NOTE: This course is part of the SHRM Certification Exam Prep Program.

The term process probably brings to mind some type of procedure with multiple steps you need to take to achieve a final outcome. You're right. When it comes to earning your SHRM certification and then keeping your SHRM certification, you need to follow and complete a series of actions in a sequential order.

I'll start with the process for earning your SHRM certification. Before you do anything, hit pause on this video right now and visit SHRM.org to ensure you are eligible to take the exam. Once you confirm your eligibility, you've taken the first step in your journey. I like to use the term journey. Much like a process, the journey includes a number of steps with several key milestones.

It's all about timing. Let's start by answering the question, when should I take the exam? The SHRM certification exam can only be taken during a testing window determined by SHRM. Usually, there are two windows open in a year. For example, the year this course was released, the first testing window opens in May and closes in mid July.

The second testing window opens in December and closes in mid February. In the beginning of your journey, you must identify which of the two windows you will take your exam, the first testing window or the second. Now you must apply for the exam by a given deadline before your anticipated testing window opens.

SHRM posts these application deadlines on their site and may update them, so be sure and check back on a regular basis. It's also important to note that SHRM doesn't accept applications all year round. They start accepting applications several months before the application deadlines. I'm going to break your journey down into four phases.

Phase 1, Application. Phase 2, Preparation. Phase 3, The Big Day. And Phase 4, Recertification.

Let's start with Phase 1, Application. To apply for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam, you need to follow and complete a series of steps. It's a pretty straightforward process. First, visit SHRM.org and navigate your way to the SHRM certification. Here, you can apply for your exam. To start the application process, you need to create an account, if you don't already have one.

Once you have an account, SHRM's system will walk you through a series of short steps, asking you various questions. For instance, you'll need to select which exam you would like to take, the SHRM-CP or the SHRM-SCP. If you change your mind, you can change your exam level. At the time this course was made, SHRM allows candidates to change their exam level once during a testing window.

Typically, you have to do this at least 10 business days before a scheduled exam appointment. These policies are subject to change. So check with SHRM. If you're unsure which exam you'd like to take, I'll talk more about this in another lesson. After completing all the information SHRM requests, you'll submit your payment for the exam application.

For more information on fees, visit SHRM.org. Finally, you'll have to wait for your authorization to test or ATT letter. SHRM will verify your application and email you within 10 business days. Note, you may be selected for an application audit. SHRM randomly audits a percentage of applications. I'll talk more about this in a subsequent lesson.

After you receive the ATT letter, you can move forward with officially setting your exam date. However, you don't have to do this right away, although I always recommend selecting your exam date sooner rather than later. You want to make sure that you get your preferred appointment. When you're ready, but don't wait too long, go to Prometric's site or give them a call.

Once you've gone through Phase 1 application, it's definitely time to move on to Phase 2. Preparation. Now, you may start preparing for your exam before you apply for it. That all depends on your personal timeline. I've had students apply before their class started with HR Jetpack, and I've had students apply a few weeks after their class started with HR Jetpack.

Regardless of when you start preparing, students who have successfully earned their SHRM certification study for roughly 80 to 100 hours, including 36 hours of live instructor-led class time. I'll talk more in detail about what should be included in your preparation and study plan later. Just know you'll need to stay focused and committed to the process.

Moving on to phase three, the big day. You'll want to visit the testing facility ahead of time. It's important to get an idea of how long it will take you to get to the location. And you do not want to be late. There is a set of security protocols you will need to follow upon your arrival. The Testing Center Administrator will ask you for a valid form of identification.

For specific ID requirements, refer to the SHRM Certification Handbook. You may be asked to sign a logbook, and you will be assigned a personal locker. You cannot bring any personal belongings into the testing room. You are only permitted to have your ID. Before entering the testing room, you will be scanned with a metal detector wand and asked to turn your pockets inside out.

Finally, phase four, recertification. You've worked so hard to earn your certification. Isn't that the end of your journey? Many of those who earn their SHRM CP or SHRM SCP are surprised to learn that their certification journey isn't quite over. Now it's time to keep your SHRM certification, and how do you do that?

Like many professional certifications, you need to take action to keep it. There are two options. The first option isn't very popular. Option one is to retake the exam. Now, granted, this is a viable option, but most credential holders choose option number two to earn 60 professional development credits, usually referred to as PDCs, over a three year period following their exam pass date.

Some professional certifications refer to these as continuing education credits, and ultimately that's the intention, to promote continuous learning. You earn these credits by completing professional development qualifying activities, which must be related to elements of the SHRM body of applied skills and knowledge, usually referred to simply as the SHRM BASK.

I'll talk in greater detail about the SHRM BASK in a future lesson. A qualifying activity has to fall within one of three separate categories as they are aligned with the SHRM BASK, advance your education, advance your organization, and advance your profession. There are guidelines associated to each one.

For advance your education, you can earn PDCs by attending an online webcast, or completing a live college course, or a self paced program. For every one hour of an activity, you'll earn one PDC. There is no limit to the number of hours you can earn by advancing your education.

A good example of this is HR Jetpack. We are not only a SHRM education partner, we are also a pre-approved recertification credit provider. We provide all 60 PDCs to our subscribers through both live instructor-led sessions and self paced courses. When earning PDCs, this is something to consider. For Advance Your Organization, you can only earn up to 30 PDCs.

If you're advancing your organization, you'll be taking on some type of work related project. The project must be endorsed by your supervisor and support organizational goals, and demonstrate or advance your capabilities in one or more of the HR competencies.

And finally, for advance your profession, you can earn up to 30 PDCs. Think leadership and volunteer activities. Anything that may contribute to the development of the HR profession, like being a member of a local SHRM chapter, serving on the board of that chapter, or even publishing a white paper for research purposes. Each of these activities will vary in the number of PDCs you can earn for them.

The great part is you have three years to earn these credits. Your first recertification cycle starts on the day you pass your exam. It ends three years later on the last day of your birth month. Remember, a word of caution, that time goes by fast. I recommend earning up to two credits per month. Not only does breaking 60 credits down month by month keep it simple, but it also helps you to keep your continuous learning goal consistent.

As HR professionals, we must be attending workshops, taking on new initiatives, and connecting with our fellow HR colleagues on a regular basis. Earning PDCs is a great excuse to do what we should be doing anyway. Professional development. Like earning your SHRM certification, keeping your SHRM CP or SHRM SCP is also a journey in of itself and it doesn't have to be a costly one.

There are many resources out there and opportunities available to acquire those recertification credits and build those competencies necessary to be successful in your HR career. There you have it, the four phases of the SHRM certification process from application to recertification. In the next lesson, I'll discuss the very foundation of the SHRM certification, the extensive model in which the exams are based on, the SHRM body of applied skills and knowledge.