A competent project manager can make the difference between a project’s success and failure. But what constitutes a good project manager, and how do you verify their credentials? Is there any standard?
That’s why today’s commercial sector has created the designation of Project Management Professional (PMP®) and devised a professional certification for the position.
This article examines the concept of PMP certification, including PMP requirements for certification, eligibility criteria, why PMP certification is a good thing, why there are PMP certification requirements and other details regarding PMP requirements.
But before we look at PMP certification prerequisites, let’s review what a PMP certification entails.
What is PMP Certification?
PMP, or Project Manager Professional certification, was created by the Project Management Institute to recognize project managers who have successfully demonstrated their skills in effectively managing projects. This valuable certification represents an expert group of project managers, letting them prove their project leadership experience and expertise.
PMP certification was designed by project managers for project managers and is a globally recognized project management certification. PMP presents potential employers with documentation showing that the certified manager has fulfilled all PMP requirements and can lead projects for any type and size of the organization and in any industry.
And all you must do is fulfill the PMP requirements and pass the PMP certification exam, and you’re on your way.
Also Read: Understanding Project Management: A Comprehensive Guide
What Are the Benefits of PMP Certification?
A PMP certification validates that you have a high level of skills in working with:
1) People. Certification recognizes you as a professional with the skills to effectively lead and motivate a team throughout the lifecycle of a project.
2) Processes. Certification shows that you know how to use predictive, Agile, and hybrid approaches to determine which methods will work best in bringing any project to a successful conclusion.
3) Business Environments. Certification tells a prospective employer that you have the skills required to highlight a project’s success and impact on the organization’s overall strategic goals.
PMP certification also offers you the following plusses:
1) It validates your dedication to your career. PMP certification shows your incentive towards improving your professional skills, abilities, knowledge, and credential. It also helps you gain the respect of your team members and peers.
2) It gives your resume more weight. Most interviewers looking to fill a project manager position understand the importance of PMP certification. So, they typically prioritize applicants whose resumes list PMP certification over those who lack certification.
3) It gives you worldwide recognition in your industry. PMP certification is recognized globally and works in any industry and locale.
4) It gives you a great opportunity and incentive to upskill. Gaining PMP certification is a tough order due to its high standards. Consequently, you will only pass the exam with intensive preparation. You must master the practical application of your education and learn several hard and soft skills. Additionally, the preparation process exposes you to best practices and the latest trends in project management. You will also likely learn new techniques and tips in project management activities. These efforts make you a better project manager and, thus, a more significant asset to any company.
5) It justifies your desire for a better starting offer. PMI surveys show that certified project managers earn almost 20% more than their non-certified counterparts. Additionally, certification adds to job security, as many organizations consider certified professionals too valuable to dismiss outright.
6) It opens new networking opportunities. Sometimes success doesn’t hinge on what you know but rather who you know. If you join the Project Management Institute, you will become part of a wide-ranging organization dedicated to excellence in project management, whose members often meet worldwide. These meetings also help members earn their Professional Development Units (PDUs). These units are required for fulfilling Continuous Credential Requirements, also known as CCRs. These CCRs are vital for you to maintain your certification for three years.
Now that you have been brought up to speed on why certification is a great idea, it’s time to explore PMP certification eligibility criteria and Project Management certification requirements.
PMP Certification Eligibility Criteria
The Project Management Institute has established initial requirements before candidates are eligible to sit for the PMP Certification exam. For example, candidates must have a certain amount of professional project management experience and complete several professional development units or PDUs. Once candidates meet the required criteria, they can take the PMP Certification exam.
Here’s an overview of the different education levels PMI accepts and the required non-overlapping experience in professional project management. Note that candidates must gather all relevant project management experience within the last eight years before submitting their application.
Also Read: Understanding Scope in Project Management: Definition and Importance
PMP Certification Eligibility Requirements
If the candidate has a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, or global equivalent:
1) At least 60 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience.
2) At least 35 formal project management education contact hours, satisfied by PMA’s PMP training course.
