How do I maintain PMI-ACP certification?

Maintaining your PMI-ACP certification is crucial for demonstrating your continued commitment to Agile principles and practices. It ensures your skills remain current and relevant in the evolving project management landscape.

The Core Requirement: Professional Development Units (PDUs)

To maintain your PMI-ACP certification, you must earn a specific number of Professional Development Units (PDUs) within each three-year certification cycle. PMI-ACP certification holders are required to earn 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) in each 3-year cycle. Each PDU represents one hour spent on professional development activities that contribute to your growth as an Agile practitioner. These activities can broadly be categorized into learning new concepts or teaching others.

Understanding PDUs and the PMI Talent Triangle

PMI categorizes PDUs within the PMI Talent Triangle®, which emphasizes a balanced skill set for project professionals. While the core requirement is 30 PDUs, it's beneficial to distribute them across these areas to ensure comprehensive development:

• Ways of Working: How you apply your knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to deliver projects and achieve organizational outcomes (e.g., Agile frameworks, iterative development, Scrum, Kanban).
• Power Skills: Interpersonal skills for leading and communicating effectively (e.g., communication, leadership, empathy, negotiation).
• Business Acumen: Understanding the broader organizational and industry context (e.g., strategic planning, market awareness, legal and regulatory compliance).

Ways to Earn PMI-ACP PDUs

PDUs can be earned through various activities. Broadly, these fall into two main categories: Education and Giving Back to the Profession.

1. Education PDUs (Learning)

These PDUs are earned through activities where you are learning and growing your knowledge and skills.

• Courses & Training: Formal courses, workshops, webinars, or online learning modules specifically on Agile methodologies, tools, and techniques.
• Self-Study: Reading relevant books, articles, or white papers; watching educational videos; or participating in structured discussions related to Agile.
• Organizational Meetings: Attending professional events, conferences, or seminars that have a learning component.
• Formal Academic Education: Relevant coursework at accredited universities or colleges.
• Creating Content: Developing articles, presentations, or courses on Agile topics.

2. Giving Back PDUs (Teaching Others)

These PDUs are earned by sharing your knowledge and expertise with others, contributing to the growth of the Agile community.

• Working as a Professional: Applying Agile practices in your daily work (there may be limits to ensure continuous learning).
• Volunteering: Providing project management or Agile services to non-profit organizations or communities.
• Mentoring: Guiding and coaching other project professionals or aspiring Agile practitioners.
• Teaching/Presenting: Delivering training sessions, webinars, or presentations on Agile topics.
• Creating Knowledge: Writing articles, books, or blogs on Agile, or speaking at conferences.

The Certification Cycle and Reporting PDUs

Your certification cycle begins on the day you pass your PMI-ACP exam and lasts for three years. You are responsible for recording your PDUs on the PMI website. PMI provides an online Continuing Certification Requirements System (CCRS) for easy reporting.

Key Steps for Maintaining Your PMI-ACP

Here’s a summary of the steps to ensure continuous certification:

1. Understand Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the 30 PDU requirement and the 3-year cycle.
2. Plan Your Development: Identify areas for growth based on the PMI Talent Triangle and plan activities to earn PDUs.
3. Engage in Activities: Participate in learning and giving back opportunities.
4. Record PDUs: Log your earned PDUs promptly in the PMI CCRS system.
5. Renew Certification: Once you've earned the required 30 PDUs, you can submit your renewal application and pay the renewal fee (usually lower for PMI members).

PDU Summary Table