Sometimes, a Project Manager might possess two or more certifications issued by PMI that need to be maintained by PDUs, this mostly happens when a PMP certified Project Manager earns a PgMP certification. So can PDUs be shared between multiple PMI credentials?. And, if the answer is yes, then how?
PMI is aware that getting 120 or more PDUs every 3 years to maintain 2 or more of their credentials is not an easy thing, even when someone can get PDUs for free. PMI has actually implemented a process specifically to handle this issue, where the Project Manager holding muliple certification is offered three choices:
- Aligning the Credentials with the Old Credential Cycle
Let’s assume the Project Manager became a PMP on April 1st, 2008. The Project Manager then earned a PgMP certification on April 1st, 2010. All of the PDUs earned from April 1st are counted towards both certifications. On the flip side, the Project Manager has to renew both certifications on April 1st, 2010 (merely 1 year after acquiring the PgMP certification) as both CCR (Continuing Certification Requirements) cycles are now the same. This is a good option to take in case the Project Manager has collected a lot of PDUs in the previous 2 years.
- Aligning the Credentials with the New Credential Cycle
Let’s look at the above example where the Project Manager became a PMP on April 1st of 2008 and a PgMP on April 1st, 2010. In this option, all of the PDUs earned in the 2 years preceding the PgMP certifications are not counted, on the other hand, the renewal date for both certifications will be on April 1st, 2013. This is a good option to take in case the Project Manager has collected very few PDUs in the previous 2 years.
- Not Aligning the Credentials
The Project Manager might elect not to align his multiple credentials, so the renewal date for the PMP in the example mentioned in the first option will remain April 1st, 2011, and the renewal date for the PgMP certification will also remain April 1st, 2013. This is a cumbersome option, as the Project Manager has to track a different CCR cycle for his multiple credentials. However, it is worthy to note that a PDU reported for the PMP can also be reported for the PgMP certification in this case (similar to the previous options), provided the acquiring of the PDU occurs in the certification cycle for both accreditations.
Sharing PDUs with Specialty Credentials
The alignment of the credentials mentioned does not apply to specialty credentials such as the PMP-SP or the PMP-RMP. However, the Project Manager can still use the PDUs earned for his PMP-SP and/or his PMP-RMP towards maintaining his PMP/PgMP credential in the applicable credential cycle. For example, in case the Project Manager acquired his PMP certification on April 1st, 2008, then acquired his PMP-SP certification on April 1st, 2010, then any PMP-SP PDUs reported can be reported as well to maintain his PMP certification (and also his PgMP certification, in case he has one).
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