Have you recently taken and passed the PMP® exam? If so, congratulations, this is quite an accomplishment. Now you’re probably thinking to yourself, “I hope I never have to do that again!” Let’s investigate how to maintain your PMP® credential and avoid retaking the 4-hour, 200 question marathon that is the PMP® exam.

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I’M A PMP – WHAT'S A PDU?
By Dr.Mahboob Ali Khan Phd PMP
Have you recently taken and passed the PMP® exam? If so, congratulations,
this is quite an accomplishment. Now you’re probably thinking to yourself, “I
hope I never have to do that again!” Let’s investigate how to maintain your
PMP® credential and avoid retaking the 4-hour, 200 question marathon that is
the PMP® exam.
Beginning the day that you pass your PMP® Exam, your PMP® is active for a
cycle of 3 years. Credential holders must obtain a total of 60 PDU’s, known as
professional development units, before the end of the cycle if they wish to
renew their credential. PMP’s who do not fulfill this requirement will have
their credential on suspension for a period one year. In this status, the credential
holder may no longer refer to themselves as a PMP®. Suspension is lifted once
the requirements are met. If after a one year suspension the PMP® does not
submit their PDU’s their certification will expire. This means that the
individual is no longer considered to be a PMP® and they must retake the exam
to re-certify.
Upon claiming all 60 PDU’s and paying the renewal fee of $60 for PMI®
members, a new 3 year cycle begins from the last day of the previous cycle, in
other words there is no penalty for submitting all 60 PDU’s early.
So what is a PDU? A Professional Development Unit is way to measure
ongoing education and professional service. Each PDU is the equivalent to 1-
hour of engagement. As of March 2011, there are 6 categories of PDU, some of
which contain a restriction on how many PDU’s may be claimed of that type.
Let’s Review:
Category A PDU’s may be obtained through courses offered by Registered
Educational Providers that have submitted their course through a PMI review
process. In this case, the provider will already know the PDU value of each
course and will typically present student a form with instructions on how to
claim.
Category B PDU’s may be obtained through courses offered by a university,
college, or other training provider. These PDU’s must be manually calculated
by determining the number of hours of the course that were related to project

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management. For example, an 8 hour software class that discussed project
scheduling best practices for 2 hours would qualify for 2 PDU’s. Use your best
judgment, remember you have agreed to live by the PMI Code of Ethics! There
are no restrictions on Category B PDU’s.
Category C PDU’s are obtained through self-study, such as reading book and
magazines, watching videos, or having a project management discussion or
mentoring session with colleagues. Again, you earn 1 PDU for each hour of
self-directed learning. There is a limit of 30 PDU’s per 3-year cycle for this
category.
Category E PDU’s are earned by volunteering in the PMI® or other project
management related communities. If volunteering in the PMI®, most positions
will have a specified number of PDU’s, you can consult your chapter or other
PMI® representative for more details. Other volunteer work counts as well so
long as it is project management related and not performed directly for your
employer or client.
Category F PDU’s are earned simply by being a project management
practitioner. That’s right, all you have to do is manage project to earn a limit of
5 PDU’s per year or 15 PDU’s per 3 year cycle. Again, you earn 1 PDU per
hour spent as a practitioner.
Category D PDU’s may be earned by authoring or presenting publications,
presentations, and trainings that contribute to the project management body of
knowledge. This can include articles, books, blogs, webinars, and more.
Credential holders earn 1 PDU for each hour spent preparing and presenting.
Category F PDU’s are earned simply by being a project management
practitioner. That’s right, all you have to do is manage project to earn a limit of
5 PDU’s per year or 15 PDU’s per 3 year cycle. Again, you earn 1 PDU per
hour spent as a practitioner.