Are you a Project Manager looking to get a PMP Certification? Are you wondering what is PMP and why it is good to be a PMP? Do you know what are the requirements for taking the PMP exam? Do you know that a PMP certification training is one of the key PMP requirements?
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What is PMP?
PMP means Project Management Professional. You become a PMP if you write the certification exam conducted by PMI Institute – Project Management Institute. But what are the PMP certification requirements you should possess to take this exam?
Who doesn’t want a Gold standard in certification if they meet the PMP requirements? If you are a practicing project manager, you definitely would vie for a Gold Standard which sets you apart from the crowd. PMI institute is the world renowned institute for project management and you get your certificate from PMI. Since you are interested in PMP prerequisites, it is natural to assume you are already sold on PMP. But, let us quickly go over so that your intent to go for Project Manager certification gets fortified.
So before going into the details of the requirements, here are three benefits of PMP certification:
- You are recognized as a project manager who has proven knowledge in managing projects
- Also, you get to connect with other experts and peers increasing your knowledge
- You also get the PMP salary hike that is always a great motivator
If you are convinced with the benefits of PMP certification let’s go over PMP requirements!
PMP requirements for certification process
“How do I go about if I have to go for PMP certification? What are the steps involved to become a PMP?” Here you go:
PMP Requirements: Experience
You are a project manager leading and directing projects. Therefore, if you have 4500 hours of experience in project management, one of the PMP requirements is met. Provided, you are having a 4-year Bachelor Degree that is recognized globally. Alternately, if you have more than 16 years of education, you can also meet one of the PMP requirements. 16 years can be (10+2+4) or (10+2+3+2)
Are you the project manager who has been leading and directing projects for quite some time but you do not have a 4-year bachelor degree? Do you have a high school diploma or a Secondary degree which can be an associate’s degree or the global equivalent? If so, since you have more than 7500 hours of experience leading and directing projects, you are still meeting the PMP requirements.
PMP Requirements: Education
Continuing with the PMP requirements, the next one you need is a PMP training. In addition to your experience, one of the PMI’s other PMP requirements are 35-hours of project management education. But what is this project management education?
PMI is an organization that advocates project management best practices and standards. Since the language of the PMPs globally is same, you need to not only acquaint yourself with the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) but internalize it. Before applying for the PMP certification exam, you need to have this education as one of the PMP requirements. This PMP training is provided by PMI chapters, Registered Education Providers (REP) and other providers. Project management education is the foundation for the PMP certification exam. Therefore, you need to be sure you are choosing the right provider for one of these key PMP requirements.
How to determine which education is right for you?
What are your options for getting your 35-hours education?
What is your availability? Then, what about your budget? How soon you want to take the exam? Based on these, you can decide what works for you. If you are looking for a fast track, intensive program, go for PMP Boot Camp to satisfy your PMP requirements. There are also PMP Boot Camp Online options available for you. But if you want more a flexible option which allows you to prepare at your pace, then PMP Online Certification will help you meet the PMP requirements about the education. Moreover, this is less expensive compared to the PMP Boot Camp.
How to choose the correct option?
You now will know which provider is best to get your PMP requirements. When you are choosing an option to get your project management education, look for these:
- Is the provider experienced? Can they provide some testimonials from the previous aspirants?
- Will they give you support after the session (35-hour PMP requirement) are complete?
- Is there a PMP Question Bank for you to practice?
- Can they help with the PMP application process wherein you provide your PMP requirements?
Check our PMP Certification Requirements Video
What is PMP Certification exam?
Since you have completed the 35-hours education – one of the PMP requirements, you can start your preparation. Decide what study material you want to revise in addition to the PMBOK. Have a proper PMP study plan which provides you with PMP questions and answers and allows you to study, to assess and to revise.
Do you want to see a real life example of passing the PMP exam after meeting the PMP requirements? Read the blog post about PMP Review.
How to prepare for the PMP certification exam?
So now you meet all the other PMP requirements, and the last one is to take the PMP exam. This exam has 200 questions with four options for each question. You need to pick one correct answer from these. There is no negative mark if you get a wrong answer. These are not straight questions from PMBOK or a study guide. These have been put together by practicing project managers from different parts of the world. You will be tested on your knowledge and application of Project management (one of the PMP requirements of 35 hours) based on PMBOK framework. In effect, you need to know the five project management process groups, ten project management knowledge areas, and the 47 processes. A PMP Question bank is handy to know how well you are prepared for the exam. The total time for the exam is four hours. You become a PMP if you are proficient/ moderately proficient in all the five process groups.
How to apply for the PMP exam?
You need to give your personal contact information when you apply for PMP certification on PMI Institute‘s website. In addition to this, you have to enter your PMP requirements: education, experience, and the 35-hours project management education you took. When you submit the application, PMI will review and let you know if you can proceed to pay your fee. If you get a green signal, it means you have met all the PMP requirements. How much does PMP certification cost? If you are a member of PMI, you can pay discounted fee of $405, if not you pay $555. PMI membership has an annual fee of $139.
How to schedule your exam?
Application and preparation can go hand-in-hand. You can finish the payment of fee and decide when to take the exam based on the preparation level. When you are scoring well in full-length mock tests, schedule your exam date. You can choose a Pearson VUE center that is close to you. You have fulfilled all the PMP requirements, so from the available dates between Monday to Friday, pick the day and time slot.
What about taking the exam?
Carry your identification proofs to the Pearson VUE center on the day of the exam. You will not be allowed to take anything into the exam place. The center will provide a pencil and sheets of paper you may need for calculations, etc. Manage your 4 hours effectively. Don’t spend too much time on a single question. Mark for review if needed. Have at least half hour to review these questions.
Congratulations!
You can see this when you submit at the end of the exam. You should experience that feeling to know how great it feels!
Summarizing, PMP requirements are the prerequisites you need to have before applying. PMI has flexible PMP requirements that allow a project manager to prove his mettle and be certified.
Are you eligible to sit for PMP exam?
Author Biography:
Sunanda Gundavajhala, B.Tech, M.B.A, PMP has over 25 years of project management. She is a consultant, trainer on project management for different sectors and is the recipient of “Recognition of Excellence” award from PMI, USA and Woman Volunteer award from Hyderabad, India Chapter of PMI. Sunanda has contributed to the “Practice Standard on Scheduling, PMI”. She has worked as the Liaison officer for PMIEF (Education Foundation) for the Hyderabad, India Chapter of PMI.
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