Once you become a PMP, the next job for you is to maintain this credential, because the PMP certificate is valid only for three years. To renew it, you have to report 60 PDUs to the PMI by the end of third year, otherwise your certificate might be suspended and then (after one year) it will be expired.
Therefore, in this blog post I’m going to give you the free and paid options to earn 60 PDUs so that you could maintain your PMP certification beyond three years.
Free 60 PDUs
Let’s start with the free PDUs. Here, you can find the resources which will help you to earn all 60 of your PDUs at no cost.
Category-A & B: Course Offered by REPs & Continued Education
In this category, you can earn unlimited numbers of PDUs.
Webcasts from IAG Consulting
Here, you can get 12 PDUs. I contacted the IAG regarding the correct categories of these PDUs and they replied that these are category 2 (old classification) PDUs. However, I believe that under current classification these PDUs fall under category B.
Webinars from Systemation
Here, you can register and earn few category B PDUs by participating in live webinars. However, if you miss live webinars, you can still claim them under category C by watching the recorded version.
You can view about 30 recorded webinars and claim the category C PDU. Although, I did not count the PDUs, but I believe that from here you can earn more than 20 category C PDUs.
Webinar from Corped Group
Currently, this site has 45 recorded webinars and a few scheduled webinars. You can view these recorded webinars and the category A PDU. (Visit their FAQ Page, in case of any doubt). Although, I did not check the length of each webinar but I hope that you can claim more than 30 Category A PDU from this site.
Onine Training from CEDENCE
From this website you can earn 18 PDUs.
Webinars from ESI International
From this website you can earn more than 30 PDUs.
Free Webinars from PMI
PMI also provides opportunity to earn free Category A PDUs by participating with their Community of Practice activities. I strongly recommend you to join these CoPs, get involved with them and earn PDUs as well.
Category-C: Self-Directed Learning
Under this category you can earn up to 30 PDUs. You can earn PDUs under this category just by reading any project management related book. Therefore, try to buy any good project management book, or borrow it from any friend and read it. Note down the date/time of starting the book and completing date/time and keep records of your notes.
Once you complete this book you can report it to PMI to claim PDUs. Please note that one hour of activity is equal to one PDU.
If you don’t like reading, there is another option for you to earn PDU under self-directed learning category.
Free Podcasts from Project Management Podcast
Here you can get a lot of free podcasts. Listen to them and note down their length and time of starting and completion.
One hour of podcast is equal to one PDU.
Instruction to report these PDUs:
Procedure to Report PM Podcasts to PMI
I hope that you can easily earn 30 PDUs from this “Self-Directed Learning” category.
Category-F: Working as a Professional in Project Management
Here you can claim total 15 PDUs per CCR cycle or 5 PDUs per year for just working as a professional in project management. Claim it.
I hope that above links are enough for you to claim all 60 of your PDUs at free of cost. Although, on the Internet you will find many more resources to earn the PDUs, but remember – you need only 60 PDUs in three years.
I may add or amend the links if I find that any link is broken or any other quality resource is identified.
You can also suggest any resource if you feel that it is worth it to add it here.
Please note that PDU categories for above given links may change. Before subscribing for any course/webinar please check the current category.
Paid 60 PDUs
Sometimes paid PDUs provide additional benefits such as, you may get the bunch of PDUs in one shot, you can earn an additional skill set, and a certificate as well; e.g. six sigma.
Some famous and reasonably priced PDU programs are as follow:
Online Certified Six Sigma Green Belt – Online Training Course 30 PDUs @ 99.99 USD
Here, you’ll get seven full length audio-video chapters based on the ASQBOK with three full length practice tests. At the end of course you will get 30 PDUs.
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Online Training Course 30 PDUs @ 124.99 USD
Here, you will get six full length audio-video chapters based on ASQBOK with two full length practice tests. At the completion of course you will get 30 PDUs.
Microsoft® SharePoint 2010 – Online Training Course 30 PDUs @ 85 USD
Here, you will get 10 modules covering advanced techniques in MS SharePoint 2010. Access is for one year and at the completion of course you will get the certificate for 30 PDUs.
Microsoft Project 2007 & 2010 – Online Training Course 30 PDUs @ 115 USD
Here you will get 15 modules covering advanced techniques in MS Project 2007 & 2010. Access is for one year and at the end you will get the 30 PDU certificate
Microsoft® Excel 2010 – Online Training Course 20 PDUs @ 60 USD
In this course you will get 4 modules for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. Access is for one year and at the completion of course you will get 20 PDU certificate.
