This Certification Handbook is a collection of policies to guide certification candidates in obtaining and maintaining their WorldatWork credentials.
You can access the Certification Handbook here.
Q: Does my certification expire?
A: For your WorldatWork certification(s) to remain current, you must earn 30 recertification credits every three years. After your certification expires you may not use the credentialed acronym after your name and your digital badge will expire.
Q: How do I keep my certification(s) current?
A: You can earn credits through a variety of activities, which can be found on our Recertification Opportunities page. Credits you earn through WorldatWork activities are automatically added to your recertification status and can be viewed on your WorldatWork profile. Please note that for WorldatWork educational courses, recertification credits are earned after the learner completes the course completion declaration at the end of the course. Credits earned outside WorldatWork may be added manually on your WorldatWork profile.
Q: I have multiple certifications. To recertify, do I need to earn 30 recertification credits for each of my certifications?
A: Yes, however, both domain-specific and general may be applied to multiple certifications. For more information on how recertification credits are applied to your certifications, please refer to Certification Handbook. You may also track how your recertification credits are applied to multiple certifications by visiting your WorldatWork profile.
Q: How do I know when my certification expires?
A: Your certification status and recertification date are available on your WorldatWork profile.
Q: What happens after I complete my 30 recertification credits?
A: Your certification will be renewed automatically on your renewal date. You will receive an updated digital badge indicating your certification is current for an additional three years. At the end of your current recertification period, you’ll be eligible to begin accruing credit toward your next recertification. You can find additional details on your WorldatWork profile.
Q: Can I still recertify if my recertification date has expired?
A: Yes. You'll have a one-year grace period to complete the necessary 30 credits to recertify. If you still have not completed all the credits by the end of the grace period, you will need to purchase and pass a recertification exam to recertify. Please review the Certification Handbook for additional details.
Q: Why is my recertification date on or after October 10, 2028?
A: To give all active certification holders (as of October 10, 2025) an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new recertification program, WorldatWork has extended the recertification date for all active certification holders to October 10, 2028.
Anyone who earns a new certification after October 10, 2025, will have a recertification date that is three years from the date they earned their new certification.
All expired certification holders (as of October 10, 2025) have received a special, three-year grace period ending October 10, 2028. During this special, three-year grace period expired certification holders may recertify by earning 30 recertification credits before October 10, 2028. Please note that after this special, three-year grace period ends on October 10, 2028, these expired certification holders will no longer be eligible to recertify and must purchase and pass a recertification exam to become an active certification holder.
All active and expired certification holders may access their WorldatWork profile to see their next recertification date or grace period end date.
Q: How do I recertify?
A: To maintain your WorldatWork certification, you must earn 30 recertification credits every three years. Credits can be earned through WorldatWork courses, webinars, events, and other approved activities.
- 20 credits must be general
- 10 credits must be domain-specific
You can track your progress and submit credits through your WorldatWork profile. Once you complete the required credits, your certification will automatically renew for another three-year cycle.
Q: What is the grace period for recertification?
A: If your certification expires, you have a one-year grace period to earn the required 30 credits. During this time, you can still complete activities and submit credits to recertify.
If you do not meet the requirements by the end of the grace period, you must purchase and pass a recertification exam to regain active status.
Q: Can I use my designation or share my certification during the grace period?
No. Once your certification expires, you cannot use the credential acronym after your name, and your digital badge will be inactive. You may only resume using the designation after successfully recertifying.
Q: What is the difference between domain credits and general credits?
A: Domain Credits: These are credits earned for activities directly related to your certification specialty (e.g., Compensation, Benefits, Sales Compensation). Examples include completing a WorldatWork course in your certification area or presenting at a compensation-focused event.
General Credits: These apply to broader HR or Total Rewards topics, such as attending HR conferences, webinars, or leadership training.
You need 10 domain-specific credits and 20 general credits within each three-year cycle.
