Understanding Professional Development Units (PDUs)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) are the credits you earn to maintain your PMP® and other PMI certifications. Each PDU represents one hour of professional development in areas aligned with the PMI Talent Triangle®, whether you’re learning, teaching others, or volunteering.

By earning and tracking PDUs over a three-year certification cycle, you can keep your certification active and demonstrate your ongoing commitment to professional growth.

Explore how to earn PDUs and align them to the PMI Talent Triangle® to continue advancing your career in project management.


PMI Talent Triangle® 

The PMI Talent Triangle® represents the ideal skill set for today’s project professionals:

  • Ways of Working (technical project skills)
  • Power Skills (leadership and interpersonal abilities)
  • Business Acumen (strategic and industry knowledge)

In today’s environment of digital transformation, PMI has added a digital overlay to emphasize how technology impacts every aspect of project work. Building across all three areas ensures you remain adaptable, future-ready, and a valued strategic partner.

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Find out more details in PDU 101 on how to allocate PDUs across the Talent Triangle.


Reporting PDUs

Earning your certification is a major achievement — maintaining it should be simple. The PMI Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Program helps you stay current, expand your skills, and ensure your professional growth aligns with what organizations need most.

To report your PDUs, visit the CCR System (CCRS) and log in using your PMI Global credentials.
For all PMI certifications (except the CAPM®), you’ll need to follow the CCR Program and earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) to keep your certification active and relevant.

Your PDU activities must relate to topics that align with your certification’s Exam Content Outline and the PMI Talent Triangle®. Review your CCR Handbook  to confirm how many PDUs are required and which activities qualify.

There are countless ways to earn PDUs — through learning, teaching, or volunteering. Choose the options that work best for you and make the most of your professional development journey.

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For PMI Piedmont Triad events, you will be given a PMI Claim code for you to enter and submit for your PDU Credit. If you have any questions, our membership team is here to assist you.


 

PDU Requirements & Renew

Each PMI certification requires you to earn a set number of Professional Development Units (PDUs) within a three-year cycle to maintain your active status.

Examples:

You can earn PDUs through a variety of professional development and service opportunities, such as:

Just be sure to allocate them appropriately across the PMI Talent Triangle®. When you’re ready to renew, log in to the Continuing Certification Requirements System (CCRS) to report your PDUs and complete your renewal. Once your PDUs are approved and the renewal fee is submitted, your certification is extended for another three years.