Where the 15 PDUs come from
| Category | PDUs | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Education: Ways of Working | at least 2 | PMI Talent Triangle® area |
| Education: Power Skills | at least 2 | Talent Triangle area |
| Education: Business Acumen | at least 2 | Talent Triangle area |
| Education: any area | 3 more | brings education to at least 9 |
| Giving Back | up to 6 | optional; working as a practitioner counts here, capped at 2 |
| Carry-over | up to 5 | earned in the final 12 months, applied to the next cycle |
One cycle, start to finish
Years 1 to 3
Earn and report
Report PDUs in PMI’s renewal system as you earn them; education is required, giving back is optional.
Final 12 months
Extra PDUs can carry over
Up to 5 PDUs earned in the last year of a cycle move to the next one.
Cycle end
All 15 reported
The handbook expects the PDUs reported and the fee submitted before the cycle ends.
Up to 90 days on
Payment deadline
The renewal fee must be paid no later than 90 days after the cycle end date (CCR Handbook, checked October 30, 2026).
Renewal, PDUs and the PMP
Does the CAPM expire?
It runs on a three-year cycle. Renewing with 15 PDUs keeps it active (CCR Handbook, checked October 30, 2026).
Where can a CAPM holder pick up PDUs?
From education in the Talent Triangle areas, from any provider whose content fits them. PMI’s store lists a CAPM to PMP Essentials course at 15 hours and 15 PDUs, $119 for members and $149 otherwise (PMI store, U.S. pricing, checked October 30, 2026); the per-area minimums still apply. Other courses are listed on the prep options page.
Does day-to-day project work earn PDUs?
Yes, as working as a practitioner under Giving Back, capped at 2 PDUs per cycle for CAPM holders (CCR Handbook, checked October 30, 2026).
Why keep the CAPM active if you plan to take the PMP?
An active CAPM fulfills the PMP® 35-hour training requirement (PMI’s PMP page, checked October 30, 2026). A lapsed one does not help with that. The two are set against each other in the CAPM vs PMP comparison.
Can extra PDUs roll forward?
Up to 5, if they were earned in the final 12 months of the cycle (CCR Handbook, checked October 30, 2026).
Sources
- PMI Continuing Certification Requirements Handbook www.pmi.org — cycle, PDU split, carry-over, fee deadline
- PMI: CAPM certification page www.pmi.org — 15 PDUs every three years
- PMI: PMP certification page www.pmi.org — active CAPM and PMP training hours
- PMI store: CAPM to PMP Essentials www.pmi.org — 15 PDUs, U.S. pricing