Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

What is Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?

Once you have achieved certification, it is important to maintain it. Different certification bodies have different requirements, which can also vary by certification, for example, IPMA-D to IPMA-A. 

Why is CPD Important

The project manager profession sits at the intersection of delivery and change and, more than any other, is influenced by cultural, economic, social, and technological shifts. In this climate, a Project Manager must work to maintain their relevancy. By working to sustain your certification, you can retain a significant competitive advantage, making you more attractive to current or future employers. 

IPMA CPD Requirements 

To maintain your IPMA-A, IPMA-B, IPMA-C, or IPMA-D certification, the following CPD requirements apply: 

• 175 hours of CPD accrued and reported every five years
• Minimum of 35 Hours CPD earned per annum

Sample CPD activities, per IPMA: 

• Work as a Practitioner 
• Course or Training (Instructor-led, formal training. Click here to view our Courses) 
• Organisation Meetings or Events (for example, IPM events) 
• Reading (Self-directed and relevant to the field. Click here to access IPM thought leadership) 
• Online or Digital Media (Self-paced learning through webinars/ videos) 
• Informal learning (Structured professional discussions such as mentee/mentor. Click here to learn more about IPM Mentoring) 
• Create content (for example, with IPM; click here to learn more) 

PMI CPD Requirements 

Under PMI certification, holders must earn Professional Development Units (PDUs). To maintain your CAPM or PMP, the following requirements apply: 

• CAPM – 15 PDUs in a three-year cycle 
• PMP – 60 PDUs in a three-year cycle 

PMI PDUs fall under two categories: Education and Giving Back. 

Education Category

Education PDUs can be earned through: 

• Course or Training (Instructor-led, formal training) 
• Organisation Meetings or Events (for example, IPM events) 
• Reading (Self-directed and relevant to the field. Click here to access IPM thought leadership) 
• Online or Digital Media (Self-paced learning through webinars/ videos) 
• Informal learning (Structured professional discussions as a mentee; click here to learn more about IPM Mentoring)  

Giving Back Category

Giving Back PDUs are earned by: 

• Working as a practitioner 
• Creating content (for example, with IPM; click here to learn more) 
• Volunteering (for example, with IPM, click here to learn more) 
• Sharing knowledge (for example, by becoming an IPM Mentor; click here to learn more)