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PMP Certification Exam Eligibility - A Complete Checklist

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19th Feb, 2024
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    PMP Certification Exam Eligibility - A Complete Checklist

    To achieve Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, ticking all the PMP exam eligibility criteria boxes is a big step. As someone who has been through the complicated process of becoming eligible for PMP certification, I know how important it is to have a complete list of requirements to follow.  

    In this article, I will talk about the PMP eligibility requirements from my own experience and give you a detailed PMP eligibility checklist to help you through the process. You can use this article to learn what you need to do to obtain the PMP Course certification, whether you're still considering it or have already started the journey. Once you've met all the requirements, you'll be ready for the next part of your job as a project manager.

    PMP Certification Overview

    Since I started the journey of getting PMP certification, my perception of project management has changed. The PMP certification is a leading accreditation with more than 1,400,000 PMP certification holders worldwide. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is one of the truly global certifications, as it is accepted worldwide by top organizations for leading their projects. The PMP certification covers an extensive range of skills that help complete projects more efficiently and enable one to work in any industry.

    We all know that to get certified, we must pass the exam that checks our understanding of best practices, processes, and methods for project management. To pass this exam, we need to understand the PMP exam eligibility criteria. Getting the PMP certification not only made my resume look great, it also gave me more confidence in my ability to handle challenging tasks. It's a great investment in the best Project Management training that helps improve our project management skills and job opportunities..

    The Eligibility Requirements for PMP®

    A salary survey conducted by the Project Management Institute (PMI) shows that PMP® certified project managers tend to earn more compared to their non-certified counterparts. PMP® certification warrants a certain level of knowledge in the project management area. The reason that companies and organizations give high credit to PMP® certification compared to other certificates in the industry is because PMI has a very strict application and audit process for relevant education and experience requirements that one needs to be PMP® certified.

    As the employer has high regard for the certification, once you show a PMP® certification in your resume he or she will that you have met the strict PMP® certification requirements which proves a certain level of practice and knowledge on project management. It is not easy for someone to sit and pass the PMP® certification exam.

    Know more about the importance of project charter.

    PMP eligibility requirements


    If you are wondering where can you check for these requirements then you will find all the criteria set by PMI for taking the PMP®  exam in the PMP® Credential Handbook. You can download the free version of this handbook from PMI's Website. It will help you to know everything about PMP® certification, who is eligible to apply, and how to go about applying. The eligibility requirements for taking the exam are as follows:

    • You should hold a bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent with at least three years of project management experience. The three years of experience is expected to be comprised of 4,500 hours which you have spent directing and leading projects and 35 hours of project management education.
    • In case, you don’t have a four-year degree, you need to have a secondary diploma (high school or global equivalent) with at least project management experience of 5 years. The five years of experience should comprise of 7,500 hours which you have spent directing and leading projects and project management education of around 5 hours.

    Get to know more about agile vs traditional project management.

    Need more clarity on the eligibility criteria? Then the following chart will surely help you to clarify your doubts.

    Eligibility Requirement

    Four-year degree or global equivalent

    Secondary degree or global equivalent

    Years of Project Management Experience

    3 Years (36 months)

    5 Years (60 months)

    Hours Leading & Directing Projects

    4,500 Hours

    7,500 Hours

    Hours of Project Management Education

    35 Hours

    35 Hours

    Education Requirement for PMP

    You need to match one of the eligibility requirements which is required for you to appear for your PMP® certification exam. But it is also important for you to complete 35 hours of Project Management Education in order to fulfill the eligibility requirement to sit for the PMP® exam.

    You must be wondering how can you earn the 35 hours of Project Management education requirement. You can enroll in PMP certification training to earn the same. This training also helps you to prepare for your PMP® exam and get proper support from the experts to clear your PMP® exam in one shot.

    Read more about the characteristics of project management.

    Acceptable Experiences to be Eligible for the PMP® Exam

    The experiences mentioned by you in your application should cover all the five processes mentioned in the PMBOK® Guide. But you should keep in mind that it is not necessary for all of these processes to be in one single project. You can find a full list of acceptable tasks, knowledge, and skills in PMI’s PMP Certification Eligibility.

