Certification is awarded for three years. At the end of that cycle, recertification is required either by documenting 60 recertification credit hours of HR-related continuing education activities and/or experience or by retaking the exam. Recertification shows that certified professionals have maintained and updated their HR knowledge during the three-year certification period.

The vast majority of certified professionals prefer to recertify by documenting professional development activities. For more information about recertification using this method, please refer to the Recertfication by Continuing Education section.

Some certified professionals prefer to recertify by retaking the exam.

Recertification-by-examination candidates must:

• Take the exam before their certification cycle expires.
• Recertify only at their current certification level.
• Wait at least one year from their certification start date before taking the test.

Recertification-by-examination candidates can apply using either the online application form or the scannable application.

Recertification-by-examination candidates do not need to complete the work experience section of the application but must complete all other sections.

The HR Certification Institute reviews and approves all recertification-by-examination applications.

Recertification-by-examination candidates are subject to the same PHR and SPHR exam fees as outlined in this handbook and are subject to all optional service fees, if applicable.