PMP Renewal Certification: Why You Need It and How To Achieve It

As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), you have worked hard to earn your credential. However, it’s important to remember that PMP certification is not a one-time achievement. To maintain your professional standing and stay up-to-date with the evolving project management practices, you need to have a PMP renewal certification

Why Renew Your PMP Certification?

Renewing your PMP certification demonstrates your commitment to ongoing professional development and your dedication to maintaining high standards in project management. Here are some key reasons why renewing your PMP certification is important:

1. Stay Relevant in the Field

Project management is a dynamic field that continuously evolves. By renewing your PMP certification, you ensure that your knowledge and skills align with the latest industry practices and standards. It enables you to stay relevant and competitive in the job market.

2. Showcase Continued Professional Growth

PMP certification renewal reflects your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. It demonstrates to employers and clients that you are dedicated to expanding your knowledge and enhancing your project management capabilities.

3. Access to Global Network

As a PMP credential holder, you gain access to a vast global network of project management professionals. Renewing your certification allows you to maintain these valuable connections, exchange knowledge, and stay connected with the project management community.

How to Renew Your PMP Certification

Renewing your PMP certification involves meeting certain requirements set by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Here are the steps to renew your PMP certification:

1. Earn Professional Development Units (PDUs)

To renew your PMP certification, you need to earn a specific number of Professional Development Units (PDUs) within the renewal cycle. PDUs are a measure of your ongoing professional development activities. They can be earned through various activities, including attending project management conferences, participating in webinars, taking online courses, writing articles, and volunteering in project management-related activities.

2. Fulfill the PMP Renewal Requirements

PMI requires PMP credential holders to earn a minimum of 60 PDUs during the three-year renewal cycle. PDUs can be earned through education, giving back to the profession, and working as a professional in project management. You need to document and report your earned PDUs through the PMI Continuing Certification Requirements System (CCRS).

3. Submit the PMP Renewal Application

Once you have earned the required PDUs, you need to submit the PMP renewal application through the PMI website. The application includes documenting your earned PDUs and providing information about your professional development activities during the renewal cycle. PMI will review your application and, upon approval, renew your PMP certification for the next three years.

Tips for PMP Certification Renewal

Renewing your PMP certification can be a smooth process with proper planning and preparation. Here are some tips to help you successfully renew your PMP certification:

• Start Early: Begin earning PDUs well in advance of your certification expiration date to avoid last-minute rush.
• Diversify Your PDUs: Earn PDUs through a variety of activities, including formal education, self-directed learning, and giving back to the profession.
• Track Your PDUs: Keep a record of your earned PDUs and maintain supporting documentation for easy reporting during the renewal application.
• Stay Updated: Stay informed about changes in the PMP certification renewal process and requirements by regularly checking the PMI website and resources.
• Network and Learn: Engage with other project management professionals, attend industry events, and participate in webinars or workshops to expand your knowledge and earn PDUs.

What Steps Do You Need To Take For a PMP Renewal?

You can track your progress through the PMP renewal process by accessing your portal on the PMI website and selecting “Continuing Certification Requirement System.” The main thing that you’ll need is to build up PDU points. Professional Development Units, or PDU, represent one hour that you spend either learning, teaching, or volunteering within your field. You can report these through this portal or review your existing PDU points to date.

Step #1 – Earn 60 PDUs Within the 3 Year PMP Renewal Cycle

In order to renew your PMP certification, you need to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs), broken down into 2 categories: Education and Giving Back. You will need at least 35 of these points to go into Education; on the other hand, you cannot report more than 25 Giving Back PDU points. All points need to fall under the PMI Talent Triangle including “technical project management,” “leadership,” and “business/strategy management.” One hour is worth 1 PDU. Some of the ways you can earn PDU points include:

Earn PDU Points in Education

• Course or Training. Online or classroom training from a registered education provider (REP) recognized by the PMI, as well as PMI seminars or events.
• Organization Meetings. These are limited to 2 PDUs per meeting and refer to networking events or professional meetings that include education.
• Online Digital Media. Educational references found online, such as: webinars, videos, podcasts, online training, etc.
• Reading. Education through the written word, such as books, blogs, articles, or whitepapers.
• Informal Learning. Learning on the job from mentors or through discussions with experts.

Earn PDU Points in Giving Back

• Practitioner. Essentially, using what you’ve learned in projects at work.
• Content Creator. Writing articles, blogs, whitepapers, etc., to educate others on project management processes.
• Presenter. Sharing your knowledge as the presenter of a seminar, conference, or network event. Must line up with the talent triangle to be reported.
• Mentor. Sharing expertise by mentoring others, teaching, or coaching.
• Volunteer. Volunteering for PMI chapter activities or committees by registering on the PMI Volunteer Relationship Management System.

Reporting PDU Points For PMP Renewal

It’s not enough to put in the work. You will also need to report your PDUs. Under the CCRS, the “Report Links” tab will offer a form requesting the following information:

• Provider name or ID
• Activity name or ID
• Activity Dates
• PDU points claimed (1 per hour)

After filling this out, submit your points. You will receive a report that explains which PDUs were approved, claimed, or rejected. The good news for overachievers out there is that even if you earn over 60 PDU over the 3-year cycle, up to 20 points can then be carried over to the next cycle! Plus, you’ll have laid a foundation for furthering education.

You may apply for PMP renewal as soon as you have earned all 60 of your PDUs, without waiting for the end of the 3-year cycle. If you do not choose to do so, start to work towards your renewal about 90 days before the end of the cycle.

Step #2 – Fill Out the Application for PMP Renewal

As soon as you have enough PDUs, you can fill out the application for PMP renewal. This application is easy to fill out online, but you can also download it and fill it out offline. Make sure that you have your contact information, member ID, and payment information included on the application. After filling out the application, you will be asked to confirm again that you will honor the PMI code of ethics. The PMP renewal fee will be due upon approval.

Step #3 – Pay the PMP Renewal Fee

So now the question you’ve probably been wondering: how much is the PMP renewal fee? This depends on whether or not you are a PMI member. For PMI members, as of June 2022, renewal is only $60 USD. For non-PMI members who wish to renew their PMP certification, the PMP renewal cost jumps up to $150 USD.  Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay annually to renew your PMI membership if you go that route ($129 USD).

Step #4 – Wait For Confirmation From PMI of Your PMP Renewal

Once your application is posted and paid, you should receive confirmation from the PMI that it has been approved. You should also be able to see that your status is active and “in good standing” on their website. If you don’t see this, contact PMI immediately to sort things out. If your PMP renewal was incorrectly filed, your certification will be suspended for up to one year beyond the CCR cycle, which could cause a hassle for both you and your project management career.

Need help earning some of those PDU education points? Brain Sensei has you covered with their interactive and entertaining PMP exam prep courses. Even if you’ve already taken the PMP exam and earned your certification, there’s still more to learn and their material is updated every time the exam is.  They offer self-paced and live instructor courses, each of which will earn you 35 PDUs if you’re already a PMP holder (35 education hours if you’re not).  Stay fresh with your project management fundamentals and check them out today!

Conclusion

Renewing your PMP certification is crucial for maintaining your professional credibility and staying current in the field of project management. By earning PDUs and meeting the renewal requirements, you demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and growth.

Start planning your PMP certification renewal early, explore various professional development activities, and stay engaged with the project management community. With proper preparation and dedication, you can achieve a successful PMP certification renewal and continue to excel as a project management professional.