Maintaining Your PMP Certification
The PMP is valid for 3 years. To renew, you must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) and pay a renewal fee.
The PMI Talent Triangle
PMI requires your 60 PDUs to cover all three areas of the Talent Triangle. A minimum of 8 PDUs in each category is required; the remaining 36+ can come from any category.
Ways of Working
Technical project management skills — tools, techniques, methodologies.
Qualifying activities
- •Agile/Scrum training
- •Risk management course
- •Scheduling software training
- •PMBOK study
- •Project planning workshops
Free options
- ✓PMI webinars
- ✓PMChampions platform
- ✓PMI.org learning library
Power Skills
Leadership, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
Qualifying activities
- •Leadership training
- •Negotiation course
- •Executive communication
- •Team building
- •Emotional intelligence workshop
Free options
- ✓LinkedIn Learning (check employer benefits)
- ✓PMI webinars on leadership
- ✓Toastmasters (counts as leadership)
Business Acumen
Strategic and business management skills — how projects connect to organizational success.
Qualifying activities
- •Finance for non-financial managers
- •Business strategy course
- •MBA electives
- •PMI-PBA preparation
- •Benefits realization training
Free options
- ✓PMI Projectified podcast (some PDUs available)
- ✓PMI Research Conference sessions
- ✓Chapter events
Free and Low-Cost PDU Sources
| Source | PDUs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PMI.org Learning Library | Varies | Member perk — hundreds of free courses and webinars |
| PMChampions (now PMI Community) | 0.25/hr | Free PDU platform with quizzes and learning paths |
| PMI Chapter Events | 1/event | Local and virtual chapter events; often free for members |
| PMI Projectified Podcast | 0.5/episode | Claim PDUs for listening to PM-related podcast episodes |
| LinkedIn Learning (employer-paid) | 1/hr of PM content | Many employers provide LinkedIn Learning access |
| Teaching/Mentoring PM | 1/hr taught | Volunteering as a PM trainer or mentor qualifies |
| Writing PM Articles | Varies | Publishing PM content counts as creating knowledge |
| Volunteer PM work | 1/hr | PMing for nonprofits, community organizations, or PMI chapters |
How to Report PDUs
The Renewal Process
Once you have earned 60 PDUs (minimum 8 in each Talent Triangle category):
- 1. Log into your PMI account
- 2. Navigate to CCRS → Apply for Renewal
- 3. Confirm your 60 PDUs are reported
- 4. Pay the renewal fee ($60 member / $150 non-member)
- 5. Your credential renews for another 3 years
What happens if you lapse?
If you don't renew by your expiration date, your credential enters a 1-year grace period during which you can reinstate with a $125 member / $225 non-member fee plus completing the 60 PDUs. After the grace period, you must retake the exam to recertify.
Renewal fees shown ($60/$150 member/non-member) were accurate at publication and are subject to change. Always verify current fees and PDU requirements at pmi.org.