Recording and Maintaining PDUs
PgMP, PMP and PMI-SP

"A failure to plan is a plan for failure"
John Wooden

CCR / PDUs

PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR)		PDUs should be recorded regularly! Update your records with PMI on-line or via Fax or Post. For more on the PMI certifications see:  -  PMP certification training  -  PgMP certification training  -  PMI-SP certification training See who is currently a PMI Credential holder: www.pmi.org/CertApp/Registry.aspx
	CCR Overview
	CCR Cycle for PMPs and PgMPs
	Earning PDUs for PMPs and PgMPs
Professional Development Units (PDUs) for PMPs and PgMPs
	What is a PDU
	PDU Categories
	Reporting PDUs
	PDU Record Keeping
PDUs for PMI-SP Holders (Scheduling specific)
None Compliance with CCR Requirements
	Failure to Satisfy CCR Requirements
	PMP Retired

PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR)

CCR Overview

PMPs and PgMPs must accrue a minimum of 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) during each three year CCR cycle and comply with PMI's renewal requirements (including payment of a fee) to maintain their certification status. Holders of both certifications (PgMP and PMP) can use the same PDUs for both certifications.

PMI-SP holders must obtain 30 PDUs during each three year CCR cycle in the specialised area of project scheduling and comply with PMI's renewal requirements (including payment of a fee) to maintain their certification status. These PDUs can also be used towards PMP and or PgMP PDU requirements.

There is no CCR requirement for CAPM, your CAPM qualification lasts for 5 years then expires. After the 5 year period a person either re-sits the CAPM exam or more sensibly moves on to take the PMP credential.

The difference between PDUs and the Hours of Approved Training needed to be eligible for a credential. PDUs refer to continuing professional development undertaken by PMI Credential Holders AFTER they have passed their PMP, PgMP, PMI-SP or PMI-RMP Certifications. The range of activities that can earn PDUs is much wider than the approved training needed to be eligible for the Credential. For example an ITIL course could accrue PDUs for certified PMPs (and PgMPs).  Whereas the same ITIL course would not qualify for the 35 Hrs of approved training needed to be eligible for the PMP exam. Similarly attending a scheduling conference would earn PDUs for the PMI-SP (and for the PMP & PgMP credentials) but would not qualify as eligible training. 

Approved exam prep courses are required to cover all of the aspects of the credential both from a practical view of preparing examination candidates as well as to meet PMI's stringent quality requirements. As a PMI approved R.E.P., all of our exam prep courses are pre-approved by PMI for the hours of project management education required to be eligible for the target examination.

The only way a PMI exam prep course will accrue PDUs is if you already hold a PMI credential that requires you to earn PDUs:
- if you are already PMP, the training for PgMP will accrue PDUs for your PMP but not for the PgMP, you have to earn these after you have passed your PgMP.
- if you are PMI-SP, the scheduling component of a PMP course will earn PDUs for your PMI-SP but none of the course will earn PDUs for your PMP - you cannot earn these until after you have passed the PMP exam.

For more information, PMI's CCR policy is defined in the Continuing Certification Requirement section of each credential handbook. Certificants should also regularly check the PMI Web site [www.pmi.org] for the latest information on the CCR program. To download the latest credential handbooks to check current CCR requirements:
 -  Download the PMP Handbook
 -  Download the PgMP Handbook
 -  Download the PMI-SP Handbook

Current holders of the PgMP, PMP, CAPM and PMI-SP Certifications can be confirmed by checking PMI’s on line registry at: www.pmi.org/CertApp/Registry.aspx

Note: if there is any conflict between the summary information contained on this page and the detailed information contained on the PMI web site, the PMI information takes precedence. This information is provided to assist PMI examination candidates, PMI-SPs, PgMPs and PMPs to understand their obligations, it is not necessarily up to date or accurate. All CCR forms are copyright of PMI.

Determining your CCR Cycle Timeframe for PMP and PgMP Credential Holders

Up to 20 excess PDUs earned during the final year of the current CCR cycle may be applied to the next CCR cycle.

Earning PDUs for PMP and PgMP Credential Holders

• There are a wide range of papers on our web site at www.mosaicprojects.com.au/Resources.html - studying some of these could count as ‘self study’ provided it is focused on a ‘business requirement’ and you fill in the correct forms (see Category 2 below). This applies to our materials and any other reputable information source.

• We earn most of our personal PDUs through attending congresses and conferences.  There is the PMI Global Congress circuit [see www.pmi.org] and a number of others.  Two of interest in the Asian region are ‘PM Asia’, see www.pmasia.net and PMOZ, see www.pmoz.com.au. Rather than just attending a congress, if you present a paper you save on fees and get an additional 10 PDUs for writing the paper (as well as helping your career profile).

• Another good source of information and PDUs are webinars; one source of free webinars is the PMI Canberra Chapter, see www.pmichapters-australia.org.au/canberra/home.asp there are many other similar sources.
  

• Most PMI Chapter meeting count for PDUs, as do meetings of other project management organisations (or parallel organisations such as risk or cost management) as long as they apply to projects.

