What is a PDU?
A Professional Development Unit (PDU) is PMI's standard measure of continuing education. One PDU equals one hour spent in a qualifying learning or professional activity. PMI uses PDUs to ensure that certified professionals stay current with evolving project management practices.
PDUs are part of PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program, which defines the framework for how credential holders maintain their certifications over time. Without earning enough PDUs, your certification will expire — and you'll need to retake the exam to regain it.
How many PDUs do you need?
The number of PDUs required depends on which PMI certification you hold:
| Certification | PDUs / 3-year cycle | Min. Education | Max. Giving Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMP® — Project Management Professional | 60 PDUs | 35 PDUs | 25 PDUs |
| PgMP® — Program Management Professional | 60 PDUs | 35 PDUs | 25 PDUs |
| PfMP® — Portfolio Management Professional | 60 PDUs | 35 PDUs | 25 PDUs |
| PMI-ACP® — Agile Certified Practitioner | 30 PDUs | 18 PDUs | 12 PDUs |
The two PDU categories
All PDU activities fall into one of two main categories: Education and Giving Back to the Profession. Education PDUs come from learning — you're the student. Giving Back PDUs come from contributing — you're sharing knowledge or applying your skills.
Education PDUs
Education PDUs come from learning activities that build your project management skills. This is the most flexible category with the widest range of qualifying activities. You must earn at least 35 Education PDUs per cycle for PMP® renewal, and there's no cap on how many you can claim.
Giving Back PDUs
Giving Back PDUs are earned by contributing to the project management community — teaching others, creating content, volunteering, or applying your skills on the job. This category has a cap (max. 25 PDUs for PMP®). A sub-category called "Working as a Practitioner" lets you claim PDUs for your day job (max. 8 PDUs per cycle).
The PMI Talent Triangle® — what it means for your Education PDUs
Within the Education category, PMI doesn't just count hours — they care about what you're learning. Since 2024, you must spread your Education PDUs across three skill areas of the PMI Talent Triangle®. For PMP® holders, you need at least 8 PDUs in each area.
What activities qualify for PDUs?
PMI accepts a wide range of activities. Here are the most popular and practical options:
How to report PDUs to PMI — step by step
Once you've earned a PDU activity, you report it to PMI through their CCRS (Continuing Certification Requirements System) at ccrs.pmi.org.
Complete a qualifying activity
Finish a course, attend a webinar, mentor someone, or complete any other qualifying PDU activity. Keep any certificates, receipts, or notes documenting what you did and how long it took.
Go to ccrs.pmi.org
Log in using your PMI.org username and password. Navigate to PDUs → Report PDUs in the left sidebar.
Select the right category
Choose the PDU type that matches your activity: Course or Training · Online or Digital Media · Informal Learning · Organization Meeting · Work as a Practitioner · Create Content · Share Knowledge · Volunteer.
Fill in the activity details
Enter the activity title, provider name, start/end dates, and number of PDUs claimed. Also specify which Talent Triangle area(s) the PDUs belong to.
Submit and wait for approval
PMI sends a confirmation email. If your activity is from a PMI ATP, it's approved automatically. For other activities, approval typically takes a few business days.
Track your progress in CCRS
Once approved, your CCRS dashboard shows your total PDUs earned, breakdown by category and Talent Triangle area, and how many you still need. When you reach 60 PDUs, you'll receive a link to pay the renewal fee.
Documentation to keep for PMI audits
PMI audits a percentage of PDU claims. If selected, you must provide documentation proving you completed the activity. Keep these records for at least 18 months after claiming:
What happens if your certification lapses?
Missing the 60-PDU requirement doesn't immediately cancel your certification — but the consequences escalate quickly:
- •Suspension: Your certification is suspended at the end of the 3-year cycle if PDUs aren't submitted.
- •Grace period: PMI allows 1 additional year to earn the missing PDUs while in suspended status.
- •Restricted use: During suspension, you cannot refer to yourself as a PMP® or use the credential.
- •Cancellation: If PDUs remain unsubmitted after the grace year, your certification is cancelled.
- •Re-certification: To regain a cancelled PMP®, you must re-apply and pass the exam again from scratch.
Tell us your credential, your current PDU count, and your expiry date — and we'll build your most efficient path to renewal.