SHRM Books Read for Recertification Credit
Education

SHRM Books Read for Recertification Credit

Welcome to the SHRM Books Read-for-Recertification Credit Program!

IMPORTANT! SHRM has moved to a new learning management system (LMS). 

The process for submitting essays has changed so please see the how-to guide for details.

Please note the book quizzes were replaced with an essay activity beginning January 1, 2021.


Read. Write. Recertify.


Reading for recertification credit is a great way to broaden knowledge and earn SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® professional development credits (PDCs) along the way.

Here is information you need to write a successful essay and earn credit toward recertification.

1. Read the program FAQs

Start with these Frequently Asked Questions for detailed information about the program, approved books, and essay activity.

2. Choose a book

More than 100 books on a range of HR, management, and business topics are currently approved for credit. 

Browse the list and choose books that best enhance your expertise and competencies. 

Obtain the book from your favorite bookseller or local library in your preferred format (print, e-book, audiobook, etc.) 

Also, check the list of books leaving the program (see below) so you can plan ahead.

Not every book in the SHRMStore is approved for recertification credit. Please make sure your book appears on the list before you start reading.

3. Write your essay

Be sure to read the essay tips below before you start writing.

4. Register for the essay activity

The essay activity is free and open to all SHRM-certified professionals.

When you have finished reading the book, follow the how-to guide to register for the eLearning essay activity.

Important! Your essay cannot earn SHRM Certification PDCs unless you have registered for the book's eLearning essay activity by following the how-to guide.



5. Submit your essay

After registering for the essay activity, follow the steps in the how-to guide to submit your essay to SHRM Books.

Once you have submitted your essay, SHRM Books will review it within 14 calendar days and either accept it or contact you with questions.

If SHRM Books accepts your essay, your eLearning account will be updated the same day and your Certification PDC history shortly thereafter.

To quickly update your PDC history, self-report your activity to SHRM Certification as suggested in the how-to guide.

Browse the Book List

​Browse the SHRMStore list of book essay registrations to find titles currently approved for the program

Program FAQs

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Q. How many PDCs can I earn through the program?

You can earn three professional development credits (PDCs) toward recertification by reading an approved book then writing an essay that meets the program criteria and is accepted by SHRM Books. 

Q. Is there a limit to how many PDCs I can earn through this program?

Currently, the SHRM Certification Recertification Requirements Handbook does not indicate a limit for the number of PDCs earned through self-paced and instructor-led activities which include the Read-for-Recertification Credit program. 

Important! SHRM Certification can change this policy so always check the current handbook for guidance as you plan your recertification activities.

Q. Do all the books have the same PDC value?

Yes. If SHRM Books accepts your essay, you will earn three PDCs for reading and writing about any of the books in the program. 

Q. How often are books added to the program?

Books can be added to the program throughout the year so be sure to check the list for updates.

Q. When are books removed from the program?

Books that no longer meet the program criteria are removed throughout the year. The titles are posted on the list as they are selected for removal. 

Q. Where can I obtain the book I want to read for the program?

You can purchase or borrow the book from your favorite bookseller or lending library. 

Q. Can I read the e-book or listen to the audiobook and still receive credit?

Yes. You can access the book in any format.

Q. What else should I know about the program?

SHRM Certification may select your essay for auditing and contact you for more information at your time of recertification.

ESSAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Q. How much does it cost to register for a book essay eLearning activity?

Nothing. All book essay activities in eLearning are free. The registration process requires that you add the activity to your cart and check out but the price is zero and you will NOT be charged for the registration.

Q. Can I skip the registration and just submit my essay in the online form?

No. Your essay cannot earn SHRM Certification PDCs unless you first register for the book's eLearning essay activity through the SHRMStore. Please register now then allow up to 20 minutes for the activity to appear in your SHRM eLearning account.

Q. Can I compose my essay in the online form?

No. The activity form does not count words, check spelling and grammar, or save draft versions of your essay. 

Important! To protect against data loss and use text editing features, write and save your work on your own device then paste the text into the form.

ESSAY WRITING

Q. How long do I have to submit my essay after I finish reading the book?

Try to submit your essay as soon as you finish reading the book in case the title is scheduled for removal from the program.

Q. How long must my essay be?

About 500 words. Non-narrative text such as the book title, author name, chapter headings, etc. is excluded.

Q. Can I use automated tools such as ChatGPT?

No but that's okay because you definitely have what it takes to write a successful essay.

Q. What should I write about?

Please answer the question "What lessons have you learned by reading this book and how will you apply them in your work?"

