SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Exam — exam facts

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Every source below was read on 2026-09-24

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Exam — Exam facts
Administering bodySociety for Human Resource Management (SHRM) — exam delivered by Prometric

Delivered by computer at Prometric test centers in fixed testing windows; the 2026 handbook lists a first window from Jan. 5 and a second from June 3. Half the items cover the three behavioral competency clusters and half the three HR knowledge domains.

Source: SHRM — 2026 SHRM Certification Handbook (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) (PDF) (2026-09-24)

Questions134 questions (110 scored, 24 unscored pretest)

80 knowledge items and 54 situational judgment items, 24 of them unscored field-test items mixed in.

Source: SHRM — 2026 SHRM Certification Handbook (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) (PDF) (2026-09-24)

Time limit220 minutes

Two independently timed sections of up to 110 minutes each; unused time in section 1 does not carry over. The appointment also includes a 2-minute confidentiality reminder, a 10-minute tutorial and an 8-minute survey.

Source: SHRM — 2026 SHRM Certification Handbook (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) (PDF) (2026-09-24)

Passing scoreNot published by SHRM

SHRM reports scaled scores from 120 to 200 and gives every passing candidate the maximum score of 200, so the cut score itself is not published as a number.

What we read and found nothing in: SHRM — 2026 SHRM Certification Handbook (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) (PDF) (2026-09-24)

FeesNot checked

SHRM's handbook points to its exam options and fees page, which could not be read as text, so PrepPass states no amount. Prometric charges its own $45 or $60 fee to cancel or reschedule close to the appointment.

Languages offeredNot published by SHRM

The 2026 handbook names no exam language, so PrepPass names none.

What we read and found nothing in: SHRM — 2026 SHRM Certification Handbook (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) (PDF) (2026-09-24)

Change log

  • 2026-09-24Fact sheet created from SHRM's 2026 Certification Handbook.

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