Managing multiple Project Management Institute (PMI) certifications has evolved into a challenging endeavor during the renewal process. In contrast to PMI, other organizations such as ISC2 offer a simplified model where members pay a single Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) regardless of their certification count.
As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)®, PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®, I recognize the significance of ongoing certification renewals. However, these renewals come with additional financial obligations, together with 'optional' membership fees and local chapter fees, which create a significant financial burden (The cost of the Japan local chapter is USD 50 yearly, making it one of the most expensive among all local chapters). Despite these challenges, I remain dedicated to advancing my knowledge and skills by pursuing further certifications with PMI. Nonetheless, the cumulative financial demands sometimes feel like a punitive aspect of professional certification.
I would like to suggest PMI to adopt a more adaptable stance, acknowledging the financial challenges candidates face while remaining steadfast in promoting PMI certifications and initiatives. Implementing such flexibility would ease the strain on individuals managing multiple PMI certifications and foster sustained support for PMI's goals.
What's your thought on this? Please feel free to share your opinion.
Dave WestgarthHead of Delivery| Consultancy United Kingdom
Interesting and I can see the issue with multiple renewals quickly becoming a burden. I wonder if there's already some kind of one stop shop available for multiple cert holders?
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Mar 02, 2024 11:33 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Dave, at the moment unfortunately there isn't, at least not within PMI.
This is a concern which has been raised a few times in the past by other multiple certificate holders. In my case, I have three which are on a three year cycle and three which are on an annual cycle so it does become a significant cost.
PMI has just started to change their pricing model to take into account differences in income across different countries but this has not extended to looking at a multi-cert discount yet.
One option might be to start a petition online. If the link can't be posted in a discussion thread here due to the community's rules, you could certainly do it in the LinkedIn PMI Project, Program and Portfolio Management discussion group which has a few hundred thousand members.
Once that petition is filled out, it could be sent to PMI Customer Care...
While the link I posted serves as a reference to the overall conversation and provides evidence of what's happening, it is not related to promotion or advertisement. Anyway, I created a poll on LinkedIn group "PMI Project, Program and Portfolio Management Group" as per your suggestion.
Appreciate it.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Mar 02, 2024 11:34 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Danny, you need to correct the limk because when clicked, it gives an error: Page not found! I managed to go to the page but I suggest correcting the URL!
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Danny, I hold almost all PMI credentials, besdies credentials from other organiations, and a decent number of those credentials require renewal so I hear you loud and clear. This is becoming a financial burder for me as I am paying significant amounts to renew my credentials and maintain my memberships:
PMI: 8 Credentials renew every 3 years and 1 renews annually plus Annual PMI Membership and Chapter Membership fees. Now that PMI acquired PMOGA, my two credentials from PMOGA (PMO-CP and PMO-CC) will most probably be added to the PMI credentials that will need renewal as well.
IIBA: One credential that renews every 3 years and two renews annually plus Annual IIBA Membership fees.
Axelos: Two credentials that renews every three years but you must pay an annual membership to keep them active. No credential renewal fees, only membership fees which is somehow similar to the ISC2 System.
Agile Consortium: One credential that renews every 5 years where you have to resit for the exam - $550 USD.
Green Project Management: Two credentials that renews every 5 years (You have to submit case study and I believe the renewal for both is around $400 USD) plus annual membership fee ($99).
Now that I am working, I am managing to cover those costs but it's truly becoming a burden and in an attempt to reduce some costs, I opted not to renew my membership with some organizatons and I am considering more cost savings which might entail not renewing some credentials as well.
A decent percentage of the overall renewal cost goes to towards PMI as I have 9 credentials in total for now (11 in the near future) plus Chapter and PMI Membership so I would totally support an adaptive model similar to the one adopted by ISC2.
To Kiron's point, a petition might be a good start so besides the poll you created on other groups on LI, why don't you create another one on the PMI LinkedIn Group: LinkedIn PMI Project, Program and Portfolio Management - I am one of the group moderators there and gauging members opinion is somethng we support. PMI does support transparency and open communicaton as long as it is within the ethical boundaries which in this case, I don't believe it does cross any boundaries. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Mar 02, 2024 2:38 AM
Replying to Dave Westgarth
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Interesting and I can see the issue with multiple renewals quickly becoming a burden. I wonder if there's already some kind of one stop shop available for multiple cert holders?
Dave, at the moment unfortunately there isn't, at least not within PMI. Saving Changes...
While the link I posted serves as a reference to the overall conversation and provides evidence of what's happening, it is not related to promotion or advertisement. Anyway, I created a poll on LinkedIn group "PMI Project, Program and Portfolio Management Group" as per your suggestion.
Appreciate it.
Danny, you need to correct the limk because when clicked, it gives an error: Page not found! I managed to go to the page but I suggest correcting the URL! Saving Changes...
Rami Kaibni , the link is correct.
I'm not sure why when clicking directly on the link from the PMI community page, it appears invalid, yet when you copy and paste it, it valid and works.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Mar 02, 2024 11:48 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Danny, I tried both ways, it didn't work. Anyways, up to you.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Mar 02, 2024 11:44 AM
Replying to Danny PMP, PgMP
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Rami Kaibni , the link is correct.
I'm not sure why when clicking directly on the link from the PMI community page, it appears invalid, yet when you copy and paste it, it valid and works.
Danny, I tried both ways, it didn't work. Anyways, up to you. Saving Changes...
I conducted a survey on the question "Should PMI certification renewal use a single Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) regardless of the number of certifications, similar to ISC2?", with options of "Yes" and "No".
Analysis of Possible Reasons: In the survey results indicating a preference for a single Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) for PMI certification renewal, several factors could influence respondents' choices.
Cost Savings: Some respondents who voted "Yes" may perceive a single AMF as a cost-saving measure. They might believe that consolidating fees regardless of the number of certifications held would result in overall financial benefits, particularly for individuals with multiple certifications. On the other hand, those who voted "No" might express concerns that a single AMF could lead to increased costs for individuals with fewer certifications, as they would need to pay for each certification renewal separately.
Simplicity and Fairness: Supporters of the "Yes" vote may value the simplicity and fairness of a uniform fee structure. They may argue that it promotes equality among certification holders, regardless of the number of certifications they possess. Conversely, opponents of the "Yes" vote might prefer the current system where fees are charged for each certification renewal, as they believe it reflects the specific benefits derived from each certification.
Alignment with Industry Standards: Some respondents in favor of the "Yes" vote may see the adoption of a single AMF as bringing PMI's certification renewal process in line with industry standards. They may point to other organizations, such as ISC2, that already use a similar approach. On the contrary, those opposed to the "Yes" vote might argue that PMI should maintain its unique fee structure to differentiate itself from other certification bodies and provide added value to its members.
Suggested Question to Amend the Fees: "Should PMI certification renewal use a single Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) regardless of the number of certifications, similar to ISC2?"
This proposed question seeks to address the concerns raised by both supporters and opponents of a single AMF by suggesting a compromise solution. It suggests considering a uniform fee structure while ensuring fairness and affordability for all certification holders.
Is there any way that we can convey the survey results to PMI management for further consideration?
PMI Customer Care is certainly one option, but I'm tagging in Kimberly Whitby to see if she'd be willing to forward those results directly to the head of PMI's certification department for consideration.
Kiron
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1 reply by Kimberly Whitby
Mar 17, 2024 12:35 PM
Kimberly Whitby
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Hello Kiron, I can certainly raise this concern to the Certification team, but the first line of communication should be addressed to Customer Care, as all calls are tracked and documented accordingly.
Community Champion
