Skip to main content
  • Claims Center
  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • Brokers & Agents
Hiscox Insurance
Menu Toggle
  • Home
  • Small Business Insurance Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Why Hiscox Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Resources Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Policy Management Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Claims Center
  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • Brokers & Agents
  • About
  • Get a Quote Get a Quote
  • About
  • Get a Quote Get a Quote
  • Blog Home
    Start Your Business
    Grow Your Business
    Protect Your Business
    Celebrate Courage
    Search

    Small Business Insights

    Sign up to get the latest small business news delivered right to your inbox.
    Start Your Business
    Young woman sitting and talking to colleague. HR professional, HR certification.

    Everything you need to know about the SHRM-CP for HR professionals

    Start up | Entrepreneur
    By: Hiscox Blog

    Share Image

    Embed Image

    Copy

    Share Article:

    What is the SHRM-CP?

    The SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional) is a certification offered to human resources professionals to help them advance in their careers and demonstrate their knowledge of HR policies and strategies.

    To obtain this certification, you must be able to show relevant education and experience, and take an exam. The exam is administered by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), which is an organization with 300,000 members worldwide and supports HR professionals through education, training, networking, and lobbying on behalf of policies that are fundamental to HR and labor management. 

    The exam consists of questions based on “knowledge items and situational judgment.” Those who receive their SHRM-CP can show their extensive knowledge of HR practices to employers and clients, which can set them apart from the competition. 

    What are the benefits of the SHRM-CP?

    Prove you’re an expert

    By obtaining a SHRM-CP, you have in hand credentials that prove your advanced knowledge in the HR field. If you work as an independent HR consultant, you can leverage your certification to attract new clients and win contracts with companies. 

    Demonstrate your practical skills

    Part of the SHRM-CP exam is designed to test your practical skills in HR. Having this certification not only demonstrates your expert knowledge but your ability to put it into practice. 

    Globally recognized certification

    The SHRM-CP is a globally recognized certification. This means that no matter where your clients reside, your certification will be recognized and valued by individuals and companies.  

    Who qualifies for the SHRM-CP?

    In order to qualify for the SHRM-CP, there are some education and experience requirements you must meet. This chart on the SHRM website breaks it down clearly, but in general, you do not need to have a degree in HR nor do you need to have completed a degree to start the process of obtaining a SHRM-CP. However, if you have less relevant education, you’ll be required to show proof of equivalent work experience. 

    All applicants have to show proof of at least 1,000 hours of HR-related work experience, or 500 hours if you’re a student, in one calendar year. However, there are some specific guidelines around this.

    • Non-HR job titles – If you don’t have a job title specific to HR, that’s okay, as long as you can prove that you completed 1,000 hours of HR-related work in one calendar year.
    • Supervisors of HR professionals – If you supervise someone in an HR role but you yourself do not perform HR duties as part of your job, this does not count towards the 1,000 hours of experience. 
    • Contractors – If you take on HR work as a consultant, these hours still count. 
    • Part-time work – Part-time work in an HR role qualifies. Just make sure that the 1,000 hours of experience occurred in the same calendar year.
    • Students – If you are a student currently enrolled in your final year of an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a university that is “approved by SHRM’s Academic Initiatives staff as being aligned to SHRM’s curriculum guidelines,” you are eligible to take the exam. You will need to show proof of 500 hours of HR experience. 

    What can you expect on the SHRM-CP exam?

    The SHRM-CP exam tests your “knowledge of factual information,” judgment, and decision-making skills through a series of multiple-choice questions. The exam is based on the 15 HR functional areas and the eight behavioral competencies, which are part of the SHRM Body of Competency & Knowledge (SHRMBoCK). You can download a guide to this information on the SHRM website. 

    Once you have fulfilled the education and experience requirements and passed the exam,  you’ll receive your SHRM-CP designation. With your certification in hand, you can look forward to advancing in your HR career.


    Protect Your Business

    Protect the business you’ve worked so hard to build. Get a fast, free quote and your business could be covered today.

    Get a Quote
    Get a Quote
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Related Articles

    5 Min Read
    Female entrepreneur in office proud to be her own boss

    How to never get laid off again: Be your own boss!

    Entrepreneur

    Layoffs are bound to happen during our careers, however, there is a way to ensure that you never get laid off again – start your own business.

    Read More

    5 Min Read
    Female entrepreneur dreaming of elevating her small business to the Fortune 500 list

    Dream big! Devoted entrepreneurs now helm Fortune 500 companies

    Start up | Entrepreneur

    Not every startup company makes it to the Fortune 500 in the founder’s lifetime, but some do. Take some inspiration from these companies which are still being led by their founders, Dell, Tesla, and more.  

    Read More

    6 Min Read
    Female yoga instructor talking with two eager female students

    How to start a yoga business: Here's what you need to know

    Start up | Entrepreneur

    Have you been wondering how to become a yoga instructor? Discover all you need to know about what certifications you need, techniques to marketing your yoga studio, and more.

    Read More


    We’re here to help.
    We provide tailored insurance for the specific risks you face, so you can take the right risks to grow your business.
    Get a Quote
    Get a Quote

    Footer menu 1

    • What We Cover
      • Business Insurance
      • General Liability Insurance
      • Professional Liability Insurance
      • Errors and Omissions
      • Cyber Security Insurance
      • Workers Compensation
      • Other Coverage
    • Who We Cover
      • Small Business Owners
      • LLC
      • Sole Proprietors
      • Entrepreneurs
      • Side Hustle
      • Contractors
      • Home Businesses
    • For Our Customers
      • Refer a Friend Program
      • Covid-19 Response
      • Claims Center
    • For Business Owners
      • Save with our Partners
    • About Hiscox
      • About Us
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
      • Hiscox Corporate
      • Investors
      • Foundation
      • Newsroom
      • We Stand Together
      • Affiliate Partner Program

    Footer menu 2

    • Accessibility
    • Site Map
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Legal Notices
    • Español

    Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    Feefo Reviews: Hiscox rated 4.7/5 with 1,067 reviews between January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023

    © 2023 Hiscox Inc. All rights reserved. Underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Inc., 30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1760, Chicago, IL 60602. As of December 31, 2022, HICI had admitted assets of $1,458,861,470 and policyholders surplus of $380,056,863. Total liabilities were $1,078,804,607 (inclusive of $529,538,410 of loss reserves) and paid-up capital stock was $4,242,000.

    icon-facebook
    icon-youtube
    icon-twitter
    icon-linkedin