How to Upload PDUs through PMI® Certification Process

Every three years, you will need to go through the re-certification process with the Project Management Institute. This involves uploading a set number of PDUs to the PMI® website. If you want to keep your project management certification up to date, you will need to follow these steps.

What Exactly Are PDUs?

Before you even start with the process, you need to understand more about PDUs. The term stands for Professional Development Units, which you will acquire as part of the certification process. PMI® is all about continuous growth. The learning never stops, which is why re-certification is essential.

But what exactly do PDUs involve? They’re the equivalent to contact hours in the majority of other certification processes. The units are the number of training hours you have been through for certifications. You can gain these training hours by completing a number of training programs. All training programs must be accredited by the PMI® to count.

There are three areas to gain PDUs. These are in Strategic & Business Management, Leadership, and Technical Project Management. The three areas form what is known as the PMI® Talent Triangle. While you need to get a specific number of PDUs, you will need to gather the hours across the three different areas.

Education PDUs vs. Giving Back PDUs

Education PDUs can be gained through a variety of ways, both in solo or group activities. One of the most common options is to go through training or on a course, which is led by an instructor. The course can be both in-person or online. While some of the courses are offered by the PMI®, some will be offered through accredited third-party sources.

It’s also possible to gain the PDUs through organized meetings or activities related to your profession. These types of meetings are hosted throughout the year, including keynote addresses and educational settings.

Training through the internet isn’t the only form of online PDUs. You can also opt for webinars, watch videos, or gain other digital content to earn hours. Self-directed reading and informal learning are other types of PDUs to consider on an educational front.

Giving Back PDUs make up another part of the process for certification. One of the most popular options is to work as a practitioner within your certified role and domain. You apply your knowledge and skills, helping to sustain and grow the profession.

It’s also possible to create content to develop resources and contribute to the ongoing learning process for certification. Some people will author books and blogs, create webinars, or do presentations and be keynote speakers. There are many ways to get involved, through PMI® and recognized third-party channels.

Giving Back isn’t just through paid work. It’s also possible to volunteer your time and knowledge. The focus is on sharing your knowledge to keep the area of certification going.

How Many Education PDUs Do I Need for PMI® Certification?

The exact number of PDUs will depend on the type of PMI® certification you would like. Should you choose to certify in Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), you won’t need to earn PDUs in three-year cycles. You just need to retake the exam every five years.

You now need to gather 35 PDUs across the three triangle areas for full PMI® certification in four of the certifications. You need at least eight in each of the three areas, which will make up 24 of your PDUs. The other 11 can be from any of the areas that you want. Another 25 will need to be through the Giving Back portion of the credit, making up a total of 60 credits.

The total 60 credits are needed for Project Management Professional (PMP)®, Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)®, Program Management Professional (PgMP)® and PMI® Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® certifications.

If you want to certify in PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®, and PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)® areas, you will only need 30 educational PDUs within the three-year cycle.

You will need to go to the PMI® website to upload all the details of your PDUs. This keeps your training up to date and allows you to check on the areas you need to build on for the Continuing Certification Renewal System (CCRS) process.

If you earn more PDUs than needed for your certification, you can transfer them onto the next cycle. This can help you plan ahead should you know you’ll have a difficult couple of years in the future. However, any PDUs you gained before you were certified will not count towards re-certification. Once you are certified, you can start earning PDUs towards re-certification immediately.

How to Upload Your PDUs to the PMI® Website

Since you need to report your PDUs, you’ll need to learn the system to make sure you upload correctly. The last thing you want is to complete hours and then not have them count towards your three-year cycle. It’s very easy to upload.

1. Log into the PMI CCRS section of the website at http://ccrs.pmi.org/login/index
2. Click on “Report PDUs”
3. Select the category for your PDUs, which in most cases would be Continuing Education
4. List the name of your course provider, the date you completed the training, and the hours spent on that PDU
5. Include the course name and activity ID provided by the name of your course provider
6. Describe the knowledge and processes you gained throughout the session, along with the area that your training was in
7. Include the number of PDUs earned, which would be the number of training hours completed
8. Submit your form

You don’t need to submit any proof of the documentation, but you should keep hold of proof for 18 months after your certification cycle ends. Some students are randomly audited to ensure they have completed all training they have stated.

In some cases, re-certification extensions are awarded. This is often done on a case-by-case basis, although military personnel on active duty, women on maternity leave, and those who are incapacitated by sickness are often granted extensions without hassle.