A “Professional Development Unit” (PDU) is a PMI measuring unit to quantify approved learning and professional service activities. A PDU is earned based on continued development of Project Management skills and volunteer work benefiting the project management community such as within the local PMI chapter. These units, earned over a 3 year period after earning your Certification (Credential such as PMP), go towards being able to renew your certification for another 3 year period.
Typically, one PDU is earned for every one hour spent in a planned, structured learning experience or activity. PDUs are managed as part of PMI’s Continuing Certification Program (CCR) which supports the on-going development of individuals who have attained their certifications.
Overall process is to first understand if what you are planning to do aligns to anyone of the PDU Categories outlined in the How Are PDUs Earned section. Second, follow through on what you have planned. Finally, record the activity details and report them to PMI.
CLICK HERE for details on claiming PDUs.
How Are PDUs Earned
PDU Qualifying activities are broken down into 5 categories; each category (type of activity) has varying PDU values associated with them.
Category 1: Formal Academic Education
PDUs may be earned by completing an academic course after earning a PMI credential. Courses must be offered for degree credit and be related to project and/or program management. One (1) hour of degree credit in a typical 15-week semester earns 15 PDUs. One (1) quarter semester hour (10 weeks) earns 10 PDUs. When only a portion of a course relates to project management, PDUs are calculated on a percentage of the overall curriculum focused on project and/or program management. Each course must be submitted on a separate CCR Activity Reporting form. PMI does not recognize entire degree programs for PDU credits, only individual courses.
Documentation Required upon PMI audit/request: transcript or grade report indicating a passing mark.
Category 2: Professional Activities & Self Directed Learning
A predetermined number of PDUs may be earned by participating in specified professional activities. Use the Guide below to determine PDUs in this category.
PDUs for Professional Activities:
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Letter Code
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Description
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Number of PDUs Earned
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2A
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Author or co-author of an article pertaining to project and/or program management published in a refereed journal. (e.g. Project Management Journal ®)
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30 PDUs per article (author)
20 PDUs per article (co-author)
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2B
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Author or co-author of an article pertaining to project and/or program management published in a non-refereed journal (e.g. PM Network ®)
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15 PDUs per article (author)
10 PDUs per article (co-author)
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2C
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Speaker/Teacher on project and/or program management topic at a conference, symposium, workshop, or formal course
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10 PDUs per activity
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2D
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Speaker on a project and/or program management topic at a PMI Component meeting (e.g. Chapter meeting).
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5 PDUs per activity
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2E
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Member or moderator of a project and/or program management panel discussion at a conference, symposium, workshop, or formal course
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5 PDUs per activity
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2F
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Author or co-author of textbook that pertains to project and/or program management
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40 PDUs (author)
20 PDUs (co-author)
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2G
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Developer of content for a structured project and/or program management learning program
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10 PDUs per new program
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2H
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Practitioner of project and/or program management services for more than 1,500 project hours per calendar year. Maximum of 15 PDUs can be earned for 2H in a 3 year reporting cycle (CCR Cycle).
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5 PDUs per calendar (e.g. Jan – Dec) year
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Documentation Required upon PMI audit/request: copies of publications, sample educational materials, or course agendas.
PDUs for Self Directed Learning Activities (1 PDU / Hr)
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2-SDL
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Self-directed learning activities are individualized learning projects involving personally conducted research or study. Learning may include informal activities such as discussions or coaching sessions with colleagues, co-workers, clients or consultants. It may include articles, books, instructional manuals, videos, CD-ROMs, or other material resources. *
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Maximum 15 Self-Directed Learning PDUs may be earned per CCR cycle
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* Qualifying self-directed learning activities must be relevant to project and/or program management, meet a specified purpose, and use knowledgeable resources. Use the Self-Directed Learning Activities Worksheet to determine PDUs for Category 2-Self Directed Learning.
Documentation Required upon PMI audit/request: Certificants should be able to provide evidence supporting their reported learning project. This may include notes from and dates of discussion or reading.
Category 3: PMI Registered Education Providers / PMI Components
PDUs may be earned by attending educational programs offered by organizations registered with PMI and designated as PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) or PMI Components. These providers adhere to quality criteria established by PMI and are solely authorized to issue PDUs.
Category 4: Other Provider
Contact hours of project/program management education may be earned by attending relevant educational programs offered by organizations not registered with PMI. To calculate the number of PDUs earned, use the following formula: one (1) contact hours of learning relevant to project management within a structured activity or course equals one (1) PDU.
Documentation Required upon PMI audit/request: registration form, certificate or letter of attendance, and a brochure or course materials outlining the subject matter covered and the qualifications of the instructor/lecturer.
Category 5: Volunteer Service to Professional or Community Organizations
A maximum of 20 PDUs may be earned per cycle through professional service to a project management organization or by providing noncompensated project/program management services to a non-employer or non-client customer groups. The volunteer services must meet the definition of a project as outlined in the PMBOK Guide® - Third Edition, Section 1.2.1; A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. Temporary means that every project has a definite beginning and a definite end.
Examples of qualifying activities and their associated PDU values include the following:
o Serve as an elected officer for a project management organization
o Minimum three (3) months of participation: 2 PDUs per calendar year (No PDUs are awarded for service less than three months).
o Minimum six (6) months of participation: 5 PDUs per calendar year
o Twelve (12) months of participation: 10 PDUs per calendar year
o Serve as a volunteer/appointed committee member for a project management organization
o Minimum three (3) months of participation: 1 PDU per calendar year (No PDUs are awarded for service less than three months).
o Minimum six (6) months of participation: 3 PDUs per calendar year
o Twelve (12) months of participation: 5 PDUs per calendar year
o Provide project/program management related services to a community or charitable group. The organization sponsoring the project must be a legally recognized not-for-profit organization. 5 PDUs per calendar year can be claimed.
Documentation Required upon PMI audit/request: letter or certificate from the organization served acknowledging the certificant for leading project tasks or participating as part of a project team.
Source: http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_ccrhandbook.pdf
Why Do You Want to Earn PDUs
PMI is the leading, globally recognized, body that promotes standards of excellence in project management. To this end, to encourage and consistently enhance the lives of professionals in the project management field, PMI offers credentials to align to those standards in the advancement of the profession.
Attaining certification through PMI demonstrates commitment to the profession. To ensure on-going commitment PMI certifications are renewed every 3 years. To re-new an individual must demonstrate they have continued to develop themselves and remain active. PDUs are earned, based on the activities taken, to demonstrate (in a quantifiable way) what activities they have been engaged in that would warrant continued certification. There is a minimum number of PDUs that must be earned in order to qualify for renewal (60 PDUs).
Therefore, earning PDUs is a critical element in maintaining certification, but also to stay current and active.
Keeping Your Certification Current
For details refer to the PMI CCR pages as well as the CCR Program Handbook.
Tax Credit Information
For details refer to Canada Revenue Agency website.
Chapter PDU Contacts
For any questions regarding PDUs feel free to contact Director of PDUs (click here).
Other Reference Information
PMI Resource Links:
o CCR PMI Reporting Web Page: http://www.pmi.org/CareerDevelopment/Pages/CCR-Reporting-Forms.aspx
o CCR Main Web Page: http://www.pmi.org/CareerDevelopment/Pages/Continuing-Certification-Requirements-(CCR).aspx
o PMP Certification Handbook: http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_pmphandbook.pdf
o CAPM Credential Handbook: http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_capmhandbook.pdf
o Register your PDUs online: http://tel.occe.ou.edu/pmi/PMI_Member/PDUlogin.php3
For Certification Information:
o CWCC local contact: pmpexam@pmi.bc.ca
o CWCC local Web info
o PMI Certification Web Page
o PMI Customer Care
PMI Global Operations Center
Four Campus Boulevard
Newton Square, Pennsylvania, 19073-3299, USA
Phone: 1-610-356-4600 (Option 8 from phone menu)
Fax: 1-610-356-4647
E-Mail: customercare@pmi.org
Certification Process Questions & Eligibility, Confirm Registration for Certification Exam Date/Site, Continuing Certification Requirements/PDUs, Certificates, Membership Status/Verification, Receipt of Magazines, Information Packages, Brochures, Corporate Program, Educational Seminars General Information, Event Registration Questions, Verify Receipt of Payments, Refunds, etc.
