PMP Expiration Date Change

The PMI had decided to change the expiration dates for PMP credentials.

Up to now, your PMP credential would expire on December 31st of the 3rd year after your last re-certification. Considering the number of active PMPs this means that the PMI has to process an incredible number of PMPs at the end of each year. To lessen the burden on the PMI staff the CCR (continuing certification requirements) have now been changed in such a way, that your certification has to be renewed on the day that you actually took the exam.

Let's look at what this means for me, and you can apply this example to your own situation:

• I took my PMP exam on April 2nd 2004.
• I re-certified my PMP status on December 31st 2007
• My current re-certification date under the current system is December 31st 2010
• The switch to the new system means, that my re-certification date will now be extended to April 2nd 2010. And then every 3 years after that.
• By extending this period until AFTER my currently scheduled re-certification date, the PMI is granting me a grace period and in doing so ensures that I don't have to re-certify before the 3 years are up.

I am personally quite pleased that the PMI is making this change. Up to now, you always had to explain to new PMPs, that their first re-certification isn't due on the day of the exam, but "on December 31st 3 years after you took your original exam". Usually, you got a blank stare and you knew that you had lost yet another one on this particular issue.

Please visit the PMI website where you will find a nice FAQ on this topic...

However, there is no mention about if this change also affects holders of the CAPM, PgMP or SP credentials. I guess we'll have to wait and see.