How to maintain PMP?
To maintain a PMP certification, you must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) in the three years since you passed the PMP exam. These PDUs must be achieved in areas related to project management and must be reported to PMI. In this Blog we will understand how to renew PMP after expiry. These PDUs fall into two buckets:
Education PDUs (at least 35): These are about leveling up your knowledge. Think webinars, courses, or even reading up on project management trends.
Giving Back PDUs (up to 25): These come from giving back to the profession, like volunteering, mentoring, or creating a blog post about your project management insights.
Steps to Maintain PMP Certification
Check Your PDU Cycle: Pop into your PMI account to see when your three-year cycle starts and ends. I set a calendar reminder six months before my deadline to stay on track. For a step-by-step guide, see Checking Your PMI PDUs.
Find PDU Opportunities: Look at PMI’s Talent Triangle (Technical, Leadership, Strategic) to pick activities that match your career goals. Choose activities aligned with the PMI Talent Triangle. Browse options in Free PMP PDU Options for cost-effective ideas.
Spread Out Your PDUs: Aim for about 20 PDUs a year to avoid a last-minute rush. Trust me, cramming 60 PDUs in a month is no fun.
Report PDUs ASAP: Use PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) system to log your PDUs. Keep receipts or certificates handy in case PMI audits you.
Get Involved with PMI: Join local chapters, attend events, or hop into online forums. You’ll earn PDUs and make great connections. Discover benefits in What is the PMI Membership Cost?.
My Go-To Tip: Stay Organized with Tech
I’m a bit of a tech nerd, so I use apps like Trello to track my PDUs. PMI’s PDU tracker is another lifesaver. I’ve heard from folks at Gururo that weaving PDU tracking into your daily routine—like adding it to your work planner—saves time and keeps stress at bay.
What if 60 PDUs are not earned in 3 years cycle?
You must earn 60 PDUs within a three-year cycle to ensure your PMP certification is not suspended. If you fail to obtain 60 PDUs within the three years cycle, your PMP will move to a suspension state. The suspension period is for a year. For details, see The Difference Between Suspended and Expired PMP Certifications.
How to renew PMP during the suspension period?
To renew your PMP certification if it is in the suspension period, you must first complete the required number of PDUs. Once you do this, you can submit a renewal application to PMI and pay the required fees. PMI will review your application, and if it is approved, PMI will reinstate your certification. Therefore, it is important to carefully track and report your PDUs to avoid suspension of your certificate.
Real Talk: Sarah, a project manager from Chicago, got caught off guard when her PMP went into suspension. Work had her swamped, and she missed her PDU deadline. She turned to Gururo’s PDU webinars, earned 40 PDUs in just two months, and got her certification reinstated. “It felt like having a coach in my corner,” she told me.
What if PMP is not renewed during the suspension period?
If your PMP certification is not renewed during the suspension, you will no longer be considered a certified PMP. Therefore, your certificate will stand expired. For more, read What Happens When Your PMP Certification Expires?.
What happens after your PMP is expired?
If your PMP certification has expired and you do not renew, you will no longer be considered a certified PMP. Unfortunately, this means that you will not be able to use the PMP designation after your name, and you will not be able to take advantage of the benefits that come with being a PMP, such as access to PMI’s global network of professionals and discounts on PMI events and products.
Steps to Renew PMP After Expiry
As a PMP-certified professional, staying current with industry standards and maintaining your certification is important. If your PMP certification has expired, there are options available for renew PMP certification. One option is to retake the PMP exam. However, there are also alternative methods by which you can renew your expired certification.
Retake the PMP Exam: The most direct route is to reapply, meet the eligibility requirements (35 hours of project management education and relevant experience), and pass the exam again.
Explore Other Options: In some cases, you might qualify for reinstatement by showing ongoing professional development. Reach out to PMI to see what’s possible.
