How to Renew Your PRINCE2 Certification in 2024

Staying current in your project management skills is crucial, and renewing your PRINCE2 certification is a key step in maintaining your professional edge. This blog explores the why, when, and how of PRINCE2 certification renewal, offering you a clear pathway to ensure your credentials remain up-to-date.

Whether you're nearing your certification expiry or planning to renew, this guide will provide you with all the necessary steps and benefits of staying certified in the ever-evolving field of project management.

Remember, investing in your professional growth is not just a requirement; it's an opportunity to excel and lead in your domain.

When Do I Have to Renew my PRINCE2 Certification?

PRINCE2 Foundation does not require any renewal
But,
Your PRINCE2 Practitioner certification needs to be renewed every three years. To renew your PRINCE2 Practitioner certification, you must either retake the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam or maintain your certification through AXELOS’ My PRINCE2 subscription service. By subscribing to My PRINCE2, you need to collect 20 CPD points each year in various categories of professional development to keep your certification updated without retaking the exam.

Candidates must proceed with their PRINCE2 certification renewal within three years from the issue date.

• If you are certified before 30th June 2024: you will have until 1st July 2027 to renew your PRINCE2 certification, regardless of the original award date.
• If you are certified after 30th June 2024: you must renew your certification within 3 years of the original award date.

Renewing PRINCE2 Certification: What's the Process?

Maintaining your PRINCE2 certification is crucial for keeping your project management skills relevant and recognized. Here are the key steps to ensure your certification remains active:

1. Renewal Interval: PRINCE2 Practitioner certifications need renewal every three years.

2. Retake the Practitioner Exam: One way to renew your certification is by retaking the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam. This ensures that your knowledge and skills are up-to-date with the latest project management practices and PRINCE2 methodology.

3. My PRINCE2 Subscription: Alternatively, you can maintain your certification through the My PRINCE2 subscription service offered by AXELOS. This subscription must be maintained annually, and it requires you to earn 20 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points each year in categories such as Professional Experience, Training and Qualifications, Community Participation, and Self-study.

• Professional Experience: Points can be earned by applying the PRINCE2 methods in your project management roles
• Training and Qualifications: Points can be obtained by attending relevant training courses or workshops that enhance your project management skills
• Community Participation: Engaging in project management forums, discussions, or local chapters helps in earning points
• Self-study: Reading relevant materials, articles, or books related to PRINCE2 or project management can also contribute to your CPD points

4. Record Keeping: It’s important to keep a record of all your CPD activities as AXELOS may request evidence of your ongoing professional development as part of the renewal process.

How your CPD's should be?

To maintain your PRINCE2 certification through the My PRINCE2 subscription, you must earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points across four categories. Here's how to strategically accrue these points to ensure your certification remains active:

Professional Experience (Exactly 5 CPD points)

To fulfill this mandatory category, you must engage in practical applications of PRINCE2 methodologies within your work environment. This includes:

• Applying Best Practices: Utilizing PRINCE2 principles in real-world project management scenarios
• Using Templates from the PRINCE2 Portal: Implementing standard templates available on the PRINCE2 portal to streamline project processes
• Coaching: Mentoring colleagues or team members on PRINCE2 methodologies
• Monitoring Individuals: Supervising project team members to ensure compliance with PRINCE2 standards
• Work Shadowing: Observing and learning from experienced project managers applying PRINCE2 in their projects

Related Training (0 to 15 CPD points)

You can earn points by participating in educational activities that enhance your PRINCE2 knowledge and skills, including:

• Axelos and Other Related Qualifications: Completing additional Axelos certifications or other related training
• E-Learning: Engaging in online courses that focus on PRINCE2 or related project management topics
• Webinars: Attending webinars that discuss current trends and updates in PRINCE2 methodologies
• In-house Training: Participating in training sessions provided by your organization that relate to PRINCE2

Community Participation (Active 0 to 15, Passive 0 to 5 CPD points)

Community involvement can be categorized into active and passive participation, such as:

Active:

• Organizing Events: Leading or setting up project management events or PRINCE2 workshops
• Conducting Presentations: Presenting on PRINCE2 topics at conferences or seminars
• Authoring: Writing articles, papers, or blogs on PRINCE2 practices

Passive:

• Participation: Attending project management meetings or PRINCE2 community gatherings. Note that passive participation has a maximum of 5 CPD points

Self Study

This category allows for flexible learning options, suitable for updating and refreshing your knowledge at your own pace:

• Reading Books, Manuals, and Journals: Focusing on materials that expand or deepen your understanding of PRINCE2
• Blog Posts and White Papers: Engaging with contemporary writings in project management
• Discussion Forums: Participating in online forums focusing on PRINCE2 and project management topics

How to Renew PRINCE2 Certification?

