Once you have gained your PRINCE2 certification, you will have achieved Project Manager status and all that hard work and studying will have been worthwhile. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to undertake a PRINCE2 renewal every 3 to 5 years, which consists of a one-hour exam.

There are some Project Managers, however that are uncertain as to whether it is really necessary to undertake the PRINCE2 renewal and whether or not it will affect their careers. Below we will discuss why it is a good idea to renew your PRINCE2 qualification.

Practitioner Status

If your PRINCE2 certification was obtained before October of 2000, you will not be obligated to renew your certification. You will, however, not keep your status as a Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner and you will essentially just be a Project Manager with knowledge of the PRINCE2 methodology which will we outdated. If you do obtain your PRINCE2 renewal, however, you will remain a Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner.

Stay Up to Date

The periodic revision of the PRINCE2 manual is done to ensure that the information it contains is both still relevant and current. This pertains directly to your PRINCE2 certification. Keeping the knowledge gained from your studies up to date is essential to ensure that you do not fall behind in any changes that may have occurred during the revision of the PRINCE2 manual. This will ensure that the method is followed correctly, giving you a much greater chance at closing your projects successfully.

Employment

If you were looking to switch to a new workplace, your future employer will scrutinise your certification and your PRINCE2 validity. Acquiring your PRINCE2 renewal will show that you have followed the trend in project management and can start working on projects immediately after being appointed. This will save the company time and money on training and also the process of PRINCE2 renewal.

Stay Ahead of the Pack

When applying for a position in project management, your PRINCE2 renewal may just give you the edge that you need when a potential employer is reading your CV. There may be many certified PRINCE2 applicants, but those that have renewed their status will certainly be at an advantage, given that they have not fallen behind. The fact that you have already undertaken your PRINCE2 renewal shows that you are eager to start undertaking projects as soon as possible.

Refresh your Memory

As with any activity that we do on a day-to-day basis, it is easy for a few bad habits to creep in along the way. PRINCE2 renewal will remind you of the correct processes and principles to follow when implementing PRINCE2. Best practice is always the best way.

Commitment

Avoiding PRINCE2 expiry will prove that you have not lost your passion for the project management profession and that you are still willing to learn, even though you have already gained a PRINCE2 qualification. This will strengthen your position within the company since it will create a sense of loyalty towards your employer.

The project management world moves at a very fast pace and it is easy fall behind if you do not keep your wits about you. Ensuring that you have your PRINCE2 renewal will ensure that you keep up with the latest in the PRINCE2 project management environment and it will show in the implementation of your PRINCE2 projects.

ITonlinelearning offers both the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner courses, as well as IT and health & safety courses for online study, making it easy to gain your PRINCE2 qualification from the comfort of your own home and at a pace that you can manage yourself.