How can I get 35 PDUs for free for PMP?

How can I get 35 PDUs for free for PMP?

Learning Mudra, Category - PMP

Seeing PMP title after your name would make feel really proud. But are you aware about the fact that all certifications offered by Project Management Institute (PMI) require to undergo renewal process after a certain time. Yes, even your Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification also require to be renewed, if not renewed within time then it will get suspended and later it may also get expired. This renewal process is made with the perspective of your continuous learning and growth. You must be wondering that you are again supposed to do all the hard work?
Ummm... not exactly.

Before going into details let’s first know why PDU is important? As you know PMP Certification is a valuable and globally reputed certification, you must be really dedicated to keep your certification status as active and for this you need to fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria to get your PMP Certification renewed after every 3 years. The main idea behind PDUs under CCR is to ensure that the professionals are keeping up with the latest trends and functionalities of project management field. The professionals need to stay updated and PDUs acts like helping hand for them in doing so.

Renewal process is long and one of its part includes getting Professional Development Units (PDUs) that are one hour blocks of time which everyone is expected to spend. This is possible with self-learning, teaching others and even by the process of volunteering. These PDUs are made in contrast to the PMI Talent Triangle which comprises of Technical, Strategic and Leadership skills. The PMI has set the requirement of PDUsas 60 hours (minimum) for PMP Certification renewal. You are supposed to achieve this target within the duration of 3 years of PMP Certification/ Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) cycle. As per PMI requirements you can earn PDUs in two ways:

• Education
• Giving back

You are supposed to earn minimum 35 PDUs out of 60 PDUs from education category and you can earn a maximum of 25 PDUs out of 60 PDUs from giving back category. As giving back category activities (explained later) won’t require as such any investment this means that you can earn free 25 PDUs from giving back category. The remaining 35 PDUs can be earned from activities of education category (explained later) and the remaining free 10 PDUs can be earned by attending free online courses or trainings and listening podcasts which available for free.

Education

The minimum requirement of this type is 35 PDUs and maximum is 60 PDUs. 1 PDU translates to 1 hour of educational engagement. This category has the motive of self- learning which is important for self-development.

Out of 35 PDUs you must earn minimum

• 8 PDUs related to Technical skills
• 8 PDUs related to Leadership skills
• 8 PDUs related to Strategic skills

This category is divided into 3 sub-categories:

• Category A: Courses offered by communities or PMI’s Registered Education Provider (REP).
• Category B: Continuing Education from training institutes.
• Category C: Self-directed Learning (Maximum 30 PDUs can be earned under this category).

There are several sources to attain educational PDUs, here are some of them:

• Do courses or undergo trainings.
• Attend organizational meetings and events.
• Online PDU or digital media.
• Read newspapers, articles, whitepapers.
• Engage in informal learning.

Giving Back

There is no minimum requirement of this type but if you want to earn PDUs in this category then you can earn maximum of 25 PDUs. This category is meant with a mentality of returning back to the society, i.e., of giving bake to the profession. This category too is further divided into 3 sub-categories:

• Category D: Creating new project management skills.
• Category E: Do voluntarily service (1 hour non-paid work would reward you 1 PDU).
• Category F: Gain professional work experience.

In order to do PDUs of this category you can do anything of the following:

• Work as a project management practitioner in any industry.
• Create content related to learning resources.
• Give a presentation in a company.
• Share your knowledge with others.
• Serve as a volunteer for PMI.

*From this category if you want to earn PDU by working as a practitioner then you should know that the maximum limit for the same is 8 PDUs.

The cost of getting the PMP Certification was little high and now after knowing that there will be renewal charges as well and for earning PDUs also you may have to bear some cost, many professionals would like to know some affordable sources for completing PDUs.To help you out we would like to suggest you that you can go for Online PDU Courses offered by various training institutes. Almost 100% PMP certified professionals are full-time employees for you this is the best alternative as you can complete the course at your pace and with low investment.

If you want to earn free PDUs then you can go for free organizational meetings and events, you can attend online courses and trainings which allow free access to the user, you can engage yourself in informal learning sessions, working as a practitioner can also help you in earning 8 PDUs, you can do volunteering service, listen to free podcasts. While doing these activities don’t forget to ensure that whether these activities will be considered as a part of PDUs for PMP Certification or not. Whichever option you choose make sure it is relevant to the PMP Certification.

You’ll find various online PMP PDU courses but don’t forget to check the content, price (as some courses are marked free but are actually not), the method of delivery and check whether there is any restriction in terms of pace of covering the course. Hope that the above mentioned points are useful for you and you are able to complete earning your PDUs within time.