PMP Certification FAQ: The everything you need to know guide!
Here's a few simple steps to earn your PMP Certification now!
We receive many calls and emails about what steps are necessary to qualify and earn your PMP. We've put together some general information about the requirements of the PMP as well as a few basic steps to help you understand what needs to be completed to apply for the PMP.
We offer PMP Exam Preparation courses that guarantee you pass or your money back! You earn the required 35 contact hours (more information below), learn the PMBOK, take practice exams, and apply the concepts with real world case studies.
Read below or click the links for information to help you get your PMP!
Remember to keep track of your project work experience for the PMP® Application! Our managing partner Brandon Huff, has put together a detailed worksheet that compiles all of your project work experience according to the standards set forth by the PMI. Download Our FREE Experience Worksheet.
6 Easy steps to earn your PMP Certification
1. Review the PMP Handbook :: We recommend downloading and reviewing the PMI PMP Handbook. You can also Register for free on the PMI Website for more information.
2. Verify Eligibility :: There are specific education, experience, and project management study prerequisites that must be met to qualify for the PMP. See below to learn more about the requirements.
3. Take a PMP Prep Class :: Taking a prep class ensures that you have the required 35 Professional Development Units (PDUs)/ Contact hours. A cPrime Training Center PMP Exam Preparation course teaches you the PMBOK framework so that you are ready to take the test at the end of the 4 day course. We guarantee you will pass the test!
4. Submit PMP Application Form :: The application form should be completed on the PMI website and once completed a test date can be scheduled. Learn more about the online PMP Application process below.
5. Sign-up for a PMP Exam Date :: Schedule a date for the PMP Exam after your application has been approved. Learn more about the exam below.
6. Pass the Test :: You've now earned your PMP! (Now go ask your boss for a pay raise or update your resume and put "PMP" next to your name to get that job you always wanted!)
Learn why you should take your PMP Exam Prep course with cPrime Training Center
PMP Eligibility Requirement/Prerequisites
To qualify for the PMP you’ll need to meet the following eligibility requirements/prerequisites:
Candidates with a Bachelor's Degree
- 3 Years/36 months of consecutive Project Management experience
- 4500 hours of Project Management Experience- All hours must have been attained within 8 years of date of application
- 35 Professional Development Units (PDUs)
Candidates without a Bachelor's Degree
- 5 Years/60 months of consecutive Project Management experience
- 7500 hours of Project Management Experience - All hours must have been attained within 8 years of date of application
- 35 Professional Development Units (PDUs)
Let’s break this down and look at each requirement:
3 Years/36 months or 5 Years/60 months of consecutive Project Management Experience
This requirement will require you to document your cumulative, non-overlapping project management experience. Through the application process (below), you will document your project experience to verify this requirement. With a Bachelors degree, you will need 3 years/36 months of consecutive Project Management experience. Without a Bachelors degree, you will need 5 years/60 months of Project Management experience
4500 hours or 7500 hours of Project Management Experience
The PMI will verify your experience leading or directing project tasks for each phase of a project (as defined in the PMBOK). If you worked on multiple projects simultaneously, the hours of each project would count towards the required hour total. Overlapping experience counts in this section.
35 Professional Development Units (PDU) or Contact Hours
To meet this requirement you will need at least 35 verifiable hours of learning that address project management objectives. Hours can be earned studying project, quality, project scope, project schedule, project budget, project communications, project risk, project procurement, or project integration management.
All PDU’s/contact hours must be completed BEFORE you submit your application. One Professional Development Unit (PDU)/Contact Hour is equal to 60 minutes of training or instruction received. PDUs/Contact Hours can be earned from PMI Registered Education Providers like cPrime Training Center. Our PMP Exam Preparation course provides all 35 PDUs needed to meet this requirement. Find a convenient course near you.
PMI chapter meetings or self-directed learning do not count towards satisfying PDU/Contact Hour requirements.
PMP Application Details
After registering with the PMI Website you’ll need to enter your information to verify that you meet the PMP eligibility requirements/prerequisites above. Once submitted, most applications are reviewed and approved within 5 business days.
The PMP application has a number of sections. Most sections are self-explanatory but a couple sections require more attention.
1. Contact Address - Basic contact information
2. Contact Email and Phone - Preferred email and phone contact information
3. Attained Education - Submit information about highest level of education attained
4. Requirements - Submit information about highest level of education attained. You must meet the PMP prerequisites listed in the PMI PMP Handbook. Learn more about the prerequisites here.
- Overview - Summary of PMP Requirements
- Worksheet - Summary of Qualified PM Experience Months, PM Experience Hours, and PM Education Hours. This information is pulled from your PM Experience and PM Education information below
- PM Experience - This is the main section to qualify your experience for the PMP.
- Candidate provides the Project Title, Date, Total Hours, and Direct Role for each project submitted. You will need to submit enough projects to qualify for 36 months of non-overlapping project management experience and the total project hours based on education level attained.
- PM Education - List completed project management education information
- Candidate provides the Course Title, Institution name (must be a PMI REP!), Course start date, Course end date, Total hours, and Qualifying hours for each educational activity. You will need to submit enough projects to qualify for 36 months of non-overlapping project management experience and the total project hours based on education level attained.
- Please note - you will need to earn your PDUs BEFORE you apply for the PMP. cPrime Training Center is a proud Educational Provider and provides PDUs for every course.
5. Optional Information - Referral (if any) and if you've taken a PMP Preparation course presented by a PMI chapter
6. Certificate - Enter your name as you would like it on your PMP Certificate
7. Agreement - Review and accept the PMI Certification Application/Renewal Agreement
8. Review & Submit - Review the summary of each section and verify that you meet the qualifications.
The PMP Exam
Many project managers are concerned about the PMP exam and we receive many questions about it. The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and is taken over a 4 hour period.
Test questions are broken down into the following process groups:
Domain – Percentage of Questions
Initiation - 11%
Planning - 23%
Executing - 27%
Monitoring & Controlling - 21%
Closing - 9%
Professional & Social Responsibility - 9%
Once your application is approved, you have 90 days to take the exam. You make take the exam up to three (3) times during the eligibility period. Most exams are computer based and are administered at any Prometric Testing Center location. To register or learn more, please visit the Prometric website.
Register for our next PMP Exam Preparation Course
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If you have any questions about our PMP courses or the PMP Application process, please call us at 650-931-1651 or email us at learn@cprime.com.
Feel free to visit Our Blog to post any questions you have about the PMP. One of our Training Center Managers will answer your question as soon as possible.
PMI and PMP are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