    A few of the tasks that you might be performing and which would be acceptable are as follows:

    • You should define the high-level scope of the project based on the requirements of business and compliance to meet the customer project expectations.
    • Obtain approval to execute the project by presenting the project plan to the key stakeholders (if required).
    • Achieve the project deliverable within the schedule and budget by executing the tasks as defined in the project plan.
    • Get feedback from the stakeholders by communicating the project status to ensure that the business needs are aligned to the project alignment.
    • Work with the customer and the sponsor to obtain final acceptance of the project deliverable to confirm that project deliverables and scope were met.

    Ways to Gather the Required Experience

    Full time Project Manager vs part time Project Manager

    You need to meet the PMP® experience required to be eligible in order to gain PMP® certification. But how can you gather enough experience? As discussed, you need to earn experience of 4,500 to 7,500 hours of directing and leading projects depending on your educational qualification.

    The following ideas can help you to overcome this obstacle:

    1. As Full-time Project Managers

    If you are working as a Project Manager or in a similar position that gives you a full-time opportunity to lead and direct projects, then it’s easy. If you don’t have enough hours then you can go ahead with what you are doing and with time you will gather the required number of hours. 

    2. If you are not a full-time Project Manager

    Don’t have enough hours to meet the required experience eligibility? It even gets trickier when you are not in a role that gives you an opportunity to direct or lead projects. If you are not managing projects at all or managing projects part-time, you are collecting hours of experience at a slower rate compared to a full-time project manager. You can increase the rate in the following ways:

    • By changing your role

    You can increase the amount of time spent on managing projects using the most effective solution, i.e. by changing your role. You can go for a wider discussion about your career development with your employer by stating clearly that you would like to provide more value to your employer by directing and leading projects.

    If you get an opportunity to become a full-time project manager then you are on your way to collect the required hours as soon as possible.

    • By changing your company

    In case you are not getting an opportunity to shift to a different kind of responsibility in your current company then you should change the company you are working for. You might find a suitable opportunity to negotiate better terms and conditions than you are having in your current company. This will surely allow you to speed up the process of earning the required hours of experience in order to meet the PMI eligibility requirement.

    • Volunteering

    You can always check for volunteering opportunities with your local PMI chapter which would also expose you to additional benefits. This will also provide you with more and better networking opportunities at the same time. You can earn the required experience hours through volunteering.

    What Should I Do If I Cannot Meet PMP Certification Requirements?

    If you are unable to meet the PMP exam eligibility requirements, the following are the steps to address the situation: 

    1. If you fall short on the required education level: If a four-year degree is a prerequisite and you fall short, consider pursuing additional education. You can accomplish this by upgrading your education through authorized educational institutions or online courses. 

    2. Lack of Project management experience: If you don’t have sufficient project management experience, push yourself within your organization to leadership roles. Participating in as many projects as possible allows you to accumulate the required hours of experience. 

    3. Not meeting the requirement of project management education contact hours: Enroll in a PMI-approved KnowledgeHut Project Management Professional preparation course that offers the required 35 contact hours of education. You can get the educational hours you need from this course, which is meant to cover the most essential aspects of project management. Also, you can get a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification, equivalent to the required 35 PMP qualifying hours of education. 

    4. Lack of project managing / leading hours: To get the project management hours you need, you should actively seek out professional development chances, take workshops, and work on important projects. 

    Is PMI Membership Mandatory for me to get PMP®  certified?

    PMI Membership

    This is another question that you tend to ask while beginning your PMP® journey. You don’t have to be a PMI member in order to appear for your PMP® certification exam. But there are surely a few benefits that you can reap from your PMI membership. The benefits are as follows:

    • As a PMI member, you can receive a significant discount on your PMP® exam application fee. Once you become a PMI member, you will realize that the cost of membership is comparatively lesser than the discounts which you get.
    • You get access to a free PDF copy of the PMBOK Guide as a PMI member which is an important resource to prepare and pass your exam.
    • Moreover, many local PMI chapters offer discounts on their PMP® exam preparation workshops to PMI members.

    PMP® certification cost

    PMP Certification Cost
    Apart from the above-mentioned information about the eligibility requirements, there are certain costs related to the PMP® exam. We can divide the cost of PMP® certification into the cost of PMP® certification training and the PMP® exam fee. But there is another hidden cost related to it which you should be aware of. This is the cost of the time that you will spend while studying for the PMP® certification exam. Let’s try to understand these costs in detail.