Online PRINCE2® Foundation Preparation – Standard Course 30 PDUs @ 114.99
This is an APMG-UK accredited e-learning courseware. This course contains 13 full-length audio-video chapters and 2 PRINCE2 foundation simulation tests. At the end of the course you will get 30 PDU certificate.
PDU Podcast 21.75 PDUs @ 199.99 USD Per Year
Here, you will get monthly webinars. You can download it in your computer and watch it at your ease.
(Please note that none of above given paid courses are personally reviewed by me. Read the disclaimer.)
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Hi Fahad,
I bought a self study online PMP exam prep course from PM Educate. It gives you the 35 contact hours upon successful completion of the prep exam with a score of >61%. Do you know anything abour PM Educate, good bad, anything. They are registered with PMI. I want to make sure they are good enough to get me to pass. Anyone have feedback?
Thanks All
Hello Dale,
Honestly with you, I have no idea about PM Educate; therefore, I can not give you any opinion about it.
But I can assure you that it is only who can assure yourself that you will pass the exam. As per my understanding course content of all renowned REPs are almost same or there is not very much difference.
Regarding your preparation, you can refer following blog post:
http://pmstudycircle.com/2012/04/how-to-prepare-for-the-pmp-cert-exam-pass-it-and-become-a-pmp-part-1
Hope it helps.
Hi Dale,
I was with a very similar mentality last month on the verge of signing up for PMP course training. After a lot of research online through a lot of PMP blogs, I had shortlisted PMTI, PMstudy and Cheetah ..And finally I zeroed in PMstudy considering their good reviews and good MOneyback policy..May be you could opt for it.And they do provide 40 contact hours free with the course which helps in serving the eligibility criteria.
Thanks!
Ileana
Hi Dale,
I too was confused when i was initially screening on the PMP training providers. I was thinking of going either with Knowledge Academy or PMTI but when i heard from a friend of mine about PMstudy. I signed up for PMstudy online course to get a feel and trust me its worth every penny you pay!
I am now registered for the PMstudy classroom training program next month and am quite confident of clearing the exam, all because of the PMstudy course materials and methodology.
I also got a discount for the amount i paid towards the online course while signing up for the PMstudy classroom program!!
Regards,
Jenni
I signed up with PMTI. It was a fabulous course. I checked out PMA and PMStudy before I signed up. I really did not feel comfortable with SimpliLearn and PMStudy. They wanted to collect my information before they can even talk to me!
PMTI is also running a special on their classroom bootcamp with 60 free PDUs. I got my PMP for 6 years. Guess I got lucky
.
Nice. thank you all of you. this page is very informative. As i am also looking to do PMP. At least came to know about few good players like PMti, Pmstudy.
Thanks for all the input. PM Educate seems ok so far. The test are challenging and require an 80 to pass which I am doing about 50% of the time. Still need more study. I also hear a lot of good things about Ritas PMP guide. I think I will get it.
You are welcome Dale. Let me know if you require any further assistance.
@Dale: I would suggest you enroll for a classroom program with any of the good providers , so that you have the option of acquiring the required contact hours. Rita’s guide would be helpful only as an add on study material.
The most popular ways to earn PMI PDUs towards maintaining PMP certification are by taking up PDU courses and attending project management events that offer PDUs. According to me this is ideal, because along with PDUs you get an opportunity to learn something more. I have come across a PMI approved global REP Simplilearn. They offer many PDU courses such as ITIL Foundation, Six Sigma training, Microsoft training courses and more. The good thing is that they have both classroom and online courses. Also they conduct various events.
I think you should give them a try.
I got my free 60 PDUs from PMTI when I signed up for their class room boot camp and passed the exam. I passed the exam on day 5 and on day 6 they enrolled me in the free PDU course
. Excellent company. I think the deal has something to do with 10 years anniversary of class room boot camps. Not sure if the deal is still there.
Hi Fahad,
Thanks for ur most valuable information regarding free PDU through various links. I just need
information whether any of the free episodes in PM Podcast listen or watched can be claimed as
PDU .
Yes, you can claim then just by listening or watching. These PDUs can be claimed under category C only. Here you can claim max 30 PDUS.
Just keep a record of PDUs, for example, subject of pdu, and when did you listen it.
Hello
I have attended a PRINCE2 Foundation and a PRINCE2 Practionar through a local vendor in my country which is already accrediated from APMG International. So Under which category I can report this courses ? How many points ?
Thank you very much
Confirm with the training provider. If it is a PMI approved course, then it will come under category A, otherwise category B.
Regarding the number of PDUs, it will be equal to the number of hours studied.
Hope it helps.