie Smith Yes
Nancy Porter Nancy White No
William B. Johnson Bill Johnson No
P. J. Miller Peter J. Miller Yes
Samantha R. Roberts Samantha Rose Roberts Yes
Prometric testing centers are supervised by trained proctors. Irregularities observed or suspected by the proctors
or identified by subsequent statistical analysis of a candidate’s answers on the exam may result in the candidate’s
removal from participation in the test or invalidation of his or her score. Irregularities include but are not limited to
creating a disturbance, giving or receiving unauthorized information or aid to or from other examinees, or attempting
to remove materials from the testing room. SHRM reserves the right to investigate each incident of misconduct or
irregularity.
Prior to taking the exam, candidates will be asked to affirm their acceptance of the SHRM Certification Candidate
Agreement.

TESTING
Testing center conduct rules include but are not limited

to the following:
Testing Irregularities
SHRM reserves the right to investigate any behavior by
»» Candidates must present an unexpired, original
government-issued ID with a photo and signature to any candidate that may be considered detrimental to a
be admitted to the exam. fair and secure testing process or that impacts the testing
environment, security, validity, or integrity of the exam
»» Candidates must arrive at the testing center at least
(“Testing Irregularity”). If a candidate or a certificant is
30 minutes before their scheduled appointment
suspected of a Testing Irregularity or any violation of the
time to check in. Late arrivals (30 minutes or more
after the scheduled appointment time) will not be policies and procedures set forth in the Handbook, it will
admitted. be reported to SHRM. Test center staff have the authority
to stop a candidate’s exam at any time upon detecting
»» Note-taking and the use of audible beepers, mobile
any Testing Irregularity or violation of the testing rules set
phones, or memory-capable devices are prohibited
in the testing room. forth in the Handbook by the test center.
»» Candidates will be asked to empty and turn out their At the discretion of SHRM, the investigation process,
pockets. as described in the Handbook, may apply to any
»» Candidates will be “wanded” or asked to go through violation of testing rules. SHRM also may investigate any
a metal detector during the check-in process. indicators that scores may not be valid, including any
»» Inspection of eyeglasses, jewelry, and other such indicators revealed by data forensics analysis as
accessories will be conducted. Jewelry other than generally described herein.
wedding and engagement rings is prohibited.
Examples of prohibited actions include but are not
»» No breaks are scheduled during the exam. limited to the following:
Candidates who must leave the testing room to take
a break will not be given extra time on the exam. »» Giving or receiving assistance.
»» Candidates may not leave the testing facility during »» Using prohibited aids (e.g., desktop timers, watches,
a break. calculators, or other electronics).
»»Accessing mobile phones or study materials after »» Impersonating an examinee or engaging someone
arriving at the testing center or during breaks is else to take the examination for you.
prohibited.
»» Presenting false identification or identification that
»» Smoking is prohibited at the testing center and has been altered or tampered with for purposes of
during breaks. starting an examination.
»» Religious headwear may be worn into the testing »»Attempting by any means to duplicate, record, or
room; however, it may be subject to inspection by a memorize test content, answer documents, or any
test center administrator before entry into the testing other exam materials.
room is permitted.
»» Failing to follow the instructions of test center staff
»»All exams are monitored and may be recorded in or rules of the test center.
both audio and video format.
»» Verbally or physically harassing or threatening test
»» Prometric will provide lockers for candidates to store center staff or SHRM staff.
their purses, mobile phones, jackets, food, drinks,
»» Violating any testing rules.
and medical supplies.
»» Violating state, federal, or local laws, regulations, or
»» Other exams will be administered at the same policies.
time as the SHRM certification exam. Therefore,
examinees may hear ambient noises such as typing, »» Being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
coughing, or people entering and exiting the testing during an exam.
room that cannot be avoided. Prometric is unable »» Soliciting, discussing, or disclosing exam content,
to provide a completely noise-free environment. or otherwise violating the terms of the Candidate
However, earplugs may be requested to minimize Agreement.
impact.
»» Providing false or misleading information about their
SHRM exam, score, testing history, or certification
status to any person or institution.
TESTING
Inclement Weather and Local International candidates should refer to Appendix B:

