The Certification Handbook includes full recertification policies and guidelines. Access it here.
Yes. To keep your WorldatWork certification 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 become inactive.
You can earn credits through a variety of approved activities listed on our Recertification Opportunities page. Credits earned through WorldatWork activities are automatically added to your recertification status and can be viewed on your WorldatWork profile. Credits earned outside of WorldatWork may be added manually on your profile.
For WorldatWork educational courses, recertification credits are earned after completing the course completion declaration at the end of the course.
To maintain your WorldatWork certification, you must earn 30 recertification credits every three years:
- 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.
Domain Credits: 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: Credits that apply to broader HR or Total Rewards topics, such as attending HR conferences, webinars, or leadership training.
Yes, however, both domain-specific and general credits may be applied to multiple certifications. For more information on how credits are applied, refer to the Certification Handbook. You can also track how credits are applied across certifications on your WorldatWork profile.
Your certification will renew automatically on your renewal date. You will receive an updated digital badge indicating your certification is current for an additional three years. You can find additional details on your WorldatWork profile.
Yes. You have a one-year grace period to complete the required 30 credits. During this time, you cannot use the credential acronym after your name and your digital badge will be inactive. If you do not complete the credits within the grace period, you must purchase and pass a recertification exam to regain active status. Review the Certification Handbook for additional details.
To give all active certification holders (as of October 10, 2025) time to familiarize themselves with the new recertification program, WorldatWork has extended the recertification date for all active holders to October 10, 2028. Anyone who earns a new certification after October 10, 2025 will have a recertification date three years from the date they earned their certification.
All expired certification holders as of October 10, 2025 have received a special three-year grace period ending October 10, 2028, during which they may recertify by earning 30 recertification credits. After October 10, 2028, expired holders will need to purchase and pass a recertification exam. Visit your WorldatWork profile to see your next recertification date or grace period end date.
