PMP® Certification Training

A Project Management Professional is entrusted with some of the core responsibilities in an enterprise. Right from overseeing a project to using one’s skillset during the implementation and reporting stages, a PMP® is indispensable.

Below are some of the major duties of PMP® certified professionals:

• Designing, organizing, executing and completing projects within the set deadlines and allocated budget.
• Choosing the right resources for a project and managing them effectively
• Enforcing professional and social responsibility
• Finding and analysing constraints and assumptions
• Ensuring control over a project through performance trackers
• Predicting potential risks and charting the right approach to prevent them.

As a PMP® certified professional, there are several benefits for you as an individual, your career and the organization you are working for.

Following are the benefits of PMP® certification:

• PMP® certification gives your career an extra boost by making you eligible for the best roles in the top companies globally.
• It enhances your versatility and expands your skillset through the rigorous training and coursework.

A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certified professional is a person who has passed the PMP® certification examination and obtained a certificate.

As of August 2019, there are 932,720 active PMP certified individuals and 300 chartered chapters across 218 countries and territories worldwide. A PMP® certified person is acknowledged worldwide and can work as a project manager anywhere in the world. This certification paves the way for better career growth and salary 

This course will be useful for professionals in the following roles, among others:

• Associate Project Managers
• Project Managers
• IT Project Managers   
• Project Coordinators
• Project Analysts
• Project Leaders
• Senior Project Managers
• Team Leaders
• Product Managers
• Program Managers
• Project Sponsors
• Project Team Members seeking PMP® or CAPM®

Below are 10 steps that you should follow to become a PMP® certified professional:

Step 1: Start by reading the PMP® Handbook (20 minutes read).

Step 2: Confirm your eligibility to become a PMP® certified project manager before proceeding.

Step 3: Register on the PMI® website, or become a PMI® Member & Member of your local chapter.

Step 4: Enroll for a PMP® Training (Classroom or LVC) with a Registered Education Provider (REP) like KnowledgeHut to earn 35 PDUs (PMI’s Education requirement).

Step 5: Check out the PMP® classroom training schedules & dates to find a suitable session that meets your requirements.

Step 6: Sign up for the PMP® Exam by filling the PMI® application form & submit it to PMI® for approval.

Step 7: Now schedule your PMP® Exam through Pearson Vue at your convenient location.  

Step 8: Study the PMBOK® Guide thoroughly a few times, as it is a primary reference for the Exam.

Step 9: Study hard and have a plan. Work out our PMP® Practice sample exam question until you score 80%.

Step 10: Appear for the exam with the required documents and do your best!

The average salary for a certified PMP® is $108,000 in the United States. Certified PMP®s earn more in Australia, Switzerland, and the United States.

In Australia, the average salary of a certified PMP® is $134,658, while it is $133,605 in Switzerland.

The lowest salaries are given in China, India, Egypt and Nigeria with $24,201, $27,052, $27,156 and $30,000 respectively.

Apart from the certification and location, other factors that affect the increase in salary are education, level of experience and skills.

According to the salary survey carried out by PMI, PMP® certified individuals can expect a salary raise of upto23% compared to their non-certified counterparts. The survey involves collation of salary information from 26,000 project managers from 34 countries of the world.

That said, the salary depends on your level of experience, problem-solving skills, location, education, and industry. For instance, PMPs in Australia, Switzerland and the United States earn more than those in China, Germany, and UAE.

Yes, PMP® certification is helpful in changing your job profile and industry as long as it’s in the field of project management.

If you meet the PMP® requirements for the certification regarding the minimum hours of experience and education, you can switch between industries. The most important aspect is getting qualified to attend the exam and successfully passing it so that you get to enjoy all the benefits the PMP® certification offers. You can soar higher in your industry and even change career lanes.

Program Management Office (PMO) job profile describes the responsibilities of PMO as follows:

• The PMO supervises the project management lifecycle right from the implementation to monitoring in order to ensure successful execution.
• The PMO also leads programs and projects, and overlooks both verbal and written communications regarding project status, risks, and issues.

The PMBOK® Guide stands for Project Management Body of Knowledge. It is a guide that contains the processes, best practices, terminologies and acceptable guidelines in the project management field.

The PMBOK® Guide is normally updated within 4-5 years to reflect new ideas, ideologies, trends and best practices in the project management industry. It helps project managers to create a workable standard across companies. The first edition was published in 1996. It is now on the sixth edition which was released in September 2017.

You need to renew your PMP® certification every 3 years. Having passed the PMP® examination, there is the need for continual skill updates through CCR (Continuing Certification Requirements) program that helps to maintain the validity of your membership status and your credentials (PMP)®.

You need 60 PDUs (Professional Development Units) for your certification renewal at the end of each 3 year cycle. Inability to get the required number of PDUs for renewal automatically leads to a year-long suspension of PMP® credentials, making it invalid thenceforth.

Your first CCR cycle starts the day you pass your PMP® exam.

The PMP® certification training is accessible in three different ways, the classroom training, instructor-led training, and the self-learning method. Each mode has its pros and cons but the self-learning is considered the cheapest of the three.

Online training can either be through self-learning mode or instructor-led mode. There are good online platforms where you can get 35 contact hours of PMP® training such as KnowledgeHut.

Following are the important factors you should consider before choosing the right online platform for training:

• Is the training provider registered?
• Do they guarantee a 35 hours certificate?
• Are the videos presented by an English speaker?
• What is the duration of eLearning access?

PMP® process comprises the basics of project management which includes five phases found in a project life-cycle.

These are: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring, and Closing. The 49 processes are sub-grouped into these five main areas, which are interwoven in the course of the project life-cycle.

The process connects all the necessary components required for meeting the specific criteria and goals of any project. Since the project manager is the centre of each project, he is responsible for ensuring strict compliance with the given rules and details that can lead to success.

A PMP® Certificate is awarded to professionals who have passed PMI’s Project Management Professional certification exam. This training and subsequent exam are rigorous and intensive and the credential is a symbol of the capabilities and skillset of the holder. Project managers with this certificate are considered to be a class apart from their peers. They are often given the responsibility to lead and direct team members in the successful execution of a project.

The Project Management Professional (PMP)® is a certification designed for professionals who already have experience in leading and directing projects. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification is designed for professionals who want to get started in their project management career.

The eligibility requirements for these certifications differ in this respect.

• The requirement for PMP® is a 4-year degree and 4500 hours of leading and directing projects, or a secondary degree with 7500 hours of leading and directing projects.
• The requirement for CAPM is a secondary degree or 1500 hours of professional experience, or a secondary degree with 23 contact hours of formal education.

