SHRM-CP Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $510
- Issuing body
- SHRM
- Domain
- Project, quality & HR
- Validity
- 3 years (60 PDCs)
Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.
The SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) examination is administered by the Society for Human Resource Management. The official base examination fee is $510 for non-members or $410 for members during the standard testing window, covering a single attempt at the exam only. This fee does not include third-party training courses, study materials, practice tests, or retake fees should a candidate need to sit for the examination again. Candidates should confirm the current fee directly with SHRM before budgeting or registering, as examination fees are subject to change.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Human Resources Specialists—the occupation most commonly associated with the SHRM-CP credential—is $72,910. This figure represents the midpoint wage across the occupation and does not constitute a guarantee of salary, salary increase, or career outcome from obtaining the certification. All eligibility requirements, current fees, renewal policies, and detailed certification information are available through SHRM's official website.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $72,910 (typically $45,440–$126,540 from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Human Resources Specialists, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | SHRM-CP |
| Issuing body | SHRM |
| Base exam fee | $510 |
| Fee notes | non-member $510 / member $410 (standard window) |
| Prerequisites | HR role; education/experience tiers |
| Validity / renewal | 3 years (60 PDCs) |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the SHRM-CP exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare Project, quality & HR certs →