PMI® Education PDUs Explained: Earning and Applying PDUs Toward Your Renewal
By: Alvin Villanueva, PMP | Editor: Geram Lompon | Reviewed by: Grace Payumo, PMP
You’ve probably felt that nudge reminding you it’s time to renew your PMI® certification. But between work demands, shifting priorities, and the ever-growing list of “someday” tasks, it’s easy for professional development to slide to the bottom of the pile.
What if earning your PDUs didn’t feel like another obligation but like a personal upgrade? Education PDUs are more than a box to check; they’re your chance to gain practical skills, deepen your leadership voice, and stay competitive in an industry that never stops evolving.
The best part? You get to choose how, when, and what you learn. Whether diving into a self-paced course on AI, joining a live webinar on stakeholder engagement, or reading through PMI®’s latest thought leadership reports, you’re in control of your learning journey.
In this guide, you’ll discover what Education PDUs are, how to earn them confidently, and where to find trusted resources, including ROSEMET LLC’s PMP® and CAPM® training programs, built to help you grow and renew without the guesswork.
Let’s make your next renewal cycle something you’ll look forward to, perhaps by tuning into a project management podcast.
What Are Education PDUs?
A Professional Development Unit (PDU) is PMI’s way of recognizing your ongoing commitment to growth. Specifically, Education PDUs track the time you spend learning new skills, expanding your knowledge, and building competencies that align with the evolving role of a project leader (PMI, 2025a).
One hour of learning typically equals one PDU, and depending on your certification, you’ll need to earn a set number of Education PDUs every three years. PMP® holders, for instance, must earn a minimum of 35 Education PDUs (out of 60 total) to meet their continuing certification requirements, distributed across PMI®’s Talent Triangle:
Ways of Working: Technical skills like Agile, Scrum, scheduling, or risk management.
Power Skills: Communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
Business Acumen: Strategic thinking, financial decision-making, and business alignment.
Education PDUs give you freedom, but with structure. You learn on your terms but still develop the full spectrum of skills today’s organizations expect from certified project managers (PMI, 2025b).
How to Align with the PMI® Talent Triangle
Before choosing activities, it’s helpful to understand how each aligns with the Talent Triangle, so you’re earning PDUs where they count.
Ways of Working encompasses methodologies, tools, and delivery systems, including predictive planning, Agile, hybrid frameworks, and project management software such as Jira or Microsoft Project. Many of ROSEMET LLC’s PMP prep modules, especially those focused on planning, execution, and scope control, fall directly under this category.
Power Skills focuses on the people side of leadership: negotiation, conflict resolution, coaching, and collaboration. These skills often surface through workshops, soft skills webinars, and podcasts.
Business Acumen sharpens your understanding of how project decisions impact the broader business. Think strategy, budgeting, value streams, and digital transformation. Whether reading PMI® thought leadership reports or attending sessions on ROI, you’re building your acumen — and your edge.
To renew, you’ll need at least 8 PDUs in each area. Once those minimums are met, the rest of your Education PDUs can fall wherever you choose — so you can double down on what excites you most.
Types of Education Activities (with Examples)
PMI® recognizes many learning formats, which means you can choose what fits your schedule, learning style, and interests.
Courses & Training That Move With You
Instructor-led and on-demand training are the gold standard for structured, in-depth learning. These sessions often provide clear PDU breakdowns and align with all three Talent Triangle categories.
ROSEMET LLC’s PMP® and CAPM® certification programs are a prime example. They’re led by expert instructors, designed for working professionals, and PDU-eligible across domains.
Other credible options for a
Self-Paced eLearning
If you prefer flexibility, PMI®’s eLearning portal has relevant content. For example:
- Generative AI Overview for Project Managers
- Talking to AI: Prompt Engineering with LLMs
These courses, including free PDU options, are topical and Talent Triangle-aligned, making them smart picks for modern professionals.
Webinars, Podcasts, and Videos
PMI’s Projectified® podcast, live webinars, or even YouTube conference replays allow you to learn in short bursts. These are ideal for filling in gaps between projects or while commuting.
Reading
Whether you’re reviewing the PMBOK® Guide, new PMI Standards, or exploring market trends through white papers, those hours count, as long as they support your professional development.
Informal Learning
Learning happens in conversations, too. “Lunch and learns,” peer mentoring, or coaching sessions? Those qualify. Just ensure the discussion is structured, contributes to your growth, and is documented with clear objectives and outcomes in line with PMI® guidelines.
“I didn’t realize mentoring my junior PM counted as Education PDUs — until I logged it. That alone covered a third of my Power Skills requirement.”
— Erika, PMP | Healthcare PM
Where to Find Quality Education PDUs
You don’t need to guess where to learn — PMI® and its partners offer credible, accessible resources:
PMI’s Learning Library®
Includes self-paced courses, recorded webinars, and summit content aligned with the Talent Triangle.
ProjectManagement.com
Offers free resources for PMI® members, including expert-led webinars, podcasts, and downloadable tools with clear PDU values.
ROSEMET LLC – Your Training Partner
For structured learning that builds both knowledge and confidence, ROSEMET LLC offers PMP® and CAPM® courses that:
- Earn your Talent Triangle-aligned PDUs
- Help you prepare for exams or deepen your practice
- Fit into a working professional’s schedule
Visit rosemet.com to explore flexible learning options, including self-directed learning.
Authorized Training Partners (ATPs)
PMI®-approved providers that deliver both online and in-person training worldwide.
University Programs & MOOCs
GAC-accredited degrees or relevant Coursera and edX courses often count if the subject fits your certification goals.
Turn Every PDU Into a Career Move
PDUs are an investment in the version of you that leads boldly, adapts quickly, and inspires confidence.
Every hour you spend learning, mentoring, or exploring new ideas builds your edge as a project professional. And when you partner with training providers like ROSEMET LLC, you’ll earn credits while contributing to service and accelerating progress.
So go ahead. Take that course, teach that lesson, and read that report. Renewal doesn’t have to be a checkmark—it can be a pivot point toward volunteer opportunities.
Smart Tips to Maximize Learning & PDU Value
- Lead with purpose, not panic. Spread your activities across the year so you’re not racing at renewal time.
- Choose content that helps your role today. Don’t just earn hours — build capabilities.
- Track immediately. Use PMI®’s CCRS dashboard and maintain a quick log on your phone or desktop. A simple habit now prevents hours of backtracking later.
- Mix formats by switching between podcasts, live events, and reading to stay mentally fresh and engaged.
- Learn socially. Join LinkedIn groups, study cohorts, or webinars with breakout rooms. Your next big takeaway might come from a fellow professional.
References
PMI. (2025a). Maintain your certification. Project Management Institute. Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certification-resources/maintain
PMI. (2025b). Earn PDUs. Project Management Institute. Retrieved from https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certification-resources/maintain/earn-pdus
ProjectManagement.com. (2025). PDUs on ProjectManagement.com. Retrieved from https://www.projectmanagement.com/pages/246882/PDUs-on-ProjectManagement-com
PMI Global Summit APAC. (2025). PMI Summit Information. Retrieved from https://pmiglobalsummitapac.gcs-web.com/
ROSEMET LLC. (2025). Project Management Certification Training . Retrieved from https://www.rosemet.com
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