As of August 2019, there are 932,720 active PMP certified individuals and 300 chartered chapters across 218 countries and territories worldwide. The PMP® is the most common certification among the Project Management Institute suite of certifications. In fact, about 93.5% of all PMI® certification holders are PMP® holders.

The country with the highest number of PMP® certification holders is the United States. This is because PMP® certification holders are in high demand across all industries in the US.

The steps to get a PMP® certification are as follows:

1. Fulfill the PMP® eligibility criteria (domain level experience and educational levels).
2. Become a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI)®.
3. Undertake the PMP® course from a PMI REP to meet the 35 hours (PDUs) education requirement.
4. Complete the PMP® application form and submit it.
5. Read and understand the PMBOK® Guide.
6. Schedule your PMP® Exam with Pearson VUE.
7. Take and pass the PMP® Exam.

The eligibility criteria for PMP® certification are divided into three parts:

1. The academic education requires a secondary diploma or a degree.
2. The project management experience includes a four-year degree with 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects or a secondary degree   with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects.
3. The project management education includes 35 contact hours of project management education.

You must first ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria which include a 4-year degree and 4500 hours of leading and directing projects, or a secondary degree with 7500 hours of leading and directing projects. You also need 35 contact hours of project management experience.

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for the exam. It takes about 3 - 4 months to adequately prepare for the exam. You will need to study the PMBOK® Guide and other third party materials, and also take practice tests and quizzes from KnowledgeHut.

PMP® Certification is more difficult in comparison to other certifications and requires a deep commitment and adequate preparation. The time you require depends on your experience, formal training, and your preparation materials.

• Spend an average of 3 weeks studying the PMBOK® Guide.
• Dedicate 3-4 hours quality time for study on weekends.
• Practice tests and quizzes are also important to gauge your level of preparedness.
• You should do this for at least 2-3 months before your exams.

The failure rate for the PMP® exam is 40-50%, which is high. Most of the people who have failed the exam did so in the first attempt. Some of the reasons why people fail the PMP® exam at their first attempt are the following:

• Inadequate preparation
• Inadequate knowledge of the PMBOK® Guide
• Failure to read other study materials.

Passing the PMP® exam requires adequate preparation. You must dedicate about 2-3 hours per day to study. Read third-party study materials and the PMBOK® Guide. Also, take practice tests and quizzes from KnowledgeHut

There is no pass rate for the PMP® exam because PMI does not publish the pass mark for the exams anymore. Questions are rated according to their difficulty level. This makes it hard to calculate the pass percentage according to the number of correct answers. Each exam question is scored based on the difficulty of the question you have answered correctly.

Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is the most popular certification offered by the PMI®.

Below are reasons you need a PMP® Certification:

1. It is globally accepted
2. It increases your salary by 20%
3. It gives better job opportunities
4. It broadens your experience
5. It helps you to handle projects efficiently
6. It is applicable to most industries such as Telecom, Business processing, IT, Commerce and Finance.
7. It is an investment for your future
8. It gives you job security.

PMP® certification is globally accepted, and it is as valuable to IT developers as it is to people from other professions.

• An IT developer who is PMP® certified is respected and recognized all over the world.
• As an IT developer, you should also learn Agile methodologies to enhance your project management knowledge.
• The PMP® credential demonstrates your competence in project management.
• PMP® certification helps you to be well organized and also builds your project success rate.
• Your skills and expertise are recognized by employers as top-notch.

As a leading registered education provider (REP) of PMI®, KnowledgeHut caters to the training needs for corporate organizations and professionals across the globe. It’s successfully spread over 70+ countries where it conducts PMP® training. Few of the cities in India and the U.S  are listed below for your reference:

The PMP® certification exam fee is different for members and non-members. If you are a PMI member, you are expected to pay $405, while the fee is $555 for non-members. If you are not yet a PMI member at the time of application, you will still pay $555 for the exam and membership fees. The annual renewal fee for members is $119 while it is $129 for new members.

Below are the 10 best certifications for project management:

1. Project Management Professional (PMP)®
2. Certified Associate in Project Management(CAPM)®
3. Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM)
4. CompTIA Project+ certification
5. PRINCE2® Foundation/PRINCE2® Practitioner
6. Certified Project Management Practitioner (CPMP)®
7. Associate in Project Management
8. Master Project Manager (MPM)
9. Professional in Project Management (PPM)
10. Project Management in IT Security (PMITS)

PMP® is recognized in Australia and everywhere in the world. It is the first and the most popular certification from the Project Management Institute. Once you meet the eligibility criteria, and write and pass the exam, the certification is recognized all over the world. As a certified PMP® in Australia, you will enhance your marketability in the workplace and earn a top salary in your industry.

The requirements to take the PMP® Exam are:

1. Educational requirements a 4-year degree with 4500 hours of leading and directing projects, or a secondary degree with 7500 hours leading and directing projects.
2. 35 hours of formal project management education.  A PMI membership (optional).
3. Apply for the exam and pay the Examination fees ($405 for members and $555 for non-members).
4. Schedule the PMP® examination.
5. Sit for and pass the PMP® exam.

No. You don’t need a degree to get PMP® certification. If you have a secondary degree i.e. a high school diploma, associate’s degree or the global equivalent with 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects besides 35 hours of project management education, you are eligible to take the PMP® examination. The PMP® education shows you have theoretical knowledge to manage projects while the experience shows you have enough soft skills to take the PMP® exam.

The project management institute requires that you have 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects if you have a bachelor’s degree or 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects as a secondary degree holder.

The experience involves tasks you have done at work and outside work such as initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling a project within a process group. It can also involve experience through participation such as volunteer experience, work experience, and side projects. Make sure to always keep accurate records of your experiences.

You will get 35 PDUs on completion of 35 hours of training. These can be used toward your continuing education and recertification requirements with the Project Management Institute (PMI)®.

PDUs are credits awarded by the Project Management Institute. They recognize your dedication to the Project Management world through the award of credits for every educational effort you make throughout your career. Every PMI® certification, except the CAPM®, requires you to earn a specific number of PDUs per three-year certification cycle.

With the exception of the CAPM® credential, all those who earn a PMI certification must actively maintain their certifications through participation in the CCR (Continuing Certification Requirements) Program and renewal of their certifications every 3 years. You can take part in professional development and learning activities to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs), thus fulfilling the continuing certification requirements and ultimately growing and developing as a practitioner.

To maintain your PMP® certification, you must earn and record 60 PDUs every 3 years.

35 contact hours of documented training is mandatory for professionals who want to take the PMP® exam.

