An overview of PMI’s new PDU category structure
In the February issue of PMI Today the Project Management Institute (PMI) introduced its new structure of their Professional Development Unit (PDU) categories to its members that came into effect on March 1, 2011. From that point onward PMP certified project managers claiming PDUs need to claim the PDUs they earn according to this new structure.
The new structure is not so different from the old, but as with a lot of PMI’s overhauled systems the new version does seem to be more streamlined than before, and makes it easier for project managers to earn and report PDUs. PMI overhauled the system based on feedback from a formal study conducted with PMI credential holders, PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) and project management community leaders and, according to the Customer Care FAQ, the changes have so far been positively received (in the survey, 82% were either satisfied or very satisfied with the new categories).
Here are some of the highlights of the new system.
What’s changed?
- The new category structure has been simplified; the number of categories has been reduced from 18 to 6. In addition, categories are now indicated by letters rather than numbers; for example, the category for Enhancing the Project Management Profession is now Category E instead of Category 5.
- All categories now use the rule that one hour of activity is now worth one PDU (in-class sessions, volunteering, or attending PMI meetings, for example).
- Categories have been expanded to include Web 2.0 learning opportunities (opportunities that include information sharing and collaboration over the Internet).
- Certain categories have limits that require all credential holders to pursue some project management continuing education as part of their credential maintenance (so you can’t earn all of your PDUs by volunteering; for example – you will need to earn at least some with continuing education.
What hasn’t changed?
- The three-year renewal cycle and number of PDUs required to maintain the credential remains at 60 PDUs for PMP certification holders.
- The re-certification fee structure for PMI credentials has not changed.
What does the new structure look like?
The new structure is comprised of the following six categories.
Education Categories:
For the following categories project managers can earn one PDU per one hour of class or study.
- Category A: Courses offered by PMI’s R.E.P.s or Chapters and Communities
- Category B: Continuing education
- Category C: Self-directed learning
Giving Back to the Profession Categories:
Certification holders can earn a total of 45 PDUs in the combined Giving Back to the Profession categories.
- Category D: Creating new project management knowledge (one PDU per one hour spent creating or delivering project management knowledge)
- Category E: Volunteer service (one PDU per one hour of service)
- Category F: Working as a professional in project management (PMPs can earn five PDUs for working six out of twelve months as a project manager).
How does the new structure compare to the old?
With the release of the new PDU category structure PMI issued a helpful comparison chart showing the difference between the new category structure and the old (it’s on page six of this document).
So far I really like the new PDU category structure. In a previous post about volunteering for PDUs I mentioned that the amount of PDUs you can earn for volunteering (at your local PMI chapter or at your favorite nonprofit or charity organization, for example) has been increased from 20 to 45 total PDUs. That’s great news for those of us who enjoy being active in our communities!
If you’re a PMP certification holder (or PgMP, CAPM or otherwise), good luck with the new structure! And please let me know in a comment if you have any questions or opinions about the new system.
How many PMP PDUs can I claim for
1. ITIL v3 foundation preparation
2. ITIL v3 foundation certification
Hi Benedict – thanks for asking!
You can file your hours of ITIL v3 Foundation preparation under PMI’s PDU Category C: Self-directed learning. The certification itself you can’t file as a PDU – only the classes taken (during a certification course, for example) and the preparation involved with taking the certification can be used toward getting PDUs.
Good luck with your certification exam!
You have said the classes taken can be claimed for PDUs,i have done a self study and would be appearing for the certification this month, so can i claim for any PDUs , if so how many and what proof or documentation will be required while claim that.
Hi Manoj,
You could claim these classes under Category C: Self-directed learning. The rules for this category are as follows (taken from pmi.org):
“1 PDU is awarded for every 1 hour spent in a self-directed learning activity
listed in this category.
PDU restrictions for the Self-Directed Learning category are as follows:
PMP and PgMP credential holders can earn no more than 30 PDUs in the Self-Directed Learning category per cycle.
PMI-SP and PMI-RMP credential holders can earn no more than 15 PDUs in the Self-Directed Learning category per cycle.”
Proof would be required during a PMI audit or request; the proof they require is as follows (also from pmi.org):
“Evidence supporting your reported learning project, including notes from
and dates of discussion or reading.”
I hope that helps!
What is the difference between CAT B and CAT C? I recorded PDU’s for a attending Webinar and listening to Pod Cast under CAT B and it was approved.
Hi Ross,
Your webinar was likely approved under Category B as it aligned with the following (from the PMI web site under Category B):
“By attending relevant educational courses offered by training organizations NOT registered with PMI. This may include training (or a Webinar) offered by your employer, another professional or membership association, or a non R.E.P. training organization”
That being said, your podcast more aligns with Category C (from the PMI web site):
“watching videos, using interactive CD-ROMs, Podcasts or other source material”
I don’t think it is a huge deal however… PMI probably doesn’t care too much in what category these PDUs were filed under, as long as they were earned legitimately.
Thanks for asking!