Get Expert Help: At Gururo, we have a proven track record of assisting individuals in reinstating their expired PMP certification. We understand the value of your hard-earned certification and are dedicated to helping you renew it promptly and efficiently. Gururo’s How to Renew PMP After Expiry outlines alternative methods.
Fun Fact: PMI launched the PMP certification back in 1984, and it’s now the gold standard for project managers worldwide. Certified PMPs can earn up to 20% more than their non-certified peers, according to PMI’s 2023 salary survey. That’s a pretty sweet perk for keeping your certification active!
Need a quick solution? Enroll in our 60 PMP PDU Course Bundle to earn all required PDUs in one go!
Creative Ways to Earn PDUs Without Breaking a Sweat
Earning 60 PDUs might sound like a chore, but it can actually be fun and rewarding. Here are some creative ways to stack up those PDUs and make how to earn PDUs for PMP renewal a seamless part of your routine:
1. Dive into Online Courses
Platforms like PMI’s e-learning portal, Coursera, or Gururo have tons of PDU-eligible courses on topics like Agile, risk management, or leadership. A 5-hour course on Agile can net you 5 Education PDUs—boom! Check Udemy PMP PDU Courses or LinkedIn PMP PDU Courses.
2. Hit Up Industry Events
PMI’s global congresses, local chapter meetups, or virtual summits are PDU goldmines. Spend a day at a PMI event, and you could walk away with 6-8 PDUs, plus some new friends in the industry. Learn more in How to Effectively Use Your PMP Certification.
3. Volunteer with PMI
Volunteering as a chapter leader or event organizer is a great way to earn Giving Back PDUs. A friend of mine earned 15 PDUs just by moderating a PMI webinar series. See Are Giving Back PDUs Required?.
4. Share Your Knowledge
Write a blog, record a podcast, or give a talk at a conference. A 30-minute presentation on project risk management can earn you 2-3 PDUs, and it’s a great way to boost your confidence. Get inspired by From Theory to Practice: Implementing PMP Concepts.
5. Mentor Someone
Mentoring a colleague or a student prepping for the PMP exam counts toward Giving Back PDUs. It’s a win-win—you help someone else while staying sharp yourself. Explore mentoring in How to Make the Most of Your PMP Certification.
My Story: When I got my PMP, the PDU requirement felt overwhelming. Then I stumbled onto PMI’s virtual events, which let me earn 10 PDUs from my couch. I also volunteered a few hours at my local PMI chapter, and suddenly, earning PDUs felt like a natural part of my growth as a project manager.
Use tools like Trello or PMI’s PDU tracker to monitor progress. Gururo’s Lifetime PMP Renewal offers seamless PDU tracking and renewal support.
How to renew PMP after expiry?
As a PMP-certified professional, staying current with industry standards and maintaining your certification is important. If your PMP certification has expired, there are options available for renewing it. One option is to retake the PMP exam. However, there are also alternative methods by which you can renew your expired certification.
At Gururo, we have a proven track record of assisting individuals in reinstating their expired PMP certification. We understand the value of your hard-earned certification and are dedicated to helping you renew it promptly and efficiently.
Simplify Your PDU Journey: Earn all 60 PDUs effortlessly with Gururo’s 60 PMP PDU Course Bundle – designed for quick, PMI-approved renewal!
Don’t let your expired PMP certification hold you back. Contact us today to discuss your options for renewing your certification and taking the next step in advancing your career.
For efficient renewal assessment by our experts, please complete the form below or email us at info@gururo.com
You need 60 PDUs every three years, with at least 35 in Education and up to 25 in Giving Back, per the PMI PDU requirements for PMP.
You lose the PMP designation and need to retake the exam or explore reinstatement options with PMI.
Absolutely! PMI offers free webinars, and volunteering or mentoring can earn you Giving Back PDUs at no cost.
Retaking the exam might take 2-3 months of prep, while reinstatement through PDUs depends on how fast you earn them.
