What is a PMP® Certification?
The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is one of the best recognised and most respected project management credentials worldwide.
It is a credential designed by the Project Management Institute (PMI)® specifically for experienced project managers who want to keep their skills current and enhance their experience by achieving a qualification with gravitas.
PMP® Eligibility Criteria
As this is a certification designed for those who have worked in project management for some time, there are some eligibility criteria that must be met for anyone applying to sit the PMP® exam.
There are 2 different paths for meeting the eligibility criteria:
Path 1: Degree + 3 or more years of project management experience + 35 training hours
Path 2: Leaving Certificate + 5 or more years of project management experience + 35 training hours
This is just an overview of the criteria. For full details on meeting the eligibility criteria, we recommend downloading our PMP® Exam Preparation Course brochure.
What to do if you don’t have enough experience for the PMP® exam
If you’d like to gain a PMI® Certification, but don’t have the required experience for the PMP® credential, why not consider the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification?
CAPM® certification does not require candidates to log project management experience, and is therefore an excellent choice for those who are new to the role of project manager.
What are the benefits of Achieving a PMP® Certification?
There are so many benefits you’ll gain by getting a PMP® certification. Here are our top 3:
Expanded Earning Potential
Did you know that according to the PMI’s “Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey Tenth Edition”, PMP® credential holders can earn up to 23% more than uncertified project managers?*
Increased Credibility
By achieving a PMP® credential, you are acquiring one of the most widely recognised and respected qualifications in the project management industry.
A Current, Relevant Skill-Set
The PMP® exam draws from A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), which is revised regularly to ensure that the material remains relevant and at the leading edge of the industry standards.
How do I get a PMP® Certification?
The PMP® Credential is an investment in your career. It takes time to achieve and must be maintained, but given the benefit to your professional life, it is well worth the focus and effort required.
Here are the main steps to achieving your PMP® credential:
1. Decide
Review information about the PMP® certification and speak with a training provider to affirm that you meet the eligibility criteria, and that a PMP® credential is right for your professional development.
2. Exam Preparation
Once you’ve decided, attend an exam preparation course. You must log 35 training hours to meet the PMI® eligibility criteria for PMP® exam applicants (our PMP® exam preparation course meets this requirement). In addition to this, you’ll cover a large portion of the PMBOK® Guide through training and gain guidance for your study period and exam application.
3. Study & Exam Application
The time required for study will vary from person to person. On average, between 4 and 6 weeks will be enough time, but this can be longer depending on each individual’s schedule. During this time, you’ll also complete and submit your PMP® exam application to the PMI®.
4. Exam
Once your application has been accepted by the PMI® and you have scheduled a date, you’re ready to take your exam. You’ll have 1 year from the date of your application approval to sit the PMP® exam.
5. Achieve
Congratulations! When you pass your exam, you’ll receive your credential from the PMI®.
Learn More about PMP® Exam Preparation
Ready to get started on your PMP® Exam Preparation? You can learn more about how you get certified by visiting our PMP® Exam Preparation Course page.
*Source Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey Tenth Edition