Claiming PMI PDUs for iAPSCC® Activities

Written on March 11, 2025

Overview
This guide outlines how to claim Professional Development Units (PDUs) from the Project Management Institute (PMI) for activities related to the International Association of Planners, Schedulers, and Cost Controllers (iAPSCC®). The information can also be adapted to fit other credentialing programs such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ) or the Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP).

Professional Reading PDUs 
Eligible Reading Materials
Industry journals and publications
Project planning, scheduling, and cost control books
White papers from recognized institutions
Case studies related to project management
Research papers from academic institutions

PDU Allocation for Professional Reading
Activity
PMI PDU Value
Maximum Annual PDUs
Book (200+ pages)
5 PDUs
15 PDUs
Industry journal article
1 PDU per article
10 PDUs
Research paper
2 PDUs per paper
12 PDUs
Case study
1 PDU per case study
8 PDUs
White paper
1 PDU per white paper
8 PDUs

Documentation Requirements
To claim PDUs for professional reading, certified professionals must:
1. Maintain a reading log that includes:
Title and author of the material
Publication date
Brief summary (250-300 words)
Key learning points and their application to professional practice
2. Submit the reading log through the PMI Continuing Certification Requirements System (CCRS)

Publishing PDUs
Eligible Publication Types
Articles in professional or academic journals
White papers on industry best practices
Books or book chapters
Case studies
Research papers
Blog posts on reputable industry platforms

PDU Allocation for Publishing Activities
Publication Type
PDU Value
Maximum Annual PDUs
Blog post (1000+ words)
3 PDUs
9 PDUs
Industry article
5 PDUs
15 PDUs
White paper
8 PDUs
16 PDUs
Case study
5 PDUs
15 PDUs
Research paper
10 PDUs
20 PDUs
Book chapter
10 PDUs
20 PDUs
Full book
25 PDUs
25 PDUs

Requirements for PDU Eligibility
To qualify for publishing PDUs, content must:
1. Be related to project planning, scheduling, cost control, or project management
2. Contain original content or original analysis (not merely summarizing others' work)
3. Be publicly available and published through a reputable channel
4. Include proper citations and references where applicable
5. Be a minimum of 1,000 words for articles, blog posts, and white papers

Documentation Requirements
To claim PDUs for publishing activities, certified professionals must provide:
1. The full publication or link to the publication
2. Publication date and publisher information
3. Brief description of the content and its relevance to the profession
4. Your role if multiple authors are involved
5. Word count or page count of the publication

Reporting Process
1. Log into the PMI CCRS system
2. Select "Report PDUs" and choose "Create Content" category
3. Provide details of your publication including title, publication date, and publisher
4. Allocate the PDUs to the appropriate PMI Talent Triangle categories based on content
5. Upload a sample or link to the published work as supporting documentation
 
iAPSCC® Knowledge Engine PDUs
The iAPSCC® Knowledge Engine is an interactive learning platform that provides advanced content and exercises designed to deepen understanding of project planning, scheduling, and cost control concepts and practices.

In-Depth Response Activities
The Knowledge Engine requires participants to complete comprehensive responses to complex project management scenarios and questions. These responses demonstrate both understanding and application of advanced concepts.

PMI PDU Allocation for Knowledge Engine Activities
Each level of the Knowledge Engine can only be claimed once for PDUs:

Activity
PDU Value
Maximum Claimable
Level 1 response (foundational)
2 PDUs
One-time claim
Level 2 response (intermediate)
3 PDUs
One-time claim
Level 3 response (advanced)
5 PDUs
One-time claim

Response Quality Requirements
To earn the full PDU allocation, in-depth responses must:
1. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the relevant concepts
2. Apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios
3. Include critical analysis of multiple approaches or solutions
4. Reference current industry standards and best practices
5. Incorporate relevant data or metrics to support conclusions
6. Propose innovative solutions when appropriate

Submission and Verification Process
1. Complete the Knowledge Engine exercises through the iAPSCC® learning portal
2. Download your awarded credential
3. Log into the PMI CCRS system
4. Report PDUs under "Course or Training" in the Education category
5. Upload your iAPSCC® credential as supporting documentation

Adapting for Other Credentialing Programs For ASQ Certifications
ASQ uses Recertification Units (RUs) instead of PDUs
Generally, 1 PDU = 0.1 RU in the ASQ system
Professional development activities must be related to quality principles
Document activities in the ASQ recertification journal
Submit through the ASQ online recertification application
 
For SMRP Certifications
SMRP uses Continuing Education Hours (CEHs)
Generally, 1 PDU = 1 CEH in the SMRP system
Activities must relate to maintenance and reliability
Maintain documentation for a minimum of three years
Submit through the SMRP CMRP recertification portal

Annual Requirements and Limitations PMI PDU Requirements
PMP certification requires 60 PDUs every three years
PDUs should be distributed across the PMI Talent Triangle:
Minimum 8 PDUs from Ways of Working
Minimum 8 PDUs from Power Skills
Minimum 8 PDUs from Business Acumen
Remaining 36 PDUs can come from any category

Important Considerations
Relevance: Ensure activities are relevant to project management or your professional development
Documentation: While not all PDU claims are audited, retain documentation for at least 18 months
Balance: Aim for a balanced approach across different skill categories
Overlap: Some activities may qualify for multiple credentialing programs simultaneously

For additional information or clarification regarding PDU requirements, please contact:
PMI Certification Support: certification@pmi.org
iAPSCC® Professional Development: info@iapscc.org
ASQ Recertification: recertification@asq.org
SMRP Certification: smrp@smrp.org