Six Reasons Why PMP Certification Is Worth It
Each industry has its marks of quality. In project management, the PMP certificate of the International Project Management Institute confirms professionalism. PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is currently one of the most widespread in the world. About one million people hold this degree, which greatly increases their value in the project management market. Over the past years, the number of certified project management professionals from various business areas has been steadily growing. Read more about the reasons for obtaining a certificate and the requirements for obtaining it, in this article.
Six benefits of certification
- The certification confirms your achievements in the professional community.
- Preparation for PMP is an immersion in the current international standards of project management, and systematization of knowledge and skills.
- Having a PMP certificate significantly increases the demand in the international labor market. In the US and EU countries, certification is one of the essential criteria when choosing a candidate.
- The investment pays off. PMP holders earn on average 20% more than their non-certified counterparts do.
- The certification is valid for three years; this is a confirmation of the relevance of your knowledge.
- Employers also benefit. In companies where almost one in two is PMP certified, teams better manage projects. They do not violate the deadlines or budget and achieve the goal.
Meet PMP certification training requirements:
In order to be admitted to the PMP exam, a graduate requires:
- at least 35 contact hours of project management tuition
- at least 36 months of project management practice
35 contact hours are credited for training courses, as well as any other training events (conferences, symposiums, etc.) on the subject of project management. These events should be registered with Project Management Institute (PMI) as meeting the requirements for the quality of the information provided. In particular, all company courses and pieces of training must be registered with the PMI and give a certain number of teaching hours (depending on the content and duration of the training program).
In terms of work experience, a person with a college degree needs to complete 4,500 hours of project management work within 36 months. Work experience as a project manager, project sponsor, head of the working group, as well as other members of the project team (administrator, consultant, etc.) is also taken into account.
If you have completed the required PMP certification training and have the required work experience, you can apply to take the PMP exam!
Membership in PMI
You do not require being a PMI member to take the exam. For PMI members, the cost of the exam is cheaper than for people who are not members of PMI at the time of taking. The cost of an annual PMI membership is 129 USD (+ 10 USD for non-PMI members).
Exam fees for PMI members:
First try – 405 USD
Retake – 275 USD
Or
Exam fees for non-PMI members:
First try – 555 USD
Retake – 375 USD
You can become a PMI member by registering on the website and paying 129 USD (+10 USD). The most convenient way to pay membership fees is a bank card with the ability to make payments via the Internet.
Filling out an application for an exam
The application is filled out on the PMI website. The application must indicate the experience of training in project management (course code in PMI, date of completion of training, number of hours credited). The application must indicate experience in project management, areas of expertise, and individual work in project management.
! Note. For each project, the start and end dates, the total number of hours of work on the project, and the hours spent on various works (according to the current version of the PMI PMBOK® standard) are indicated. For example, a candidate in one of the projects took part only in the development of the project charter. At the same time, the charter was prepared and agreed upon for a month, but the candidate spent only 2 hours preparing this document. In the application for passing the exam, describing this project, he must indicate 2 hours for work on the preparation of the charter (i.e. 2 hours for the initiation process group, while all other project management process groups for this project will be 0 hours).
Application audit in PMI
PMI verifies the application. In some cases, the application is subject to an audit procedure. In this case, the candidate is sent a letter stating that he must confirm his work experience and training in project management in writing according to a certain template. To do this, the form attached to the letter is filled out, endorsed by a person working in the company where the project is being carried out, and sent to PMI.
Final Words
After receiving the notification letter, you must take the exam within the validity period of your application (1 year from the date of confirmation of the application). It is best to book your exam date in advance as Pearson VUE test centers are small and it’s not always possible to find a spot in the group you’ve chosen.
FAQ
What is PMP Certification?
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a globally recognized credential for project managers.
Who Offers PMP Certification?
The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers the PMP certification.
What Are the Requirements for PMP Certification?
Requirements include a mix of education, project management experience, and training hours.
How Does PMP Certification Benefit a Career?
It enhances credibility, increases job opportunities, and often leads to higher salaries.
What Topics are Covered in PMP Certification?
Key areas include project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, controlling, and closing.
Is the PMP Exam Difficult?
The PMP exam is challenging and requires thorough preparation.
How Long is PMP Certification Valid?
It’s valid for three years and can be renewed through continuing education.
What is the Cost of PMP Certification?
The cost varies but includes exam fees and potential training costs.
Can PMP Certification Be Done Online?
As of my last update, online proctored exams are available.
How Should One Prepare for the PMP Exam?
Preparation typically involves formal training, self-study, and practice exams.
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