How to Earn Professional Development Units (PDUs)

Important Notes
Introduction
Category 1: Formal Academic Education
Category 2: Professional Activities and Self-directed Learning
Category 3: PMI Registered Education Providers/PMI Components
Category 4: Courses offered by Other Education Providers
Category 5: Volunteer Service

Important Notes

This information is correct as of October 2010. PMI changes the PDUs guidelines from time to time. If in doubt, always check the official appropriate PMI certification handbook.
The information on this page is relevant for PMP holders only. Holders of other PMI credentials should refer to the appropriate PMI certification handbook.
PDU activities completed prior to obtaining a PMI credential are not accepted toward the renewal requirements.
You cannot claim participation in the same course or activity more than once.
You are responsible for recording your PDU activities. The most efficient way to record PDUs is by using the online CCR System. However, if you are a PMP, and a PMI Tucson chapter member, and you preregister for a chapter event, we will normally report your PDUs for you.
The most common sources of PDUs for PMI Tucson chapter members are highlighted in red.

Introduction

PDUs are the measuring unit used to quantify approved learning and professional service activities. PDU activities for PMP credential holders must be related to project management topics that are substantially consistent with the knowledge areas and processes outlined in the current edition of the PMBOK, and involve appropriate expert resources.
Typically, one PDU is earned for every one hour spent in a planned, structured learning experience or activity. However, categories 2 and 5 have specified amounts of PDUs awarded for certain activities.
Fractions of PDUs also may be reported in quarterly increments. This means that if you spent 15 minutes participating in a qualifying PDU activity, you can report 0.25 PDUs.
PMPs need 60 PDUs every renewal cycle (3 years) to maintain their certification.

Category 1: Formal Academic Education

PDUs may be earned by completing an academic course after attaining the PMP credential. Courses must be offered for degree credit and be related to project and/or program management. One hour of degree credit in a typical 15-week semester earns 15 PDUs.
When only a portion of a course relates to project management, PDUs are calculated on a percentage of the overall curriculum focused on project management.
Each course must be submitted for PDUs separately. PMI does not recognize entire degree programs for PDU credits, only individual courses.

Category 2: Professional Activities and Self-directed Learning

2A Author or coauthor of an article pertaining to project management published in a refereed journal (e.g., Project Management Journal®).
- 30 PDUs per article (author); 20 PDUs per article (co-author)
2B Author or coauthor of an article pertaining to project management published in a non-refereed journal or publication.
- 15 PDUs per article (author); 10 PDUs per article (co-author)
2C Speaker/teacher on project management topic at a conference, symposium, workshop or formal course.
- 10 PDUs per activity
2D Speaker on a project management topic at PMI component meeting (e.g., chapter meeting).
- 5 PDUs per activity
2E Member or moderator of a project management panel discussion at a conference, symposium, workshop or formal course.
- 5 PDUs per activity
2F Author or coauthor of textbook that pertains to project management.
- 40 PDUs (author); 20 PDUs (co-author)
2G Developer of content for a structured project management learning courseware.
- 10 PDUs per new course
2H Practitioner of project management services for a minimum of 6 months in a calendar year.
- Includes work in a project management office (PMO).
- 5 PDUs per 6-12-month period.
- Maximum 15 PDUs per cycle.
- Report no more than one year at a time.
2SDL Self Directed Learning
- Individualized learning events involving personally conducted research or study. Learning may include:
- - Informal activities such as: reading articles, books, or instructional manuals; watching videos, using interactive CD-ROMs, or other source material.
  - Formal discussion sessions with colleagues, coworkers, clients or consultants.
  - Being coached or mentored by a colleague, coworker or consultant (If you served as a coach or mentor to someone else, report that activity under Category 5C).
- Qualifying activities must be relevant to project management, meet a specified purpose, and use knowledgeable resources.
- Maximum 15 PDUs per cycle.

Category 3: Courses offered by PMI Registered Education Providers/PMI Components

PDUs may be earned by attending educational courses offered by organizations registered with PMI and designated as PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) or PMI components. These providers adhere to quality criteria established by PMI and are solely authorized to issue PDU certificates to attendees.
Examples include schools, consultants, corporate training departments, professional associations, government agencies and PMI chapters, Communities of Practice (COPs) and colleges.

Category 4: Courses offered by Other Education Providers

Contact hours of project management education may be earned by attending relevant educational courses offered by organizations not registered with PMI.
One contact hour of learning relevant to project management within a structured activity or course equals one PDU.
If only a portion of the course focuses on project management, you can report a fraction of the PDUs for the percentage of the course (e.g., 15 minutes focused on project management equals 0.25 PDUs).

Category 5: Volunteer Service

A maximum of 20 PDUs may be earned by any combination of the activities below per cycle through volunteer professional service to a non-profit, not-for-profit, or charitable project management organization or by providing non-compensated project management services to non-employer or non-client customer groups.
When reporting your PDU activities in this category, report no more than one year at a time.
5A Serve as an elected volunteer officer for a non-profit, not-for-profit, or charitable project management organization (including PMI chapters and communities). (No PDUs are awarded for service less than 3 months.)
- Minimum 3 months of participation: 2 PDUs per year
- Minimum 6 months of participation: 5 PDUs per year
- 12 months of participation: 10 PDUs per year
5B Serve as a volunteer/appointed committee member for a non-profit, not-for-profit, or charitable project management organization (including PMI chapters and communities). (No PDUs are awarded for service less than 3 months.)
- Minimum 3 months of participation: 1 PDU per year
- Minimum 6 months of participation: 3 PDUs per year
- 12 months of participation: 5 PDUs per year
5C Provide volunteer project management-related services.
- Provide these services to:
- - A community or charitable group.
  - A group of college students for educational purposes.
- Act as coach or mentor on project management topics.
- The sponsoring organization must be a legally recognized non-profit / not-for-profit organization.
- Your volunteer activity must meet the definition of a project as outlined in the PMBOK.
- 5 PDUs per year

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