To ensure your PRINCE2 certification remains current and valid, it’s essential to understand the renewal process set by PeopleCert, which now requires all Global Best Practice certifications to be renewed every three years.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to renew your PRINCE2 certification, reflecting the latest updates from PeopleCert:

Renewal Paths

PeopleCert has introduced multiple pathways for PRINCE2 certification renewal to accommodate different professional needs and preferences, effective from 15 January 2023:

1. Retake the Exam
   Opt to retake the same PRINCE2 exam you initially passed to ensure your knowledge and skills are up to date with the current standards of the PRINCE2 methodology.
2. Further Training and Certification
   Engage in additional courses and earn a new certification within the same PRINCE2 suite. This path not only renews your PRINCE2 certification but also expands your expertise and qualifications.
3. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
   From March 2023, a new option to collect and log CPD points will be available. This method allows you to engage in various professional activities that contribute to your knowledge and skills development. Details on how to log CPD points and the required amount will be provided by PeopleCert.

For Accredited Trainers

Accredited PRINCE2 trainers have the same renewal options as candidates but can also renew their certifications by delivering relevant PRINCE2 training courses. This method acknowledges the value of practical teaching experience and expertise in maintaining high standards of knowledge.

Maintaining Certification Status

Even if certifications are not renewed, individuals will still appear on the Successful Candidates Register (SCR) and the Candidate Verification Service. However, a note will be added to their record to indicate that the certification needs renewal to align with current certification requirements.

For more information or to start your renewal process, you can visit PeopleCert’s official website or join a PRINCE2 Practitioner Course to get comprehensive guidance and support.

This approach ensures you stay competitive in the project management field by keeping your certification up-to-date and aligned with industry best practices.

What if I Have to Renew More than One PRINCE2 Certification?

If you have achieved multiple PRINCE2 certifications, the renewal process is designed to be both efficient and convenient. Here’s how it works:

• Unified Renewal Date: When you obtain more than one PRINCE2 certification, all certifications within the same product suite will share the same renewal date. This date is determined by the most recently obtained certification

Example: If you received your PRINCE2 Foundation certificate in December 2022 and later obtained an MSP Foundation certificate in January 2023, both certificates will have a shared renewal date of January 2026

• Single Exam Renewal: To maintain both certifications, passing just one relevant exam before the shared renewal date is sufficient. This approach simplifies the renewal process, allowing you to keep multiple certifications active without retaking exams for each one individually

Planning to Obtain PRINCE2 Certification?

If you are considering pursuing a PRINCE2 certification and need to know where to start, we have resources available to guide you through the process:

Explore Training and Certification Options: Enroll in our PRINCE2 certification course to discover the full range of training courses and certification exams we offer. Whether you are new to project management or looking to advance further, our programs are designed to equip you with the skills needed to succeed.

Conclusion

PRINCE2 certification is essential for maintaining professional relevance and ensuring you are equipped with the latest project management methodologies. The renewal process, designed for efficiency and flexibility, supports your ongoing professional development and keeps your skills sharp in the competitive world. Whether you hold a single certificate or multiple within the same suite, PRINCE2's streamlined approach ensures you can focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional project results.

FAQs on PRINCE2 Certification Renewal

1. Why do I need to renew my PRINCE2 certification?

Renewing your PRINCE2 certification ensures that your knowledge and skills remain up-to-date with the latest project management methodologies and best practices, maintaining your professional relevance.

2. How often do I need to renew my PRINCE2 certification?

PRINCE2 certifications, specifically the Practitioner level, must be renewed every three years to remain valid.

3. What if I have multiple PRINCE2 certifications?

If you hold multiple certifications within the same product suite, they all share the same renewal date, which will be set according to the most recently obtained certification. Renewing one can renew all, depending on the path chosen.

4. Can I renew my PRINCE2 certification early?

Yes, you can initiate the renewal process before your certification expires. This can be beneficial for managing professional credentials without interruption.

5. Is PRINCE2 outdated?

PRINCE2 is not outdated; it remains a globally recognized and widely used project management methodology, regularly updated to align with modern business needs and practices.