You need to show that you have completed courses, workshops and trainings by registered education providers (R.E.Ps), PMI component organizations, employer-sponsored programmes, distant learning companies with an end-of-course assessment, University / college academic and continuing education programs or any other training workshops where you can present the proof of training such as certificates, tests, syllabus and course descriptions.

One hour of classroom teaching is one contact hour. The same goes for non-classroom training.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has made it mandatory that all aspirants who have completed a 4 years degree need to have 4500 hours of leading and directing projects and those with secondary degrees need 7500 hours of leading and directing projects. The project management experience could be through managing teams, clients or vendors in large or small projects in any industry of your choice.

Besides that, you also need 35 contact hours of education. You can get it by undergoing self-learning, instruction led or regular classroom training.

You may attend the coaching to gain an in-depth knowledge of project management principles, but without the stated educational qualifications and experience, you cannot appear for the examination.

1. Check whether you have achieved the experience criteria for eligibility.
2. Undertake 35 hours of training from a PMI REP.
3. Apply for and schedule the exam.
4. Pay the cost of the exam, which  is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.
5. Chart out a study schedule, allowing adequate time for studying the PMBOK® Guide and other resources.

Successful completion of the exam and passing it gives you the opportunity to become a certified Project Management Professional. With this title, you can apply to get jobs across the countries and become a globally recognized project manager.

You will receive the PMP® certification that is provided by the PMI® Institute, on successfully passing the exam.

The time you require depends on your effort and capability. First, you need to ensure that you have the eligibility requirements such as

1. A secondary degree and 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects.
2. 35 hours of project management education.

OR

1. Four-year degree and 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects.
2. 35 hours of project management education.

Then, you need 3-4 months to prepare for the exam.

The application process for PMP® certification is simple. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria before you apply. The cost for the application is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.

Follow the steps below to apply PMP® certification online:

1. Log on to PMI.org and create a free account.
2. Confirm your registration and login to your account.
3. Fill the application form.
4. Submit the proof of project management experience and contact hours. Once you submit your application, it takes about 5 days to process the application.
5. Pay for the examination.
6. Schedule and reserve your spot.

1. You can qualify for PMP® certification by first having a four-year degree, 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects or a secondary degree (Diploma or the equivalent) and 7500 hours of leading and directing projects.
2. You also need 35 contact hours of project management education.
3. Once you have the required education and experience, you can purchase the form. It costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.
4. If you are accepted and approved, you can study, write and pass the certification exam.

The cost of the PMP® course depends on the mode of training of your choice. There are three distinct modes of delivery of the PMP® course:

1. the online self-learning course which costs $50 -$200. It is the cheapest.
2. the online instructor-led training, which costs between $250 to $2000.
3. the classroom instructor-led training, which costs from $250 to $4000.

The PMP® course will give you the 35 contact hours required by PMI to sit for the PMP® exam.

You can reschedule your PMP certification exam appointment up to two days before the exam date. If you do so within 30 days of the exam, you will have to pay 70 USD , but doing so within two days of the exam will forfeit your full exam fee.

However, you can reschedule your exam before 30 days for free.

PMP® certification renewal for Project Management Institute members costs $60 while it is $150 for non-members. Renewal is mandated every three years from the time you first receive the certification.

Project management is a dynamic industry and you need to renew your certificate to show that you are conversant with the changes and best practices used by project managers all over the world. The renewal will be displayed on your profile status as ”PMP® with good standing”.

There is no fixed cost for becoming a project manager as it varies depending on the institution of your choice. You should have the required experience, should have undergone project management training and done adequate preparation to pass the exam.To be a project manager, you must also have leadership skills and the ability to work with others comfortably.

The cost of PMP® certification in India is:

1. PMI membership fee for a year - $129.
2. Examination fee - $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.
3. Training fees (to get the required 35 contact hours) - between $176 - $2,600.
4. PMBOK® Guide cost - digital edition is free for members. The paper edition is $49.50 for members, while it is $65.95 for non-members.

A PMP® test is an examination for project managers who want to become certified. It contains 200 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options.

There are six types of questions in the PMP® exam and they are:

1. Formula-based questions 
2. Situational questions 
3. Knowledge-based PMP® exam questions 
4. Interpretational questions 
5. Specific technique questions 
6. PMBOK® Guide knowledge questions. 

The PMP® exam is difficult because the standard set is high. The certification exam examines your understanding of the PMBOK® Guide, and demonstrates your experience in project management. To pass the exam, you need to study supplemental study content and take regular practice tests and quizzes. Take several months to read the material and practice at least 2 hours daily.

You need to pass 175 questions out of 200 multiple-choice questions which are found in the PMP® exam. The remaining 25 questions are referred to as pre-test but are not obvious or distinguishable as they’re scattered around the multiple questions. The PMP® exam candidate should attempt all the questions since he or she cannot single out those 25 pre-test questions.

The questions are scored according to the difficulty level. The questions are individualized as no two candidates get similar questions. The easier the question, the higher the passing score determinant and the higher or tougher the question, the easier the passing score.

Ensure that you use the remaining two attempts within a year of your eligibility period. If you don’t, you cannot fill the PMP® exam application form for a year. If you still fail the remaining two attempts, you have to wait for a year from your last exam attempt before you can re-apply and write the exam.

The PMP® exam last changed on March 26th, 2018. This is because the PMBOK® Guide was updated and released on September 6th, 2017. There were changes in the syllabus and there were new chapters and sessions added to the guide. For example, the number of processes was increased from 47 to 49. So, to prepare for the exam, you need to get the latest edition of the PMBOK® Guide 6th edition. However, there are still 200 questions and the duration for the exam is still 4 hours.

You can take the PMP® exam three times a year. If you still have not passed the exam after your third attempt, then you have to wait for a year from the date of your last exam attempt.

You have to pay for each exam attempt and get your application reviewed and approved. But you don’t need to retake the training course because your contact hours will not expire.

It is possible to reschedule or cancel your online proctored test or CBT exam up to 48 hours before your scheduled date. However, late rescheduling and cancellations will result in a fee.

The fee for rescheduling or cancelling your exam within 30 days of your scheduled exam date is US$70. If you wait till within 48 hours of your exam date, you will not be able to cancel your appointment and you will forfeit the entire exam fee as it will be considered a ‘no show’.

These are the steps to reschedule or cancel your appointment online at the PMI.org website. 

1. Log in to PMI.org 
2. Navigate to Review Application Status under myPMI.  
3. Click on Reschedule Exam or Cancel Exam. 
4. You will be prompted to schedule your exam through Pearson VUE. 
5. In your Pearson VUE account, your exam will be available under Upcoming Appointment.  
6. Click the exam that you have already scheduled.  
7. Review the current appointment details, and choose the appropriate options to reschedule or cancel your appointment. 

