PMP Certification Validity: Renewal Requirements & PDU Guide

While some people think they will receive a PMP Certification and never have to renew it for the rest of their careers, that is certainly not the case. PMP Certification is not a lifetime achievement award. This is something that I learned the hard way, having to renew PDUs at the last moment to ensure certification wouldn't lapse. In this article, I will have to answer certain questions to deal with PMP certification validity, renewal requirements, and effective PDU management. This will have all the information needed to stay certified through PMP certification training.

By obtaining this credential, PMI wants you to realize and understand the requirement of continuous professional development. This what is PMP certification demands: an understanding that learning never stops.

The Certification of 3 Years

The validity of the certification is 3 years from the date of examination. In this period of time, the candidate is required to have a minimum of 60 PDUs in this certification cycle.

Your certification will continue to be active for 3 years to maintain that status. PMI sees the field of project management as something that is always changing. In this industry, new methodologies, advancements in technology, and practice shifts are all constant. The 3-year requirement is a way to ensure certified people in this industry are aware of all new trends. This is for the sake of keeping newer trends. This is for the sake of lifelong learning. The award is not simply given.

PDU Requirement

During the three-year renewal cycle, you must collect 60 PDUs. PMI breaks them down into two categories, with each containing its own requirements.

For the Education PDUs, you must attain 35 and may complete up to 60. These PDUs can be obtained through the following:

• Participation in workshops, webinars, or training
• Enrollment in project management-related online courses
• Self-taught sessions through books, videos, or articles
• Completion of university courses in relevant topics

For the Give Back PDUs, you may receive a total of 25 through:

• Mentoring a junior project manager or aspiring PMP
• Volunteering in PMI chapters or events
• Content creation with blogs or presentations
• Conducting conference speeches or training sessions

The PMI Talent Triangle

PMI designed the Talent Triangle to account for the fact that each professional should continuously and equally develop three essential skills. You must earn a minimum of 8 PDUs in each.

This model guarantees that you will not be one-dimensional. Distributing PDUs equally across the three categories should be a goal when planning how to renew your PMP certification renewal.

How to Keep Track of Your PDUs

PMI has provided the Continuing Certification Requirements Systems (CCRS) to keep track of one's PDUs. It is important to log activities with documentation as soon as they are completed.

Some of the best practices when maintaining logs are:

• Rather than postponing for months, log PDUs as they are earned
• Certificates from courses and webinars should be saved and not discarded
• Your logs should include all informal learning activities with descriptions that are rich in detail
• Make sure to indicate which Talent Triangle category each activity pertains to
• Retain copies of all records outside of the CCRS system

How to Submit Your Renewal Application

PMI will send you renewal reminders about 3 months prior to the expiration of your certification. The steps are simple:

1. Sign in to your PMI account and go to CCRS
2. Ensure that all your 60 PDUs are recorded and in good order
3. Read the Code of Ethics and check the box to confirm your agreement
4. Renewal fee is $60 for members and $150 for non-members
5. Hit the submit button, and you will receive confirmation without delay

Once you receive all your PDUs, the entire process is about 15 minutes.

Recognizing Renewing Your Credentials

Consideration of renewal costs should also take your PMP certification cost into consideration.

Membership has benefits such as free PDUs by attending webinars, courses at reduced prices, and updates to the PMBOK Guide. Membership is generally worth the cost if you are seeking benefits from the PMP certification.

Ways To Accumulate PDUs in the Area of Education

The most service PDUs in the area of education to be easily collected involve the acquisition of various PMP certification programs. The following strategies have been proven to be successful.

There are plenty of free webinars offered by PMI chapters and training providers. I personally have been receiving 5 to 10 PDUs on a monthly basis by virtually attending 60-minute free webinars on a lunch break.

There are many online training courses offered by various training providers. These training courses and programs are easy to obtain and can offer a substantial amount of PDUs at one time. An Online PMP course Techademy, by itself can offer 15 to 30 PDUs and at the same time teaches you a valuable skill set.

Self-study methods work great for those who prefer to read. Upon completing a project management book, PDUs are earned based on the amount of time taken to read the book. Keep an account of what knowledge you gained, and how you used that knowledge.
Conferences can be a great opportunity to earn many PDUs. For example, attending an expensive PMI conference can earn you between 20 to 30 PDUs, and you can also obtain valuable networking opportunities.

Giving Back PDU Strategies

Earning PDUs and contributing back to the community of Project Managers is a rewarding experience. Documenting sessions with junior employees you mentor also qualifies for PDUs. I mentor two aspiring PMPs every 3 months and provide 8-10 giving back PDUs every year.

Volunteering with local PMI chapters is beneficial and can be done in many ways. Assist in organizing events, join committees, or direct special interest groups. This helps build a portion of your professional network while also meeting PMP certification requirements.

Generating content also establishes you as a thought leader while gaining PDUs. This can be done through articles, videos, and training materials.

The One-Year Suspension Period

Not renewing your PMP certification does not immediately void your certification. PMI actually offers a 1-year suspension period as a grace window. During your suspension:

• Your credential is rendered inactive
• You can not use the PMP designation in a professional context
• You can still earn the PDUs you need
• Your certification will not expire as long as you complete the renewal

However, this suspension does cause complications. Employers will likely question gaps in your cert status.

Consequences of An Expired Certification

If you do not renew your certification during the suspension period, you will need to retake the PMP exam. In addition, you will need to reapply and fulfil the current requirements. You will incur the exam fees again. Years of effort will effectively go to waste. Letting your certification expire comes with numerous costs, the most profound of which will be the worsening credential gap within your field, which will ultimately reduce your project manager salary negotiating power as a project manager.

Start Accumulating PDUs Right Away

As soon as you earn your certification, start accumulating PDUs. Don't wait until the second or third anniversary of your certification. By spreading your PDUs throughout the cycle, you will avoid scrambling for PDUs and will remove the risks of last-minute PDUs.

Set Attainable Quarterly PDUs Goals

Consider setting yourself a goal of earning a certain number of PDUs every quarter, perhaps 5, with the aim of achieving your goal before the last quarter of the cycle. Such a strategy means you will not be rushing to meet the requirements at the last minute, and you will not stress about PDUs.

Keep Things Interesting

As with most things, a certain amount of diversification will keep your engagement levels high. There are a number of PDU categories, and you will do yourself a favour by ensuring an even inclusion of all of them. A good mix of education and giving back, of formal courses, informal learning, leadership and other soft skills, will keep things interesting. The good news is that you are likely to find a number of learning opportunities that naturally align with your projects and interests.

It takes effort to maintain your certification, but the benefits of PMP certification are considerable. To maintain your certification, you will have to obtain 60 PDUs over a three-year cycle, which is a real gain to your career. Get your PDUs over time and try to have your learning come from a variety of different places, using both free and paid resources. The more you learn, the more competitive you will be, and the more valuable your certification will be, and you will have a real advantage in your career.