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HR certification prep, digital badges, and recertification credits

Where will your HR credentials take you?

HRCP has helped HR professionals prepare for certification since 1995. Whether you want to get certified, build skills, earn recertification credits, or support your team, find the path that fits your goals.

Choose your goal Take the free Cert Fit Assessment

What do you want to do next?

Pick the goal that fits you best. Each path takes you to the right HRCP site.

Goal 1

I want to get certified

Prepare for your HR certification exam with study materials built to help you pass.

  • Prep for the aPHR, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP exams
  • Print, online, or both, to fit how you study
  • Backed by our You Pass or Your Money Back guarantee (terms apply)*

*Guarantee applies to the five exams above. We also offer prep for the international aPHRi, PHRi, and SPHRi exams.

Prefer smaller steps? A Micro HR digital-badge path to certification is also available. It's built for the PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP.

See certification prep

Goal 2

I want to build skills and earn digital badges

Earn credentials you can show through short, focused courses.

  • 20 digital badges in HR and business skills
  • Issued through Credly with a share link, so they're easy to add to LinkedIn and verifiable online
  • Self-paced micro courses: learn at your own pace, around your work

Also counts toward recertification: the courses behind every badge are pre-approved by HRCI for recertification credit and can be self-submitted to SHRM for PDC consideration.

Browse digital badges

Goal 3

I need recertification credits

Earn the credits you need to keep your certification current.

  • Online courses pre-approved by HRCI and can be self-submitted to SHRM for PDC consideration
  • 1 to 3 credits per course, 100% online
  • Topics include compensation, benefits, labor relations, talent and performance management, training and development, leadership, risk management, and more

Just need credits? Choose HR Recert. Want a shareable badge along with your credits? Choose Micro HR.

Browse recertification courses

Goal 4

I'm buying for my team or organization

Get HRCP certification prep and digital badges for your employees, students, or agency.

  • Organizations buying for multiple employees
  • Colleges and universities adding HRCP digital badges and HR content to their own programs
  • Federal agencies: HRCP is on the GSA schedule, and both our cert prep and digital badges are available on GSA Advantage

Tell us how many people you're supporting and what they're working toward, and we'll help you find the right fit.

Contact our team

HR certification, digital badges, and recertification credits: what's the difference?

What is HR certification?

HR certification is earned by passing an exam and shows broad HR knowledge. The main HR certifications are the aPHR, PHR, and SPHR from HRCI and the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP from SHRM. HRCP provides prep for these exams.

What are HR digital badges?

Digital badges, like those from Micro HR, recognize specific skills and are earned by completing short online courses and passing their assessments. Badges are issued through Credly, so you can share them on LinkedIn and anyone can verify them online.

What are recertification credits?

Recertification credits keep an existing certification current. Certified HR professionals need a set number of credits each recertification cycle. Micro HR and HR Recert courses are pre-approved by HRCI for recertification credit. They can also be self-submitted to SHRM, which decides whether to award PDCs.

Learn more about badge vs. certificate vs. certification

More common questions

Do Micro HR digital badges count toward HRCI recertification?

Yes, through the courses behind them. Each Micro HR digital badge is earned by completing short online courses, and those courses are pre-approved by HRCI for recertification credit. That means you can earn a shareable Credly badge and credits toward your HRCI recertification at the same time. Browse the badges at micro.hrcp.com.

Can I use Micro HR courses for SHRM recertification?

You can submit them yourself. Micro HR courses can be self-submitted to SHRM for PDC consideration toward SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. SHRM decides whether to award professional development credits (PDCs), so PDCs are not guaranteed. HR Recert courses can also be self-submitted to SHRM for PDC consideration in the same way.

Which HR certification should I get?

It depends on your experience and career goals. HRCP offers prep for the aPHR, aPHRi, PHR, PHRi, SPHR, SPHRi, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP exams. To narrow it down, take the free Cert Fit Assessment, which suggests which certification may fit you best, or compare your options in our guide to choosing an HR certification.

Can organizations buy HR training for their employees?

Yes. Organizations can buy HRCP certification prep and Micro HR digital badges for multiple employees. HRCP is on the GSA schedule, and both our cert prep and Micro HR digital badges are available on GSA Advantage for federal agencies. Email info@hrcp.com and tell us how many people you're supporting and what they're working toward.

Not sure which HR certification fits you?

Answer a few questions about your education, experience, and goals, and our free HR Cert Fit Assessment will suggest which HR certification may fit you best.

Take the free assessment

Why HR professionals choose HRCP

30+ years serving HR professionals

Since 1995, more than 100,000 HR professionals have trusted HRCP to help them get certified, build their skills, and keep their credentials current.

You Pass or Your Money Back

Our certification prep for the aPHR, PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and SHRM-SCP is backed by our pass guarantee. See requirements and terms.

Built by people who've taken the exams

Our team brings firsthand experience taking HR certification exams to the development of practical, focused study materials.

What our customers say

“I just wanted to say ‘Thank you!’ for the excellent study material. I purchased it for the PHR and SPHR and passed both exams! I purchased the practice test, books, and flashcards. I highly recommend your products.”
Michelle B., passed the PHR and SPHR
“I recently completed and earned my Micro HR credentials, and the experience was excellent. The content was clear, well-structured, and highly relevant to real HR work. I feel more confident and better equipped in my role thanks to this program. Highly recommend it to anyone looking to grow in the HR field!”
Sonya S., earned Micro HR digital badges

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