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