Once you have obtained your PMP certification, you must demonstrate ongoing professional commitment to the field of project management by satisfying PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements Program (formerly called the Professional Development Program).

PMPs must accrue a minimum of sixty (60) professional development units (PDUs) during each three year CCR cycle. The PDU is the measuring unit used to quantify approved learning and professional service activities. Typically, one PDU is earned 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. For conversion purposes, one Continuing Education Unit (CEU) equals 10 PDUs. PDUs are organized into five categories, which are listed in the tables below.

PDU opportunities are made available through the Ocean State PMI web site and you can also find a community message board for those preparing for certification at the follow link. Or, if you prefer to prepare for the PMP certification by participating in a PMP Study group, Ocean State PMI can also help. Email Barbara Koenig, VP of Professional Development for more information about the next group.

You can keep track of your PDU's online on PMI's web site by clicking on the link here.  The five categories of PDU's are listed below.

Category 1:   Formal Academic Education

PDU’s may be earned for completing academic courses offered for degree credit and related to project management. One (1) hour of degree credit in a typical 15-week semester earns 15 PDU’s. One (1) quarter semester hour earns 10 PDU’s.  

Category 2:   Professional Activities and Self-directed Learning

• A predetermined number of PDUs may be earned by participating in specified professional activities. Use the Guide to Category 2 Activities that follows to determine PDUs in this category
• One (1) PDU may be earned for each documented hour of self-directed learning that enhances project management knowledge   or skills.   A maximum of 15 PDUs per CCR cycle may be earned through participating in self-directed learning activities

   PDUs for Professional Activities

   PDUs for Self-Directed Activities

Category 3: PMI Registered Education Providers

PDUs may be earned by attending educational programs offered by educational organizations registered with PMI and designated as PMI Registered Education Providers. These providers adhere to quality criteria established by PMI and are solely authorized to issue PDU certificates to attendees. They can be identified by the Registered Education Provider logo.  

Examples include schools, consultants, corporate training departments, professional associations, government agencies and PMI Chapters and Specific Interest Groups (SIGs). A database of registered providers and the programs they offer is posted on the PMI Web site. Programs may be searched according to subject area, location, date and time.

Category 4: Other Provider

PDUs may also be earned by attending relevant educational programs offered by organizations not registered with PMI. To calculate the number of PDUs earned, use the following formula: one (1) contact hour of learning relevant to project management within a structured activity or course equals one (1) PDU.

Category 5:   Volunteer Service to Professional or Community Organizations

A maximum of 20 PDUs may be earned per cycle through professional service or by providing noncompensated project management services to nonemployer or nonclient customer groups. Examples of qualifying activities and their associated PDU values include the following:

• Serve as an officer for a project management organization
• Minimum three (3) months participation. Two (2) PDUs per calendar year.   (no PDUs are awarded for service less than 3 months)
• Minimum six (6) months of participation. Five (5) PDUs per calendar year
• Twelve months of participation. Ten PDUs per calendar year
• Serve as a committee member for a project management organization
• Minimum three (3) months of participation. One (1) PDU per calendar year (no PDUs are awarded for service less than 3 months)
• Minimum six (6) months of participation. Three (3) PDUs per calendar year
• Twelve (12) months of participation. Five (5) PDUs per calendar year.
• Provide project management related services to a community or charitable group (5 PDUs per year).