PMI PDUs: Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Changing soon

I received a note from PMI yesterday reminding me that the way in which PMI will classify its ongoing education requirements. PMI requires that PMP credential holders maintain 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years. Those PDUs can be earned through formal classes, experience, or through self-study. See the note and links below, reposted from PMI, for more details. 

This is a reminder about the updates to the CCR Category system that we first started communicating with you about in December 2010. If you have earned PDUs that you have not yet entered into the CCR system, please take action and report them now. PDUs you earn after 1 March 2011 will be entered into the CCR system using the new CCR PDU Category structure.

NOTE: The PDU category changes will not affect any of the PDUs currently entered in your transcript.

As part of an ongoing effort to keep you informed about the upcoming CCR PDU category update, below are questions and answers to help guide you to successful reporting of your PDUs before and after 1 March 2011.

How Does The CCR PDU Category Update Affect Me and What Do I Need to Do?

• The PDU updated category structure implementation begins on 1 March 2011.
• Between now and 1 March 2011, PMI is requesting that credential holders register their existing PDUs in the CCR system under the current PDU categories. After 1 March 2011, credential holders will need to report PDUs using the new categories.
• Please note that you will not lose any PDUs during this transition.

How do I submit PDUs earned prior to the transition date?
All credential holders would use the normal PDU submission process for activities completed prior to the transition date. However, all PDU claims with a submission date after the transition date would be calculated under the newly instituted CCR rules and categories.

Will there be changes to my transcript?
PDUs earned and claimed prior to 1 March 2011 will appear in the categories in which they were originally filed. PDUs claimed after 1 March 2011 will reflect the six new PDU categories.

Will this impact my transferable PDUs?
No. All current and previously acquired transferable PDU amounts will remain the same throughout the transition.

Can I earn all of my PDUs in Category A?
Yes. There is no PDU cap or maximum amount that can be accumulated for Category A (Courses offered by PMI’s R.E.P.s or Chapters and Communities) activities.

How do I calculate the PDU amount for the activity completed?
All activities, with the exception of Category F, project management practitioner services, will be recorded on a one hour to one PDU ratio. Category F activities, previously known as Category 2H, will be recorded on a minimum 12 month period for either 5 or 2.5 PDUS depending on the credential.

Is my cycle due date impacted?
No. All PMP certification cycle start and end dates will remain the same throughout the new release of the category changes.

Are there any changes to the renewal cycle?
No. The certification renewal process will remain the same along with the required amount of PDUs required for renewal. Credential holders will still need to acquire the required 60 or 30 PDUs* within three years to become eligible for certification renewal. In order to complete the certification renewal process submission of the renewal application along with renewal payment will be required. Fees will remain at $60(U.S) for members and $150.00(U.S.) for nonmembers. Finally, credential holders will still be required to confirm their adherence to the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
*The 30 PDUs requirement will only apply to the RMP and SP credential holders.

For additional information on the CCR PDU Category update, please review the CCR Category Update page on PMI.org.