If you’re looking to renew your Project Management Institute (PMI) certification—whether it’s your PMP (Project Management Professional), ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner), or any other PMI credential—this guide will show you how to earn PDUs (Professional Development Units) quickly and efficiently. You may even have some unused PDUs already, and you don’t even realize it! Let’s dive in and simplify the process of earning PDUs for certification renewal.
What Are PDUs and Why Do You Need Them?
A PDU (Professional Development Unit) is a measure used by PMI to track professional development activities for certification holders. For PMI’s PMP certification, you need 60 PDUs every three years to maintain your certification. PDUs ensure that project managers stay up-to-date with current trends, knowledge, and practices in project management.
To renew your PMP, you need:
- 35 PDUs in education
- 25 PDUs in giving back
It’s important to note that PDUs can be earned in different categories, making it easier than ever to gather them quickly.
One hour of education, work or learning typically equals one PDU.
Breakdown of PDUs: Education and Giving Back
Education PDUs
Out of the 60 PDUs required, 35 need to come from education-related activities. These education PDUs must cover at least three specific areas of project management:
- Ways of Working: This includes project management knowledge and methods.
- Power Skills: These are leadership skills, such as negotiation, conflict management, and people management.
- Business Acumen: This focuses on understanding how to deliver value and manage projects that contribute to organizational success.
You can earn PDUs through various forms of learning, including courses, webinars, and even self-study like reading books or articles related to project management.
Giving Back PDUs
The remaining 25 PDUs can be earned by “giving back” to the profession. This can include activities such as:
- Working as a practitioner (Your normal, practical experience in project management)
- Creating knowledge (e.g., writing blogs, articles, or creating courses)
- Volunteering (helping the PMI community or other non-profits)
The great news is that many of these activities are easy to accomplish and may already be a part of your routine.
Earning PDUs Through Giving Back
Let’s look at how to earn PDUs by giving back:
Working as a Practitioner: Simply working in your project management role can earn you PDUs. You just need proof of employment and your job description if you are audited.
Creating Content: If you write blogs, articles, or create webinars and presentations, you can earn PDUs for each hour spent doing so. You just need your course agendas or copies of the material you created if you are audited.
Mentoring and Teaching: Mentoring colleagues or others in your field is a great way to earn PDUs. One hour of mentoring equals one PDU, and you’ll just need to document your mentoring agreements.
Volunteering: Volunteering your project management skills for organizations or PMI chapters can also count toward your PDUs. One hour of volunteering equals one PDU.
These activities can help you quickly earn the 25 PDUs needed for the “giving back” requirement.
Earning Education PDUs
Now, let’s focus on the 35 PDUs required for education. Here are some easy ways to accumulate those PDUs:
Courses and Training: If you’ve already taken any courses—whether internal to your organization or external—you can count each hour of training towards PDUs. You just need your certificate or proof of attendance if you are audited. Degrees don’t count as PDUs, but individual courses within a degree program do.
Udemy and Online Courses: Many affordable online platforms like Udemy offer courses specifically for PMI certifications. These can be completed on your own time and often cost less than $50 per course. They’ll often provide a certificate of completion too!
PMI Chapter Meetings and Events: Attending PMI chapter meetings that include an educational component is another great way to earn PDUs. You’ll just need the event registration or proof of participation.
Webinars and Online Media: Websites like ProjectManagement.com offer webinars and digital content where you can earn PDUs for watching videos, reading articles, or completing online learning modules. One hour of learning equals one PDU.
Self-Directed Reading: Reading PMI resources, such as the PMBOK Guide or other project management-related books, can also count as PDUs. One hour of reading equals one PDU, as long as you take notes and track the dates of your activities.
Informal Learning: Participating in informal learning activities like lunch-and-learn sessions, team discussions, or other forms of structured conversations about project management can count toward PDUs. These are often activities you’re already doing as part of your day-to-day job.
Simple Tools for Earning PDUs
ProjectManagement.com: PMI’s affiliated website offers a large number of webinars and educational resources. When you log into your PMI account and complete a webinar, the system automatically logs your PDUs.
Udemy Courses: Many project management-related courses on Udemy are inexpensive and offer high-quality learning that counts toward PDUs.
PMI Chapter Events: Check out your local PMI chapter for educational events that may count as PDUs.
Conclusion
Earning PDUs for PMI certification renewal doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Many activities you already engage in can count toward your PDU requirements. Whether it’s attending webinars, creating educational content, mentoring, or simply working as a practitioner, there are countless ways to quickly and easily earn PDUs.
Take advantage of these opportunities, and you’ll be able to renew your PMP, ACP, or any other PMI credential without breaking a sweat. Be sure to track your PDUs and gather the necessary documentation to support your claim, and you’ll be well on your way to maintaining your certification.
Good luck, and keep up the great work!
See more PMP articles:
- How to Quickly Earn PDUs for PMI-PMP Certification Renewal
- How to Apply for your PMP Exam
- PMP to Pay Rise – 6 Steps to Getting a New Job and Pay Rise With Your PMP
- This Course Is Really All You Need To Pass the PMP
- How to Pass the PMP Audit: Tips for Meeting Eligibility
- PMP versus MBA – Which One Wins?
- Getting the Mindset for the PMP
- CAPM versus PMP – What Are They and Which Should You Choose?
- The Secret History of Agile: From Japan to America
- What to Put in Your Project Plan: Agile vs. Waterfall
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