Are Webinars Approved for HRCI and SHRM Credit?

Are your webinars approved for HRCI and SHRM credit?

Are Webinars Approved for HRCI and SHRM Credit?

Introduction

In the dynamic field of Human Resources, staying current with evolving laws, best practices, and strategic competencies isn't just a goal—it’s a necessity. This commitment to continuous learning is formally demonstrated through maintaining prestigious professional certifications. Certifications from the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), such as PHR and SPHR, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), including the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP, are the industry benchmarks. They signify an HR professional’s mastery and dedication, and keeping them active requires earning a specific number of Continuing Education (CE) or Professional Development Credits (PDCs) every three years.

Finding flexible, accessible ways to earn these recertification credits is a constant challenge for busy HR practitioners. In recent years, webinars have surged in popularity, providing a cost-effective and convenient solution. They allow professionals to learn from industry experts on their own schedule and often from the comfort of their office or home, eliminating travel and high conference costs. But as a primary source of CE, a critical question remains: are webinars reliably approved for HRCI and SHRM credit?

This article will provide definitive clarity on whether your chosen webinars qualify for HRCI recertification webinars and SHRM PDC webinar approval. We will break down the specific requirements from both organizations, show you exactly what documentation you need, and provide a clear, step-by-step guide on reporting HR webinar credits to ensure your recertification process is smooth, compliant, and stress-free.

Are the Webinars Eligible for HRCI Credit?

The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) requires professionals to complete 45 to 60 credit hours (depending on the specific credential) over a three-year recertification cycle. The primary categories for earning these credits include continuing education, instruction, leadership, research/publishing, professional membership, and on-the-job experience. When it comes to education, the key for webinars for HRCI credit lies in alignment and approval.

HRCI’s requirements specify that a learning activity must be directly related to the HR body of knowledge and, ideally, should have a clear, measurable learning objective. Crucially, the preferred and simplest way to ensure credit is to choose a program that has been pre-approved by HRCI.

• The Power of Pre-Approval: Many HR-related webinars can qualify if they are offered by a provider who has gone through the formal approval process. HRCI evaluates the content to ensure it meets its rigorous learning standards and contributes meaningfully to professional development.

• Checking for the Seal: The clearest indicator that a webinar is pre-approved is the presence of the official HRCI Approved Provider seal on the event’s description page, marketing materials, or certificate of completion. A pre-approved program will also often have an assigned Program ID which streamlines the reporting process.

• Non-Pre-Approved Webinars: If a webinar is not pre-approved, it might still qualify under the "Continuing Education" category, but the burden of proof falls on the individual. The content must align with the HRCI Exam Content Outline for the specific credential, and you must be able to justify the educational value upon self-reporting. It is always safer to opt for pre-approved content.

Do Your Webinars Qualify for SHRM Certification Credit?

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) requires SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP holders to earn 60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) every three years. SHRM's recertification model is focused on the SHRM Competency Model, which defines the behavioral and technical competencies required for effective HR professionals.

SHRM's guidelines for PDCs are similar to HRCI's in that they heavily favor pre-approved programs. For SHRM webinar credit to be valid, the content must be educational and support the professional's growth in the behavioral or functional areas of the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (BoCK).

• Pre-Approved Programs: SHRM works with training organizations globally to pre-approve programs that are specifically designed to meet the necessary HR-related competencies. This is the most reliable way to ensure a webinar is eligible for credit.

• Look for the Recertification Provider Logo: Just like HRCI, SHRM has a clear visual cue. Learners should look for the SHRM Recertification Provider logo on the webinar materials. This indicates the organization is authorized to offer pre-approved credits.

• The Activity ID: Pre-approved SHRM webinars will be assigned a unique SHRM Activity ID (often a 6-digit code). This code is essential, as it allows for simple, one-click reporting of PDCs within the SHRM Certification Portal.

• Self-Reporting (Non-Approved): Unlike HRCI, SHRM's guidance for self-reporting non-pre-approved educational activities is more restrictive for continuing education. While certain activities (like earning a certification) can be manually entered, for general educational events, using the Activity ID from a pre-approved program is the standard and most reliable path.

How Can I Verify the Credit Status of a Webinar?

Verifying the credit status before you invest your time is a critical step in a compliant recertification strategy. Due diligence is essential to avoid the disappointment of finding out a program doesn't count.

To confirm if a webinar offers HRCI or SHRM credit, follow these steps:

1. Check Event Descriptions for Official Approval Statements: The most straightforward way is to read the fine print on the event registration page, the landing page, or the agenda. Reputable providers will clearly state:

   • "This program has been approved for 1.0 General credit hour toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute."

   • "This program is valid for 1.0 PDCs for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP."

2. Look for Program IDs Issued by HRCI or SHRM: Always seek out the explicit Program ID (for HRCI) or Activity ID (for SHRM). Without this code, reporting the credit will be significantly more complex, even if the provider seal is present.

3. Contact the Organizer if Approval Details Are Unclear: If you see a logo but no ID, or if the language is vague (e.g., "may qualify for credit"), email the event organizer directly and ask for the specific approval codes and the documentation they will provide.

4. Confirm the Reporting Method: Understand that some providers submit credits automatically on your behalf to HRCI or SHRM (usually within 2-4 weeks post-event), while others require self-reporting using the provided code. If they submit automatically, they will often require you to provide your certification number during registration.

Quick Checklist: “Before you attend a webinar, confirm these 3 things”

What Documentation Is Provided for HRCI and SHRM Credit?

