South Florida PMI - Demistifying PDUs and Renewing the PMP certification

Demistifying PDUs and Renewing the PMP certification

It is the time of year to start gathering up all your PDUs and report them to PMI. If you find that you do not have enough to satisfy your annual requirement, you'll need to hustle -- as time is running out.

Below, we have put together a simple FAQ with valuable information to assist you in this effort.

You should check the PMI Web site (http://www.pmi.org ) regularly for the latest information on the renewal program.

Please note that the procedure for reporting 1-2 PDUs events have changed so now it's quite simple. See below the instructions on how to claim your PDUS (they are in the question about PDU categories).

If you need further information, please don't hesitate to contact the PDU Administration Director - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or the VP Education and Certification - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Q: How many PDUs do I need to keep my PMP certification active?

You must accrue a minimum of 60 Professional development units (PDUs) during each 3 year CCR cycle and submit the Application for Certification Renewal by mail or renew online using the Certification System. You must also comply with the PMI Code of Professional Conduct to maintain certification status.

Q: How are PDUs accrued? And how many can I expect to earn at a particular event or other activity?

Typically, one PDU is earned for every one hour spent in a planned, structured learning experience or other qualified activity. Fractions of PDUs may be reported in quarter (0.25) increments following one full hour. For conversion purposes, one Continuing Education Unit (CEU) equals 10 PDUs. See also " What category should I use for reporting PDUs...", below for information on qualified activities and PDU categories.

Q: Is there anything here I can use offline to help me in understanding and reporting PDUs?

We have an instructive on how to claim PDUS for events offered by any component, a PDU calculator and a PowerPoint presentation available for download from our Library (website members only)

Q: I don't have enough PDUs to meet my quota this year. What are the various ways that I can earn PDUs?

See also "What category should I use for reporting PDUs...", below for information on qualified activities and PDU categories.

Go to the PMI Global Congress in Denver, Coloardo or in Sao Paulo, Brazil . This will give you up to 20 PDUs for $500-900 (and you will have a great time there!!!!) in the category 3. You may get reimbursed by your company if you use this as part of your career path or training budget.
Try to give a course in Project Management in your organization. You may claim up to 10 PDUs per a single course in the Category 2C of PDUs
If you have experience, you may create the material for this course and you will be able to claim 10 PDUs in the category 2G. The course should be structured as a learning program (with a curricula)
Read a book about Project Management. I would recommend ‘Risk Management Tricks of the Trade” of Rita Mullcahy, PMP (www.rmcproject.com) and you may claim 15 PDUs in the category 2SDL – Self Directed Learning
Volunteering is not a very effective option as if you serve for the remaining 3 months you will be able to claim only 1 PDU as part of a committee. However I would recommend you to go to our website (www.southfloridapmi.org) and register for doing so starting now and as a practice during next year.
Have you been working as project manager during the last three years? You may claim up to 15 PDU (5 per calendar year) just for being a practitioner in your company. Category 2H

Q: What category should I use for reporting PDUs?

There are currently 5 PDU-earning categories. Some may take you longer to accrue PDUs to you than others. You must decide for yourself how each activity will help you achieve what you need to keep your certification active. The five categories and their descriptions are below.

Category 1: Formal academic education
Must be earned by completing an academic course after PMP Certification. Course must be offered for a degree and be related to project management. PDUs are calculated on a percentage of the overall curriculum. 15-week semester earns 15 PDUs. One-quarter semester earns 10 PDUs. (Required PMP’s should maintain a transcript or grade report indicating a passing mark. Each course must be submitted on a separate Certification Renewal Application activity form. )

Category 2: Professional activities and self-directed learning Self-directed activities are individualized learning projects involving personally conducted research or study. Qualifying self-directed learning activities must be relevant to project management, meet a specified purpose and use knowledgeable resources. A maximum of 15 Self-Directed Learning PDUs may be earned per CCR cycle. The following is an outline of the sub-categories under category 2:

2A Author or co-author of article pertaining to project management and is published in a refereed journal, e.g. Project Management Journal. Author – 30 PDUs per article. Co-Author – 20 PDUs per article
2B Author or co-author of article pertaining to project management and is published in a non-refereed journal, e.g. PM Network. Author – 15 PDUs per article. Co-Author – 10 PDUs per article 2
C Speaker on project management topic at a conference, symposium, workshop or formal course up to 10 PDUs per activity (1 per hour)
2D Member / moderator of a project management topic at a PMI Component meeting (e.g. a chapter meeting). 5 PDUs per activity.
2E Speaker on project management panel discussion at a conference, symposium, workshop or formal course. 5 PDUs per activity
2F Author or co-author of textbook that pertains to project management. Author – 40 PDUs. Co-Author – 20 PDUs
2G Developer of content for a structured project management learning program (like the one in 2C). The course should be structured as a learning program (a curricula). This material must be accurate to the PMBOK, created by you, the PMP, but you must not plaguerize the PMBOK or other works. Learn how to properly cite. Up to 10 PDUs per new program (1 per course-hour)
2H If you have been working as a project manager during your three-year cycle, you may claim up to 5 PDUs per calendar year within your cycle (for more than 1,500 hours per year). 5 PDUs per calendar year (Maximum of 15 PDUs may be earned per CCR cycle in this category)
2SDL: Read a book about Project Management. You may claim up to 15 PDUs in the – Self Directed Learning

Category 3: Educational programs offered by PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.) or PMI components. PDUs may be earned by attending educational programs offered by organizations registered with PMI and designated as PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P). These providers adhere to quality criteria established by PMI and are solely authorized to issue PDU certificates to attendees.

If claiming 1-2 PDUs for an event, when using the PMI website select the category 3 (REP / Component Event) and under option 2 insert the component name in provider area (South Florida Chapter is C038) then you must select component presentation (one or two pdus) and include the title of the event, date attended, number of PDUs earned and submit the form. There is no need to enter a specific event or event ID. You only have to keep a copy of the certificate of attendance for audit purposes.

Category 4: Educational programs offered by other providers. PDUs may also be earned by attending relevant project management educational programs offered by organizations not registered with PMI. 1-contact hour of learning relevant to project management within a structured activity or course equals 1 PDU.

Category 5: Volunteer service to professional or community organizations, like your local PMI chapter. You may earn PDUs for participating on a committee or serving on the board of your local chapter. Go to www.southfloridapmi.org and register for this, and make it an on-going practice every year.

Q: Do I need to register my PDUs with PMI as I earn them, or just report them at the end of the year?

PMP’s must retain copies of publications, sample education materials and/or program agendas. You may need this if audited!

Q: How do I report my PDUs and keep my PMP certification active?

PMP’s may file online via the CCR Activity Reporting Form available in the certification status area of the PMI Web site (www.pmi.org). Submitting online is easy and convenient. The Activity Reporting Form in the Continuing Certification Requirements handbook may also be used to claim PDUs via mail or fax.

Q: I have accrued more than 60 PDUs this cycle. Can I apply the excess to the I need for next year?

Up to 20 excess PDUs earned during the final year of the current CCR cycle may be applied to the next CCR cycle. For example, if a certificant’s cycle ends on 31 December 2006, up to 20 PDUs earned during 2006 can be transferred to the next cycle beginning 1 January 2007