PMP Certification Information
What Skills Does PMP Cover?
The PMP certification exam demonstrates the most important project leadership skills and practices of effective project management:
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- The interpersonal skills of leadership, team building, motivation, and conflict management needed to effectively lead project teams and manage stakeholders.
Process
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- The technical skills needed to manage a project, including integrating all the necessary pieces of project planning to realize project benefits.
Business Environment
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- The connection between the people and process within the business environment to meet project objectives and deliver value to the organization.
- Predictive
- Agile
- Hybrid
PMP Certification Exam Details
The examination is computer-based and consists of 180 questions in multiple choice, drag-and-drop matching, multi-select, limited fill-in blank and “hot spot” graphical question formats. The allotted time to complete the examination is 230 minutes. The examination is offered around the world at PMI-approved testing centers and in an online proctored format. To find a testing center in your area or schedule an online proctored exam please visit the PMI website.
Why Should You Get the PMP Certification?
The PMP certification provides professional project managers with project management skills, knowledge, and proven methods to drive project results. The PMP certification gives project managers the foundation for career advancement and salary increases.
PMP Salaries Vs. Non-PMP Salaries
As a PMP, you can earn a higher salary—23% more, on average—than project managers who aren’t certified. That’s because this certification gives you credibility and creates more job opportunities that will help you demonstrate and distinguish your expertise. Industries that pay higher than the average for the PMP include:
Resources | Consulting | Pharmaceuticals |
Roughly $135,000, on average | Roughly $134,000, on average | Roughly $133,000, on average |
Aerospace | IT | Healthcare |
Roughly $122,000 to $130,000, on average | Roughly $117,000, on average | Roughly $117,000, on average |
You can also improve your pay through experience. The more experience you acquire, the better, because employers will be inclined to pay you more. Another way to boost your earning potential is by becoming skillful enough to manage bigger project budgets and lead larger teams.
PMP Skills and Value
The PMP covers valuable skills which employers seek. The certification delivers value beyond just memorization and theory. By honing your skills in predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches, the PMP certification validates your project management acumen. This in turn drives professional growth, personal excellence in your field, and leverage for professional compensation and benefits.
How Do You Get the PMP Certification?
The Project Management Institute has information on their website, an app to apply and manage your exam dates, and eligibility requirements you must meet prior to registering for an exam.
PMP Certification Eligibility Requirements
When applying for PMP certification you must satisfy the educational and experiential requirements for one of the following options listed below and agree to abide by the code of conduct.
Option 1 | Option 2 | |
General Education | A four-year degree | High school diploma or an associate’s degree (or global equivalent) |
PM Education | 35 contact hours OR CAPM® certification | 35 contact hours OR CAPM® certification |
PM Experience | 36 months leading projects | 60 months leading projects |
Number of Questions | 180 (5 pretest questions and 175 questions scored) | 180 (5 pretest questions and 175 questions scored) |
- The number of months for the Experience section must total at least 36 months of project management experience within the eight-year (8) period prior to the application
How To Prepare for the PMP Certification
To prepare for the PMP® exam, check out RMC’s training options for self-study, instructor-led virtual training, classroom training and eLearning courses. RMC’s proven learning method, based on the teaching of Rita Mulcahy and reinforced with more than 30 years of experience, can help you to pass the PMP exam on the first try.
PMP Training & Classes
RMC training and classes are backed by the RMC guarantee, and include instruction from a PMP certified instructor, as well as the PMP Study System in the price of the classes. By the end of RMC’s PMP exam prep courses, you will have a firm understanding of the concepts necessary to pass the exam.
PMP Exam Prep Resources
Not interested in an online PMP exam prep course? Browse our award-winning self-study materials in order to gain the insights of Rita Mulcahy’s proven learning method in the comfort of your home – from exam simulators, to PMP exam prep books, and everything in between!
Our Top Selling Study Materials
How To Apply for the PMP Certification and Costs
Step 1:
Confirm That You’re Eligible
Please ensure you have the updated versions.
Step 2:
Get Experience and Education
Document your experience and education by gathering information about:
- Projects you’ve led, where you worked, what your roles and responsibilities were, and how long the projects lasted.
- Training you’ve completed, institutions attended, courses completed, and qualifying hours.
Step 3:
Set Up A PMI Account and Apply
- Download the PMI App to kick off the application process.
- Make sure to keep your materials and documentation handy for this step!
- PMP Application
Step 4:
Wait for Review and Approval
If you’re approved for taking the PMP certification exam, then you pay the exam fee:
- If you’re a member of PMI (it costs $139), you will pay $405 to take the exam.
- A non-member will be required to pay $555.
Once approved, register for an exam date at a testing site near you, or online.
(Optional) Step 5:
Take an RMC Class and Pass on Your 1st Try!
- Download the PMI App to kick off the application process.
- Make sure to keep your materials and documentation handy for this step!
- PMP Application
What Happens If You Fail?
You can certainly schedule to take the exam again to give it another try, but you’re only allowed to do this a maximum of three times in a year from the approval of your application. If you do not pass on the third try you have to wait one year to reapply. If you’re a PMI member, it will cost $275 to retake the test, but if you’re a non-member, the cost will be $375. Just another reason to take our PMP Exam Prep course to be fully prepared to pass on your first try!
Maintaining Your PMP Certification After the Exam
- Just because you pass the PMP certification exam and receive your credentials doesn’t mean your work is done. PMI requires that you maintain your certification by completing what are known as Professional Development Units (PDUs).
- How many PDUs will you need to keep your certification? Well, it depends on the certification that you wish to maintain. For your PMP certification, you’ll be required to earn 60 PDUs every three years. The 60 PDUs must have distribution over the three areas of PMIs talent triangle – Technical, Leadership, and Business/Strategic.
- Note: In addition to getting the required number of PDUs, you’ll need to renew your certification to keep it active every three years, and this will also come with a fee.