Proper documentation is the bedrock of your recertification effort. Both HRCI and SHRM operate on an audit system, meaning that while they generally trust your self-reporting, they reserve the right to randomly select members to prove all reported activities. Losing documentation can jeopardize your recertification.

Typical documents provided for HRCI and SHRM credit include:

• Certificate of Completion: This is the gold standard. It should clearly list your name, the date of the event, the title of the webinar, the length of the program in credit hours/PDCs, and—critically—the official Program ID (HRCI) or Activity ID (SHRM).

• Email Confirmation or Attendance Record: Some providers, particularly those hosting large-scale events, may issue a post-event email confirmation that serves as a proof of attendance. This is acceptable, provided it contains the same essential information (IDs and credit hours).

• Invoice or Receipt: While not the primary proof of learning, a receipt showing payment for the training can be useful supplementary documentation.

Importance of Ensuring the Certificate Lists Program IDs and Credit Hours:

• Audit Preparedness: An auditor needs to quickly connect your reported credit to a verifiable source. The official program/activity ID is the direct link to the pre-approved status.

• Accurate Reporting: The certificate ensures you report the correct number of hours. If a program is 90 minutes, it likely translates to 1.5 credits/PDCs.

Tips on Storing Documentation for Audit Purposes:

• The Digital Folder: Create a dedicated digital folder (e.g., "HR Cert Recert Docs 2024-2027") on a cloud storage service (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). Immediately save all Certificates of Completion as PDFs.

• Printed Copies (Optional): While not required, some professionals prefer to print hard copies and keep them in a binder.

• Naming Convention: Use a consistent naming convention that includes the year, the credit type, the provider, and the topic (e.g., 2025_SHRM_PDC_Webinar_ComplianceUpdate.pdf).

How Do I Report My Webinar Credits to HRCI or SHRM?

The final step is to formally submit your earned credits/PDCs to your respective certifying body. This process is done online through their dedicated recertification portals.

Step-by-Step Guide for Reporting Credits

For HRCI:

1. Log in to the HRCI Recertification Portal: Access your personal account on the HRCI website.

2. Navigate to the Recertification Application: Find the section for adding activities or starting your recertification application.

3. Enter Program ID/Credit Hours: If you attended a pre-approved webinar, you will select the "Continuing Education" category and enter the HRCI Program ID. The system will auto-populate the program details and credit hours.

4. Upload Documentation if Required: While not always mandatory for pre-approved courses, it is best practice to keep documentation ready. If the system requests proof, upload your Certificate of Completion.

5. Save and Track: Ensure the activity is saved and the credit hours are added to your total.

For SHRM:

1. Log in to the SHRM Certification Portal: Access your personal profile on the SHRM website.

2. Navigate to the Recertification Dashboard: Click on "Add Professional Development Credits (PDCs)."

3. Add PDCs Manually Using the Activity Code: Select the "Activity Type" (e.g., Educational Programs). The key step is to enter the SHRM Activity ID (6-digit code) in the search bar.

4. Confirm and Submit: The system will find the pre-approved course details (title, dates, PDCs) and allow you to confirm your attendance. The PDCs will be automatically added to your total.

5. Keep Documentation: SHRM does not require you to upload documentation during the reporting process but always save your Certificate for a potential audit.

Mention Deadlines and Tracking Progress:

• Deadlines: Remember the three-year cycle deadline. Do not wait until the last month to report credits, as an audit could delay your recertification.

• Tracking: Both portals provide a visual tracker or progress bar. Regularly check your dashboard to monitor how many credits you still need to complete your HRCI recertification webinars or SHRM PDC goals.

FAQ Section

Can I get credit if the webinar wasn't pre-approved?

HRCI: Yes, in the "Continuing Education" category. You must self-report and justify how the content relates to the HR Body of Knowledge for your specific credential. It may be subject to closer scrutiny if audited.

SHRM: It is highly discouraged for general educational webinars. SHRM strongly recommends and primarily accepts pre-approved programs with an Activity ID. Non-pre-approved credit usually applies to different categories, such as "Advance Your Organization" or "Advance Your Profession."

Do free webinars also count for HRCI and SHRM credit?

Yes. The cost of the webinar is irrelevant. What matters is the content's educational value, the duration, and whether the provider has secured official pre-approval from HRCI or SHRM. If it has a Program ID or Activity ID, it counts.

How many webinar hours can count toward recertification?

There is generally no limit to the number of credits you can earn from Continuing Education activities like webinars, provided they are all relevant and properly approved/reported. You can theoretically meet all 45 or 60 required hours solely through webinars.

What happens if I lose my certificate?

Immediately contact the webinar provider and request a duplicate copy or a record of your attendance. If they cannot provide one, you may have difficulty proving the credit during an audit. This reinforces the need for diligent storage of documentation.

Conclusion

The flexibility and accessibility of online learning make webinars an invaluable tool in the HR professional’s arsenal for maintaining certification. The answer to "Are webinars approved for HRCI and SHRM credit?" is a resounding yes, provided they adhere to specific compliance standards.

The critical takeaway is verification. Never assume a webinar counts. Reinforce the importance of verifying the approval status by checking for the official seals (HRCI Approved Provider/SHRM Recertification Provider) and, most importantly, identifying the unique Program ID or Activity ID. Furthermore, commit to keeping proper documentation—your Certificate of Completion is your shield against a potential audit.

By taking advantage of the vast library of approved webinars, HR professionals can meet their recertification requirements in a flexible, cost-effective, and highly efficient manner, ensuring their expertise—and their coveted certification status—remains current. Embrace the digital classroom and continue your professional growth with confidence.