The PMP® examination is comprised of 200 multiple-choice questions and has to be completed in 4 hours. Of the 200 questions, 25 are considered pretest questions and do not affect the score.

Please check the PMP® handbook for complete details at this link: PMP® handbook

The PMP® exam comprises 200 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options.There are six types of questions in the PMP® exam and they are:

1. Formula-based questions
2. The situational questions
3. The knowledge-based PMP® exam questions
4. The interpretational questions
5. The specific technique questions
6. The PMBOK® Guide knowledge questions.

If you want to pass the exam, read the PMBOK® Guide and other third-party books and practice a lot of test questions. When you can identify the questions you will meet, it will help you to be thoroughly prepared.

The duration of the PMP® exam is 4 hours. A lot of PMP® candidates have attested to the sufficiency of time to complete the 200 questions. During these 4 hours you’re not allowed to go out for a break or any rest. But, in a case a candidate is permitted to go out for any reason, the time duration will still count; which means that you will not be given any extra time neither will the time be extended for you.

Out of the 200 questions, you are expected to pass 175 since 25 are just pre-test questions.

There are 200 questions in the PMP® exam. 95% of the questions are scenario based. The remaining 5% of the questions are simple and straightforward questions.

Out of the 200 questions, 175 are scored, which means they contribute to your exam score while 25 are non-scored questions, and they don’t count towards your exam scores. They are pretest questions used to try out future tests. The questions are chosen randomly so you need to answer all of them with the same seriousness.

A few weeks to 6 months of active study and preparation for the exam can guarantee your chances of passing the PMP® exam. In a general sense, there is no fixed time for passing the PMP® exam. It depends on your level of assimilation and ability to answer the questions correctly.

If you’re able to devote enough time for study; an average of 180 hours of study should be enough to help you pass the exam. The most important thing is to start an intensive study plan as soon as you register for the exam. Also, a 3-hour daily study should usually help you get set for the exam within 3 months.

The PMP® exam contains multiple-choice format examination on the five domains, which are Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling and Closing. The number of questions is broken down as follows: 13% tests on initiating, 24% tests on Planning, 31% tests on Executing, 25% tests on monitoring and controlling and 7% tests on closing. The percentage signifies the number of questions that are created for each domain in the examination.

According to PMI’s 2013 Talent Gap Report, the project management industry is set to grow by $6.6 trillion by 2020, with more than 41.5 million jobs becoming available. This is a validation of the need for talented and qualified project managers, who can steer projects towards success and achieve organizational goals. This PMP® training will equip you to handle complex, multifaceted projects and prove that you are indispensable to the organization.

The PMP® process chart is an important aspect of the PMBOK® Guide, hence you need to memorize it before you take the exam.

The six steps below will help you:

1. Find a paper and draw a table with 6 columns and 11 rows
2. In the 6 columns, write the 5 processes.
3. In the 11 rows, write the 10 areas of knowledge.
4. Fill in the processes in each of the corners of the process chart
5. Fill the planning column with the processes
6. Fill the estimate processes into the planning process group
7. Fill the perform processes
8. Fill the five develop processes
9. Fill the control processes
10. Fill the manage processes
11. Fill the remaining processes in the PMBOK® Guide.

PMI’s passing score for the PMP® exam for each aspirant is different. The exam score is determined based on the difficulty level of the set of PMP® exam questions you have answered. PMI uses a scientific approach to determine whether a PMP® candidate is eligible for the PMP® certification. The report card will show the Target level i.e. above Target, Target, Below Target and Needs Improvement.

The PMP® exam is fairly difficult, and it requires adequate preparation.

Below is what you can do to prepare for the PMP® exam:

1. Read the PMBOK® Guide
2. Read third-party PMP® textbooks such as Rita Mulcahy and Andy Crowe’s books.
3. Join PMP® Exam workshops
4. Use online PMP® exam simulators
5. Join study groups and discussion forums
6. Take PMP® exam practice questions.

Make sure you answer at least 85% of the questions correctly. If you get this percentage on your first attempt, then you are well prepared for the exam.

You can study for the PMP® certification exam by reading and understanding the PMBOK® Guide. Decide which learning mode will suit you best. How best do you learn? Is it through reading a book, listening to a podcast, watching a video? Understand your learning style and plan your study around it.

Studying for a certification exam requires partnership. Study in groups and learn from the contribution of others. You need to familiarize yourself with the lexicon of project management as used in the PMBOK® Guide.

You can also take a PMP® prep exam or register for an online practice test and quizzes.

Reading the best books is important to pass the PMP® exam.

Below is the list of books that can help you prepare for PMP® exam:

1. The latest edition of the PMBOK® Guide
2. Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep
3. Head First PMP® by Jennifer Greene
4. PMP® Exam simplified by Eileen Ellis
5. The Velociteach All-In-One PMP® Exam Prep Kit.

You need approximately 180 hours to successfully study and pass the PMP® exam. This equals around 2 hours per day for 3 months or 3 hours per day for 2 months. For instance, if you can devote more hours, say 6 hours per day, you will be prepared within the next one month.

Basically, it depends on the time you have for the study, how serious you are about passing the exam at the first attempt and the quality of the preparation resources you want to use.

Passing the PMP® examination requires enormous preparation. You need at least 3 months or 90 days to prepare for the exam.

1. You need to first satisfy the project management education hours (35) required for the exam.
2. Then, you need to read the PMBOK® Guide at least twice.
3. There are third party PMP® books like Rita Mulcahy’s book, which is one of the best in the industry.
4. You also need to take practice exams and quizzes to validate what you have read.

PMP® exam fee is the fee paid to register for PMP® certification. The institute in charge of this registration; PMI (Project Management Institute) has two options for PMP® certification exam registration:

• For the computer test fee, PMI members must pay $405 while non-members must pay $555.
• For the paper exam fee, PMI members pay $250 while non-members pay $400.

In 2019, the PMP® Exam costs $405 and $555 for members and non-members, respectively.

• There are other costs such as the cost of the 35 contact hours of project management education which ranges from $200 - $2,000.
• The cost of the PMBOK is $70 for non-members but a free downloadable version is available for members.
• The cost of the course and preparation materials for the exam ranges between $179-$2,600. You may also need to purchase other third-party materials that will enable you to better understand the concepts of project management.

PMP® exam fee can be paid using credit cards, checks, money orders, and wire transfers.

1. You can pay through credit cards by sending payments through PMI online certification system.
2. It can also be paid using checks and money order sent to PMI post.
3. The last method of payment is wire transfer. You need to reach PMI customer care for the details of wire transfer.

