What happens if your PMP expires?

What happens if your PMP expires?

Learning Mudra, Category - PMP

Can PMP expire

If you are a PMP, which is project management professional, or are a PMP aspirant, you have probably faced a problem. A dilemma in the form of a question. A question revolving around how to maintain PMP certificate. What happens if it expires? How to avoid it getting expired? How to renew it? If you fall under any of the above mentioned categories, this article is exactly for you. Here we try to answer the questions revolving what happens if PMP expires and more. We will ensure that complete clarity is ensured for the readers.

Concept of PDU in PMP expiry

To get PMP certification you will need to undergo 4500 hours of project leadership or 7500 hours of project leadership, then you are eligible to take exam. And before exam you need to have minimum 35 hours of training. After all this we get our PMP certification. What takes years to get also need years and effort to maintain! Your PMP can get expired if you are not utilizing it properly. Yes, you read that correct. Every PMP needs to have 60 PDU to ensure that you still are a PMP. You could be asking to yourself at this point, what is a PDU now?

What are PDU

A PDU stands for professional development unit. Some PMP’s fear PDU but it is fairly easy to attain. PDU are mandatory number of units you need to attain to ensure you are up to date with the trends of project management field. This entire concept of PDU ensures that you give your project management knowledge back to the world as well as keep yourself updated too. This is one of those fields which actually gets a spike in your earnings and to maintain that unique niche in project management field, these PDU exists. Now let’s explore what happens if PMP expires?

What happens if PMP expires

PMP is valid for a period of 3 years from date of certification. For example, if I get registered on 1st January 2020 then I am certified till 1st January 2023. If my certificate expires my licence of being PMP is suspended. This means that I will not be able to use my title or certificate. It will ideally be useless after 3 years. This expiry happens when I don’t have 60 PDU that are needed to renew my certificate. During this suspension period I will not be able to use my certificate, however, I might very well use this suspension period to earn my PDUs. If I am not able to attain 60 PDU even after this one year. Then your PMP certificate will expire.

PDU is the easy way

PMP certificate expiry is just another hassle you do not want in your life. It means you have to start from scratch and take the exam again. This is a process that most PMP avoid as it is just a waste of time and opportunity. Only a few PMP’s do not attain 60 PDUs. They are generally the ones that do not want to be project managers anymore. In all honesty however, PDUs are easy to attain. It is far easier than taking PMP exam again. What would you prefer, spending money again for the exam or to attain PDUs and possibly earn from there ?

Ways to earn PDU

Now that we know the consequences of PMP expiry let us explore ways through which we can ensure that our PMP does not expire. PDUs are simply re-learning and teaching our project management related matters. But it doesn’t mean that you can simply spend 60 hours in a class or reading a book. Even to earn PDUs there is a criteria. You have to both learn and teach PMP to a general project management aspirant. As a leader in various projects, teaching can be a very good option. This can be done in physical classrooms or online media. Reading is another great way to earn PDUs. The books are supposed to be related to project management.

Unique ways of attaining PDUs

Then, obviously another way is to work as project manager i.e. basically doing your task. Even in doing your job you are teaching or directing people. That is teaching too in a certain way. One of the trending ways of attaining PDUs is the internet. Using the power of internet will get you fame and create your own personal brand. You could make your own YouTube channel where you teach not just few but hundreds and thousands of people together. This is a modern approach but many people are starting to use this way. Giving presentation will also get you PDU points and last but not the least, volunteering for PMI. These things will earn you PDUs that you need.

Closing thoughts

Since you worked hard getting your PMP certificate, it only makes sense that you sustain it. Don’t let that hard work go waste. Attaining PDUs is easier than it may seem and will ensure you continuously earn back from the certificate. PMP helps increase your salary by average of 25% in USA and 36% in India. If you need any help in documenting your PDUs or even earn PDUs, email us at learning@learningmudra.com. We are there to assist you through all your queries. Contact us now