SHRM Senior Certified Professional credential artwork

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)

Validates strategic HR knowledge and judgment across leadership, interpersonal and business competencies, and people, organization and workplace knowledge.

Summary

SHRM-SCP is SHRM's senior credential for HR professionals who work at the strategic level, such as developing policy, directing HR operations or aligning HR strategy with business goals. It uses the same BASK and exam format as SHRM-CP, tested at an advanced level.

Good fit if

  • You develop HR policy, lead HR operations or advise executives
  • You have 3 years of strategic HR work or SHRM-CP
  • Senior HR roles you target list SHRM-SCP or SPHR

Look elsewhere if

  • Your work is mainly operational: SHRM-CP
  • You want to test online or outside a fixed window: SPHR
  • You already hold SPHR: a second senior credential adds little

Salary & jobs

Prerequisites

Eligibility to apply

Strategic HR experience

Required

Strategic work includes developing HR policy, overseeing integrated HR operations, directing an HR function or aligning HR strategy with organizational goals. No degree or HR title is required.

3 years of strategic HR workAt least 1,000 hours in each calendar year
SHRM-CP held for 3+ yearsWhile working in, or moving into, a strategic role

Part-time, hourly and consulting work count if they meet 1,000 hours a calendar year. SHRM audits some applications and may ask for a job description.

Cost

USD · Non-member, standard application period
$400
$50
$49
SHRM members pay $100 less ($399). Applying in the early-bird period removes the $49 deadline fee ($450 non-member, $350 member). A retest costs the full fee in a later window.

What holders say

Certification path

SHRM-CP is the operational level and SHRM-SCP the strategic level. Three years holding SHRM-CP in a strategic role qualifies you for SHRM-SCP.

SHRM Certified Professional credential artwork
SHRM-CPOperational HR
This certification
SHRM Senior Certified Professional credential artwork
SHRM-SCPStrategic HR

Renewal

SHRM-SCP is valid for 3 years, ending on the last day of your birth month.

Validity
3 years
Renewal requirement
60 professional development credits
Renewal fee
$165 member / $210 non-member
$75 more in the 60-day grace period

Credits come from learning and work linked to the SHRM BASK. You can also recertify by retaking the exam. If you do not recertify by the end of the 60-day grace period, the credential is revoked.

SHRM recertification ↗

Alternatives

Senior Professional in Human Resources credential artwork
SPHR$595 required · Advanced

HRCI's senior credential, tested year-round online or at a test center, with experience years set by degree.

SHRM Certified Professional credential artwork
SHRM-CP$499 required · Intermediate

SHRM's operational credential, with no experience requirement.

FAQ

What are the SHRM-SCP requirements?

Three years of strategic HR work at 1,000+ hours a year, or holding SHRM-CP for three years while working in or moving into a strategic role. No degree is required.

How much does the SHRM-SCP cost?

$499 for non-members and $399 for members in the standard application period, including the $50 application fee. Early-bird applications cost $450 or $350.

What is the SHRM-SCP pass rate?

SHRM reported a 50% pass rate for the May to July 2025 window. Recent windows have ranged from 50% to 56%.

Can I take the SHRM-SCP online?

No. SHRM-SCP is taken in person at Prometric test centers during the two testing windows.

SHRM-SCP or SPHR?

Both are senior US HR credentials. SPHR sets experience years by degree and tests year-round online or in person. SHRM-SCP needs strategic experience or three years as a SHRM-CP holder and is tested only at test centers in two windows a year.

Last updated October 2026