You should note that you will not be allowed to schedule your exam until you pay the exam fee. However, after the approval of your application, you have the grace of one year to pay/schedule the exam.

You can reschedule your PMP certification exam appointment from 30 days upto two days before the scheduled exam date on paying 70 USD. Rescheduling within two days of the exam will forfeit your full exam fee. However, you can reschedule your exam before 30 days for free.

Candidates in various locations are required to pay their equivalent of the US dollars in their own currencies.

Canadians aspiring to get certified in PMP® have to pay the equivalent of US $405 as PMI members or the equivalent of US $555 as non-members. This is for the CBT exam.

Those aspiring for the paper-based test of the PMP® exam are also expected to pay the equivalent of US $250 as registered members and the US $400 as non-registered members.

There are other costs apart from the exam cost. You will need to pay for sample practice exams, prep courses, prep books and other materials needed to aid your successful completion of the PMP® exam.

The first attempt at the PMP® exam costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.

If you fail at the first attempt, you can retake the PMP® exam again at a cost. It is $275 for the computer-based exam for PMI members and $375 for non-members. It is cheaper for the paper-based exam. It is $150 for a PMI member and $300 for a non-member.

If you fail the second attempt, you still need to pay to retake the PMP® exam.

The PMP® Exam in India costs $405 for the computer and paper-based exams for members and $555 for non-members.

The PMI membership fee is $130 with an annual renewal fee of $119. You can become a member of the PMI and save costs. Members have the privilege to download the digital edition of the PMBOK guide for free on the PMI website.

Other costs include training fees which vary between $126 and $2700 to complete the 35 contact hours required. You may also need to purchase other third-party books to help you prepare for the exam adequately.

You need to meet the minimum system requirements in order to schedule your PMP® exam. In case you don’t have the right computer equipment and you have already purchased the exam, it is unlikely that you will get a refund.

In order to schedule your PMP® exam through Center-Based Test (CBT) or Online Proctored Test (OP), you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: First, you need to log in to www.PMI.org and then move to ‘Review Application Status’ under myPMI® section. Click on ‘Schedule Exam’.

Step 2: Following the above step you will be redirected to your Pearson VUE account. 

Step 3: The landing page of your Pearson VUE account comprises of a space where you need to search the name of your testing program. For PMP®, you need to search for PMI® - Project Management Institute.

Note: Before scheduling, rescheduling, or canceling an exam, it is mandatory for you to select your testing program, or you can also choose to contact one of the customer service representatives.

There is another way to find and select your testing program. You can find a list of all test sponsors on the landing page of your Pearson VUE account by clicking on ‘A to Z list of all programs’.

Step 4: In the next step, click on ‘P’ to find PMI® (Project Management Institute) which is the test sponsor or testing program name for PMP® exam.

Step 5: Clicking on PMI® - Project Management Institute will take you directly to a landing page where you need to use your unique PMI® eligibility ID to log in.

Step 6: Now you need to choose between Center Based Test (CBT) or Online Proctored Test (OP) option.

On selecting CBT option:

Follow these scheduling instructions in order to take up the PMP® certification exam in CBT mode:

Step 7.1: In this step, you will have to select the booking method for your PMP® exam. You need to select the ‘I will be scheduling for a future date at a test center’ option and then click on ‘Next’.

Step 7.2: Clicking on ‘Next’ will take you to the View Testing Policies page where you need to review the testing policies and then click on ‘Schedule this exam’.

Step 7.3: This is the step that allows you to choose the test center, date, and time for your PMP® certification exam. For instance, if you are based in Delhi, India, you just need to choose your exam center in ‘Delhi’ before choosing the date and time. As another example, if you are based out of New York, USA, you need to choose your Pearson VUE test center in New York before choosing a suitable date and time for your PMP® exam.

Step 7.4: Once you choose your test center, date, and time, review the appointment and then click on ‘Proceed to Checkout’.

Step 7.5: Now you need to just follow the steps and click on Submit Order which will confirm your appointment.

Step 7.6: On completion of the process, you will receive a confirmation mail from Pearson VUE.

On selecting Online Proctored Test:

If you decide to appear for your PMP® exam through the Online Proctored Test mode, you just need to follow these steps:

Step 8.1: In order to select the Online Proctored Test option for your PMP® certification exam, you need to read and agree to the online proctoring policies and then click ‘Next’.

Step 8.2: In this step, you will come across the exam and language aid. First, you need to click on ‘View Testing Policies’ and then click on ‘Schedule This Exam’.

Step 8.3: As you will be taking the exam from home, you don’t need to select any exam center. But you do need to choose the date and time on which you want to take your exam. You can select the time of the exam once you select the date. You can schedule your PMP® exam at any time between Tuesday and Saturday.

Step 8.4: You need to review your appointment details once you make the selection and then click on ‘Proceed to Checkout’.

Step 8.5: Follow the next steps and then click on ‘Submit Order’.

Step 8.6: Once your appointment is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation mail from Pearson VUE.

Yes, you do get a refund on your examination fee if you cancel your exam within 30 days, but you are charged with an exam fee of $70. Also, in case you fail to cancel your appointment before 48 hours of the exam, you will have to forfeit the entire exam fee.

In order to schedule your PMP® with Pearson VUE via telephone, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Once you call the representative at the Pearson VUE’s Contact Center, you need to tell them the name of your Testing program. For PMP®, the name of your Testing program is PMI® or Project Management Institute.

Step 2: In the next step, you need to tell the name of your examination and your PMI® ID.

Step 3: Finally, you need to verify your name, address, email address, and phone number.

You should already have been granted a Test Accommodation in order to schedule your PMP® exam with it. Follow these steps to schedule your Test Accommodation for your PMP® exam with Pearson VUE:

Step 1: Contact the Pearson VUE Contact Center.

Step 2: Next, you need to provide your details that include Testing program, name of the examination, and your PMI® ID to the representative who picks your call. 

Step 3:  Finally, you need to get your name, email address, phone number, and address verified.

Once you pay the PMP® Certification fee or complete the PMP® application audit, you will receive an approval email/audit verification confirmation email from PMI®. This email consists of your PMI® Eligibility ID which is compulsory for you to schedule your PMP® exam at the Pearson VUE website.

Note: You can also recover your PMI® Eligibility ID on the myPMI® section of the PMI® website in case you lose the email.

In case, there’s any change in your plan for taking up your PMP® Exam, you can reschedule or cancel the same with Pearson VUE. Follow these steps to reschedule or cancel your exam:

Step 1: Begin by visiting www.PMI.org and then click on Reschedule Exam or Cancel Exam which you’ll be able to find under the Review Application section.

