INSHRM

HRCI Recertification: Is It Time to Renew?

Once certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), or a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR), you must recertify every 3 years (from date of original certification or last recertification).

• Sixty (60) hours of learning credit is required during those 3 years
• Credit earned on hour-for-hour basis (one hour learning = one hour recertification credit)
• If you don’t submit recertification form, you must retake the exam
• No supporting documentation should be submitted to HRCI, but should be maintained for your records in case you are audited
• Recertification credits can be earned online at http://www.hrci.org/recertification/credits.html.
• There are now two ways to recertify--by completing the paper application (available at www.hrci.org/Recertification/PDFAPP) or by accessing your online recertification file by clicking "My Recert File" at www.hrci.org. 

Credit is awarded for HR-related activities in these categories:

• Continuing Education: Credit awarded hour for hour.  (Chapter meetings can be pre-approved for HRCI recertification credit.)
• Instruction: 1 hour taught = 1.5 credit hours awarded.  (Includes courses taught at work such as workplace violence prevention, sexual harassment prevention, etc.)
• On-the-Job Experience:  Credit is awarded for first-time work activity if it broadens your knowledge of the field of HR, such as developing a strategic plan, rolling out a new 401K plan, etc.
• Research/Publishing: Research, write, or publish on HR topics.
• Leadership: External leadership activities count, including being an SHRM volunteer leader.
• Professional Membership: Be a member of a national HR-related professional association and earn credit hours.  (SHRM, ASTD, World at Work, etc.)

 Additional information:

• Answers to ALL your recertification questions can be found at www.hrci.org.
• A recertification form can be found at http://www.hrci.org/Recertification/PDFAPP/.
• HRCI now offers ONLINE storage of your certification documentation so you can complete the form as you go.
• There is a $100 processing fee to recertify.
• If you have changed jobs or addresses, notify HRCI (not just SHRM) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• HRCI sends recertification reminders via email, so be sure they have your current/correct email address.

New Recertification Tool Available!

This new tool was recently added to HRCI's website as a reference guide, providing simple guidelines for recertification. View the presentation.

Important topics included in the “Road to Recertification” presentation are as follows:

• Documenting Recertification Credit
• PHR, SPHR and GPHR Body of Knowledge
• Calculating Recertification and Continuing Education Credit
• Recertification Credit Through Continuing Education, Instruction, On-the-Job Experience, Research/Publishing, Leadership and Professional Membership
• SPHR and GPRH Specified Hours
• HR Practitioners with Multiple Certifications
• Additional HRCI Resources for Your Benefit