A Roadmap To Project Management Certification

A Roadmap to
Project Management
Certification
1
Project Management Certification Roadmap
This presentation serves as a roadmap towards becoming

certified in project management.
Certification in project management is awarded to those

individuals that have gained a certain amount of experience
in project management and have passed an exam. The
most highly recognized credentials are offered by the
Project Management Institute (PMI®).
Note: Certification in project management is NOT

required to be a project manager.
2
PROJECT MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATIONS
Direction and guidance to obtain two of the PMI®

credentials will be presented.
• PMP® - The Project Management Professional
• CAPM® - The Certified Associate in Project Management
3
PMI® PROJECT MANAGEMENT CREDENTIALS

PMP®
“PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential is the most
important industry-recognized certification for project managers. Globally
recognized and demanded, the PMP® demonstrates that you have the
experience, education and competency to lead and direct projects.” (Source:
Project Management Institute)
CAPM®
“PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a valuable
entry-level certification for project practitioners. Designed for those with little
or no project experience, the CAPM® demonstrates your understanding of the
fundamental knowledge, terminology and processes of effective project
management.” (Source: Project Management Institute)
4
PMI® PROJECT MANAGEMENT CREDENTIALS
In order to obtain your PMP® or CAPM® certification, you must meet specific
criteria and take an exam.
The remainder of this presentation will address these requirements and serve
as a roadmap towards obtaining certification by providing information
pertaining to:
• The Project Management Institute (PMI®)

• The Project Management Professional (PMP®) Credential
• The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) Credential
• The PMP® and CAPM® Eligibility Criteria
• The Application Process, and
• Studying and Preparing for the PMP® and CAPM® Exams
5
The Project Management Institute provides certification in project

management to those individuals that show competency and
knowledge within the project management discipline.
Additional information about PMI® including the details about the

exams can be found at the PMI ® website.
6
Although it’s not required, you should consider becoming a

member of the PMI®.
Membership within PMI® provides beneficial resources, cheaper

rates for materials, workshops that many local chapters offer
throughout each year AND substantial discounts on the exams.
PMI® - $129 to join (plus $10 application fee) and $129 each year
thereafter *
* Reflects the current rates. Additional information can be found at the PMI website.
7
In addition to the cost of joining PMI® other costs may be incurred to

take the PMP® and CAPM® exams.
Exam Costs - The cost for the exam is the only amount that you
MUST pay
• PMP® Exam - $405 for PMI® members, $555 for non-members *

• CAPM® Exam - $225 for PMI® members, $300 for non-members *
PMP® Prep Course
• Costs vary depending on the course attended
Study Materials
• Costs vary depending on the amount of study materials used. Some are
free online
* Reflects the current rates. Additional information can be found at the PMI® website
8
Depending on agency policy, some of the costs MAY be covered.
Check with your individual agency.
9
STEPS TOWARDS PROJECT MANAGEMENT

CERTIFICATION
In order to become PMP® or CAPM® certified, the following steps
are recommended:
1. Determine the project management
credential you want to pursue
2. Complete the Commonwealth Criteria
3. Read the PMI® Credentials Handbook
4. Determine Your Eligibility
5. Complete the Application and Pay Fee
6. Schedule the Exam
7. Prepare for the Exam
8. Attend a CAPM® or PMP® Prep Course
9. Take the Exam
10
STEP 1: DETERMINE THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

CREDENTIAL YOU WANT TO PURSUE
Do you want to pursue the CAPM® or the PMP® certification?
• The CAPM® is designed for project team members and entry-level

project managers
• The PMP® is designed to objectively assess the competency of the

experienced project manager
11

After you have determined the credential that you want to pursue,
there are a few things that you should do from the commonwealth’s
perspective.
***Please note – This step is recommended but NOT required***
12
STEP 2: COMPLETE THE COMMONWEALTH CRITERIA
• Talk to your manager and let them know you are interested in
being a project manager and/or pursuing your project
management certification
• Complete the Basic Project Management Course to learn the core

concepts and definitions through SAP LSO
• Complete the Basic Project Management Assessment and receive

at least an 80% through SAP LSO
13

With the commonwealth’s criteria completed, the next step should be

to read the appropriate PMI® Credentials Handbook.
14
STEP 3: READ THE PMI® CREDENTIALS HANDBOOK
PMI® provides a handbook for both the CAPM® and the

