Renewing your PMP® certification is not optional—it’s how you maintain your credibility as a Project Management Professional and keep the “PMP” designation active throughout your career.
To renew your PMP, PMI requires you to:
- Earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs)
- Complete them within a 3-year renewal cycle
- Report them correctly through PMI’s system
- Pay the renewal fee before the deadline
The good news: PMP renewal is straightforward when approached like a project—with structure and planning.
This guide walks you through the exact 10-step to renew PMP certification for 2026, including how to earn PDUs faster, avoid suspension, and stay audit-ready.
Here are the certification Maintenance requirements across various PMI certifications
60 PDUs
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
- Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
30 PDUs
- Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
- Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
15 PDUs
- Certified Associate in Project Management Professional (CAPM)
Let’s begin and see the 10 Steps to renew PMP certification!
Step 1
Download and Understand the CCR Handbook
The first step in PMP renewal is understanding PMI’s official rules.
PMI publishes the the Continuing Certification Requirements Handbook (CCR Handbook) which explains:
- Renewal timelines
- PDU categories
- Audit policies
- Reporting rules
This 19-page PDF document is your ultimate guide to understanding the policies and procedures for actively maintaining your certification.
For a deeper dive into the CCR process, explore our guide on Understanding the PMP® Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Process for Renewal. Reading the CCR handbook once prevents most renewal mistakes later.
Step 2
Master the PMI Talent Triangle™
PMI requires Education PDUs to align with the PMI Talent Triangle, which includes: Ways of Working, Power Skills, and Business Acumen.
To understand how many PDUs you need in each Talent Triangle area, check out our detailed blog on How Many PDUs from Each Section of the PMI Talent Triangle Do You Need to Recertify?.
Ways of Working: Agile, predictive, hybrid, Lean delivery approaches.
Power Skills: Leadership, communication, negotiation, collaboration
Business Acumen: Strategic alignment, financial awareness, market understanding
Step 3
Keep Track of the Minimum and Maximum PDU Requirements
To renew PMP in 2026, you need:
- 60 PDUs total
- Minimum 35 PDUs from Education
- Maximum 25 PDUs from Giving Back
Minimum Talent Triangle rule:
- 8 PDUs in Ways of Working
- 8 PDUs in Power Skills
- 8 PDUs in Business Acumen
Giving Back PDUs include:
- Volunteering
- Creating content
- Working as a practitioner (max 8)
For more insights on this optional component, read our blog on Are Giving Back PDUs Required in 2026?.
Remember, there’s no limit to how many PDUs you can earn through Education, making it a popular and straightforward way for PMP holders to earn a lot of PDUs for PMP renewal quickly.
60 PDUs
(PMP/PgMP/PfMP/PMI-PBA)
- 35 Minimum Education PDUs
- 8 Minimum on each Talent Triangle skill (8*3)
- Remaining 11 in any area of the Talent Triangle
- 25 Maximum Giving Back PDUs
- Volunteering
- Creating knowledge
30 PDUs
(PMI-ACP/PMI-RMP/PMI-SP)
- 18 Minimum Education PDUs
- 4 Minimum on each Talent Triangle skill (4*3)
- Remaining 6 in any area of the Talent Triangle
- 12 Maximum Giving Back PDUs
- Volunteering
- Creating knowledge
15 PDUs
(CAPM)
- 9 Minimum Education PDUs
- 2 Minimum on each Talent Triangle skill (2*3)
- Remaining 3 in any area of the Talent Triangle
- 6 Maximum Giving Back PDUs
- Volunteering
- Creating knowledge
Step 4
Check Your PMI CCRS Account Early
Most professionals delay this step—and regret it later.
Log into your PMI CCRS dashboard:
- See how many PDUs you already have
- Track remaining PDUs required
- Check exact renewal deadline
Take a moment to visit https://ccrs.pmi.org/ and have a look around your account. The system will clearly show how many PDUs you’ve earned and how many you still need. The dashboard also displays the number of days remaining until your PMP renewal date, providing a helpful deadline reminder.
For a step-by-step guide on checking your PDU status, see our blog on Checking Your PMI PDUs: A Step-by-Step Guide in 2026.
Step 5
Build a Simple 3-Year PDU Plan
One of the most common questions PMP holders ask is, “How do I earn PDUs for PMP renewal?” The answer is simple: Plan it out like any good project.
A realistic pace:
- 2 PDUs per month
- ~6 PDUs per quarter
- No renewal panic in Year 3
Developing the habit of earning, tracking, and logging your PDUs will make the process effortless.Utilize tools like Gururo’s PDU bundles to make earning PDUs a routine.
Remember, if you don’t plan your PDU activities, you may find yourself scrambling to earn 60 PDUs in the months leading up to your renewal.
