If you are searching for free PMP PDUs, chances are you fall into one of these two categories:
- You are planning to take the PMP exam and are unsure whether PDUs are required
- You already hold a PMP certification and need PDUs to renew it
This guide offers free PDU, clears all confusion around PMP PDUs and also shows realistic ways to earn remaining PMP PDUs without paying, while also explaining when free options are not enough.
⚠️ Important: Nearly 85% of PMP aspirants and certified professionals confuse PDUs with contact hours. Let’s fix that first.
What is PMP PDU?
A PMP PDU (Professional Development Unit) is a unit of measurement used by Project Management Institute (PMI) to track ongoing learning and professional contribution. PMP-certified professionals must earn 60 PDUs every three years to renew and maintain their PMP certification.
One of the most common mistakes candidates make is confusing contact hours with PDUs.
Contact Hours vs PDUs (Important Clarification)
Before Certification
Contact hours are required before taking the PMP exam
If you are preparing for the PMP exam, PDUs are NOT required.
You need 35 contact hours of formal project management education.
After Certification
PDUs are required after you earn your PMP certification
If you already have a PMP certification, you must earn 60 PDUs every 3 years to renew it.
This confusion leads many people to search for:
“35 PDUs PMP training”
“Free PMP PDU for exam”
PMI clearly defines how PDUs are earned and reported as part of the PMP certification renewal cycle.
What Does PDU Stand For?
PDU = Professional Development Unit
PDUs are used only for PMP renewal, not for PMP exam eligibility.
You can earn PDUs through:
- Online courses
- Webinars
- Reading project management books
- Creating content
- Volunteering
- Mentoring
- Working as a project manager
100% FREE PDU
Get your claim code for 1 FREE PDUs to help with your PMP renewal:
You will receive an email with the details from info@gururo.com.
You can earn upto 60 free PDUs thru Structured path learning or Micro PDUs pack.
Difference Between Free Contact Hours and Free PMP PDUs
Contact hours are required before taking the PMP exam, while PDUs are required after earning PMP certification for renewal. Contact hours must come from formal training, whereas PDUs can be earned through self-study, webinars, volunteering, or professional work.
This distinction is critical.
Free Contact Hours
Free Contact Hours
Required before PMP exam
Required after PMP certification
Must be formal training
Can be earned through self-study
Must be taught by an instructor
Reading books, watching webinars, volunteering count
Self-study does NOT count
Much easier to earn for free compared to contact hours
👉 Reading a PMP book:
❌ Does NOT count as contact hours
✅ Counts as free PMP PDUs (after certification)
Free PMP PDUs for Renewing PMP Certification
Yes, PMP PDUs can be earned for free through webinars, mentoring, volunteering, reading project management material, and working as a project manager. However, earning all 60 PDUs for free is time-consuming and requires consistent tracking and manual submission.
If you already have a PMP certification, you must earn 60 PDUs every three years.
PMP PDUs are divided into two categories: Education and Giving Back.
Education PDUs focus on learning under the PMI Talent Triangle, while Giving Back PDUs reward professionals for contributing to the project management community.
PMI also updated the Talent Triangle terminology:
Old Name
New Name
Technical Project Management
Ways of Working
Leadership
Power Skills
Strategic & Business Management
Business Acumen
Education Free PMP PDU Category
Minimum Requirements
- Minimum 35 PDUs required
- At least 8 PDUs in each Talent Triangle area
- No maximum limit (you can earn all 60 here)
Can You Earn Free Education PDUs?
Yes — but it’s time-consuming.
You must:
- Search for free webinars
- Attend live sessions
- Track attendance
- Manually submit claims
👉 If you are a working professional, this becomes difficult.
For faster completion, most professionals choose a self-paced online PDU bundle, which allows:
- Anytime learning
- No live attendance
- Easy PDU claiming
How Can You Earn Free PMP PDUs from the Giving Back Category?
The Giving Back category is the easiest way to earn free PDUs if you are active in project management.
Key Rules
- Maximum 25 PDUs allowed
- Up to 8 PDUs for “Work as a Practitioner”
- Remaining PDUs can come from other giving-back activities
Ways to Earn Free PMP PDUs Under Giving Back
a) Create Content
- Write blogs or articles
- Author books
- Create educational content
b) Give a Presentation
- PMI chapter sessions
- Office knowledge sessions
- Seminars or conferences
c) Share Knowledge
- Mentoring junior professionals
- Teaching colleagues
- Acting as a subject matter expert
d) Volunteer
- PMI chapter volunteering
- Project management community initiatives
Conclusion
If you are searching for Free PMP PDUs, you fall into one of two categories:
1️⃣ You Don’t Have PMP Certification Yet
You need 35 contact hours, not PDUs.
👉 Look for PMP training, not free PDUs.
2️⃣ You Already Have PMP Certification
You need 60 PDUs every 3 years to renew your PMP.
👉 You can earn some PDUs for free, but completing all 60 through free methods is time-intensive.
Most PMP professionals choose a balanced approach:
- Some free PDUs
- Some structured online PDUs
- Zero risk of rejection
- Faster renewal
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are PMP PDUs used for?
PMP PDUs are used to renew your PMP certification. PMI requires PMP-certified professionals to earn 60 PDUs every three years to keep their certification active.
Are PDUs required to take the PMP exam?
No. PDUs are not required for the PMP exam. To sit for the PMP exam, you need 35 contact hours, not PDUs.
How many PDUs are required for PMP renewal?
PMP-certified professionals must earn 60 PDUs within a 3-year renewal cycle. At least 35 PDUs must come from the Education category, and no more than 25 PDUs can be earned from the Giving Back category.
Can I earn PMP PDUs for free?
Yes. You can earn some PMP PDUs for free through webinars, volunteering, mentoring, reading, and working as a project manager. However, earning all 60 PDUs for free is time-consuming.
Are free PMP PDUs accepted by PMI?
Yes. As long as the activity aligns with PMI’s PDU guidelines, free PMP PDUs are fully accepted by PMI.
What is the PMI Talent Triangle for PDUs?
The PMI Talent Triangle defines three skill areas required for PMP renewal:
- Ways of Working
- Power Skills
- Business Acumen
You must earn at least 8 PDUs in each area under the Education category.
Can I earn all 60 PDUs from the Education category?
Yes. PMI allows you to earn all 60 PDUs from the Education category, as long as you meet the minimum Talent Triangle requirements.
How many PDUs can I earn from the Giving Back category?
You can earn a maximum of 25 PDUs from the Giving Back category during one renewal cycle.
Can I earn PDUs by working as a project manager?
Yes. You can earn up to 8 PDUs for working as a practitioner in a project management role.
How long does PMI take to approve PDU claims?
Most PMP PDU claims are auto-approved instantly after submission in the PMI system. In rare cases, PMI may audit a claim, which can take a few days for verification.
Can PDUs be rejected by PMI?
Yes. PDUs may be rejected if:
- Activity details are unclear
- The activity doesn’t align with project management
- Incorrect Talent Triangle category is selected
Can I earn PDUs after my PMP certification expires?
No. PDUs earned after certification expiration are not counted. You must renew before expiration or during suspension.
Can PDUs be backdated?
No. PDUs must be claimed after completing the activity and within your active renewal cycle.
Can YouTube videos count as PMP PDUs?
Yes, if the content is project management–related, educational, and you can clearly describe the learning outcome while claiming PDUs.
Is it better to earn PDUs for free or buy a PDU bundle?
Free PDUs cost time and effort. Buying a structured PDU bundle is faster, easier, and reduces the risk of claim rejection.
