Post: How to Earn SHRM PDCs with an Online HR Automation Certification Course
Earning SHRM PDCs with an online HR automation certification requires selecting a course that aligns with SHRM’s BASK competency framework and submitting the credential through the SHRM Certification Portal. This guide covers how to evaluate course eligibility, what documentation to collect, and how to submit credits correctly.
Why HR Automation Training Qualifies for SHRM PDCs
SHRM Professional Development Credits require alignment with the Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (BASK)—SHRM’s competency framework covering nine behavioral competencies and HR Expertise. HR automation training qualifies when it addresses competencies including Business Acumen (understanding technology’s strategic impact on the organization), Critical Evaluation (using data and systems for evidence-based decisions), and Leadership & Navigation (driving organizational change through new tools and processes).
A course that teaches automation as a purely technical skill—how to click buttons in a software interface—does not qualify. A course that teaches automation as an HR strategy—how to identify where automation creates business value, how to build a business case, how to manage organizational change through implementation—qualifies because it addresses BASK at the strategic level.
How to Earn SHRM PDCs with an Online HR Automation Certification Course
Step 1: Confirm SHRM Provider Status Before Enrolling
SHRM maintains a catalog of approved professional development providers. Before enrolling in any course for PDC credit, verify that the provider appears in SHRM’s catalog or that the course content has received explicit SHRM approval. Courses from non-approved providers can still qualify for PDC credit, but they require a more detailed self-documentation process during recertification.
The Automated Recruiter Academy is built to align with SHRM BASK competencies across all 8 modules. Check the course page for current provider approval status before enrolling for recertification purposes.
If you’re evaluating other HR automation courses, ask the provider two questions: Which specific BASK competencies does this course address? What documentation will I receive to submit for PDC credit? If they can’t answer both questions specifically, the course likely won’t qualify.
Step 2: Complete the Course and Collect Your Documentation
Complete all required modules. For PDC submission, you’ll need a certificate of completion that includes the course name, provider name, completion date, and total hours of instruction. Most online courses generate this automatically upon completion. Download and save it immediately—certificate retrieval from providers becomes difficult over time.
For courses that don’t generate automatic certificates, keep records of your enrollment confirmation, module completion receipts, and any assessment scores. SHRM’s recertification audits require documentation that proves you completed the course, not just enrolled in it.
Step 3: Log the Activity in the SHRM Certification Portal
Log into your SHRM Certification Portal account at shrm.org. Navigate to “My Certification” and select “Log PDC Activities.” Choose the activity type—for an online course, select “Self-Study” or “eLearning” depending on the course format. Enter the course name, provider, completion date, hours, and the BASK competency the course addresses.
SHRM asks you to self-report the competency alignment. For HR automation courses, the most defensible alignments are: Business Acumen, Critical Evaluation, and HR Expertise – Technology Management. If the course covered change management or organizational adoption, also log Leadership & Navigation.
Step 4: Upload Your Certificate of Completion
Attach your certificate of completion to the PDC activity log entry. SHRM accepts PDF and JPG formats. The certificate must show your name, the course name, the provider name, and the completion date. If your certificate doesn’t include all four elements, supplement it with a screenshot of your enrollment confirmation or a provider-generated letter.
SHRM periodically audits recertification submissions. Having complete documentation attached to each activity entry eliminates audit risk.
Step 5: Verify Your PDC Count Before Your Recertification Deadline
After logging the activity, verify that your running PDC total reflects the new credits in the portal. Check that the activity appears in the correct competency category. If you’re within six months of your recertification deadline, also confirm that your total PDC count (typically 60 for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP) is on track.
SHRM sends reminders before recertification deadlines, but the portal is your source of truth for credit tracking. Log credits as you earn them rather than accumulating them for a single end-of-cycle submission—the running total helps you identify gaps early and plan your remaining credit strategy accordingly.
Expert Take
The most common PDC documentation mistake I see is HR professionals who completed a course, forgot to download the certificate, and then can’t retrieve it two years later when they’re preparing their recertification submission. The fix is simple: create a folder called “SHRM PDC Documentation” in your email or cloud storage and drop every certificate into it the day you earn it. Two minutes of filing when you complete the course saves an hour of document hunting at deadline. — Jeff Arnold, 4Spot Consulting
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn all 60 SHRM PDCs from online courses?
Yes. SHRM does not require a specific mix of in-person versus online credits. All 60 PDCs can come from online courses, webinars, self-study programs, and employer-sponsored e-learning, as long as each activity aligns with BASK competencies and comes from an approved provider or is properly self-documented.
How does SHRM verify that an online course qualifies for PDC credit?
SHRM relies on provider approval status and self-reported competency alignment for most submissions. During an audit, SHRM reviews your documentation to verify that the course content genuinely addresses the BASK competency you reported. Courses from SHRM-approved providers are accepted without additional review. Courses from non-approved providers require more detailed content documentation if audited.
Does completing The Automated Recruiter Academy guarantee SHRM PDC credit?
The course is built to align with SHRM BASK competencies and designed to qualify for PDC credit. Provider approval status determines whether submission is automatic or requires self-documentation. Check the course page for current approval status. If you enroll before provider approval is finalized, retain all completion documentation and self-report the credits using the BASK alignment documentation the course provides.
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