The SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (BASK) is the blueprint for the SHRM-CP. If a topic isn't in the BASK, it isn't on the exam. The 2026 edition brought changes that affect how you should study, and some prep materials haven't caught up.
What the BASK is
The BASK describes the behaviors and knowledge HR professionals need, and it defines content for both the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP. The two exams draw from the same framework. The difference is the level: the SHRM-CP is aimed at operational HR work, while the SHRM-SCP targets strategic work.
The framework has two halves: behavioral competencies (how you act) and one technical competency, HR Expertise (what you know), which is broken into 14 functional areas.
The three big changes
1. Nine behavioral competencies became eight
SHRM combined Inclusion & Diversity and Global Mindset into a single competency called Inclusive Mindset. SHRM says the goal was to remove substantial overlap and refine definitions to fit current global HR practice. Global considerations didn't disappear; they now sit inside Inclusive Mindset under operating in a global environment.
2. AI now appears throughout
SHRM updated sub-competencies, proficiency indicators, and key concepts to reflect the current and future use of artificial intelligence in HR. It also added examples across both the behavioral competencies and HR Expertise to show how AI shows up in practice.
3. HR Expertise content was expanded
Proficiency indicators and key concepts within the functional areas were updated and expanded, and key concepts were reordered to flow more logically.
Test yourself on this topic with realistic, scenario-based questions.
Start 50 Free Questions →The 2026 structure at a glance
| Cluster | Behavioral competencies |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Leadership & Navigation, Ethical Practice, Inclusive Mindset |
| Interpersonal | Relationship Management, Communication |
| Business | Business Acumen, Consultation, Analytical Aptitude |
| HR knowledge domain | Functional areas it covers |
|---|---|
| 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 |
On the exam, half the items come from the behavioral clusters and half from the knowledge domains. Check the current SHRM Certification Handbook for any detailed weights within each.
How to study AI content
You don't need to know how machine learning works. You need to know how an operational HR professional should handle AI responsibly. Focus on:
- Human oversight. AI can support decisions in recruiting, scheduling, or analytics, but people stay accountable for outcomes.
- Bias and adverse impact. An employer can still be responsible if an AI tool produces discriminatory results. Know how to monitor selection rates.
- Vendor evaluation. Ask how a tool was validated, what data it uses, and how it's audited, rather than accepting marketing claims.
- Data privacy and transparency. Consider what employee data a tool uses and how you communicate its use.
- Change management. Rolling out AI tools involves training, communication, and addressing employee concerns.
Expect AI to show up inside scenarios about other topics, not just as a standalone subject. See Scenario 3 in our situational judgment guide for an example.
Is your study material outdated?
Quick checks:
- Does it list nine behavioral competencies? It predates 2026.
- Does it treat Inclusion & Diversity and Global Mindset as separate competencies? Outdated.
- Does it use "Critical Evaluation" as a current competency name? That's older terminology; the current name is Analytical Aptitude.
- Does it have little or nothing on AI in HR? It's missing tested content.
Older materials can still help with core HR knowledge, since employment law and total rewards fundamentals didn't change. Just pair them with the current BASK, which SHRM provides free.
Sources: SHRM BASK (2026 edition, "New Material in the 2026 SHRM BASK"); SHRM Exam Options and Fees. Accessed September 2026.