Important! Do not write a book review or summary. Instead, focus on how the information has changed or will change your work, professional relationships, career plans, and perspective.

For inspiration, skim this example of an essay that was accepted and awarded PDCs.


ESSAY UPLOAD

Q. How do I submit my essay after I register for the activity?

After you receive email confirming your successful registration, follow the steps in the how-to guide to submit your essay for review.

Q. If my essay is incomplete or contains errors, can I submit an updated version?

Yes. You can reopen the form and submit an updated essay until SHRM Books has changed your eLearning registration status to end the activity. Please add a note at the beginning of the revised essay to indicate that it replaces a previous submission.

Q. Does an essay automatically earn three PDCs when it is uploaded?

No. SHRM Books must first evaluate your essay (see details below) then accept it or contact you with questions. While there is no guarantee that SHRM Books will accept an essay, all accepted essays earn three PDCs.



ESSAY EVALUATION

Q. When will my essay be evaluated?

Please allow 14 calendar days from the date you submit your essay. 

Q. How will my essay be evaluated?

Your essay will be reviewed for length and relevance to the question. There is no evaluation of punctuation or other technical aspects of your writing. 

The SHRM Books program will contact you directly if there are any questions about the essay. Reasons why the program might contact you include: 
  • The book is not approved for recertification credit
  • The essay does not match the book title on the submission form
  • The essay uses extensive quotes from or paraphrasing of the book
  • The essay does not answer the question
  • The essay falls far short of the target 500 words.

REPORTING PDCS

Q. If my essay is accepted after review, when will I receive the PDCs?

Your PDC history is typically updated within a day. To update your PDC history immediately, self-report your activity to SHRM Certification by following the how-to guide.


MORE QUESTIONS

Q. What if I have more questions?

Please contact us at books@shrm.org.

Essay Tips

ESSAY tips

WRITING

An essay must be about 500 words to meet the activity criteria. 

The activity will prompt you to answer the question "What lessons have you learned by reading this book and how will you apply them in your work?" 

Do not write a book review or summary. Instead, focus on how the information has changed or will change your work, professional relationships, career plans, and perspective.

For inspiration, skim this example of an essay that was accepted and awarded PDCs.

Try to submit your essay as soon as you finish reading the book; books no longer meeting the program criteria are removed throughout the year.

UPLOAD

Follow the steps in the how-to guide to submit your essay for review by SHRM Books.

IMPORTANT! The essay activity form does not count words, check spelling and grammar, or save draft versions of your writing. To protect against data loss and access text editing features, write and save your work on your own device then copy the text into the form.


EVALUATION

Your essay will be reviewed for length and relevance to the question. There is no evaluation of punctuation or other technical aspects of your writing. 

The SHRM Books program will evaluate your essay within 14 calendar days of the date on which it was submitted.

SHRM Books will either accept your essay or contact you directly with any questions. 

SHRM Certification may select your essay for auditing and contact you for more information at your time of recertification.

PDCS

Each accepted essay earns three PDCs. If your essay is accepted, self-report the activity to SHRM Certification (follow Step 14 in the how-to guide) to quickly update your PDC history. 




Books Leaving the Program

​ 

Books no longer meeting the program criteria are removed throughout the year. Register now and take up to one year from your registration date to complete the activity.

Books removed from the program in YTD 2023

Being Global: How to Think, Act, and Lead in a Transformed World

The Big Book of HR, Revised and Updated Edition

Calculating Success: How the New Workplace Analytics Will Revitalize Your Organization

Cape, Spandex, Briefcase: Leadership Lessons from Superheroes

Collaborate: The Art of We; Combining Capabilities to Create New Opportunities for Success

The Crowdsourced Performance Review: How to Use the Power of Social Recognition to Transform Employee Performance

The Culture Map: Breaking Through The Invisible Boundaries Of Global Business

The Data Driven Leader: A Powerful Approach To Delivering Measurable Business Impact Through People Analytics

Deep Dive: The Proven Method for Building Strategy, Focusing Your Resources, and Taking Smart Action, 2e

The Definitive Guide to HR Communication: Engaging Employees in Benefits, Pay, and Performance

Effective Human Resource Management: A Global Analysis

The Employee Engagement Mindset: The Six Drivers for Tapping into the Hidden Potential of Everyone in Your Company

Employer's Guide to COVID-19 and Emerging Workplace Issues: Year 2

The End Of Jobs: The Rise Of On-Demand Workers And Agile Corporations

Financial Analysis for HR Managers: Tools for Linking HR Strategy to Business Strategy

The Global M&A Tango: How to Reconcile Cultural Differences in Mergers, Acquisitions, and Strategic Partnerships

