| PMI is making a very important change to address the high volume of Project Management Professional (PMP®) renewals processed at the end of each year. Currently, all PMP credentials expire on 31 December of the third year after they are earned, and this timing creates a backlog of renewals. With the change, PMI will give PMP credential holders new expiration dates that correspond with the anniversary of the date they earn the credential. The result, and benefit, is to simplify the PMP certification cycle. The transition to the new system will begin in late August 2008. Current PMP credential holders will have months added to their renewal cycle based on the anniversary of their earning the credential. No one will have time taken away. By late August, PMP credential holders will be able to view their new expiration date online in the PMI certification system on PMI.org when they log in as a user. They will also receive a series of communications from PMI over the next several months with information and guidance on this change. These communications will include an e-mail in September indicating their new expiration date and, by October, a new PMP certificate printed with their new expiration date will be sent via postal mail. As component leaders and mentors, you may be PMP credential holders yourselves, and you probably interact with PMP colleagues on a regular basis. You are in an ideal position to provide guidance to PMP credential holders as the new policy goes into effect. To support you, we have posted in the Component Leadership Online Community site both communications tools and Web ad banners you can post on your community website that link to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PMI.org. The renewal process and requirements remain the same: · Earn and report a minimum of 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs). · Complete the renewal process: submit your application for renewal and a renewal fee using the online certification system. | 
