Is PMP worth renewing?

Is PMP worth renewing?

Learning Mudra, Category - PMP

A PMP Certification gives you many additional benefits that a project manager desires for, for example, a PMP certification adds value to your resume, you get paid more than the non-certified project managers, provides you industry recognition, provides networking opportunities and there are many other pros of this certification that you must be aware about if you are already a PMP certificate holder. Once you have earned a PMP certificate you cannot sit back and relax for the rest of your life. There comes a time when you are supposed to renew your PMP certificate.

If you are a PMP certificate holder you must know how hard you worked to earn this certificate and you would like to enjoy it’s benefits for the entire course of your career. The efforts required to renew this certificate are much less than that of that you had put in for earning it. PMP certificate ensures that you are far more capable than the non-certified professionals and you are compensated more than them for your expertise in project management. If you are a certified professional then you have more opened doors of opportunities in front of you.

So, isn’t that better to keep them opened? PMI has a Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) programme which is designed with the idea of your career’s continuous growth and development of the skills required by various organizations and hence, maintaining your certificate status. Each PMP Certification cycle will continue till three years from the date of renewal. If you do not follow the CCR then your certificate will be suspended after the duration of three years from the day of the announcement of your PMP certification examination.If you do not meet the renewal eligibility criteria then your certificate gets suspended.

The PMP Certification suspension period lasts as long as 1 year. If you want your certification’s suspension to be cancelled then within the duration of 1 year of suspension period you must complete the steps that are required for renewal of PMP credentials. If you fail to complete the renewal requirements during suspension period then your certification status stands expired. You will have to retake PMP certification exam again to regain PMP Certification. During the suspension period you cannot use PMP as title after your name and you cannot call yourself as an active PMP Certification holder.

Need to renew the PMP Certification

Some certified professionals don’t feel like renewing their PMP Certifications but they should know that there are many reasons for which you need to renew your PMP Certification, such as:

• You can get chances to apply for better opportunities.
• Your academic qualifications can be upgraded with the help of renewed certification.
• Will boost your career growth.
• You’ll get to learn new management aspects and skills.
• Will help you stay updated with the business trends.

When is the right time to get your PMP certificate renewed?

You must be aware about your CCR cycle as it determines the time when your PMP Certificate needs to be renewed. Your first certification/CCR cycle starts from the day when your PMP Certification exam result gets announced. The CCR cycle continues up to three years and the PMP Certificate gets expired at the end of third year. This means that you need to get your PMP credential renewed one day before the end of third year from the day of result announcement of your PMP Certification exam.

Steps to follow

The steps to be followed to renew the PMP certification are designed by PMI and are same for every PMP Certification holder irrespective of the tenure which he/she has achieved it. The steps are:

• PMP Certified professionals need to earn the required amount of Professional Development Units (PDUs) to meet the CCR for your certification.
• You’ll need to enter your PDUs in the online CCR system.
• Then you have to pay the certification renewal fee. You’ll receive information regarding the procedure to pay the fee at the time of your certificate renewal.
• You may take a short break before starting the planning for your 3 year renewal cycle.

For some of you there must be a doubt related to your PMI membership and PMP Certification renewal. All those professionals who are PMP certified and have subscribed membership of PMI must not worry about it. For instance, if your PMP Certification gets cancelled due to inability of completing the requirements of PMP Certification renewal procedure or due to delay in payment, then also your PMI membership stands unaffected. This means that if your PMP certification gets cancelled or its status turns to be expired, then also your PMI membership will continue.

Thus, Project Management Professional Certification offered by PMI is very useful for professional who require project management skills. It is a high-powered certification that must be maintained and renewed as and when required. One must not wait for the last moment to complete the required number of PDUs to avoid any type of discrepancy. At the time of applying for PMP Certification, PMP aspirant should have a clear mindset and a positive idea regarding renewal of PMP Certification in order to experience the amazing benefits of PMP Certification throughout his/her life.