Step 2: The above step will redirect you to your Pearson VUE account. Scroll to the  Upcoming Appointment section and click on the exam that you want to reschedule or cancel.

Step 3: Once you review the current appointment details for your exam, you will get an option to reschedule or cancel your exam.

Note: You will have to forfeit your entire exam fee if you decide to cancel your exam within 48 hours of the PMP® exam.

There are certain materials which are prohibited in the Pearson VUE Testing location. These are watches, wallets, food, beverages, books, calculators, books, bags, sweaters, coats, pagers, cellular, telephones, tape recorders, dictionaries, eye drops, medications, etc.

If you wish to take your PMP® exam in the comfort of your home or office environment then you should go for the Online Proctor exam offered by Pearson VUE.  But before purchasing the exam voucher make sure that your computer equipment meets the system requirements mentioned by Pearson VUE. 

There are certain requirements which you should fulfill to take up the PMP® exam through the Online Proctor option. There are the standard system, environment, technical, and testing protocol requirements which you need to meet in order to be eligible to take the Online Proctor exam. Check for the following things before scheduling an appointment for your PMP® Exam:

1. Run System Test 

• Run the exam in your system and the location where you will be taking the exam once you download it.
• You will require a microphone, working internet connection, and a webcam.
• In order to ensure that you have a secure browser, you need to take a one-question exam.

2. Review policies and procedures

You should read the policies and procedures for the Online Proctor exam and follow them strictly. 

3. Verify System Requirements

Most importantly, you need to verify that your system meets the system requirements before you schedule an appointment.

The most popular courses in project management include:

1. Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification training course
2. Certified Associate in Project Management training course (CAPM)®
3. Program Management Professional (PgMP)® certification training
4. Change Management
5. PRINCE2® Foundation certification training course
6. PRINCE2® Practitioner
7. PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner Certification
8. Microsoft Project 2013
9. Oracle Primavera P6V8
10. Senior International Project Management training.

Project management is important for the following reasons:

1. Project management helps in the planning and organizing of projects
2. It helps to create schedules and plans for the project.
3. It encourages teamwork
4. It maximizes resources by enforcing project management disciplines
5. It integrates projects with business process, systems, and organization.

The 5 process groups of project management are; initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and closing process groups. It is not enough to have years of work experience, there is a need for combined knowledge and skills to achieve great results.

Successful project completion in project management is a result of combining several components together. These processes are indispensable and need competencies, which a project manager must have. It is therefore mandatory for any project manager to internalize and integrate these essential components into their assigned responsibility.

The first step in getting certified in project management is to meet the eligibility requirement. It includes a four-year degree and 3 years of project management experience which includes 4,500 hours leading and directing projects or a secondary degree with 5 years of project experience and 7500 hours leading and directing projects. You also need 35 hours of project management education.

The second step is paying the examination fees of $450 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.

The third step is to schedule the examination, prepare, write and pass the exam

There are three costs associated with the Project management certification.They are highlighted below:

1. PMP® certification exam fees: The PMP® certification exam fees are $405 for members and $555 for non-members of PMI.
2. Cost of PMP® training course: The cost of PMP® training course varies based on the mode of training. Online self-learning ranges from $50 to $200. Online instructor-led training costs $250 to $2000 and Classroom instructor-led training is $250 to $4000.
3. Cost for PMP® exam preparation resources: This includes the cost of the PMBOK® Guide which is $70 for non-members (members can download it from the PMI website for free) and the cost of other third-party books.

You need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in management or a similar degree in any field of your choice to get involved in project management. It is possible to get a degree in computer science, business management, engineering etc and still become a project manager in that field. For instance, there are IT project managers. You can also study project management courses offered by some colleges/universities. There is room for growth in any chosen career by taking part in any program offered by the Project Management Institute. These can be online or offline.

Project management knowledge areas are the technical subjects important for efficient project management.

There are 10 areas:

1. Integration management
2. Scope management
3. Time management
4. Cost management
5. Quality management
6. Human resource management
7. Communications management
8. Risk management
9. Procurement management
10. Stakeholder management.

While they serve as fundamental guidelines, it is possible for one or two not to apply at a particular time of project execution. Time management is such an essential key area that it determines the overall satisfaction of a client and how the organization is perceived by outsiders.

Project Management knowledge areas are sets of up-to-date terminology and guidelines for good project management.

The ten knowledge areas of project management are:

1. Project Integration Management
2. Project Scope Management
3. Project Time Management
4. Project Cost Management
5. Project Quality Management
6. Project Human Resources Management
7. Project Communication Management
8. Project Risk Management
9. Project Procurement Management
10. Project Stakeholder Management

Project management techniques help to effectively plan any project. Anyone who desires to have complete control over the plan of his or her project from the beginning to the end should use these techniques.

For instance, by using these tools, you can finish your project within your budget without additional costs. They will help you determine the progress of the project in determining the money spent and what is left to get the job completed. In a similar vein, if you want to manage resources well, you need these techniques.

PMO is an acronym for Project Management Office. A PMO’s job role is to define the standards for project management by ensuring the standardized running of projects and programs in the organization.

It is usually a group within the organization saddled with the responsibilities to define standards and also execute tasks that are associated with project management. PMOs achieve this through strategic project planning, setting of goals, execution of projects, governance, documentation, the setting of priorities and portfolio alignment.

PMOs help organizations reach goals more quickly and help to deliver strategies with an outcome that is certain.

ITTO stands for Inputs, Tools, Techniques, and Outputs in project management. These are various guidelines that are detailed out in the project management process and a lot of project management students—both beginners and those already in the process of earning the professional certification—are often intimidated and worried about these complex guidelines. As standardized procedures of strategically using known methods for all projects, they lead to uniformity across all projects carried out by project managers. With the implementation of ITTO, all project managers follow the same fundamentals for any project irrespective of the location and project type.

A project manager carries out several duties and they are:

1. Initiates a project plan and carries it out, works out its designs, executes, monitors, controls and closes it.
2. Leads and directs the project from the beginning to the end.
3. Works out strategies before other team members play one role or the other.

This is why many people adduce the success or failure of any project to the project manager. Several industries like construction, architecture, petrochemical, information technology and other firms involved in the production of products and professional services employ this job title.

You do not need a degree to become a project manager. A Diploma in Building and Construction (Management) with extensive experience in the construction industry, for instance, qualifies you to become a project manager without a degree in the construction space.

However, it becomes necessary to own a degree if you are planning to manage and direct complex projects and lead teams. You can then earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree or a professional certificate.