Regional Testing Contact Centers for the correct phone
or National Emergencies number. Examinees will not be assessed a rescheduling
fee if Prometric cancels an exam due to severe weather
If there is severe weather or a local or national emergency or a local or national emergency. Should there be a site
near the testing center, candidates should go to prometric. closure or relocation, notification will be sent by e-mail and
com/sitestatus for updates on closures or delays. a recorded message by telephone.
TEST RESULTS
The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are designed to measure a test-taker’s performance
against a predetermined standard. The SHRM-CP standard is the level of competency and
knowledge that can be reasonably expected of early- to mid-career HR professionals. The
SHRM-SCP standard is the level of competency and knowledge that can be reasonably
expected of senior-level HR professionals. The standards that apply to each are outlined in
the SHRM BoCK.
The tests measure what the candidate knows and Behavioral Competency Clusters and the three HR
doesn’t know at the time of assessment. The candidate Knowledge Domains. This information is provided to
performance is NOT compared to other candidate help all examinees select professional development
performance on the same assessment. This means that if activities to pursue, in addition to providing guidance to
everyone who takes the test meets the knowledge and unsuccessful examinees who choose to retake the exam
competency standard, everyone will pass. at a future time.
The passing scores for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP In addition to focusing on the score and feedback in
exams are set using the Modified Angoff method, a each of the Behavioral Competency Clusters and HR
best-practice procedure commonly used for setting Knowledge Domains, candidates should refer to the
performance standards for certification and licensure SHRM BoCK to obtain more information about the
exams. specific areas that are part of each cluster or domain.
Candidates will receive an unofficial pass/did not pass Candidates will also want to consider the breadth of their
decision at the testing center upon completion of the HR experience when planning future studying efforts, as
exam. Approximately four weeks after testing, candidates candidates with specialized HR experience may find that
will receive an e-mail directing them to retrieve their they need to devote extra time to study areas in which
official results from the “My Resources” tab in their they have less experience. For a sample of the report,
Certification portal. To protect confidentiality, results are see Appendix A: Sample Candidate Score and Feedback
not provided by email, phone or fax. Report.
Score Information Data Confidentiality

The passing score and all candidate results on the SHRM values your privacy and endeavors to protect the
SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are reported as scaled confidentiality of your personal information in accordance
scores. The range of possible scores is 120 to 200; all with the SHRM Privacy Policy. Please read the SHRM
candidates who pass the exam receive the maximum Privacy Policy for information regarding the use and
score of 200. protection of your personal information.
Candidates will receive a Candidate Feedback Report

with their official score and a diagnostic graph providing
information about their performance on the three

TESTING
Score Validity and the Right calendar days of the date the examinee took the exam.
Only examinees may challenge test items. The evaluation
to Cancel Scores process exists to help identify and correct problematic
questions. In most cases, exams are not rescored. Even if
To maintain the integrity of the SHRM Certification a question is flawed in some way, SHRM cannot assume
Program, SHRM employs reliable scientific methods that the examinee would have answered it correctly if
to ensure that all exam scores are valid. SHRM uses it had not been flawed. SHRM provides examinees an
data forensics analysis as one basis for evaluating the opportunity to retake the exam free of charge only if the
validity of exam scores. Data forensics analysis is the examinee did not pass the exam, there is evidence to
statistical analysis of exam data to identify irregular suggest that the question was flawed, and answering the
testing patterns indicative of invalid exam results, flawed question correctly would have resulted in a passing
irregularities, potential test fraud, and/or item harvesting. score.
SHRM utilizes data forensics analysis, among other
For instructions on how to request an exam item
reliable methods, to determine whether scores should be
challenge and to obtain the necessary form, visit
withheld, invalidated, canceled, or investigated further to
shrmcertification.org ⊲ Testing.
determine whether a candidate violated the terms of the
SHRM Candidate Agreement. If SHRM has a reasonable
basis to question the validity of any exam score, whether Exam Appeals
identified using data forensics analysis or any other
reliable scientific method or source of information, SHRM If a candidate believes that a failing score was received
reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to withhold and/ because of a scoring error or a scoring impropriety, the
or cancel and/or invalidate the exam score. candidate may appeal. To obtain information about the
appeals procedure and to access the necessary form,
visit shrmcertification.org ⊲ Testing.
Request for Rescoring
SHRM performs extensive and rigorous quality control Retaking the Test
procedures to ensure the accuracy of examination
results. However, if a candidate does not achieve a Candidates who are unsuccessful on the exam may take
passing score on the test, he or she may ask that the it again during a future exam window. (Testing in the same
test be rescored. If a rescore is requested, please be window is not permitted.) Candidates who wish to retest
advised that the only information that will be issued to are required to apply as a new candidate, which includes
the requesting candidate will be a scaled score and a remittance of the full examination fee. There is no limit to
pass/did not pass decision. the number of times a candidate can reapply and test.
Rescore requests must be submitted using the Rescore