• Lastly, there are the paid course options – the PMI eSeminarsWorldSM range plus similar offerings from a range of large R.E.P.s offer distance learning opportunities. Classroom based courses including Mosaic's range of 'Short Courses' (see http://www.mosaicprojects.com.au/Training-Home_SC.html) and PMI's SeminarsWorld^SM events provide traditional face-to-face education; there are literally hundreds of courses listed on the PMI R.E.P. database and many times more offered by various project management training organisations world wide. The advantage offered by PMI and R.E.P. courses is that the PDUs and course contents are pre-approved by PMI. For courses and events run by other providers (Category  4) you need to keep records of the course and its program / contents in your CCR Folder and assess the PDUs yourself.

• First keep your records and claims up to date, we do ours every couple of months and have Outlook set to ‘remind us’. 
  
• Second, remember PDUs are based on what is relevant to you career development; there is no requirement to restrict their source to PMI approved events or organisations like R.E.P.s any quality training counts as long as it is relevant to your project management career.

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Professional Development Units (PDUs) for PMPs and PgMPs

What is a PDU?

You will typically earn one PDU for every one hour spent in a planned, structured learning experience or activity. Fractions of PDUs may be reported in 0.25 increments following one full hour.  When attending conferences, one claim is made for the whole event, although you still need to keep records of the sessions actually attended.

PDU activities completed prior to obtaining certification are not accepted toward the renewal requirements.

In addition to attending formal training courses, workshops, conferences and seminars; PDUs may also be earned by participating in voluntary work (eg on a PMI committee), by self directed study, professional activities and by presenting papers at conferences, etc.

PDU Categories

Category 1: Formal Academic Education

Generally one PDU per contact hour of project management course work (refer CCR Handbook for calculation).

Category 2: Professional Activities - General

A predetermined number of PDUs may be earned by participating in specified professional activities. Options include

• Author or co-author of articles and papers published in magazines and journals (including publication by the PMI Virtual Library)
• Speaker / Teacher on a project management topic at an event, seminar or symposium
• Writing a project management text book or developing a project management training course

Category 2: Professional Activities - Working in the profession

A maximum of 15 PDUs per cycle may be earned by working as a practitioner of project management services

• Practitioner of project management services for more than 1,500 project work experience hours per year. ( 5 PDUs per year )

Category 2: Professional Activities - Self Directed Learning

Self-directed learning activities are individualised learning projects involving personally conducted research or study. Learning may include informal activities such as discussions or coaching sessions with colleagues, co-workers, clients or consultants. It may include reading / using articles, books, instructional manuals, videos, CD-ROMs, or other material resources. Qualifying self-directed learning activities must be relevant to project management, meet a specified purpose, and use knowledgeable resources. The 'Self Directed Learning Activities Sheet' needs to be completed as well as the Activity Reporting form. [View or down load the Self Directed Learning Activities Sheet - This PDF version of the Self-directed Learning Worksheet is data entry enabled. Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader can not save changes to this form. Be certain to print the form before closing it.] ( Up to 5 PDUs per year )

Category 3: Courses and events run by PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)

Generally one PDU per contract hour of project management related training - the R.E.P. will have the PDU credits for each certified course defined. [See more on R.E.P.s] ( This category includes most Chapter meetings and the PMI® Publication Quizzes)

Category 4: Courses and events run by Other Providers that are relevant to project management

Generally one PDU per contract hour of project management related training - the PMP needs to keep records and assess the number of hours / PDUs (this can include courses in the use of Microsoft Project, attendance at conferences, etc).

Category 5: Volunteer Service to Professional or Community Organizations

Providing professional service or noncompensated project management services to nonemployer or nonclient customer groups (to a maximum of 20 PDUs per cycle). Examples of qualifying activities include:

• Serving as an officer or committee member of a project management organization (including PMI's standard development teams)
• Providing project management related services to a community or charitable group
  

Reporting PDU Activities

PMPs are responsible for reporting qualifying activities as they occur. Earning 20 PDUs a year is not difficult - remembering what you did three years ago is! Smart PMPs submit their PDU claims as they earn the PDUs.

Either make copies of the PMI Continuing Certification Requirements Activity Reporting Form, enter the required information, and fax or mail the completed form (only the form) to the PMI/CCR Records Office. [View / down load the Activity Reporting Form - This PDF version of the Activity Reporting Form is data entry enabled. Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader can not save changes to this form. Be certain to print the form before closing it.]

Or use the online Activity Reporting Form found in the certification area of the PMI Web site. To record PDUs 'on-line' PMPs will need their PMI identification number (membership number) and their PMP 'Certification Number' located on each individual's PMP certificate. Most of the recording process is now just point and click.

To confirm posting of claims, PMP’s may view their PDU transcripts online via the PMI Web site [ www.pmi.org ]. Allow up to three weeks for claims to be process and listed in the online transcript.

Record Keeping - Maintaining a CCR Folder

All PMPs and PgMPs should maintain a personal CCR folder with documentation that supports their reported activities. For each claim, you should keep a copy of your submission and the specified supporting documentation as outlined in the categories of qualifying activities. A percentage of PMPs and PgMPs will be randomly selected for auditing purposes; therefore, documentation for all claims completed in a specific cycle should be maintained for at least 18 months after the CCR cycle has ended.

