Recertifications

Submitting Your Recertification Application

All certifications from HRCI are valid for three years. You are required to recertify every three years to maintain your credential(s).

See Ways to Recertify

Recertification Credits

Recertification credits can be earned through qualified activities and programs. General credit hour and specified credit hour requirements for each credential are outlined in the chart below.

To maintain your certification(s), you must complete and submit 45/60 HR-related credit hours (to include at least one ethics-themed activity).

Additionally, you now have the option to carry-over surplus earned recertification credits. This is an optional program only offered to Active (not suspended) certificants who start to submit their recertification application on and after 1 January 2021. To qualify, the surplus activities/credits must be submitted in addition to the normally required 45 credits aPHR, aPHRi or 60 credits for PHR, PHRi, PHRca, SPHR, SPHRi, or GPHR.

Ways to Recertify

Recertify by Exam

Most certified HR professionals prefer to recertify their HRCI® credential through continuing professional development. Some professionals, however, prefer to recertify by retaking the exam.

Recertify with Pre-Approved Courses

Attended a pre-approved HRCI course and are ready to add it to your recertification application? Grab the activity ID number from your course and enter it today.

Recertify by Provider

HRCI Providers offer pre-approved courses that contain a unique activity ID number. Take the guesswork out of recertification and search our HRCI Provider network to get started.

Additional Recertification Resources

Find the information you need about our recertification audit process and fees and deadlines associated with the recertification process.

Recertification Audit Process

Fees and Deadlines

Getting Started - Your Online Profile

As an HRCI credential holder, you have an online profile on the HRCI website where you can record recertification activities. You are highly encouraged to record activities as you complete them. When you have earned the required 60 hours, you may apply and pay online. HRCI will not review your activities until your application and payment has been received.

You will be able to submit your recertification application during this 12-month period and retain your credentials by paying a fee of $100 (in addition the regular recertification fee).

It's best to get out of suspended status as soon as possible, so you can begin to use your credential again. HRCI will not be able to verify your credential while it is suspended. Also, any time spent in suspended status cuts into your next recertification cycle and does not change your cycle dates.