Working as a Practitioner: Earn PDUs from Your Job
If you hold a PMI certification like PMP or PMI-ACP, you're likely already working in a project management role. The good news? Your work experience can count toward your Giving Back PDUs—but there are specific rules you need to follow.
What Qualifies as "Working as a Practitioner"?
If you have a PMI certification, then ideally it means you're already working in a related role, whether it's as a Project Manager, Business Analyst, Scrum Master, or Product Owner. That work experience can be claimed under the Working as a Practitioner PDU category—but under some conditions:
- There is a maximum amount of PDUs that can be claimed
- You can claim them only once during the certification cycle
Important Limitation
Maximum PDUs by Certification Type
The maximum number of PDUs you can claim varies depending on your certification type. Here's the breakdown:
PMP, PgMP, PfMP, PMI-PBA Certifications
| Certification Type | Maximum PDUs | Documentation Required |
|---|---|---|
| PMP, PgMP, PfMP, PMI-PBA | 8 PDUs | Job description or proof of employment |
PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, PMI-SP Certifications
| Certification Type | Maximum PDUs | Documentation Required |
|---|---|---|
| PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, PMI-SP | 4 PDUs | Job description or proof of employment |
What Counts as Practitioner Work?
Your work qualifies as "practitioner" work if you're actively applying project management skills in your role. This includes:
- Project Managers: Leading projects, managing teams, coordinating resources
- Business Analysts: Gathering requirements, analyzing business processes, facilitating stakeholder communication
- Scrum Masters: Facilitating Agile ceremonies, removing impediments, coaching teams
- Product Owners: Managing product backlogs, prioritizing features, working with stakeholders
- Program Managers: Managing multiple related projects
- Portfolio Managers: Managing organizational portfolios
Documentation Requirements
To claim Working as a Practitioner PDUs, you'll need to provide documentation that proves your role and responsibilities. Acceptable documentation includes:
- Job Description: Official job description from your employer that outlines your project management responsibilities
- Proof of Employment: Employment letter, contract, or similar document showing your role
- Performance Reviews: Recent performance reviews that mention project management activities
- LinkedIn Profile: Updated LinkedIn profile that accurately reflects your role (as supplementary documentation)
Pro Tip
How to Claim Working as a Practitioner PDUs
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
Confirm that your current role involves project management activities and that you haven't already claimed these PDUs in your current certification cycle.
Step 2: Gather Documentation
Collect your job description or proof of employment. Make sure it clearly shows your project management responsibilities.
Step 3: Log into PMI.org
Access your PMI account and navigate to the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) section.
Step 4: Submit Your Claim
Select "Giving Back to the Profession" → "Working as a Practitioner" and enter the maximum PDUs allowed for your certification type. Upload your documentation.
Step 5: Save Your Documentation
Keep copies of all submitted documentation. PMI may audit your claims, and you'll need to provide proof if requested.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Claiming less than the maximum: Make sure to claim the full amount allowed for your certification type (4 or 8 PDUs)
- Claiming multiple times: You can only claim these PDUs once per cycle, even if you change jobs
- Insufficient documentation: Make sure your job description clearly shows project management responsibilities
- Waiting too long: Don't wait until renewal time—claim these PDUs early in your cycle
Next Steps
Now that you understand how to claim Working as a Practitioner PDUs, explore other ways to earn Giving Back PDUs: