After going through the process of preparing and taking the PMP® exam, you’re faced with the fact that you have to get your PMP® certification renewed every 3 years.
Before you’re bummed out, you don’t have to take the exam all over again! All you have to do is make a PMP® Renewal. Through a simple process (outlined in this article) and a $150 payment for the PMP® renewal fees, you’ll be able to call yourself a certified PMP® again.
Do you want to get PMP® certified in the next 6 weeks? Sign up for a free class to learn the exact study plan, tips & tricks!
But Why Should I Renew my PMP® Certification?
The same concept of on-going improvement that you learn through the course of the PMBoK® (Project Management Body of Knowledge) is followed when it comes to the certificate. That’s why the PMI requires its certified students to keep themselves updated with the knowledge and profession.
How Often Should a PMP® Certification be Renewed?
The certification must be renewed before three years pass by. You need 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) to renew your certification.
What do I Have to do to Renew my PMP® Certificate?
The first thing to do is to log in to the PMI website. Click on the “My PMI” tab, and log into the CCSR (Continuing Certification Requirement System). This is where you can check your certification status and report and check the log of your past PDUs, which you need 60 of to renew your certification.
Step 1: Earning 60 PDUs during the CCR cycle
PDUs are “Professional Development Units” that you can earn in two areas: “Education” or “Giving Back.” You need at least 35 PDUs in the former, and 25 PDUs is the maximum you can report in the latter category.
PDUs are earned for every hour you spend in Education or Giving Back, and you report them through the CCRS to apply for a PMP® renewal. The PDUs you earn have to align with the PMI Talent Triangle, which consists of “Leadership,” “Business and Strategic Management,” and “Technical Project Management.”
In the category of education, you have to earn at least 8 PDUs for each component, and you can distribute the remaining 11 in whichever component you choose.
To fill the PMI in on your PDUs, there’s a link in the CCRS that prompts you to fill in relevant information, including your Provider Name/ID, Activity ID/name, dates of activity, and the number of PDUs you’ve earned under each component of the triangle.
Upon updating this information, you’ll be informed of whether your PDUs have been claimed, rejected, or, hopefully, approved. The best part is that if you earn above the 60 PDU mark, you can carry them to the upcoming cycle of the CCR. However, there’s a maximum cap of 20 PDUs.
Step 2: Filling the Application to Renew
You can either fill an online application or download it, fill it, and upload it. You’ll need to state your contact, member ID, and payment details, and then you can submit your application right away.
Step 3: Confirming Once More That You’ll Abide by the PMI Code of Ethics
You must promise to pledge by the PMI code of ethics to be able to renew your certification again.
Step 4: Paying the Renewal Fees
If you’re among PMI members, you’ll get a discount and pay a fee of only $60. However, if you aren’t, you’ll pay $150. If you’ve passed the 60 PDU mark, you don’t have to wait three years for the renewal. You should never wait more than 90 days to renew the PMP® certification before your CCR ends.
Step 5: Receiving the PMI Confirmation
The final step of your renewal is to receive confirmation from the PMI that your certificate for the new CCR cycle has been issued. To ensure that, you can check whether or not you have an “Active” status or in “Good Standing.”
If the renewal process hasn’t been completed within the CCR cycle completion, you’ll be marked as “Suspended.” This remains your state for an entire year beyond the CCR cycle, so make sure you get re-certified before that duration ends to avoid any unnecessary problems.