Project manager certification is the certificate that empowers a project manager to function successfully in that capacity. The globally recognized certification that is the gold standard for professionals in this space is known as the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification.

To become certified as a PMP® professional, follow the five steps below:

1. ensure your eligibility to become a certified project manager
2. read the PMP® credentials book
3. become a local member of the professional body
4. get registered for the PMP® examination
5. study the PMBOK® Guide.
6. Pass the certification exam.

Following the steps listed above, will help you become a certified project manager.

To become a certified project manager, follow the steps below:

1. You need a bachelor’s degree, 4500 hours of project management experience and 35 hours of project management training or a secondary degree, 7500 hours of project management experience and 35 hours of project management training.
2. Become a member of PMI
3. Pay the PMP® examination fees
4. Schedule the PMP® exam and study
5. Take the PMP® exam and pass.

Yes, depending on the location, work experience, and the financial capacity of the company among other parameters. Project managers are paid $134k in Australia, $133k in Switzerland and $108k in the United States. In China, they’re paid $24k while in India they’re paid $27k.

These vary based on prevailing factors from one location to another and the company in question. For instance, while the average pay is $108k in the US, some states pay different salaries for different categories of project managers.

Experienced and established professionals are paid $96k while those with little or no experience (often known as entry levels) earn $89k.

There is no fixed time required to become a certified project manager. It solely depends on your abilities. Keep in mind that there are time-based procedures you must undertake, such as:

1. A secondary degree and 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects
2. 35 hours of project management education

OR

1. Four-year degree and 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects
2. 35 hours of project management education.

AND

1. 3-4 months to prepare for the exam.

The average annual income of a PMP® certified project manager is $90,033. The lowest salary in this category is $59k while the highest paid earns $134k in the US. There may also be extra payments and cash rewards aside from the salary, such as a bonus, profit sharing, and compensations.

In 2017, a certified PMP® Project manager earned nothing less than $83k as average salary annually. There is a remarkable difference between PMP® certified project managers’ salary and that of non -certified project managers. A certified PMP® earns at least 20% more than those who are not certified.

A project manager makes $63 per hour on average in the United States. However, it ranges between $56 to $71, and depends on your level of experience, certifications, skills, education, and location. For instance, as a certified project manager, you can earn 23% more than those who are not certified.

The salary of entry-level project managers is $75,596 in the United States. Experienced project managers earn $96.425.An entry level project manager’s job is great for people who are just starting out. It will help them gain the necessary skills and expertise they need in the field and build their career.

The average salary for a senior project manager is $113,735 per year in the United States. Nationally it varies from $52,000 to $173,000. The duties of a senior manager are to evaluate projects continuously, know the latest strategies and technologies, identify internal and external resources and develop project management programs.

IT project managers take care of the information technology plan from the initiation, design, and implementation right through to the closure.

• They ensure that processes are on track from the start of an IT project to the end.
• They make sure IT projects are completed according to plan, budget, and deadline.
• They consult with clients and vendors to make sure everyone is on the same page.
• They plan schedules and assign tasks to team members and ensure they work towards completing the project successfully.

A contracts manager performs the following roles in any company:

1. Plans projects
2. Promotes HS&E(Health, Safety, and Environment) concerns
3. Ensures quality service
4. Maintains good customer relationships.
5. Is in charge of result-oriented program planning that the team members can follow with no hitch so that they work in accordance with the rules of the company.
6. Procures all the materials needed for the successful execution of the project.
7. Leads by example by promoting health, safety and the environment.
8. Ensures site workers comply with the HS&E of the company regulations by providing training to other team members where and when necessary.

It will take between 4 to 6 years to become a construction manager. You need to have either a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or an associate degree. The degree can be in construction management, construction science, architecture or engineering. Employers are looking to hire a construction manager who is well educated. You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge or experience, on-the-job training or vocational training.

A junior project manager offers assistance in managing projects by giving out pieces of advice related to project management to organizations/companies in need of professional service. From the term junior, it is evident that they work directly under the supervision of a higher manager known as the senior project manager, as an assistant.

Junior project manager is a designation offered in software development firms, engineering industries, and other organizations in need of project managerial services. As an assistant in project management firms, a junior project manager performs different duties such as:

1. assisting the senior project manager
2. creating project plans
3. monitoring the progress of given projects and
4. reporting project results.

An assistant project manager is charged with the responsibility of assisting project managers in the course of executing project-related activities such as:

1. Generating invoices for clients as directed by the project manager and according to the services carried out.
2. Ensuring smooth communication with clients regarding intended projects and their objectives.
3. Answering clients queries regarding the project
4. Giving the project manager necessary feedback.
5. Working hand in hand with all project managers to ensure the achievement of project goals.

Junior project managers make up to $70,000 in a year in the United States. This is based on their average salary. A new junior project manager can make a starting salary of around $52,500 and this increases as he gains more experience.

How much a junior project manager will make varies from company to company, industry to industry and also from one country to another. Junior project managers in the UK earn £29,114 in a year on average. Construction companies pay $66, 136 on average while IT companies pay an average of $62,000.

Freelance project managers make between $21,500 and $148,000 resulting in an average of $78,517 annually in the US. There is a growing awareness of freelance opportunities as there are about 12% of freelance project managers and 88% permanent project managers in the United States. Many people are embracing freelance opportunities to carve out time for other businesses. They take on freelance project managing jobs to enjoy benefits coming from different companies. The choice boils down to personal financial goals.

A construction project manager’s job description is:

1. To supervise building projects from inception to completion.
2. To employ laborers and negotiate contracts
3. To obtain all needed documents and other required permits before commencing a building project on any site.
4. To ensure all projects are completed within a given time frame and according to agreed budgets.

Aside from having a bachelor’s degree and other related certification, a construction project manager is expected to have adequate work experience.

A contract project manager makes an average of $90,337 per year in the United States. Contract project managers are high in demand because companies need professionals who can come in for a period to manage one-off projects and then leave. As a contract manager, you can choose which projects to work on and you earn more money. Different contracts will also help you build up your experience in project management.

A residential project manager makes $101,022 as an average annual salary in the US. This depends on some factors such as location, skills, certifications, experience and the financial prowess of the company they work for. The lowest average pay is $88k while the highest is $101k.

The job description of the residential project manager remains the same irrespective of the salary being paid. Some duties include: hiring/managing employees, projects scheduling, monitoring the progress of each construction, securing permission and budgeting finances for each site.

In the US, HVAC project managers make $86,232 per year based on average calculations. The lowest paid earns $44,500 while the highest paid earns $121,500 across the states. The difference between the least and highest paid HVAC project manager depends on the location, the company in question, years of experience and other factors.

