1. Calculate the full length of the activity, including the time spent in registration, meals, breaks, etc.
2. Subtract all noneducational time, including time spent in registration, meals, breaks, etc.
3. Ensure that the activity is tied to the HR body of knowledge.

HRCI calculates recertification credit hours to the nearest quarter hour. For example, if a one-day program has five hours and 20 minutes of actual educational time, the number of recertification credit hours awarded would be rounded to 5.25.

In many cases, the hosting organization may have already obtained preapproval for the event through HRCI. In this case, use the number of hours preapproved by HRCI.

HRCI recognizes continuing education units (CEUs) awarded through the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). IACET guidelines state that an agency can award 1 CEU for every 10 hours of classroom time. For example, a program awarded 1.2 CEUs using IACET criteria is equivalent to 12 classroom hours. PHR and SPHR certificants, then, would be awarded 12 recertification credit hours. If the program does not show that the CEUs were established using IACET guidelines, recertification credits are awarded on an hour-for-hour basis.

If the activity has been awarded CEUs through another organization (for example, continuing legal education (CLE) units), use the following guidelines for HR-related activities:

• 1 CLE = 1 recertification credit hour
• One semester credit course (15 weeks) at an accredited college or university = 15 recertification credit hours
• One quarter credit course (12 weeks) at an accredited college or university = 12 recertification credit hours
• One audited college course = 10 recertification credit hours

Certificants may participate in an online accelerated course through a college or university. To calculate credit hours for these courses, follow the CEUs awarded by the college or university. For example, an online course awarded 1 credit hour through a semester-based college or university would earn 15 recertification credit hours. Similarly, an online accelerated course awarded 1 credit hour through a quarter-based college or university would earn 12 recertification credit hours.

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

Credit for each concurrent session attended at an HR conference is awarded on an hour-for-hour basis, excluding meals and breaks. For example, a 75-minute session equals 1.25 recertification credit hours. Credit is not given for general sessions held in conjunction with a meal. Typically, 12 credit hours are awarded for attending all conference educational sessions during a three-day HR-related conference. Additional credit hours may be awarded if additional information is provided.

In general, six hours are awarded for a day-long seminar. In order to calculate the number of credit hours you will receive for a particular seminar, add the time spent in educational sessions, excluding meals, breaks, exhibit hall times, etc.

VIDEOCONFERENCES, AUDIOTAPES AND WEBCASTS (20-CREDIT-HOUR MAXIMUM)
Videoconferences, audiotapes and webcasts are accepted on an hour-for-hour basis for all educational time. The maximum amount of continuing education credits that a certificant can accumulate through videoconferences, audiotapes and webcasts is 20 recertification credit hours over a three-year period.

CHAPTER MEETINGS
Attendance at professional association meetings other than SHRM chapter meetings may not count toward recertification. Continuing education events held in conjunction with an SHRM chapter meeting will not count toward recertification unless the activity has been preapproved by HRCI.