Request Form and accompanied by a payment in Violations and Investigations
the amount of $50.00. Requests for rescoring will
be accepted up to 30 days after distribution of the If SHRM receives information that any individual has
official exam results. Exam rescore results will be sent violated the terms of the SHRM Certification Candidate
approximately 30 days after receipt of the request. Agreement or the SHRM Bylaws & Code of Ethics, or
engaged in any conduct that may compromise the
integrity or validity of any SHRM certification exam, SHRM
Exam Item Challenge will investigate the matter to gather all relevant facts and
determine what actions, if any, must be taken in response.
Each exam item is carefully reviewed by a panel of
subject matter experts and psychometricians who Upon receiving notice from SHRM that an investigation is
scrutinize the item for technical accuracy, clarity, and being conducted, a candidate or credential-holder shall:
relevance. However, if an examinee believes a specific 1. Fully cooperate with the investigation;
item encountered on a SHRM certification exam is invalid,
2. Disclose to SHRM or its designee all knowledge that
the examinee may request an evaluation of the item.
could potentially relate to the investigation;
An exam item challenge must be requested within five
TESTING
3. Produce all documents, data, and materials If, following an investigation, it is determined that
requested by SHRM or its designee; sanctions are appropriate, SHRM may:
4. Upon request, submit to an in-person interview »» Issue a report of the factual findings of the
conducted by or on behalf of SHRM; and investigation to legitimately interested parties,
including but not limited to the individual’s
5. Truthfully and completely answer all questions asked employer.
by SHRM or its designee.
»» Pursue a civil lawsuit against the individual and/
If, following an investigation, SHRM reasonably or refer the matter for criminal prosecution by
concludes that the candidate or credential-holder has state and/or federal authorities or any government
violated the SHRM Certification Candidate Agreement agency with jurisdiction;
or the SHRM Bylaws & Code of Ethics, SHRM reserves »» Invalidate or cancel an individual’s scores, before or
the right to pursue any of the sanctions listed below. In after the scores are reported, without a refund;
addition, a candidate’s or credential-holder’s refusal
»» Revoke, suspend, or decline to grant eligibility for
to cooperate with any investigation, or presentation of
any SHRM certification;
false or misleading information in relation thereto, shall
constitute a serious and material breach of the SHRM »» Revoke, suspend, or decline to grant any SHRM
certification; and
Certification Candidate Agreement and the SHRM Bylaws
& Code of Ethics and shall serve as a separate and »» Ban the individual from taking a SHRM certification
independent basis for SHRM to act against the candidate exam for a fixed period or permanently.
or credential-holder as described below.
APPEALS FOR INVESTIGATION DISPUTES

After a candidate or credential-holder receives a written notice of violation and sanctions to
be imposed by SHRM as a result of an investigation, the candidate or credential-holders may
appeal the decision. The candidate or credential-holder is required to file a written request
for appeal with SHRM, along with a statement describing the grounds for the appeal, why the
appeal should be granted, and all supporting evidence, within 30 calendar days of receipt
of the notice of violation and applicable sanctions from SHRM. A candidate’s or credential-
holder’s appeal will not be considered after such 30-calendar-day period has expired.
If SHRM staff determines that a written request for the appeal. The final appeals process shall not address
appeal is filed in a timely manner, SHRM staff shall any failures to pass a SHRM certification exam, nor
evaluate the appeal and decide whether the notice of will it include any challenges to individual examination
violation and sanctions were issued in good faith, in questions, answers, or failing scores. The only issue to
no more than 30 days from the time SHRM received be decided by the Final Appeal Panel is whether SHRM
the appeal. If SHRM staff determine that the notice of acted in good faith in rendering the decision challenged
violation and sanctions to be imposed were issued by the candidate or credential-holder. The Final Appeal
in good faith, the appeal and related information Panel will deliberate and decide the appeal within 30
submitted by the candidate or credential-holder will calendar days of receiving the appeal from SHRM staff.
be submitted for final review of the appeal to the The Final Appeal Panel shall decide the appeal based
Candidate Appeals Committee, which consists of on the submissions of SHRM staff and the candidate or
voluntary industry peers, all of whom must be SHRM- credential-holder and shall not conduct a live hearing
certified. Three members of the Candidate Appeals with testimony. The decision of the majority of the
Committee will be appointed to decide the outcome of members of the Final Appeal Panel, at which a quorum
the appeal (the “Final Appeal Panel”). No member of is present, will be the decision of such panel. The
the Final Appeal Panel shall have a conflict of interest decision of the Final Appeal Panel is final and binding
with the candidate or credential-holder who submitted as to all matters related to the appeal.

ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION
EARNING THE CREDENTIAL

Candidates who pass the exam will receive an official congratulatory letter, credential
certificate, and wallet card. The letter confirms that they passed the exam, successfully
completing the certification process. The order process for the certificate and other collateral
is initiated one week after the official results are received. At that time, new credential-
holders will receive an e-mail inviting them to place an order for their complimentary SHRM
certification materials.
Professionals who have met the certification standards

defined by SHRM and who maintain their credential
Online Certified Directory
through the recertification process are authorized The names of all professionals holding the SHRM-CP
to use the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification and SHRM-SCP credentials are automatically listed in
designations. SHRM’s Online Certified Directory, searchable by first
name, last name, and country. The Online Certified
Credential-holders may include their credential on
Directory facilitates verification of one’s credentials by
business cards, in resumes, on their personal webpages
employers, clients, and vendors. The Online Certified
(e.g., LinkedIn or Facebook), in bylines for articles or
Directory can be found at shrmcertification.org ⊲
blog posts, and in e-mail signatures.
Certified Professionals.
Credential-holders should protect the integrity of their
SHRM credential by adhering to the following guidance:
Digital Badge
»» New credential-holders may not use the credential
until after they have received their official exam SHRM’s digital badge allows credential-holders to
results. electronically display their earned and verified SHRM
»» When using the credential with their name, credential. Information on how to access and display
credential-holders must place the SHRM the SHRM certification digital badge is sent via e-mail to
certification designation immediately after their qualified candidates following the release of their official
name or post-graduate degree (e.g., Ph.D.). score report.
»» Credential-holders may use their credential in
SHRM-certified professionals are encouraged to share
promotional text (e.g., “Jane Smith has satisfied
the requirements for SHRM-CP certification as their digital badge on social networking sites such as
prescribed by the Society for Human Resource LinkedIn and Facebook. The digital badge can also be
Management and is now a SHRM-CP certified added to resumes and e-mail signatures, making it easy
human resource professional”). for potential employers to instantly verify a candidate’s
»»Always use all capital letters (SHRM-CP, SHRM- credential.
SCP).
»» Never use periods between the letters.
»» Do not abbreviate the credential (e.g., CP or SCP).
»» If the certification has expired, immediately
discontinue using the credential.
The following formats are approved by SHRM:
»» SHRM-CP
»» SHRM-SCP
»» SHRM Certified Professional
»» SHRM Senior Certified Professional
ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION
RECERTIFICATION
SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential-holders achieve recertification by engaging in
continuing education and ongoing learning and professional development activities related to
the behavioral competencies and HR functional areas noted in the SHRM BoCK. To recertify
and maintain the credential, certificants must earn 60 professional development credits
(PDCs) over a three-year period or retake the certification exam.
SHRM has addressed the needs of HR professionals by creating three avenues by which SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP
credential-holders can earn recertification credits: Advance Your Education, Advance Your Organization and Advance
Your Profession.
PDC MAXIMUM
PDC CATEGORY DESCRIPTION/EXAMPLES (per recertification period)
Instructor-led or self-paced continuing education activities, such as:

Advance Your Education • Conferences
• Seminars/Workshops
• College/University courses
• Virtual learning
• Chapter programs No maximum
• E-learning
• Videoconferences
• Webcasts
• Books and e-books
Supervisor-endorsed work projects that:

Advance Your Organization •M
eet or support organizational goals and demonstrate or advance 20 PDCs
your capabilities in one or more of the HR competencies
Thought leadership and volunteer activities that contribute to the

Advance Your Profession development of the HR profession and the community, such as:
• Professional membership • Speaking at conferences 30 PDCs
• Volunteer leadership roles • Research, writing and publishing
For additional details, download The SHRM an extension in the event of a documented medical
Recertification Requirements Handbook at condition that constitutes a qualifying disability under
shrmcertification.org ⊲ Certified Professionals. the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you believe
you qualify for an extension, please contact us at
Note: Candidates for recertification may be eligible for [email protected].
REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION
Certification may be revoked as described further in the Violations and Investigations section of this Handbook.
For details, download The SHRM

Recertification Requirements Handbook at
shrmcertification.org/recertificationhandbook.

