As a project manager, you are willing to go above and beyond the regular planning and deliver stellar results. You are obviously dedicated if you are taking Project Management Professional (PMP) training. Earning that highly sought after PMP certification will elevate you and your qualifications to new heights, but how do you know you are ready for the PMP certification exam? In addition to studying, you need to be eligible first.
Here is everything you need to know about meeting the requirements for the PMP exam.
What is the PMP Certification?
The Project Management Professional certification provides international project managers a standardized level of education, and more than 500,000 project managers now have this credential.
What are the PMP Requirements?
Requirements change depending on your level of education. If you have a secondary degree, such as an associate’s degree or high school diploma (or another international equivalent), you also need 5 years (60 months) of project management experience; 7,500 hours of directing and leading projects; and 35 hours of project management education.
If you have a four-year degree or higher, you only need 3 years or 36 months of project management experience and 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects. You still need 35 hours of project management education, however.
What is the PMP Certification Application Process?
Everything can be done online. You will need to provide PMI with your contact information, such as your first and last name, your current address, phone number, email, and fill out other required sections. The sections are:
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- Education
- Schools and universities that you have attended and the address
- Highest level of education reached
- Degrees awarded and the year
- Fields of study
- Project Management Experience
- List various projects
- Project Management Education
- List all courses, start and end date, and qualifying hours
- Training Certificate
If you are not audited, it usually takes PMI about 5 business days to review the application and send a response. Upon approval, you will get an invitation to pay for your exam. The price depends on whether you are a PMI member or non-member and if you are taking the exam for the first time or attempting it again.
What happens during an Audit?
Don’t be alarmed if you application is audited. In order to preserve integrity of potential certification holders, PMI conducts audits at random. Once you submit your application, you will be notified by PMI if they have selected your application for the auditing process. While this might sound intimidating and troubling, as long as you follow through with whatever is requested—if they request additional information, at all—you will be fine.
Most of the time, you will have to prove you have had enough education or enough experience to take the PMP exam. If you used a training program, you can request a letter or certificate of verification from the institution you had attended.
After the audit, you have to wait about 5-7 business days before approval.
Wrapping It Up
If you have satisfied the requirements and have your 35 contact hours completed, then you are ready to attempt the exam! Once your application has been sent in and accepted, the hardest part is over. While the PMP certification exam is challenging, if you have completed training with an accredited training institution and feel confident, you will be a certified PMP in no time.