However, there is a difference between an HVAC technician and an HVAC project manager. While an HVAC technician is involved with the installation and repairs of an HVAC system, an HVAC project manager relates with clients as the project is ongoing.

A project manager in the UK earns £61,188 on average over a year as of September 2018. However, salaries vary based on location. For example, in Edinburgh it is £93,791, in City of London it is £72,500, in Bristol it is £62,500, in Birmingham, it is £57,500, in Leeds it is £52,500 and in Manchester, it is £47,500. Besides, salaries also vary based on other factors such as certifications, level of experience, skills, and education. Certified project managers in the UK will earn 20% more than those who are not certified.

The starting salary for a construction manager is $58,652 per year. However, there is additional compensation such as the bonus which is $3,122, the profit sharing - $2,528, and the commission is $9,000.

However, the amount of salary a construction manager at entry level earns depends on the skill, education, experience, certification, and location. A certified construction manager earns at least 20% more than those who are not certified. Also, a construction manager in Australia earns more than those in the United States.

A construction project manager makes $49 per hour as of September 2018. But typically it ranges between $42 and $55 in the United States. The hourly rate varies based on the project manager’s certifications, level of experience, skills, location, and education. The more experience, skills, and education you have, the more you earn.

The average salary of a construction manager in Australia per year is $160,593. Apart from the salary, a construction manager also earns a bonus, profit sharing, and commission on projects. Construction managers in Australia earn one of the top salaries compared to their counterparts in USA and UK who make $74,678 and $66,952 respectively. A construction manager leads and directs the construction of building, road and structures.

The average salary of a construction project manager in Canada per year is between $69,000 - $112,000. The salary varies based on the company, certifications, size of the project and years of experience. However, construction managers in the U.S earn much more than that. In the U.S the salary of a construction project manager is $91.370 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The average national salary of a construction project manager is $117,786 in the U.S. The highest paid in the profession earn $138,330 while the lowest paid earns $53,740. However, compensation differs regarding whether the project is a large or small one. Construction project managers oversee and manage contractors, critically review project blueprints and solve construction problems.

The Project Management Institute(PMI)® is a certification body and a non-profit membership association. PMI offers different project management certifications ranging from PMP®, CAPM® and several other top-level certifications that focus on project management, portfolio management, agile practices, risk management, business analysis, and scheduling. The PMP® is the most in-demand certification in project management.

PMI stands for the Project Management Institute. It is a non-profit professional membership association established for project managers and program managers. The association was founded in 1969. Currently, it has over 2.9 million professional members worldwide. The Project Management Institute oversees the Project Management Professional certification, which is a popular certification for project managers.

Project Management Institute certifications demonstrate your skills and education relevant for project management jobs. They set you apart from the crowd. These certification exams are rigorous and intensive and ensure that those who achieve it are the best talents in the industry.

There are different certifications from PMI such as:

1. Project Management Professional (PMP)®
2. Program Management Professional (PgMP)®
3. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)®
4. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
5. PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)®
6. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
7. PMI Risk® Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®
8. PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)®.

The Project Management Institute (PMI)® is a non-profit membership organization for professionals in Project management. They offer different certifications such as PMP® certification, CAPM certification, PgMP Certification, PMI scheduling professional (PMI-SP) Certification, and PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) certification, among others.

Each of the certifications has different requirements. PMP® is the most popular of them all and to be eligible, you need a 4-year degree and 4500 hours of leading and directing projects or a secondary degree with 7500 hours of leading and directing projects. Besides, you also need 35 contact hours of project management education, after which you must pass the certification exam.

The Project Management Institute (PMI)’s headquarters is located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. PMI’s chapters are spread across 80 countries of the world. PMI members have access to the chapters in their countries. You can locate your chapter by visiting the projectmanagement.com.

PMI has over 2.9 million professionals working in almost every country in the world to improve their careers, create organizational success and ensure the maturity of the profession. PMI offers eight certifications which include Project Management Professional (PMP)® and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®.

You can sign up to become a PMI member on pmi.org. It costs $129 per year. The application fee is a one time $10. There are different levels of memberships, such as Individual membership, student membership, and Retiree membership.

As a member of PMI, you enjoy the following benefits:

1. Access to 1,000+ tools and templates
2. Save cost on certifications
3. Download the PMBOK® Guide for free
4. Find jobs with the PM Job board
5. Become a part of the PM Community.

The cost of joining the Project Management Institute (PMI) is $130 ($129 membership fee and $10 for the application fee). The membership is subject to an annual renewal fee of $119 which must be paid within 90 days of your current membership expiration date.

If you are joining the PMI as a student, you will pay $2 and then you have to pay the annual renewal fee of $32. If you have been a member of the PMI for at least 5 straight years and have retired, you can still keep your membership by paying a renewal fee of $65 annually.

The PMI membership renewal fee is $119; $10 (application fee) less than the new registration fee, which is $129. Fees differ from one category of people to the other. Students and retirees are given special considerations because of their dependent nature while others pay the normal fee at registration. If you’re a student studying for project management in any college or university, you are eligible to register and become a PMI member with as little as $32 including the registration fee. Retirees pay $65 annually.

The PMBOK® Guide stands for Project Management Body of Knowledge. It is a guide that contains the processes, best practices, terminologies and acceptable guidelines in the project management field. The PMBOK® Guide is normally updated within 4-5 years to reflect new ideas, ideologies, trends and best practices in the project management industry. It helps project managers to create a workable standard across companies. The first edition was published in 1996. It is now on the sixth edition which was released in September 2017.

The PMBOK® Guide (Project Management Book of Knowledge) 6th edition contains 49 processes, best practices, terminologies and standard guidelines in the project management industry. The guide is developed by professional practitioners and experts. It is updated every 4 to 5 years to make sure it reflects the current standards, ideologies, terminologies, and trends in the project management industry. It is published by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

The PMBOK® Guide 6th edition contains 978 pages, and it was released in September 2017. This includes the Agile Practice Guide which is 186 pages, 3 new processes, knowledge areas, etc. The previous edition was the 5th edition, and it has 616 pages. The Project Management Institute updates the PMBOK® Guide every four to five years because the project management industry is dynamic. There are new theories, ideas, ideologies and philosophies that are continually evolving in the industry, hence the update.

The number of pages in the PMBOK® Guide 5th edition is 616. The PMBOK® Guide 5th Edition is 10.8” wide, 8.3” tall, and 1.2” thick. The Project Management Institute published it on January 1, 2013. The latest edition PMBOK® Guide 6th edition was published in September 2017. The guide is available in different language translations such as Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.

Disclaimer: All figures and statistics in this document were updated in September 2019. Current figures may have changed.