APPENDIX A:
Sample Candidate Score and Feedback Report
LE
M P
SA
LE
M P
SA
APPENDIX B:
Regional Testing Contact Centers
Candidates who have received their Authorization to Test (ATT) letter may schedule their exam appointment online at
E
prometric.com/shrm or by calling their local Prometric Regional Testing Contact Center.
LOCATION HOURS & TIME ZONE PRIMARY PHONE NUMBER
North America Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET +1.888.736.0134
Australia Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
China Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +86.10.62799911
Hong Kong Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
India Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +91.124.4147700
Indonesia Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
Japan Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +0120.347737
Korea Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +1566.0990
Malaysia Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
New Zealand Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
Philippines Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
Singapore Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
Taiwan Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
Thailand Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
Europe Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +31.320.239540
Middle East Sun-Thur 8:00-17:00 GMT +2:00 +31.320.239.530
North Africa Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +31.320.239.530
Sub-Sahara Africa Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +31.320.239.59
Other Countries/Locations Mon-Fri 8:30-19:00 GMT +10:00 +603.76283333
APPENDIX C:
Legal Restrictions
SHRM must comply with international trade sanctions imposed by the U.S. government.
These sanctions prohibit SHRM from providing certain products and services—including
exam administration and recertification services—to individuals or organizations located in
designated countries, or to a person or organization that is designated on a U.S. government-
maintained list. For this reason, individuals who (1) are on any such list or who work for a
company that is on such a list maintained by the U.S. government, or (2) themselves are
affiliated with, or are employed by organizations that are affiliated with, governments of
those countries that are subject to sanctions, or (3) are residents of or are ordinarily residents
of countries where U.S. sanctions prohibit SHRM from providing these services will not be
able to take the SHRM certification exams or be eligible for recertification. Individuals from
the following countries may be subject to additional screening and, in some cases, may not
be allowed to sit for the exam or to recertify: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Burundi, Central African Republic, Croatia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran,
Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Montenegro, North Korea, Russia, Serbia,
Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine (including the Crimea region), Venezuela,
Yemen and Zimbabwe.
Please note, however, that U.S. government sanctions laws change from time to time, and SHRM reserves the right to immediately
implement any changes or additions to these restrictions or to the list of countries above as appropriate

The Society for Human Resource Management
(SHRM) is the world’s largest HR professional society,
representing 300,000 members in more than 165
countries. For nearly seven decades, the Society
has been the leading provider of resources serving
the needs of HR professionals and advancing the
practice of human resource management. SHRM has
more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United
States and subsidiary offices in China, India and
United Arab Emirates. Visit us at shrm.org.
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What is the purpose of the SHRM certification program?

What is the purpose of the SHRM certification program?

What are the steps to apply for and schedule the certification exam?

What are the steps to apply for and schedule the certification exam?

SHRM-CP®

»» International candidates may schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment at prometric.com/shrm

For more information:

HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK

2| 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

SHRM CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW

SHRM’s competency-based certifications are the

To download a copy of the SHRM BoCK, visit

THE SHRM CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Apply & Achieve

4| 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

EXAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

CREDENTIAL Less than a Bachelor’s Degree* Bachelor’s Degree Graduate Degree

HR-RELATED NON-HR HR-RELATED HR-RELATED

THE FOLLOWING GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ALSO APPLY

SELECTING THE RIGHT CERTIFICATION

»» 2. The actual work they do or have most recently

If a candidate’s current or most recent work has

2019 Testing Schedule

EXAM WINDOWS REGULAR APPLICATION DEADLINE LATE APPLICATION DEADLINE TESTING

Spring 2019 Jan. 2 – March 22 March 23 – April 12 May 1 – July 15

6| 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

Included in the exam fee

Late Application Fee $75.00 USD Nonrefundable

• One time only

• Fee applies to requests for a rescore made by candidates

• No fee, provided the ADA requirements outlined in

$100.00 USD - Member • Fee applies to participation in the recertification process.

Recertification Late Fee $50.00 USD Nonrefundable

1 Go to shrmcertification.org ⊲ Apply and select the APPLY NOW button..

5 Complete and submit paperwork for testing accommodations if applicable.

Sign the affirmation statement agreeing to abide by the following:

Policies and Agreements

8| 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

10 | 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

12 | 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

Rescheduling Exam Appointments

TIME FRAME RESCHEDULE PERMITTED STIPULATIONS

Requests submitted 30 days or

Requests submitted 5 to 29 days

Exam Transfer A candidate who attempts to cancel an appointment

Cancellations documentation as to the nature of the medical or

14 | 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

Situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Candidates whose

Knowledge items are designed to assess an examinee’s

HR KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS ITEM TYPE

16 | 2019 SHRM CERTIFICATION HANDBOOK

Test Administration Platform

In addition, to help candidates gain a better

TESTING IDENTIFICATION AND CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS

Driver’s License Valid employer identification card

Passport Valid credit card with signature

Military ID Valid bank card with photo

Examples of Acceptable Names on Required ID

NAME ON APPLICATION NAME ON ID ADMITTED TO TEST?