SHRM Practice Questions

SHRM Recertification Practice Questions

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) & Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) — So, how long does SHRM certification last? Both the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP expire every three years unless you recertify with 60 PDCs or retake the exam. This guide breaks down the recertification requirements, deadlines, and what actually happens if your credential lapses. Practice with scenario-based SHRM-CP questions below to keep your HR knowledge sharp while you plan your renewal.

134

Total Questions

4 hours

Time Limit

200 (on 120-200 scale)

Passing Score

$335 (members) / $435 (non-members)

Registration Fee

Free Sample Questions

Here are 5 free sample questions from our full bank of 650+ SHRM Recertificationpractice questions. Try them out below — click "Show Answer" to reveal the correct response and explanation.

An HR generalist earned her SHRM-CP three years ago and has logged 58 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) with her recertification window closing in eleven days. She realizes she is short of the 60-credit requirement. Which of the following is the BEST course of action?

ASubmit the recertification application with 58 credits and hope SHRM rounds up

BWait for the certification to lapse and simply retake the exam next year

CContact SHRM immediately to ask about a short grace period or last-minute qualifying activities, such as a webinar, that could close the 2-credit gap before the deadline

DAssume the shortfall is minor and let the deadline pass without contacting SHRM

A SHRM-SCP holder changed careers two years ago and now works in a role with no HR responsibilities at all. Her three-year recertification cycle ends in four months, and she has earned zero PDCs because none of her recent work activities qualified. What should she do?

ALet the certification lapse automatically, since SHRM will not notify her either way

BPursue qualifying activities now, such as SHRM conference sessions, webinars, or volunteer HR committee work, since PDCs can come from professional development outside a formal HR job

CDowngrade voluntarily to a SHRM-CP to reduce the credit requirement

DEmail SHRM asking for an automatic renewal based on her original exam pass

An HR manager's SHRM-CP certification lapsed eight months ago because he missed his recertification deadline while dealing with a family emergency. He now wants to regain his credential with the least disruption to his resume and job search. Which option reflects SHRM's actual policy?

AHe must retake and pass the full SHRM-CP exam again, since certifications cannot be reinstated once lapsed

BHe can simply pay a late fee and submit any 60 PDCs earned at any point in his career

CHe is permanently ineligible for SHRM certification going forward

DHe can request reinstatement, and depending on how long the certification has been lapsed, SHRM may allow a streamlined path using PDCs earned during the lapse period rather than a full retest

A newly certified SHRM-CP holder asks her mentor how the three-year recertification clock actually starts. Which explanation is MOST accurate?

AThe clock starts on the date she registered for the exam, not the date she passed it

BThe clock starts on January 1 of the year following her pass date, regardless of when in the year she tested

CThe three-year cycle begins on the first day of the month in which she earned her certification, and PDCs earned from that point forward count toward the next recertification deadline

DThe clock only starts once she logs her first PDC after passing

During a team training session, an HR director tells her staff that SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications never expire once earned, similar to a college degree. One of her staff members, who is pursuing the credential, wants to fact-check this before repeating it to others. What is the accurate status?

AShe is right for SHRM-SCP holders but wrong for SHRM-CP holders

BShe is only correct if the holder works in HR continuously without a career break

CShe is correct; SHRM certifications are permanent once awarded

DShe is incorrect; both SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP require recertification every three years through 60 PDCs or by retaking the exam, and the credential does expire if the holder fails to meet that requirement

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About the SHRM Recertification

Format & Structure

Total Questions: 134
Time Limit: 4 hours
Format: Scenario-based multiple choice

Scoring & Cost

Passing Score: 200 (on 120-200 scale)
Registration Fee: $335 (members) / $435 (non-members)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does SHRM certification last before it expires?

Both the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP last three years from the month you earn them. Before that three-year cycle closes, you need to recertify, either by earning 60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) or by retaking and passing the exam again. So yes, in plain terms, SHRM certification does expire if you don't take action before your deadline.

Does SHRM-CP expire the same way SHRM-SCP does?

Yes. SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP follow the identical three-year recertification cycle and the same 60 PDC requirement. There's no difference in how long each credential lasts or how you keep it active. The only real distinction between the two levels is the eligibility and competency focus of the exam itself, not the recertification timeline.

What are the SHRM-CP recertification requirements?

You need 60 Professional Development Credits over your three-year cycle, earned through approved activities like conferences, webinars, SHRM chapter volunteering, advanced education, or authoring HR-related content. SHRM requires at least some credits come from HR-specific categories rather than general business development. You log these through your SHRM certification portal as you earn them, so it's worth tracking activities as they happen rather than scrambling at the deadline.

What happens if my SHRM certification lapses?

If you miss your three-year deadline without hitting 60 PDCs, your certification lapses and you lose the right to use the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP designation. That said, SHRM typically offers a reinstatement window afterward, and depending on how long you've been lapsed, you may be able to reinstate using credits earned during that gap rather than sitting for the full exam again. Wait too long, though, and a full retest becomes the only option.

Is there a grace period for SHRM-CP recertification?

SHRM doesn't publish a fixed, guaranteed grace period the way some certifying bodies do. If you're going to fall short of 60 PDCs, your best move is contacting SHRM's certification team directly before your deadline passes, not after. They evaluate individual circumstances, and reaching out early gives you a much better shot at working something out than waiting until the window has already closed.

Can I recertify by retaking the SHRM exam instead of earning PDCs?

Yes, retaking and passing the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam is an alternative path to recertification if you haven't accumulated enough credits. Most people find earning PDCs less disruptive than a full four-hour exam, but the option exists for anyone who prefers it, or who simply didn't have time to log activities during the cycle.

How many PDCs do I need per year to stay on track?

There's no strict annual quota, since SHRM only checks your total at the end of the three-year cycle. Still, most certified professionals aim for roughly 20 credits a year to avoid a last-minute crunch. Spreading PDCs out also tends to be easier since conferences, webinars, and volunteer opportunities come up naturally throughout the year rather than all at once.

Does the recertification clock reset if I change jobs or leave HR?

No, your three-year cycle keeps running regardless of your employment status. A career change or a stretch outside HR doesn't pause the clock. The good news is that PDCs aren't limited to on-the-job HR duties; conferences, webinars, and volunteer HR committee work all count, so it's still possible to stay current even during a transition.

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