Step 6
Earn PDUs Through PMI-Approved Activities
PDUs can be earned through:
- Online PDU courses
- PMI webinars
- Conferences
- Reading and self-directed learning
- Volunteering or mentoring
Many professionals prefer self-paced online PDU bundles, which are:
- Faster
- Structured
- Talent Triangle aligned
- Audit-safe
Step 7
Claim Your PDUs Immediately
After completing a course or webinar:
- Download the certificate
- Submit the PDU claim right away
- Avoid backlog and missing documentation
Gururo has designed step-by-step tutorials to help you see the approval coming through in under 2 minutes. For additional guidance on managing your certification status, check out our blog on Mastering Your PMP® Certification Status: A Guide to Avoiding Expiration.
Step 8
Keep Documentation for PMI Audits
A random selection of certification holders will be chosen for PMI’s audit process. During this process, you will be asked to submit supporting material to verify the PDUs you’ve claimed. Therefore, it’s important to keep documentation for all PDU claims for at least 18 months after the CCR cycle has ended.
Keep proof for at least 18 months after your cycle ends:
- Certificates
- Attendance confirmations
- Volunteer letters
- Presentation materials
Being audit-ready protects your credential.
Step 9
Pay the Renewal Fee and Renew Officially
Once PDUs are complete:
- Submit final claims
- Pay renewal fee through PMI
- Renew for another 3-year cycle
PMI membership can reduce renewal fee cost, but only if you use member benefits.
Bonus Step 10
Roll Over Extra PDUs (Bonus Strategy)
Did you know PMI allows rollover?
You can carry forward up to 20 extra PDUs into the next cycle.
Rule: Only PDUs earned in the final year are eligible for rollover
This is the smartest way to stay ahead.
Conclusion : 10 Steps to renew PMP certification
PMP renewal does not need to feel complicated.
If you follow these 10 steps, you will:
- Earn PDUs consistently
- Avoid suspension or expiry
- Stay audit-safe
- Renew confidently every cycle
If you’re concerned about long-term costs, read:
And if you want the most streamlined renewal option, Gururo offers:
- 60 PDU structured bundles
- Lifetime renewal support
- Quick claim guidance
- Flexible self-paced learning
Gururo’s PDU packs are an excellent choice, and here’s the three-step renewal process
- Choose your PDU bundle
- Complete PDUs at your pace
- Claim and renew in minutes
FAQs:
How do I renew my PMP certification in 2026?
To renew your PMP certification in 2026, you must earn 60 PDUs within your 3-year renewal cycle, report them in PMI’s CCRS system, and pay the renewal fee before the deadline. Following a structured monthly PDU plan makes renewal much easier.
How many PDUs are required for PMP renewal?
PMI requires 60 PDUs every three years to renew your PMP certification. At least 35 PDUs must come from Education, and no more than 25 PDUs can be earned through Giving Back activities.
What is the PMI Talent Triangle for PMP renewal?
The PMI Talent Triangle includes three skill areas: Ways of Working, Power Skills, and Business Acumen. PMP professionals must earn a minimum of 8 PDUs in each area as part of the Education requirement.
Where do I check my PMP renewal status and PDUs?
You can check your renewal status, earned PDUs, and remaining requirements inside PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements System (CCRS) dashboard at https://ccrs.pmi.org/ .
Can I earn all 60 PDUs from online courses?
Are Giving Back PDUs required for PMP renewal?
No. Giving Back PDUs are optional. You may earn up to 25 PDUs in this category, but you can also complete all 60 PDUs through Education if preferred.
What happens if I don’t renew my PMP on time?
If you miss your renewal deadline, your PMP certification enters suspended status for 12 months. During suspension, you cannot use the PMP title. If you still do not renew, your certification expires.
How soon should I start earning PDUs for renewal?
The best approach is to start early and earn around 2 PDUs per month. Waiting until the final months creates unnecessary stress and increases the risk of suspension or incomplete documentation.
How do I claim PDUs in PMI CCRS?
After completing an eligible activity, log into PMI CCRS, enter the activity details, select the correct Talent Triangle category, and submit your claim. Most education PDUs are approved instantly.
What documents should I keep for a PMI audit?
PMI may randomly audit renewal claims. You should keep certificates, attendance records, volunteer letters, or proof of completion for at least 18 months after your renewal cycle ends.
Can I roll over extra PDUs into the next cycle?
Yes. PMI allows you to roll over up to 20 extra PDUs, but only those earned in the final year of your renewal cycle can be carried forward.
What is the fastest way to complete PMP renewal PDUs?
The fastest way is to use a structured 60 PDU self-paced bundle aligned with PMI requirements. Many professionals complete all 60 PDUs within a few days and renew quickly through PMI’s system.
