My LPIC-1 Expired, What Now?

Keeping Your LPIC Certification Active: A Detailed Guide to Membership and PDUs

The Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) is an important milestone in the career of any IT professional specializing in Linux. However, keeping this certification active is as crucial as obtaining it.

This article covers how you can keep your LPIC certification active through the Linux Professional Institute's membership program, exploring the role of Professional Development Units (PDUs).

To keep your LPIC certification active after 5 years from the certificate date, you need to join the membership program. To do this, you need to be eligible for the program:

1. Have a professional-level certification (LPIC-1, LPIC-2, LPIC-3, DevOps). "Essentials" certifications are not valid.
2. Accept the LPI's code of conduct
3. Pay the fees. Currently it is USD 65 for 1-year membership and USD 156 for 3-year validity.

Is it just paying the fee? No. You need to prove that you stayed updated during the period. For this, you need to submit valid certificates from various possible activities. So you need 20 PDUs (Professional Development Units) accepted to keep your certification active.

What Are PDUs and Their Importance for LPIC Certification

PDUs are a form of "measurement" that LPI created to measure an individual's professional development and updates. Generally, between 1 and 4 hours of activity, one PDU is granted.

To maintain LPIC certification, it is necessary to accumulate a specific number of PDUs in a three-year cycle. PDUs are proof that the professional is engaged in continuous learning activities, essential for keeping their skills and knowledge up to date.

Types of Accepted Activities for PDUs

PDUs can be earned through various activities, such as:

• Continuing Education: Participate in courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, webinars, or training related to Linux and open source technologies. Courses, other certifications, earned badges, attending conferences, seminars, etc. are valid. Teaching activities in technology are also valid
• Professional Contributions: Write articles, books, or blogs, develop courses or educational material, or give presentations at Linux-related events.
• Community Contributions: Participate in open source projects, contribute to online communities, or engage in technical volunteering activities.
• Professional Leadership: Serve in leadership positions in professional associations or Linux-related user groups.

Each activity has a specific PDU value associated with it, which is determined by the nature and duration of the activity. Check the detailed list of accepted PDU types.

Registering and Reporting Your PDUs

For your PDUs to be recognized by LPI, you need to register them properly. This usually involves keeping a record of activities completed, providing the necessary documentation, and submitting this information to LPI according to their guidelines. So request and keep all certificates you can get. This is important not only for keeping your certification active, but also for your resume. :-)

Tips for Keeping Your Certification Active

• Plan Ahead: Stay informed about events and learning opportunities to accumulate PDUs regularly.
• Document Your Activities: Keep detailed records of your activities to facilitate the submission process.
• Explore Various Options: Engage in a variety of activities to earn PDUs and expand your skills and knowledge.

Keeping your LPIC certification active is an ongoing process of learning and development. Through the Linux Professional Institute's membership and the accumulation of PDUs, you not only ensure the validity of your certification but also position yourself as a constantly evolving professional in the IT field. Investing in your professional development is a crucial step in maintaining your relevance and expertise in the industry.

Other Membership Benefits

Being an LPI member, in addition to keeping your certification active and allowing you to continue your career in the Linux world with other certifications (e.g. LPIC-2 and LPIC-3) without needing to retake the exams, has other advantages, such as:

• Demonstrates your commitment to an open source career
• Maintains your certifications through education and experience
• Receive discounts on our certification exams
• Access all discounts and offers from LPI partners
• Receive updates on the latest open source community news and events
• Participate in community webinars
• Participate in all community volunteering programs and events
• Access all learning materials at learning.lpi.org
• Vote for board members
• Participate in committee roles and governance

Call to Action
For more information about LPI's membership program, details about PDUs, and how to keep your LPIC certification active, visit the Linux Professional Institute's official website.

Your continuous journey of learning and excellence starts here!