Yes, PMP (Project Management Professional) expires every 3 years. To maintain your certification, you must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) and pay a renewal fee of $60 (PMI members) or $150 (non-members). Unlike certifications that require re-examination, PMP renewal is entirely through continuing education—you never need to retake the exam as long as you maintain your PDUs within each 3-year cycle.
PMI's PDU system is more structured than most certification renewal programs. The 60 PDUs are split into two categories with specific requirements: a minimum of 35 Education PDUs (learning activities) and a maximum of 25 Giving Back PDUs (sharing knowledge with others). This split ensures that PMPs both continue learning and contribute to the profession, maintaining the certification's value and prestige.
| Category | Minimum | Maximum | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education PDUs | 35 | 60 | Courses, webinars, conferences, self-study, podcasts |
| Giving Back PDUs | 0 | 25 | Teaching, mentoring, volunteering, creating content, working as a practitioner |
Education PDUs are further divided across the PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working (technical PM skills), Power Skills (leadership and interpersonal skills), and Business Acumen (strategic and business management skills). You need at least 8 PDUs in each Talent Triangle area, with the remaining 11+ Education PDUs earned in any area of your choice.
PMI provides a 1-year suspension period after your PMP expires. During this grace period, you can still renew by completing your remaining PDUs and paying the renewal fee plus a reactivation fee. After the suspension period ends (4 years from original certification), you must retake the PMP exam to recertify—which means meeting current eligibility requirements and passing the current exam version.
Letting PMP lapse is particularly costly because the PMP exam itself is expensive ($405 for members, $555 for non-members) and requires significant study time. Maintaining your PDUs—even if it means cramming in the final months—is almost always preferable to retaking the exam. The 1-year grace period provides an important safety net, but don't rely on it.
| Certification | Cycle | Credits Required | 3-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMP | 3 years | 60 PDUs | $60-$150 |
| CISSP | 3 years | 120 CPEs | $375 |
| CAPM | 3 years | 15 PDUs | $60-$150 |
| AWS SAA | 3 years | None (retake exam) | $150 |
| ITIL 4 | Never | N/A | $0 |
| Timeframe | Action |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Start earning PDUs immediately. Target 20 PDUs (~7 per quarter) |
| Year 2 | Continue accumulating. You should have ~40 PDUs by end of year 2 |
| Year 3 (6 months before) | Verify PDU count, complete any remaining credits |
| Renewal due date | Submit renewal through PMI.org and pay fee |
| If missed: +1 year | Suspension period — can still renew with reactivation fee |
| After 4 years total | Must retake PMP exam ($405-$555) |
Yes, every 3 years. Earn 60 PDUs and pay the renewal fee ($60 members, $150 non-members) to maintain certification.
60 total: minimum 35 Education PDUs and up to 25 Giving Back PDUs. At least 8 PDUs must be in each Talent Triangle area.
$60 for PMI members, $150 for non-members. PMI membership ($139/year) saves $90 on renewal and includes free PDU content.
Yes. PMI members access free courses, webinars, and eBooks. Self-directed learning (books, podcasts) also earns PDUs at no cost.
1-year suspension period where you can still renew with a reactivation fee. After 4 total years, you must retake the PMP exam.
No. PMP renewal is entirely through PDUs and the renewal fee. No re-examination required within the 3-year cycle.
adaptive questions covering all PMP exam domains and Agile methodologies.
Start Free PMP Practice Test →