8 Best HR Recertification Courses for Earning Recertification Credits

# How HR recertification credits work Recertification credits are the recorded learning hours credentialing bodies use to keep HR certifications active after the initial exam. Each body uses different names—SHRM calls them PDCs, HRCI calls them recertification credits, ATD uses points toward APTD/CPTD, and HRPA and CPHR track CPD hours—but the basic logic is the same: complete a pre-approved learning activity, log the hours or points, and submit them before your certification cycle ends.

# How many credits you need

# What counts as credit Typically, one hour of qualifying learning time equals one credit, often rounded to the nearest quarter hour. That means a 25–45 hour certificate program can close a sizeable portion of your credit requirement in one enroll. The essential technical rule is pre-approval: a course must be submitted to and accepted by your specific credentialing body before the hours count. Course pages that say "CE eligible" are not the same as confirmed pre-approval with your body.

# Choosing a recertification course that's worth your time There are two practical priorities: make sure the course will be accepted by your credentialing body, and make sure you'll finish it and apply the learning.

• Confirm pre-approval or that the provider lists specific acceptance across the credentialing bodies you use.
• Prefer programs that build practical skills over checkbox trainings. Programs with applied components—capstone projects or workplace assignments—produce work you can use immediately and demonstrate learning beyond hours logged.
• Match delivery format to your availability. If you have a full-time job, online self-paced courses are easier to complete than in-person multi-day events.
• If you hold multiple credentials across countries, verify how credits transfer or are recognized by each body.

# Why course length and design matter

# Practical next steps Identify how many credits you need and your deadline. Check your credentialing portal for pre-approval rules. Shortlist courses that explicitly list accepted credits for your credential or that include provider materials you can submit for approval. Choose a format you will complete and prefer programs with applied work if you want skill gains as well as credits.

Selecting a course based only on hourly totals risks wasting time. Prioritize confirmed credit eligibility and practical design so the learning you log adds both to your certification and to what you can do at work.