What’s the Difference Between the SHRM-CP and the SHRM-SCP? 

What is the SHRM-CP? 

SHRM-CP stands for Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional. It’s the HR certification that HR professionals with three to five years of experience typically take, but you can take it sooner if you have an HR-related bachelor’s or master’s degree. 

What is the SHRM-SCP? 

The SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) is the certification for HR professionals who develop strategies, lead the HR function, foster influence in the community, analyze performance metrics, and align HR strategies to organizational goals.

What is the Difference Between the SHRM-CP and the SHRM-SCP? 

The SHRM-CP certification is open to HR professionals with at least three to four years of experience in an HR function. It is designed to test a practitioner’s knowledge and skills in a broad variety of HR competencies, such as hiring, training, development, total incentives, employee relations, and HR technology.

The SHRM-SCP certification is designed for HR professionals with at least six to seven years of experience working in HR. This certification covers HR strategy, organizational performance, and global HR management, and assesses an HR practitioner’s knowledge and skills at a higher strategic level. Both the SHRM-CP and the SHRM-SCP certifications are offered by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Frequently Asked Questions About HR Certification

What is a passing exam score with HRCI and SHRM? 

A passing score with SHRM for their SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams is 200. A passing score with HRCI for their aPHR, PHR, and SPHR exams is 500. Both use weighted scoring meaning that every test question is worth an unknown and different number of points for getting the correct answer. There is only one correct answer per exam question. 

What is the average HR certification exam pass rate for your course? 

Our average pass rate for our Ace the HR Exam with Workology is 95% – meaning that 95% of students who complete our course pass their exam. This includes exams for HR certifications with SHRM and HRCI including the aPHR, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP exams. 

How many hours do I need to study to pass my HR certification exam? 

How many hours you need to study depends on your exam type whether it be the aPHR, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP exams. The aPHR with HRCI averages 20-40 hours of review. The PHR with HRCI averages 40-60 hours of review. The SPHR with HRCI averages 60-80 hours of review. The SHRM-CP with SHRM averages 80-100 hours of review. The SHRM-SCP with SHRM averages 80-100 hours of review.

Workology’s Ace the HR Exam program allows you to customize your review based on your unique needs!

What is the best HR certification prep course for HRCI and SHRM?

The best HR management certification preparation course depends on your needs. For example, if you are an individual looking for an on-demand HR certification exam developed by an HR professional with over 20 years of experience, Workology’s Ace the HR Exam course is a great choice for you. We recommend it because it provides a custom and comprehensive exam review for HR certification exams including the aPHR, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP exams. 

Is an HR certification worth it?

HR certification with SHRM or HRCI offers lots of benefits for HR leaders. Obtaining your HR certification will help you in increasing your income in your current role and in obtaining promotions in as little as 6 months. 

According to a study from PayScale.com, those who earn HR certification make $10,000 or more per year every year and get promoted 14% faster than their non-certified HR peers.

How much does it cost?

SHRM-CP & SHRM-SCP

Exam Fee: $300 for SHRM Members 

$400 for non-members 

Application Fee: $50

What is the passing rate? 

The SHRM-CP exam pass rate is 67% while the SHRM-SCP pass rate is 51%. Learn more about pass rates here.

How many hours should I study? 

We recommend at least 12 weeks of studying 3-7 hours a week.

What study materials do you recommend for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP?

Our most robust offering is our comprehensive Ace the HR Exam Suite which includes digital and on-demand resources for all types of learners who are preparing for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP Exams.

When is the testing window for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP?

For both SHRM-SCP and SHRM-SCP, testing windows occur twice a year as follows: 

First Test Window: May 1 – July 15, 2023. 

Applications are accepted: January 4, 2023. 

The early bird application deadline is March 31, 2023 (extended), and the standard application deadline is April 8, 2023.

Second Test Window: Dec. 1, 2023 – Feb. 15, 2024

Applications are accepted: June 1, 2023. 

The early bird application deadline is September 11, 2023, and the standard application deadline is November 9, 2023.