PMP®. These handbooks will guide you through the
journey towards certification and should be used as the
main point of reference and guide.
The Credentials Handbooks explain everything that you

want to know about the process of becoming CAPM®
and PMP® certified, including the eligibility
requirements.
15
STEP 3: READ THE PMI® CREDENTIALS HANDBOOK
If you want to pursue the CAPM® or the PMP®, the

handbooks can be found at the PMI® website.
PMI® requires that ALL candidates for either the

CAPM® or the PMP® read the applicable handbook.
16

By reading the appropriate PMI® Credentials Handbook, you should

have most of your questions answered. One of the topics pertains to
the eligibility criteria and that is the next step in this journey.
17
STEP 4: DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY
Depending on the certification that you are pursuing, PMI®

requires a specified number of hours of project management
experience and/or formal project management training.
18
STEP 4: DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY- CAPM®
Project Management
Experience Education
Education Level Requirements Requirements
High School Diploma 1,500 hours OR 23 hours

or equivalent
In order to take the exam for the CAPM®, you must

have at least 1,500 hours of work experience on
project teams OR 23 contact hours of formal project
management education.
19
STEP 4: DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY - PMP®

Education Project Management Leading/Directing Project Management
Level Experience Project Tasks Education Requirements
(Unique Months) (Total Hours)
Bachelor’s (or 36 AND 4,500 AND 35 hours
equivalent)
High School 60 AND 7,500 AND 35 hours
Diploma
The eligibility criteria for the PMP® is much more stringent.
If you have a college degree, you must have a minimum of three years (36 months) of unique, non-
overlapping professional project management experience of which at least 4,500 hours must have been
spent leading and directing project tasks within each of the five process groups (Initiating, Planning,
Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing), AND 35 hours of formal project management
education.
If you don’t have a college degree, you must have a minimum of five years (60 months) of unique, non-
overlapping professional project management experience of which at least 7,500 hours within each of
the five process groups, AND 35 hours of formal project management education.
20

If you have met the eligibility criteria, the next step in this journey is
completing the application and submitting the certification fee.
21
STEP 5: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION and PAY FEE

Once you have determined that you meet the eligibility
requirements for either the CAPM® or the PMP®, you are
ready to fill out the application.
You can complete and submit the appropriate application

online at the PMI® website.
You should fill out the application as soon as you have

confirmed that you meet all of the eligibility requirements.
Since you gathered all the information to determine whether
or not you are eligible, and you have it available, it’s best to
transfer the information to the application.
22
STEP 5: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION
PMI® will verify that your application is complete and in

order. If the application is correct, PMI® will send you an e-
mail requesting you pay the certification fee.
You cannot schedule the exam until you have paid this
fee
23
STEP 5: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION and PAY

FEE
The certification fee is based on your PMI®
membership status.
PMI® Member Certification Amount*
Status
Member CAPM® $225
Non-member CAPM® $300
Member PMP® $405
Non-member PMP® $555
* 2014 Rates
24

After PMI® approves your application and you pay the fee, PMI® will
notify you that you are eligible to schedule the exam.
25
STEP 6: SCHEDULE THE EXAM
You have one (1) year from the time your application is
accepted to take the exam.
When scheduling the test, ensure it is well ahead of when

you plan to take the test because:
a. The testing volume is high, and

b. This will allow you the proper time to study for the
exam
26

Now that all the necessary paperwork is completed and the fees have
been paid, the next step is to prepare for the exam.
27
STEP 7: PREPARE FOR THE EXAM

There are many techniques and ideas for studying for the
PMP®. Furthermore, everyone has his/her own style of
studying.
The internet, books, webinars, etc… provide a wealth of

information regarding how and what to do in preparing to
take the PMP® exam.
28

The following are some of the more common suggestions to
preparing for the CAPM® and PMP® exams.
• Read the PMBOK (Project Management Book of Knowledge)

Guide at least twice
• Read CAPM® or PMP® Preparation books
• Attend workshops offered by your local PMI® chapter
• Answer sample online exam questions
29

Organize your studying into a schedule. It’s best to have a
game plan for your study time. Planned, focused
preparation will increase the odds of you successfully
passing.
Preparation and studying for the exam must not be taken

lightly. This is a difficult exam and must be approached
with good and consistent study habits.
30