Growing Influence: A Story of How to Lead with Character, Expertise, and Impact

Handbook for Strategic HR: Best Practices in Organization Development from the OD Network

The HR Answer Book: An Indispensable Guide for Managers and Human Resources Professionals, 2nd Edition

HR Transformation: Building Human Resources from the Outside In

Human Resource Management: People, Data, and Analytics 1st Edition

Humanity Works: Merging Technologies and People for the Workforce of the Future

Inclusive Leadership: From Awareness to Action

Lean HR: Introducing Process Excellence to Your Practice

Manager 3.0: A Millennial's Guide to Rewriting the Rules of Management

Manager's Guide to Employee Engagement

Managing Employee Turnover: Dispelling Myths and Fostering Evidence-Based Retention Strategies

Managing the Global Workforce

Managing the Mobile Workforce: Leading, Building, and Sustaining Virtual Teams

Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

Negotiation at Work: Maximize Your Team's Skills with 60 High-Impact Activities

Network Beyond Bias: Making Diversity a Competitive Advantage for Your Career

Nine Minutes on Monday: The Quick and Easy Way to Go from Manager to Leader

One Strategy: Organization, Planning and Decision Making

People Analytics: How Social Sensing Technology Will Transform Business and What It Tells Us about the Future of Work

Perils and Pitfalls of California Employment Law: A Guide for HR Professionals (Ogletree Deakins/SHRM Employment Law Series)

Point Counterpoint II: New Perspectives on People & Strategy

The Power of Appreciative Inquiry: A Practical Guide to Positive Change, 2nd edition

Practices for Engaging the 21st-Century Workforce: Challenges of Talent Management in a Changing Workplace

Reality-Based Leadership: Ditch the Drama, Restore Sanity to the Workplace, and Turn Excuses Into Results

Setting Up Effective HR in Your Small Business or Startup

StandOut 2.0: Assess Your Strengths, Find Your Edge, Win at Work

Strategic HR: Driving Bottom Line Results Through Your People

The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How.

Talent, Transformation, and the Triple Bottom Line: How Companies Can Leverage Human Resources to Achieve Sustainable Growth

Transformative HR: How Great Companies Use Evidence-Based Change for Sustainable Advantage

We Are HR: The Business Owner's Definitive Guide To Professional Employer Organizations

What Is Global Leadership?: 10 Key Behaviors that Define Great Global Leaders

Winning the War for Talent in Emerging Markets: Why Women are the Solution

Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead

Workquake: Embracing the Aftershocks of COVID-19 to Create a Better Model of Working

Books removed from the program in 2022

  • 47 Frequently Asked Questions About the Family and Medical Leave Act: With Answers from SHRM’s Knowledge Advisors

  • 57 Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Safety and Security: With Answers from SHRM’s Knowledge Advisors

  • 107 Frequently Asked Questions About Staffing Management: With Answers from SHRM's Knowledge Advisors

  • California Employment Law: An Employer's Guide, Revised and Updated for 2021

  • Defining HR Success: 9 Critical Competencies for HR Professionals

  • Diverse Teams at Work: Capitalizing on the Power of Diversity

  • Leading the Unleadable: How to Manage Mavericks, Cynics, Divas, and Other Difficult People

  • Measuring ROI in Employee Relations and Compliance: Case Studies in Diversity and Inclusion, Engagement, Compliance, and Flexible Working Arrangements

  • A Necessary Evil: Managing Employee Activity on Facebook, LinkedIn and the Hundreds of Other Social Media Sites

  • The SHRM Essential Guide to Employment Law: A Handbook for HR Professionals, Managers, Businesses, and Organizations, First Edition

  • Solving the Compensation Puzzle: Putting Together a Complete Pay and Performance System

  • WE: Men, Women, and the Decisive Formula for Winning at Work


Are You an Author?

You are welcome to submit your own book for consideration. Please review the criteria below and then submit an application to have your book evaluated.

SHRM Books selects English-language books that:

  • Cover topics as defined by the SHRM BASK™.

  • Offer practical or strategic value to HR professionals and people managers.

  • Provide timely (published within the most recent 5-7 years), relevant, well-researched and accurate content.

  • Demonstrate expertise and thought leadership on the topic.

  • Feature the length (30,000 – 100,000+ words) and standards (copyedited, indexed, typeset, etc.) typical of professionally-published business books.

  • Are readily available to individuals through publishers and book retailers.

SPONSOR OFFERS

HR Daily Newsletter

News, trends and analysis, as well as breaking news alerts, to help HR professionals do their jobs better each business day.