If the candidate has a bachelor’s degree (a four-year degree) or global equivalent:
1) At least 36 months’ worth of experience in unique non-overlapping professional project management.
2) At least 35 formal project management education contact hours, satisfied by PMA’s PMP training course.
If the candidate has a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree from a GAC-accredited program (bachelor’s or master’s degree or global equivalent):
1) At least 24 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience.
2) At least 35 formal project management education contact hours, satisfied by PMA’s PMP training course.
The PMP Certification Exam Application Process
The Project Management Institute administers the PMP certification exam. First, candidates applying for the exam must create a PMI account and log in to PMI’s website. Next, they must complete an application form and submit it with the necessary documentation. Once the application has been approved, the candidate can schedule the exam.
Candidates can prepare for the exam by reviewing the PMP Exam content outline and familiarizing themselves with its format.
The PMP requirements and certification exam application process is broken down into easily manageable steps.
1) Register to become a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI)®.
a) See the costs listed in the next section..
2) Take the PMP Certification Training course to complete the required 35 hours of educational requirement.
a) The course includes study resources to help prepare students for the exam.
b) When the student successfully finishes the course, they receive a certificate of completion, which is used in turn to apply for the exam.
3) Submit the PMP application online.
a) The PMI reviews the application within five days
b) When the application is approved, the candidate receives an invitation to pay for the exam and schedule a time to take it.
4) Schedule the exam with Pearson VUE.
a) The applicant has one year to take the exam from when the application was approved.
b) Applicants can take the exam up to three times within the one-year period.
5) Take the exam and pass it.
a) The PMP exam contains 180 questions.
b) The PMP exam questions are broken down into three domains: Process (50%), People (42%), and Business Environment (8%).
c) Students have a 230-minute time limit to complete the exam.
6) Maintain the PMP certification.
a) The PMP certification is valid for the next three years. During that time, the applicant must maintain their PMP certification by earning 60 PDUs. These PDUs must include a mix of project management education and activities that give something back to the profession.
Also Read: How to Ace the PMP Exam? A Comprehensive Guide
A Comprehensive Breakdown of PMP Certification Costs
Unsurprisingly, PMP certification has its price tag. However, applicants can mitigate the costs by getting a PMI membership.
| Item | PMI Member | Non-PMI Member |
| PMI membership fee | $139 ($129 per year and $10 application fee) | N/A |
| PMP exam fee | $405 | $555 |
| PMP re-examination fee | $275 | $375 |
| Certification renewal fee | $60 | $150 |
If you plan on remaining a project manager in good standing for the long run, a PMI membership is a good investment that ends up paying for itself.
Why Are There Requirements for PMP Certification?
Project management is a serious undertaking with many responsibilities and high expectations placed on the PMP professional. It’s not enough for someone to just walk in off the street and announce that they’re great at organizing projects and being a natural leader.
PMP requirements filter out the less skilled and set a series of standards and practices that ensures that only the most qualified people with the best skill sets can obtain certification. Think of the PMP certification process as “quality control.”
Are You Ready to Kick-Start a New Career in Project Management?
If all this talk of project management has you excited about getting involved in this popular vocation, this project management certification course is a fantastic way to get started.
UMass Amherst offers this six-month course in collaboration with Simplilearn. Additionally, this project management course aligns with PMI-PMP and IASSC-Lean Six Sigma. You will participate in masterclasses led by UMass, taught by respected industry practitioners with plenty of experience in the field.
Courtesy of this course, students earn 146 PDUs to keep their CCR for PMI-related certification current. When you finish the course, you earn your PMI certification plus an alum membership to the prestigious UMass Amherst Alumni Association.
Indeed.com reports that project managers working in the United States make a yearly average of $83,470. Project manager salaries range from $53,506 at the low end and $130,213 at the high end.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up for this informative and valuable project management certification course and be on the path to a rewarding new career that offers security, interesting challenges, many exciting opportunities, and generous compensation. Join today!
You might also like to read:
Mastering Project Manager Skills: A Comprehensive Guide
All About Project Management Qualifications
Is PMP Certification Worth It?
