How to Get PDUs for PMP Certification Renewal: A Complete Guide

Maintaining your Project Management Professional (PMP) credential requires ongoing professional development and education. This is achieved through earning Professional Development Units (PDUs)

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what PDUs are and detail the different ways you can earn them to renew your PMP certification every 3 years.

What are PDUs?

PDU stands for Professional Development Unit

PDUs are education credits you must earn to maintain your PMP certification. They demonstrate you are staying current in the project management profession

The Project Management Institute (PMI) requires you to earn 60 PDUs every 3 years to renew your PMP.

You can earn PDUs through:

• Completing project management education and training
• Giving presentations, teaching classes, or volunteering
• Publishing books and articles
• Participating in professional organizations

Documenting your PDU activities is easy with the online PMI PDU log.

Now let’s look at how to earn PDUs through different activities.

Earning PDUs Through Courses and Training

Taking project management classes and training is the most common way to earn PDUs. There are many recognized providers of PMP courses.

Here are some options to earn PDUs through training:

PMI Seminars and Events

PMI chapters hold local professional development events, seminars, and training. Attending these in-person or online earns you 1 PDU per hour of education.

Search for events through your local PMI chapter website or PMI’s event calendar.

PMI Online Courses

PMI offers many self-paced eLearning courses covering topics like scope management, leadership, automation tools, and more. Costs range from $49-$299.

Most courses provide 8-30 PDUs upon passing the end assessment.

PMI Authorized Training Partners

Organizations like Skillsoft, edX, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning are PMI authorized providers of project management courses.

Taking one of their classes earns you 1 PDU per hour of instruction. Costs vary but are generally $25-$200 per course.

Check PMI’s approved provider listing to find authorized training partners.

College and University Courses

Taking a project management course at an accredited college or university will qualify for PDUs. You earn 15 PDUs for every 1 semester credit hour completed.

Company or Vendor Training

Educational courses offered by your employer or a project management software vendor can often count for PDUs. They must be relevant to project management topics and practices.

Submit course details to PMI for approval before attending.

Conferences and Seminars

Attending multi-day project management conferences offered by PMI or other providers is a great way to earn PDUs. You can claim 1 PDU for each hour of educational programming.

Major conferences include PMI Global Congress, Project Summit, and Project World & Business Analyst World.

Read Books and Articles

Reading print or digital books related to project management earns you 3-8 PDUs depending on the length.

You can also get 1-5 PDUs for reading approved project management articles, journals, or whitepapers.

Search PMI’s approved reading list or submit a book’s details for PMI review.

PDUs for Giving Presentations and Teaching

You can earn PDUs by giving public presentations on project management topics or teaching PM courses. Some options include:

• Presenting at a PMI chapter meeting or event: 5 PDUs
• Teaching a project management university course: 15 PDUs per semester credit hour
• Instructing a project management education course: 5 PDUs per course hour
• Developing a university project management curriculum: 10 PDUs per year

Earning PDUs Through Volunteer Service

Volunteering for a project management organization is another way to get PDUs:

• Serving as a volunteer officer for PMI’s board: 2 PDUs per month
• Volunteering for a PMI chapter or community group: 1 PDU per year
• Working on a PMI global standard team: 5 PDUs per year

You can also get 2-7 PDUs per year for volunteering for a project charity event or community service project.

Getting PDUs for Creating PM Content

If you author books, articles, blogs, or other original content related to project management, you can claim PDUs for it. For example:

• Authoring a 200+ page PM book: 25 PDUs
• Publishing a 4-10 page article or paper: 5 PDUs
• Blog post of 500+ words: 1 PDU
• Creating 4+ hours of original course content: 8 PDUs

All materials published must include generally accepted project management practices and knowledge.

Claiming PDUs for Work Projects

You can earn PDUs for leading and working on formal project management engagements:

• Leading a project = 10 PDUs
• Project team member = 5 PDUs

To qualify, the project must have used standard PM methods and processes. And it should have lasted at least 4 months with a minimum of 100 hours worked.

You’re limited to claiming 25 PDUs per 3-year cycle using this work project option.

Earning PDUs with Professional Organizations

Being an active member in a project management association or organization counts for PDU credit:

• Serving on a project-related board or committee: 2 PDUs per year
• Contributing work to a project management organization: 1 PDU per year

Examples are the Project Management Association of Canada or UK-based Association for Project Management.

Tracking Your PDUs in the PMI System

As you earn PDUs from any of the above activities, you can easily record them in PMI’s online PDU log available on your profile.

• Browse activities by category or add your own custom entry
• Upload documentation like completion certificates as evidence
• Track your overall PDU status toward the 60 renewal requirement

You can enter PDUs at any time but they must be logged before your 3-year certification cycle ends.

PMI audits a percentage of PDU claims each year, so retain documentation for all activities in case you’re selected.

How Many PDUs Do I Need Each Year?

You need 60 PDUs in total over each 3-year certification cycle to renew your PMP.

The hours do not need to be earned evenly across the 3 years. However, most project managers find it easiest to aim for around 20 PDUs annually.

PMI lets you roll over up to 20 extra PDUs earned toward your next cycle. So any above 60 can be banked.

You’ll receive automated email alerts from PMI when your PDU total is running low partway through your cycle.

PDU Requirements for New PMPs

If you just obtained your PMP certification within the current 3-year cycle, your PDU requirement is prorated:

• Certified for 12 months or more = 60 PDUs
• Certified for 6-12 months = 30 PDUs
• Certified less than 6 months = no PDU requirement until next cycle

So if you just got your PMP, focus first on gaining project management experience before worrying about PDUs.

How Much Do PDUs Cost?

Like most professional development, earning PDUs requires some monetary investment. But there are affordable options:

• PMI online courses: $49-$299
• Local PMI chapter meetings: Often free
• PMI articles and blogs: Free
• Volunteer work: Free

Also take advantage of any employer education reimbursement benefits to offset costs.

Aim for low and no-cost PDU opportunities first, supplemented by some paid training in your weak PM areas.

When Should I Report PDUs?

You can enter PDUs into your online profile as you earn them at any point in your certification cycle. The deadline is before the cycle end date.

Best practice is to add PDUs right after completing an activity while it’s still fresh. Set calendar reminders on your certification expiration date so it doesn’t sneak up on you.

Some project managers wait until the last minute which can be stressful. Report PDUs regularly to avoid a last minute scramble.

What if I Don’t Earn Enough PDUs?

If you fail to earn and report the required PDUs, your PMP certification will expire and become inactive.

You then lose the right to use the PMP credential and designation.

To regain an active status, you’ll have to pay additional fees and re-take the PMP exam.

So make earning PDUs a priority throughout your certification cycle to avoid letting your credential lapse. Set a reminder for your renewal date and aim to complete PDUs at least 2 months prior.

Can I Lose PDUs?

In limited cases, PMI may revoke PDUs already earned if