PMP Certification is the most important change in 2015: Are You Prepared?

You may be wrong to believe that obtaining a PMP certification is as easy as passing an exam. Project management professionals must commit to learning for a lifetime. This is exactly what PMI’s Continuous Certification Requirement requires of its candidates. The PMI standards will undergo a major change in December 2015. This is the first time that this has happened in many years. All current and future holders of PMI credentials, such as PMP certification, have to meet the new requirements before they can move forward. You may not be aware of the regulations that are currently in force. They relate to the way you earn your PDUs (Professional Development Units). What’s New and What’s Not in PMP certification? There are three years between your last PMP exam and the next one. You must continue education after that gap. It is essential that you earn 60 Professional Development units each cycle. This begins after passing your PMP exam. An online tool allows PMI to update the status of earned PDUs. These points can be earned by giving back to education or to the profession. You can earn 1 PDU per hour of work that qualifies. Quarter increments are added on a 15 minute basis. These are the two categories in which PMP certifications have been updated. Earning PDUs by giving back to your profession If you are able to create new information about project management such as an article or webinar, book, podcast, podcast, or blog post, you can expect to earn PDUs. You can earn PDUs by giving presentations on project management topics or by being a panelist at a conference. Podcasts, webinars, panels, and podcasts may allow you to include both the actual time spent presenting and the preparation time. You can also earn enough PDUs by volunteering for your local PMI chapter, or non-profit organization. This allows you to share your project management expertise free of charge. You can also volunteer your time to mentor colleagues or newcomers to the profession. The best part is that PMI has always allowed time to be spent actually working in the role as a project manager. According to the revised regulations, work experience does not earn PDUs. In fact, only 8 PDUs can be earned per cycle and only 25 PDUs can be earned in this category. You can easily earn PDUs by Continuing Your Education by enrolling in classes taught by Registered Education Providers that are PMI-accredited, participating in workshops hosted by local chapters, and taking part in in-house training sessions. You may also count seminars and workshops at official PMI events, as well as self-directed learning. The regulations have been changed to require that at least 35 PDUs be earned. However, continuing education can earn all 60 PDUs if you wish. There have been some changes in the ways these PDs are obtained and the hours required. The three categories of eligible education opportunities are now leadership, technical, or strategic/business management. After achieving the pass marks, it is essential to earn at least 8 PDUs in each of the categories. You can also meet the other educational requirements by enrolling in programs from any category you choose. Get PMP Certification to Plan Ahead