SHRM Exam Prep

Become an In-Demand HR Leader With UTC!

Wondering how to prepare for SHRM certification? UTC and Southeast TN SHRM have partnered together to offer a SHRM certification course! Our goal is to empower you with HR knowledge and strengthen your real-world value to yourself, your organization, and your future.

Who Should Enroll?

The SHRM certification course is perfect any HR professional interested in furthering their career through professional certification. Common titles of participants include HR managers, HR generalists, HR analysts, and more.

Earning SHRM-CP or SCP requires a level of HR experience.

Learn more about experience and education requirements →

What is the Difference Between SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP Certification?

For more than 70 years, HR professionals around the world have looked to add SHRM credentials to their resumes and accelerate their careers.

SHRM-CP certification stands for SHRM Certified Professional. The SHRM-CP certification is for HR professionals functioning at the operational level performing duties such as implementing HR policies, supporting day-to-day HR functions, or serving as an HR point of contact for staff and/or stakeholders. Perfect for tactical HR professionals.

SHRM-SCP certification stands for SHRM Senior Certified Professional. The SHRM-SCP certification is for HR professionals functioning at the strategic level performing duties such as developing HR policies and strategies, overseeing the execution of integrated HR operations, or directing an entire HR enterprise. Perfect for strategic HR professionals. 

Is SHRM Certification Worth It? 

YES! SHRM certification benefits you and your organization. 

• SHRM certification delivers benefits. A PayScale salary survey showed that median pay could increase as much as by 54% as your certification level increases from SHRM-CP to SHRM-SCP. In 2018, the median pay for SHRM-CP was $70,000. With the SHRM-SCP credential, the median salary reported was $107,800.
• SHRM certification proves you work smarter. It shows that you have the skills to drive business results and increase your organization’s impact in the office and around the world. 
• SHRM certification adds value. Your credentials demonstrate you have the specific skills employers seek, dedication to excellence, and the capacity to perform at the highest levels.   

What You Will Learn

The SHRM Learning System consists of four learning modules that are based on the SHRM Body of Applied Skills & Knowledge™ (SHRM BASK™). The information is broken down into consumable topics to ensure you understand and can apply it on the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam and in everyday practice.

HR Competencies

• Leadership and Navigation
• Ethical Practice
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Relationship Management
• Communication
• Global Mindset
• Business Acumen
• Consultation
• Analytical Aptitude

People

• HR Strategy
• Talent Acquisition
• Employee Engagement and Retention
• Learning and Development
• Total Rewards

Organization

• Structure of the HR Function
• Organizational Effectiveness and Development
• Workforce Management
• Employee and Labor Relations
• Technology Management

Workplace

• Managing a Global Workforce
• Risk Management
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• U.S. Employment Law and Regulations

Exam Details

The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams contain two types of multiple choice questions: stand-alone knowledge-based items that assess a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of factual information, and scenario-based situational judgment items that assess a candidate’s judgment, application and decision-making skills.

Both exams will contain Knowledge- and Competency-based questions.

The exams are delivered by computer, and candidates for both exams have 4 hours to answer a total of 160 multiple choice questions, of which approximately 60 percent are stand-alone knowledge-based questions and approximately 40 percent are scenario-based situational judgment items. 

Breakdown of Testing-Time: 

• Confidentiality Reminder – 2 minutes 
• Introduction and Tutorial – 8 minutes 
• Exam Section 1 – Up to 2 hours  
• Break (optional) – Up to 15 minutes  
• Exam Section 2 – Up to 2 hours 
• Survey – 5 minutes

Each section shows a countdown timer on the screen, and each section is separate and time-independent. Minutes do not roll over. For instance, if a candidate spends less time in the introduction, extra minutes are not rolled-over to the exam portion.
 

Use Army Credentialing Assistance Funds

Army Soldiers have the opportunity to use Army Credentialing Assistance to pay for the class. 

Eligible participants will receive the exam prep and all associated course materials.

Learn More About Army Credentialing Assistance →

Lisa Atkins, SPHR, SHRM-CP

Originally from Middle Tennessee, Lisa has been a resident of the Chattanooga area since 2001. Her education journey began at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga—as a pre-nursing major—and commenced fourteen years later at Bryan College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. With experience across multiple industries, in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Lisa enjoys meeting new people and helping motivate them to become the best versions of themselves on both a personal and professional level. 

Lisa obtained her SHRM-CP credential in 2019 and her SPHR credential in 2023. She has been part of the Southeast Tennessee SHRM Board of Directors since 2020, serving first as their secretary and most recently in their role of communications director. In 2022, Lisa was selected as a member of the 2022-2023 class of Leadership Chattanooga, the premier leadership development and civic engagement program for established professionals in the greater Chattanooga region.  

When she’s not in the office or serving her community, Lisa can be found spending time with her husband Brian, their dog Penny, and Netflix. She’s known for tapping into her creative side from time to time, making everything from personalized invitations to Christmas ornaments. Lisa also enjoys baking and has never met a piece of cheesecake she didn’t love.