Attending a CAPM® or PMP® Prep Course can augment your exam

preparation.
31
STEP 8: ATTEND A CAPM® or PMP® PREP COURSE

To help you prepare for the CAPM® or PMP® certification
exams, you can attend a course that will provide you with
the essential preparation needed to pass the exam.
These courses are generally multi-day courses that provide

additional knowledge based on the PMBOK guide.
Depending on agency policy, the cost of these courses MAY

be covered. Check with your individual agency.
Completion of this course also counts towards the

project management training eligibility criteria!
32

9. Take the Exam
This is it – the final step in your journey. You studied and prepared
and now you’re ready to take the exam!
33
MAINTAINING YOUR CERTIFICATION - PMP®

After you pass the PMP® exam you are awarded your PMP® certification. The PMP®
Certification lasts for three (3) years. In order to maintain this certification, you must
obtain at least 60 professional development units (PDU’s) during the three year period.
Typically, you will earn one PDU for every hour (60 minutes) spent on an acceptable
professional development activity.
PMI® has designated five categories from which you can attain PDUs:
• Formal Academic Education

• Professional Activities and Self-Directed Learning
• Courses Offered by PMI-Registered Education Providers/PMI® Components
• Courses Offered by Other Education Providers
• Volunteer Service to Professional or Community Organizations
After each three year cycle, a new certification cycle begins provided that you obtain the
required number of PDU’s.
For additional information about maintaining the PMP® Certification and obtaining PDU’s,
please reference the PMP® Credentials Handbook at the PMI® website.
34
MAINTAINING YOUR CERTIFICATION – CAPM®

After you pass the CAPM® exam you are awarded your CAPM®
certification. The CAPM® Certification lasts for five (5) years.
In order to maintain your CAPM® Certification, you must re-take

the exam before the end of the 5 years.
For additional information about maintaining the CAPM®

Certification, please reference the CAPM® Credentials Handbook at
the PMI® website.
35
If you have any questions about this roadmap or the

certification process, you may contact the Enterprise
Project Management Office at EPMO@pa.gov.
Good luck on the exam AND with your

future as a CERTIFIED project manager!
36

A Roadmap To Project Management Certification

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A Roadmap to

This presentation serves as a roadmap towards becoming

Certification in project management is awarded to those

Note: Certification in project management is NOT

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATIONS

Direction and guidance to obtain two of the PMI®

• PMP® - The Project Management Professional

• CAPM® - The Certified Associate in Project Management

PMI® PROJECT MANAGEMENT CREDENTIALS

PMI® PROJECT MANAGEMENT CREDENTIALS

• The Project Management Institute (PMI®)

The Project Management Institute provides certification in project

Additional information about PMI® including the details about the

Although it’s not required, you should consider becoming a

Membership within PMI® provides beneficial resources, cheaper

In addition to the cost of joining PMI® other costs may be incurred to

• PMP® Exam - $405 for PMI® members, $555 for non-members *

PMP® Prep Course

• Costs vary depending on the course attended

Depending on agency policy, some of the costs MAY be covered.

Check with your individual agency.

STEPS TOWARDS PROJECT MANAGEMENT

STEP 1: DETERMINE THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Do you want to pursue the CAPM® or the PMP® certification?

• The CAPM® is designed for project team members and entry-level

• The PMP® is designed to objectively assess the competency of the

1. Determine the project management

***Please note – This step is recommended but NOT required***

STEP 2: COMPLETE THE COMMONWEALTH CRITERIA

• Complete the Basic Project Management Course to learn the core

• Complete the Basic Project Management Assessment and receive

1. Determine the project management

With the commonwealth’s criteria completed, the next step should be

STEP 3: READ THE PMI® CREDENTIALS HANDBOOK

PMI® provides a handbook for both the CAPM® and the

The Credentials Handbooks explain everything that you

STEP 3: READ THE PMI® CREDENTIALS HANDBOOK

If you want to pursue the CAPM® or the PMP®, the

PMI® requires that ALL candidates for either the

1. Determine the project management

By reading the appropriate PMI® Credentials Handbook, you should

STEP 4: DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Depending on the certification that you are pursuing, PMI®

STEP 4: DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY- CAPM®

High School Diploma 1,500 hours OR 23 hours

In order to take the exam for the CAPM®, you must

STEP 4: DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY - PMP®

The eligibility criteria for the PMP® is much more stringent.

1. Determine the project management

STEP 5: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION and PAY FEE

You can complete and submit the appropriate application

You should fill out the application as soon as you have

STEP 5: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION

PMI® will verify that your application is complete and in

STEP 5: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION and PAY

1. Determine the project management

STEP 6: SCHEDULE THE EXAM

When scheduling the test, ensure it is well ahead of when

a. The testing volume is high, and

Please note – This step is recommended but NOT required