SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge - 2026 Roadmap for a Career in HR

Aug 29, 2026

SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (SHRM BASK) provides a comprehensive framework for HR competency and knowledge development, updated in 2026. It explains how research with thousands of HR professionals shaped the SHRM Competency Model, then expanded into defined knowledge areas alongside behavioral competencies. The framework supports certification exam content for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP through a structured, validated approach, while maintaining a strict separation between exam development and study material creation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages109

Reading Time4 h 35 min

AccessFree to download

What Are Competencies?

Knowledge + Behavior = Success

Development of the SHRM BASK

2026 SHRM BASK Structure

Leadership Cluster

Interpersonal Cluster

Business Cluster

People Knowledge Domain

Organization Knowledge Domain

Workplace Knowledge Domain

Certification and Usage

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)

Appendices

Appendix A: Glossary

Appendix B: Resources

SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge Your Comprehensive Roadmap for a Career in HR 252109 Table of Contents 2026 SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge 3 SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge: SHRM BASK Graphic 4 What Are Competencies? 5 Knowledge + Behavior = Success 5 Development of the SHRM BASK 6 New Material in the 2026 SHRM BASK 8 Organization of the SHRM BASK 9 Leadership Cluster 11 Leadership & Navigation 12 Navigating the Organization 13 Vision 14 Managing HR Initiatives 15 Influence 16 Ethical Practice 17 Personal Integrity 18 Professional Integrity 19 Ethical Agent 20 Inclusive Mindset 21 Connecting I&D to Organizational Performance 22 Building the Infrastructure for an Inclusive and Diverse Culture 23 Ensuring Impartiality & Fairness 24 Cultivating an Inclusive and Diverse Culture 25 Operating in a Global Environment 26 Interpersonal Cluster 27 Relationship Management 28 Networking 29 Relationship Building 30 Teamwork 31 Negotiation 32 Conflict Management 33 Communication 34 Delivering Messages 35 Exchanging Organizational Information 36 Listening 37 Business Cluster 38 Business Acumen 39 Business and Competitive Awareness 40 Business Analysis 41 Strategic Alignment 42 Consultation 43 Evaluating Business Challenges 44 Designing HR Solutions 45 Advising on HR Solutions 46 Change Management 47 Service Excellence 48 Analytical Aptitude 49 Data Advocate 50 Data Gathering 51 Data Analysis 52 Evidence-Based Decision-Making 53 People Knowledge Domain 54 HR Strategy 55 Talent Acquisition 57 Employee Engagement & Retention 59 Learning & Development 61 Total Rewards 63 Organization Knowledge Domain 65 Structure of the HR Function 66 Organizational Effectiveness & Development 68 Workforce Management 69 Employee & Labor Relations 71 Technology Management 73 Workplace Knowledge Domain 75 Managing a Global Workforce 76 Risk Management 78 Corporate Social Responsibility 80 U.S. Employment Law & Regulations 82 Appendix A: Glossary 84 Appendix B: Resources 99 SHRM BODY OF APPLIED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 2 2026 SH RM BODY OF APPLIED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 2026 SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge For more than 70 years, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has served the human resources (HR) profession. HR professionals worldwide look to SHRM for comprehensive information and tools to help them effectively perform their jobs, develop their careers and transform their organizations. Together with SHRM, these HR professionals create better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. In 2011, SHRM began a program of research involving thousands of HR professionals to identify the critical competencies needed for success as an HR professional. This research led to the development of the initial SHRM Competency Model, which defined eight key behavioral competencies (Leadership & Navigation; Ethical Practice; Relationship Management; Communication; Global & Cultural Effectiveness; Business Acumen; Consultation; and Critical Evaluation) and one technical competency (HR Expertise) . The SHRM Competency Model represented an important advance for the field of HR by focusing on the types of behaviors that are integral for success in HR. The SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge® (SHRM BASK®), formerly the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge®(SHRM BoCK®), represents the evolution of the SHRM Competency Model by further defining the knowledge areas in addition to the behavioral competencies. The SHRM BASK was developed through a series of large-scale research studies that incorporated the viewpoints of thousands of HR professionals from around the world. It was most recently updated in 2026, and now includes eight behavioral competences as well as one technical competency. In addition to describing the HR field, the SHRM BASK is used to define t

FAQs

What does SHRM BASK define for HR professionals?

SHRM BASK defines knowledge areas in addition to behavioral competencies, built from large-scale research with HR professionals worldwide. It includes eight behavioral competencies and one technical competency.

How was SHRM BASK developed and updated?

SHRM began with research in 2011 to identify competencies, then evolved the model by further defining knowledge areas. The SHRM BASK was most recently updated in 2026.

How does SHRM BASK relate to SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams?

SHRM BASK is used to define the content areas for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification examinations. It also serves as the common framework for item writers developing exam questions.

Aug 29, 2026

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