PMP^® Recertification & PDUs

FAQ - PMP^® Recertification & PDUs

• How do I recertify as a PMP^®?

  After passing your exam, your 3-year cycle starts automatically.
  During this time, you collect 60 PDUs (Professional Development Units) to keep your certificate active – without having to take another exam.
  The easiest way to collect your PDUs is through our PMI^®-certified seminars.
  As a participant:in our seminars, you will receive a claim code with which your PDUs are automatically deposited with PMI^®.
  This saves you time, has verified content and is 100% audit-proof.
  At the end of the cycle, you only pay the renewal fee (currently 60 USD for members, 150 USD for non-members), and your certificate is valid again for 3 years.

• What is a PDU?

  A PDU (Professional Development Unit) stands for one hour of structured training or professional practice activity in project management.
  This is how PMI documents your continuous development and commitment as a project manager.

• What do I get PDUs for?

  PMI distinguishes between two categories: Education and Giving Back.

  1️⃣ Education (further education – the easiest way)

  The fastest and safest way to obtain PDUs is to attend a project management seminar with a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) such as PS Consulting.
  As an official ATP, all our training courses are registered with PMI^®, the content is aligned with the PMI Talent Triangle^® and you automatically receive your claim code for direct registration.
  This saves you time and gives you the certainty that your PDUs will be booked correctly and audit-proof with PMI.

  In addition, you can also acquire PDUs through …

  • In-house seminars organized by your employer (with detailed confirmation of attendance)
  • PMI chapter events or conferences (approx. 2-3 PDUs per presentation)
  • Self-directed learning – e.g. specialist articles, books or podcasts on project management topics (up to 30 PDUs possible)
  • Individual coaching in project management – 1 PDU per hour

  2️⃣ Giving Back (contribution to the PM community)

  If you would like to get involved beyond further training:

  • Mentoring / coaching other project managers
  • Presentations or articles on project management
  • Work as an active project manager (up to 8 PDUs in 3 years)
  • Volunteering in the PMI Chapter

  For the PMP^® you need a total of 60 PDUs in 3 years:
  at least 35 Education PDUs (8 PDUs per Talent Triangle area) + optionally up to 25 Giving Back PDUs.
  You can also collect all 60 exclusively through Education – the easiest way is through our certified training courses.

  💡 A dvantage with PS Consulting: As an official ATP, we can file your PDUs directly with PMI – you don’t need to register them manually and are 100% audit-proof.

• How do I register PDUs with PMI®?

  As a PMP^® you are responsible for reporting your activities to PMI^®. There is a simple online reporting option on the PMI^® website. You should create a Development Program folder in which you collect evidence of reported project management activities. PMI^® conducts spot checks on randomly selected PMP^® certificate holders every year to verify the accuracy and completeness of the documentation submitted. All documents should therefore be kept for at least 12 months.

  As a participant in our seminars, your PDUs are automatically deposited with PMI^®, as we are an authorized PMI^® training partner.

• How long is my certificate valid for?

  Your PMP^® is valid for 3 years from the exam date.
  Example: Exam on October 2, 2025 → Renewal due on October 1, 2028.
  If you miss the deadline, your status remains “suspended” – you have 1 year to submit the PDUs.
  During the “Suspension Period” you are not allowed to use the title “PMP”. Only after the “suspension period” has expired will you permanently lose your recertification without the required PDUs.

• PMP verification and audit

  As with the PMP^® registration, there may be an audit: please keep all supporting documents for at least 18 months after the end of your recertification cycle.

• What does the PMP recertification cost?

  • PMI members: 60 USD
  • Non-members: 150 USD

  (as of 2025 – see pmi.org)

• What happens during an audit during recertification?

  As with the PMP^® registration, an audit by PMI^® may also take place during recertification.
  Therefore, keep all relevant evidence (e.g. certificates of attendance, seminar documents or chapter receipts) for at least 18 months after the end of your recertification cycle.

• What happens if I miss the deadline?

  If you do not collect enough PDUs, your status will be “suspended”.
  You can resubmit within 12 months. After that, you would have to take the exam again. You are not allowed to use the title PMP® during this phase.

• Can I collect PDUs via PS Consulting seminars?

  Yes – and that’s the easiest way.
  As a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP), our seminars are officially recognized, audit-proof and are booked directly with PMI.
  You will automatically receive your claim code after the seminar.