Have you passed your PMP exam? Congratulations! That is good news. You can go in vacation and celebrate, but keep in mind: the PMP certification is not for life. You need to re-certify yourself by earning 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs). If you do not plan for them as a real project manager does, and if you do not follow your plan, you risk losing your certification after three years. In this case, the only remaining solution would be to take the PMP exam again. That means loss of money, effort, and maybe facing different exam rules. The “PDUs” blog category will provide tips and directions to get your 60 PDUs without investing too much money and effort.

     To play the game well, you need to know the rules::

PDU Category Description Maximum Earnable PDUs
1 Formal Academic Education No maximum
2A1 Author of an article pertaining to project and/or program management published in a referred journal (e.g.Project Management Journal) 30 PDUs per article (author)
2A2 Co-Author of an article pertaining to project and/or program management published in a referred journal (e.g.Project Management Journal) 20 PDUs per article (co-author)
2B1 Author of an article pertaining to project and/or program management published in a non-referred journal (e.g. PM Network) 15 PDUs per article (author)
2B2 Co-Author of an article pertaining to project and/or program management published in a non-referred journal (e.g. PM Network) 10 PDUs per article (co-author)
2C Speaker/Teacher on project and/or program management topic at a conference, symposium, workshop or formal course 10 PDUs per activity
2D Speaker on a project and/or program management topic at PMI Component meeting (e.g. Chapter Meeting) 5 PDUs per activity
2E Member or moderator of a project and/or program management panel discussion at a conference, symposium, workshop or formal course 5 PDUs per activity
2F1 Author of textbook that pertains to project and/ or program management 40 PDUs (author)
2F2 Co-Author of textbook that pertains to project and/ or program management 20 PDUs (co-author)
2G Developer of content for a structured project and/or program management learning program 10 PDUs per new program
2H Practitioner of project and/or program management services for more than 1,500 project hours per calendar year. Time in service 6 months: 5 PDUs
Maximum 15 PDUs may be earned per cycle.
2-SDL Self- Directed learning activities are individualized learning projects involving personally conducted research or study. Learning may include informal activities such as discussions, coaching sessions with colleagues, co-workers, clients or consultants. Maximum 15 Self- Directed Learning PDUs may be earned per cycle.
3 PMI Registered Education Providers/PMI Components No maximum
4 Other Provider One (1) contact hour of learning relevant to the specialty area of Project Management within a structured activity or course equals one (1) PDU.
5A Officer of Project Management Organization Time in service 12 months: 10 PDUs
Time in service 6 months: 5 PDUs
Time in service 3 months: 2 PDUs
Maximum 20 PDUs across Category 5 may be earned per cycle.
5B Committee member of a Project Management Organization Time in service 12 months: 5 PDUs
Time in service 6 months: 3 PDUs
Time in service 3 months: 1 PDU
Maximum 20 PDUs across Category 5 may be earned per cycle.
5C Providing PM Related Services to a Community or Charitable Group Maximum 20 PDUs across Category 5 may be earned per cycle. 5 PDUs per activity regardless of time in service.