Earn PDUs to maintain the PMP certification

Introduction: This article marks the beginning of my series on earning PDUs for PMP certification at minimal cost. You may also find interest in my experiences with the PMP exam.

Note: PMI updated the PMP PDU requirements on December 1, 2015; please refer to their site for the latest information.

PDU – When and How?

Once you pass the PMP exam, you can start accumulating PDUs to maintain your active certification status through the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program.

Each PMP certification cycle spans three years from your exam date. To renew your certification, you must earn at least 60 PDUs during this period. The new cycle begins after each three-year term, allowing you to carry forward 20 PDUs earned in the last year. A renewal fee of $60 for members or $150 for non-members is required, and PMI will send out the updated certificate.

You earn 1 PDU for each hour of professional development activity (PDUs from Categories A & B can be reported in increments of 0.25, while others are in whole numbers). You can report all PDUs online through PMI's certification system. PMI conducts random audits, so retain documentation (like attendance certificates) for at least 18 months post-cycle.

Failing to earn 60 PDUs by your three-year anniversary will result in a one-year suspension of your credential, after which it will become invalid. The next cycle starts from the end of your last cycle, regardless of status.

PDU – What, Which, and Where?

PDUs are categorized by PMI as follows:

Category: A

Description: Courses from PMI’s R.E.P.s 

Examples: PMI events, PMI REP courses, webinars -

Cap: _ PDU's

   

Category: B

Description: Continuing Education

Examples: PM courses from universities, non-PMI events -

Cap: _ PDU's

Category: C

Description: Self-directed Learning Examples: Reading books, watching videos, podcasts 

Cap: 30 PDU's

Category: D

Description: Creating New PM Knowledge 

Examples: Authoring PM books, blogging, presentations 

Cap: 45 PDU's (max. 15 for Cat. F)

Category: E

Description: Volunteer Service Examples: Volunteering for PM organizations, training others -

Cap: _ PDU's

Category: F

Description: Working as a Professional in Project Management 

Example: Employment as a Project Manager -

Cap: _ PDU's

The simplest way to earn PDUs is through project management work (Category F), yielding 5 PDUs annually (15 total over three years). 

Here’s my plan for my first certification cycle:

My PDU Plan

No.: 1

Description: Working as a project manager 

Category: F 

PDU: 15 max

No.: 2

Description: Reading books and listening to podcasts 

Category: C 

PDU: 30 max

No.: 3

Description: Online webinars at pmi.org 

Category: A

PDU: 15

Numerous pre-recorded webinars on Projectmanagement.com offer opportunities to earn Category A PDUs.