A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a standard credential for project managers recognized by the industry. The certificate allows project managers to gain rapid growth in their careers.
However, before being awarded this certification, professionals need to have the knowledge and experience to answer all the questions in the exam accurately. Furthermore, they need to be eligible for appearing in the exam.
The application process for the PMP exam can be overwhelming for some people.
This is why we have put together an in-depth guide to make the process a little less daunting. In this article, we’re going to discuss how to sign up for the PMP exam.
PMP Exam Eligibility
First, a project manager has to be eligible for appearing in the PMP exam. Your eligibility for the exam depends on your level of education and the amount of experience you have gained as a project manager. You can take two paths while applying for the PMP exam:
Path 1
One way to be eligible for PMP is earning a high school, associate’s degree, or any global equivalent of the same level of certification. The applicant must also have at least 7500 hours or 5 years worth of experience in order to qualify. Moreover, they need to have 35 hours of project management education or a CAPM certification offered by the same organization.
Path 2
If you have earned a four-year degree or a global equivalent of the bachelor’s degree, then you need less experience to qualify for the exam. PMP allows you to appear in the exam if you have project management experience of 4500 hours or 3 years. However, they still have to go through 35 hours of formal project management education to be able to qualify for the PMP exam.
Also, you have to understand PMI’s definition of a project. When writing the description of the project, be sure to start with the main objective of the project. You don’t have to state the title Project Manager explicitly. Instead, it’s better to clarify that you were leading and explain how your involvement affected its result.
To keep a track on your projects, create a spreadsheet. The sheet should include the description of the project along with the number of hours you have worked on it. Furthermore, you should document 35 hours of project management training and verify it from a Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.).
How to Sign Up for the PMP Exam
Follow the steps below to sign up for the PMP exam:
Step 1: Register Online at PMI.org
Becoming a member of a PMI member allows you to avail discounts given by PMI. For instance, the price for the computerized test for PMI members is $405.00, whereas non-members need to submit $555.
Although the membership fee accounts for an additional $129, you can get extra perks such as the free electronic copies of Salary Report and PMBOK Guide. It also allows you to avail special discounts at the PMI store and the opportunity to attend PMP webinars free of charge. However, it’s up to you whether or not to pursue membership as it doesn’t influence your eligibility for the exam.
Step 2: Complete Online Application
The most convenient way to apply for the exam is to fill in the online application with the help of PMI’s online certification system. After starting to fill the application, you have 90 days to complete it unless you want to start again. After submission, you can check the progress on the application by logging back into the system.
The online application asks applicants to enter where they learned 35 hours of training. Besides that, you have to mention which institute has given you your educational degree.
The application form asks about your project management experience in vivid details. For instance, an applicant has to enter project management hours by each project. Moreover, they have to write a summary of the project, and a description of their role along with reference to a supervisor or a manager.
You should note that your experience doesn’t have to be consecutive. Moreover, a year where you worked 80-hours a week is the same as someone working the usual 40 hours a week. Lastly, the exam qualifies you as a PMP only for three years, and you need to maintain PDUs to stay qualified.
Step 3: Wait for Confirmation
After submissions, PMI will review whether your application was complete or not. The confirmation process can take up to five business days, so it's wise to continue checking the status of your application.
Step 4: Submit Payment
After processing, PMI will ask for the payment of the PMP exam fee, which you can make online.
Step 5.1: Wait for Acceptance of Application
After payment submission, PMI reviews the application for its content. It’s possible that you get flagged for audit after the review. If you’re in the PMI’s radar, they will notify you within 7 business days. Otherwise, they will prompt you to register for the test.
Step 5.2: In the Case, You Are Audited
PMI gives you 90 days to submit the documents required for audit. These materials can include copies of your degree/diploma and certificates earned during the 35-hour project management training
You will also receive a downloadable file, which you would have to print and distribute to your references. Your references can send the form directly to PMI or give it to you in a sealed envelope. After that, you have to submit all your audit material to PMI. In the case you don’t pass the audit, they will refund your money minus a $100 processing fee.
The reason why PMP certification is valued all around the world is that it’s extremely transparent and thorough. The PMP exam lets you validate your experience as a project manager and can become a helpful boost for your career.
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