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PMI-SP PDUs (Scheduling)

• In order to satisfy the CCR program and maintain an active certification status, you must accrue and report a minimum of 30 professional development units (PDUs) during each three-year certification/CCR cycle, complete an Application for Certification Renewal and submit payment of the renewal fee and reaffirm PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and PMI Certification Application/Renewal Agreement. 
   
• To maintain the PMI-SP credential, the PDUs must be in the specialised area of project scheduling (see below). If you hold additional credentials, such as the PMP and/or the PgMP, you can apply your 30 PDUs toward the maintenance of those credentials as well.
   
• The three year cycle starts on the day you pass your PMI-PS examination and runs for three years (ie, if you pass your exam on the 15th August 2008, the three years runs until the 14th August 2011 and you next three year cycle starts on the 15th August 2011, etc).

The CCR Program organizes PDUs into five categories:

Category 1: Formal Academic Education
PDUs may be earned by completing an academic course after attaining a PMI credential. Courses must be offered for degree credit and be related to project and/or program management. When only a portion of a course relates to project scheduling, PDUs are calculated on a percentage of the overall curriculum focused on project scheduling.

Category 2: Professional Activities and Self-directed Learning
A predetermined number of PDUs may be earned by participating in specified professional activities.

Letter Code	Description	Number of PDUs Earned
2A	Author or coauthor of an article pertaining to project scheduling published in a refereed journal (e.g., Project Management Journal®).	15 PDUs per article (author) 10 PDUs per article (co-author)
2B	Author or coauthor of an article pertaining to project scheduling published in a non-refereed journal (e.g., PM Network®).	7.5 PDUs per article (author) 5 PDUs per article (co-author)
2C	Speaker/teacher on a project scheduling topic at a conference, symposium, workshop or formal course.	5 PDUs per activity
2D	Speaker on a project scheduling topic at PMI Component meeting (e.g., chapter meeting).	2.5 PDUs per activity
2E	Member or moderator of a project scheduling panel discussion at a conference, symposium, workshop or formal course.	2.5 PDUs per activity
2F	Author or coauthor of textbook that pertains to project scheduling.	20 PDUs (author) 10 PDUs (co-author)
2G	Developer of content for a structured project scheduling learning courseware.	5 PDUs per new course
2H	Practitioner of project scheduling services for more than 1,500 project work experience.	2.5 PDUs per calendar (e.g., Jan.-Dec.) year
PDUs for Self-Directed Learning Activities
2-SDL	Self-directed learning activities are individualized learning events involving personally conducted research or study. Learning may include informal activities such as discussions or coaching sessions with colleagues, coworkers, clients or consultants. It may include articles, books, instructional manuals, videos, CD-ROMs or other material resources.*    *Qualifying self-directed learning activities must be relevant to project scheduling, meet a specified purpose, and use knowledgeable resources.	Maximum 7.5 self-directed learning PDUs may be earned per CCR cycle.

Category 3: PMI Registered Education Providers/PMI Components
PDUs may be earned by attending project scheduling educational courses offered by organizations registered with PMI and designated as PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) or PMI Components.

Category 4: Other Provider
Contact hours of project scheduling education may be earned by attending relevant educational courses offered by organizations not registered with PMI. To calculate the number of PDUs earned, use the
following formula: one contact hour of learning relevant to project scheduling within a structured activity or course equals one PDU.

Category 5: Volunteer Service to Professional or Community Organizations
A maximum of 10 PDUs may be earned per CCR cycle through professional service to a project management organization or by providing non-compensated project scheduling services to non-employer or non-client customer groups.

Other aspects of PDU reporting, etc are standard for all PMI PDUs. See:  Reporting PDU Activities and Record Keeping.

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None Compliance with CCR Requirements

Failure to Satisfy Continuing Certification Requirements

PgMPs, PMPs and PMI-SPs who do not complete their CCR by the expiration date of their certification will be placed on suspended certification status. Suspended certification status indicates that the individual may not use the PgMP, PMP or PMI-SP credential or certification mark, nor identify or represent them self as a PgMP, PMP or PMI-SP, or otherwise certified by PMI until the overdue requirements are accomplished within a maximum of one year beyond their official expiration date.

The date of the next CCR cycle will not change after reinstatement to active status from suspension. (The suspension period overlaps the time frame of their next cycle.)

A person who does not meet the overdue requirements within the suspension period will lose their PgMP, PMP or PMI-SP certification. After losing the designation due to failure in completing the CCR program an individual must start the entire certification process over to regain the certification.

Current holders of the PgMP, PMP or  PMI-SP Certification can be confirmed by checking PMI’s on line registry at: www.pmi.org/CertApp/Registry.aspx

PMP Retired

PMPs in good standing who wish to voluntarily relinquish their active PMP credential due to retirement are eligible to apply for PMP Retired status. To qualify, PMPs must no longer be receiving primary remuneration for practising project management and must have been a PMP in good standing for at least 10 consecutive years. Anyone interested in applying for PMP Retired status should mail a written request to Project Management Institute Headquarters, Attention: Certification Department.