I have a querry that is it worth working as a fresher in any project management office……, i am asking this because being a GET in Larsen & Toubro-IES…i am indulged in project scheduling and control of a project….working with excel sheets and making S-curves of each departments….deciding dates …and all….but …i have completed my engg. In mechanical……i know it is weird to ask so here…..but i didnt found any stand except this for clearing my doubt…..plz plz help me out friends for this matter
Hello dhruval,
In my opinion, any experience is good experience. If you’re working in the field of project management it sounds like a good use of your time, and can definitely help forward any career, and perhaps even more so with a career in engineering. Having a solid technical background and then moving into the field of project management is quite common, and it is widely believed that project managers who have spent time working in technical fields (as software developers, for example) are very valuable. All the best to you in your endeavors.
I am self studying for the Security + exam. I wanted to ask how many PDUs I can claim for achieving and preparing for Security + certification.
Thanks
Hi Ali,
I’ve checked out PMI’s web site, and it appears that there is no maximum on the number of PDUs that you can earn under Category C. It also doesn’t say that there is any difference between getting PDUs for self-directed learning or through legitimate classroom sessions – so perhaps you can claim as many PDUs under self-directed learning as you like! Remember that it has to be project management based study (so learning other technical skills would not count toward project management learning-based PDUs).
Hi,
I have just got my ITIL V3 foundation certification, now I am wondering if I can receive any pdu’s?.
Brian,
Question, since Security+ is not related to project management that means I won’t get any PDUs?
Hi Nazim, you can’t get PDUs just for getting the ITIL V3 certification itself… but you can get PDUs for any classroom activity that you participated in while studying for the ITIL certification test, or any self-study that you completed. Thanks for asking!
Hello Ali,
I’m not overly familiar with Security+ certification… but generally, PDUs must be earned by studying topics related to project management – so for example, studying for your ITIL or ScrumMaster certification would qualify for PDUs, while studying for CCNA or MSCE certifications would probably not.
That being said, I’m not a representative of PMI (just a member), so I would not take my recommendation at 100% – you might want to contact your local PMI chapter or do some more research before deciding upon what activities might or might not earn you PDUs.
I hope this information is at least somewhat helpful. Thanks!
Hi Brian,
I’d completed my ITIL certification in 2010 and my current PMP cycle is valid from 2011 so can I claim the PDU’s for the self study I’d done for ITIL in the current cycle ?
Hello Manish,
Unfortunately, if your current PMP cycle started in 2011 (so including the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, for example) then, as far as I am aware, you can’t claim PDUs for activity that you completed in the year 2010 or before.
That being said, you can carry over PDUs from a previous cycle. According to PMI, if you claim over 60 PDUs in one cycle you can carry over a maximum of 20 PDUs into the next cycle. So if you claimed your ITIL Foundation PDUs in the previous cycle you could then have them carry over to your next cycle. Does this make sense?
As I’m not affiliated with PMI you should take my advice I give with a grain of salt – as such, you might want to contact PMI directly to see if you might be able to claim over those PDUs from your ITIL certification in 2010, or if there are any other ways you could claim them against your current cycle.
Best of luck to you.
Hi Brian
I was certified PMP on July 25,2011 and tried to report PDUs under category F for the 6 month duration I worked as a PM from July 25th to Dec 2011.The CCRS however rejected my claim.Am I not eligible or am I not reporting it accurately.Pls help clarify what I need to do.Thanks in advance!
Hello Sobha,
I filed some PDUs for time spent working as a project manager and they went through fine. The only thing that I can think of is that the period from July 25, 2011 to December of 2011 is not a six month period – it is only a five month period. My recommendation is to try filing again using a six month period (so for example, from July 25, 2011 to January 25, 2012) and see if that works.
Best of luck!
Hi Brian,
I have attended an ITIL foundation training from a non-PMI REP. Can you please tell me if I can claim PDUs out of this training under “Category B”?
You’ve already explained that if we have done a self study we can claim PDUs under Category C, however, I am interested to know if they can be claimed under Category B as I’ve attended an instructor led classroom training.
Appreciate your help.
Hello Sridhar,
Yes, as far as I am aware you can file the non-PMI affiliated classes under Category B: Continuing Education. You might want to have some sort of proof handy that you took the class that includes how many hours of classroom study you completed in case the PMI admins ask for proof when you file the PDUs. I’ve never had that happen, but it is a possibility. All the best to you!
Thanks Brian. That explains.
Thank you Sridhar – glad to help!
Hi Brian,
Please let me know if following can be claimed for PDUs
1. ISO 27001 Lead Auditor class room training 2. COBIT workshop by ISACA
Thanks in advance
Biju
Hello Biju,
Regarding your questions, I am afraid that as I am not myself a member of PMI or associated with PMI, I would not recommend you take my “final word” on what courses or work may or may not be valid to earn PDUs from PMI. That being said, it does not seem that the ISO 27001 Lead Auditor course would be applicable toward earning PDUs, as it does not seem project management-based – it seems more technical in nature and related to systems security audits.
The COBIT training, on the other hand, seems to involve training on an IT management and IT governance framework. In that manner it does in fact seem that you would have a good case for claiming a certain number of PDUs for taking that course. In a similar vein would be a course such as an ITIL Foundation or ScrumMaster Certified course – these courses are not PMI methodology-based, but as they involve a project management framework you can earn PDUs for taking them.
Thanks for your question, and best of luck to you.