5 Activities to Earn Recertification Credits
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
A couple years ago, I wrote an article about all the different HR certifications that are available. There are quite a few and if you’re considering a certification, you’ll want to weigh what is best for you and your career.
One other thing to consider when it comes to certifications is how recertification works. I believe this is as important as the certification for a couple of reasons: 1) Recertification should be an accurate reflection of maintaining the credential. You should feel it’s challenging but attainable. 2) Recertification should be reasonable, meaning you can naturally accomplish and pay for it.
Regardless of the certification, probably the number one way to earn recertification credits is attend educational events and conferences. This has been really hard to do over the past year or so. Many of us have attended virtual programs, which is awesome. And I’m sure that you’re as delighted as I am that virtual events have really stepped up their game to deliver greater quality.
But I do have to admit that I like doing more than simply going to conferences to earn my recertification credits. I challenge myself to earn credits using different activities to expand my learning. So, if you’re looking for a few new ways to earn recertification credits, here are a few activities to check out.
- Work Experience. As HR professionals, we’ve had a lot of new policies, programs, and guidelines that we’ve had to develop. And it’s not going to end anytime soon. All the research, program drafts, implementation strategies, etc. may count toward recertification. Check out the recertification page of your credential to see if all the hard work you’re doing might be considered.
- Reading. Some HR-related books have been pre-approved for recertification credits. I would be terribly remiss if I didn’t share that both of mine: “Manager Onboarding: 5 Steps for Setting New Leaders Up for Success” and “The Recruiter’s Handbook: A Complete Guide for Sourcing, Selecting, and Engaging the Best Talent” are pre-approved for SHRM recertification credit. Simply buy the book, read the book, then answer a few questions in an online quiz and – BOOM – recertification credits! (Correction: Instead of a quiz, SHRM now has readers write an essay. A huge thanks to the reader who sent me the link.)
- Self-paced learning programs. There are FREE self-paced programs available that could be eligible for recertification credits. If you’re considering a MOOC (massive open online course), look to see if it qualifies. Also, the SHRM Foundation offers a Veterans at Work certificate to help HR pros learn more about hiring veterans. And the Employing Abilities @Work certificate is focused on helping HR professional manage the employment lifecycle for individuals with disabilities.
- Writing. You might be able to write an article, white paper, or book and earn recertification credit. Different credentials might have different requirements, so be sure to check out the specifics. But writing can be a wonderful professional development activity and you can share your expertise with others. (P.S. Speaking is also often included as a way to earn recertification credits. Maybe presenting a program either in-person or virtually is in your future!)
- Volunteering. Last but certainly not least, volunteering can be a great way to give back to your profession and earn recertification credits at the same time. Organizations are always looking for volunteers who are willing to share their experiences. And from personal experience, I can tell you that volunteering is great for networking and building lifelong professional friendships.
Each certification program has their own criteria in place for recertification. The good news is there’s more than one way to earn recertification credits. And sometimes forcing ourselves to try new things is a good way to learn. Which is what certification is all about.
Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the Neon Graveyard in Las Vegas, NV
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