Meeting PMP Certification Criteria: A Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

Project Management Professional (PMP) is globally recognized and highly respected certification that confirms a project manager’s skills, experience, and education in project management. PMP certification requirements are extensive, and every aspirant must fulfill these requirements to earn the certification. This guide provides an overview of all the PMP certification criteria that aspirants must meet, including experience, education, training, and examination.

1. Understanding PMP Certification

This section provides an introduction to the PMP certification and explains why project managers should earn it. It also covers the benefits of PMP certification and sets the foundation for PMP certification criteria.

2. Eligibility Criteria for PMP Certification

This section outlines the prerequisites for earning PMP certification. It explains the minimum educational and project management experience requirements that applicants should meet before sending their PMP applications to the Project Management Institute (PMI).

3. Project Management Experience Requirements for PMP Certification

This section elaborates on the project management experience requirements for PMP certification. It explains the definition of a “project” and describes the different project management experience requirements for degree and non-degree holders.

4. Educational Requirements for PMP Certification

In this section, aspirants will learn about the minimum educational requirements for PMP certification. We explain what qualifies as an “acceptable degree” and provide a chart that identifies the education requirement for different management experience seekers.

5. PMP Training Requirements

The PMP certification process requires aspirants to fulfill a 35-hour training requirement. This section explores the different ways that aspirants can fulfill the PMP training requirement, including online training, classroom training, and self-paced training.

6. PMP Exam Overview

PMP aspirants must fulfill the experience, educational, and training requirements to be eligible to take the PMP examination. This section provides an overview of PMP examination details, including test structure, number of questions, time duration, passing score, and exam fees.

7. Preparing for PMP Exam

This section provides tips and best practices for preparing for the PMP examination, including creating a study plan, practicing with sample questions, taking the official PMP practice exam, and using exam simulation software.

8. Maintaining PMP Certification

PMP certification is valid for three years, after which it must be renewed. To maintain PMP certification, aspirants must earn continuing education credits (PDUs), which can be earned through attending educational events, volunteering, and working in project management. This section explains the PDU requirements and provides tips for earning PDUs.

Conclusion

Earning PMP certification is a significant achievement for any project manager. This guide covered all the necessary PMP certification criteria that aspirants must meet, including project management experience, education, training, and examination. By following these guidelines, project managers can prepare effectively for the certification and earn the certification confidently.