Commonly Asked Questions
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Question: “I am taking a course at a local university/college relating to Managing Projects. Is the course eligible for PDUs, and how many PDUs can I claim”?
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Answer:
A course that is provided by an organization not registered with PMI, and where the course is relevant to project or program management, can be claimed. You can claim 1 PDU for each hour of course time. You would claim the PDUs under category 4.
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Question: “How many PDUs can I claim for volunteering in the local chapter”?
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Answer:
The number of PDUs you can claim for volunteer work is based on at least 3 months of participation to earn 1 PDU, minimum 6 months = 3 PDUs, and 12 months = 5 PDUs. Although not a large number of PDUs there are other benefits that accompany volunteering, e.g. preference for PD events now, volunteer recognition events, etc.
You would claim these PDUs under Category 5. Like any claim you will need to provide evidence/proof if asked. With volunteer work you would request a volunteer claim form from the applicable VP of the area you are volunteering in. They would sign-off and you would keep track of your hours.
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Question: “I attended a conference that had learning’s applicable to project management. What category would this apply to, and how many PDUs would apply”?
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Answer:
If the conference has content that is aligned to practicing project management (relevance), and the conference provider is not registered with PMI, you can claim PDUs under Category 4. The number of PDUs that can be claimed are the number of direct conference hours relevant to project management. One (1) PDU for every hour of direct learning.
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Question: “I am serving as a Mentor, what category do I claim PDUs under, and how many PDUs can I claim”?
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Answer:
Serving as a "General" mentor member you can earn up to 20 PDUs per cycle (Cat 5). Broken down as:
Min 3 months participation = 1 PDUs per calendar year
Min 6 months participation = 3 PDUs per calendar year
12 months of participation = 5 PDUs per calendar year
The individual receiving mentorship (Mentee) would claim as (Cat 2SDL). You can only claim up to 15 2DSL PDUs per cycle:
1 PDU for every hour of documented self learning.
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Registering a PDU Event & CWCC PDU Conventions
Registration:
- To have a Program, PD, or other, Chapter sponsored/delivered event registered with PMI contact the Director of PDU (click here)
- Registration of an event by the CWCC chapter needs to be done on-line at the Registered Education Provider Administration Site (REP).
CWCC PDU ID Conventions:
- Professional Development (PD) Events: PD-00001 - PD-xxxxx
- Program Portfolio (PE) Events: PE-00001 - PE-xxxxx
- Certification Program (CP): CP-00001 - CP-xxxxx
- General Chapter Events (GC): GC-00001 - GC-xxxxx
- SIG Events (SG): SG-00001 - SG-xxxxx
Past PDU Event Info - Chapter ID C017
2008 PMI Course ID's for Reporting PDU's:
- MS Tips & Tricks for the PM (Dec 14, 2007): PD-00002, Category 3 (Claim up to 7 PDUs)
- Lead Your Team with People Savvy (Jan 15 & 16): PD-00003, Category 3 (Claim up to 8 PDUs)
- Neal Whittens No-Nonsense Advice for Successful Projects (Mar 19): PD-00005, Category 3 (Claim up to 7 PDUs)
2007 PMI Course ID's for Reporting PDU's:
- Powerwithin Conference (March 2007): PD-70308, Category 4 (Claim up to 8 PDUs depending on hours attended)
- PD Seminar, June 13: PD-70613, Category 3 (Claim 7 PDUs)
- Fall Fair Full Day Including PD Sessions, Sept 13: PD-00001, Category 3 (Claim Up To 7 PDUs)
- Fall Fair (Vendor Exhibit & Key Note ONLY), Sept 13: PE-150, Category 3 (Claim Up To 3 PDUs)