    1. Cost of 35 hours of Project Management Training

    You are expected to meet certain eligibility criteria before appearing for the PMP Certification exam. Apart from other eligibilities, it is necessary for you to attend at least 35 hours of project management course. So, the major question which arises here is how much these certification courses cost.

    The cost of PMP® certification training varies based on the type of training which you are willing to take. Mostly, you need to make a choice between PMP® certification classroom training and online PMP® certification training. Also, the cost of your training depends on the country you are located. Usually, the cost of PMP® certification training ranges between $500 to $2,000.  

    The following chart will give you a clear idea about the cost of PMP® certification classroom training across other countries:

    CountriesPrice of classroom training
    America, Canada, Australia$1,500
    South America (Brazil, Chile, etc.)$600
    China, India$500
    European Countries$1,200
    Arabian Countries$2,000

    2. Exam Preparation Time

    As a busy professional, the time you spend on your project management education might cost you your precious leisure time. But you can save your time by opting for a self-paced online PMP certification training cost. 

    For instance, you can plan to spend 5 to 6 hours a week studying in order to pass your PMP® exam. The duration of your training will certainly depend on your dedication, professional experiences, and your background in project management.  

    3. PMP®  Exam Fee

    Once you are done with your 35 hours of project management education, you need to take your PMP® exam at a Prometric test center. You need to schedule your exam date in the nearest Prometric test center after PMI accepts your application. The PMP® certification exam fee can be brought down by becoming a PMI member.

    You can also get a free copy of PMBOK® by becoming a PMI member. Other than that, there are numerous other benefits that you can reap from your PMI membership.

    To sum up, the cost of PMP® certification depends on the course you decide to take. Your total PMP® certification cost will be nearly $750 if you choose to get your project management education through an online course. You can also continue preparing with a PMP® certification classroom training by spending around $1,700 including the exam fee.

    Top Cities where Knowledgehut Conduct PMP Certification Training Course Online

    PMP Certification in BangalorePMP Certification in TorontoPMP Certification in Dubai
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    PMP Certification in MelbournePMP Certification in DohaPMP Certification in Canada

    Transform your management approach with agile methodology training courses. Embrace change and enhance productivity to new heights!

    Conclusion

    I have given my complete journey here with key insights into the educational and experiential prerequisites required for PMP certification. Apart from the above-mentioned criteria, I have allotted focused time to prepare for the PMP exam syllabus. I have also enhanced my project management skills with workshops, courses, and real-time experiences.

    I never hesitated to get suggestions from experienced PMP holders for guidance and insights. So always stay connected with experienced PMPs. If you don't meet PMP exam qualifications, you should get more education, obtain the project management skills you need, or look into other certifications like the CAPM.

    Also, be updated with the official PMI website to know of any changes in PMP exam eligibility criteria. By strictly following the given PMP exam checklist, you can succeed in becoming a PMP certification holder. All the best for your PMP journey.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1What are the requirements in PMP?

    The following are the PMP certification eligibility criteria requirements. The candidate is required to have at least one set of the following for getting eligibility for PMP certification:

    SET 1: 4 years of a college degree, at least 3 years of project management job experience within the last eight years, and 35 hours of training in project management or accreditation as a CAPM®.

    SET 2: Secondary school diploma with 5 years of project management experience, and 35 hours of training in project management or a CAPM certification. 

    2How is PMP eligibility verified?

    To verify PMP eligibility criteria, you can check for eligibility updates at the official PMI website. The PMP eligibility application process consists of three steps. The first step confirms your eligibility which makes sure you have the right education, training, and work experience to take the PMP test.  

    3Does an MBA qualify for PMP?

    According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), persons with a four-year degree (bachelor's degree or its equivalent) are qualified to obtain the PMP certification, and an MBA degree satisfies this educational prerequisite. So an MBA holder can qualify for PMP. 

    Profile

    Kevin D.Davis

    Blog Author

    Kevin D. Davis is a seasoned and results-driven Program/Project Management Professional with a Master's Certificate in Advanced Project Management. With expertise in leading multi-million dollar projects, strategic planning, and sales operations, Kevin excels in maximizing solutions and building business cases. He possesses a deep understanding of methodologies such as PMBOK, Lean Six Sigma, and TQM to achieve business/technology alignment. With over 100 instructional training sessions and extensive experience as a PMP Exam Prep Instructor at KnowledgeHut, Kevin has a proven track record in project management training and consulting. His expertise has helped in driving successful project outcomes and fostering organizational growth.

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