Plans of getting PMP certified ?Answers to common questions and steps involved.

With more and more job descriptions requiring a formal project management certification, the number of PMP aspirants has clearly gone up in the recent years.

Interestingly most people wanting to get PMP certified, have the same set of questions on the topic. Here are the answers !

Is PMP certification for me ?

Well, it depends and all three answers (Yes, Maybe, No) are possible. See which category you fit into.

Yes If you are already pursuing a career as a project manager or in the project management office. Taking the PMP certification can be a good choice for two reasons. One, it gives you a structured approach to project management , which can be of great help in day to day work life. Two, a formal certification in your field is always a good addition to your resume.

Maybe If you have been working for 3-5 years in a function that is involved closely in projects (but not exactly leading or handling projects) & you want switch over to a project manager role: you can consider getting PMP certified. Your consideration should include the fact that project managers are not just hired based on PMP certification, but also based on the industry experience and kind of projects involved.

Remember, PMI requires that you should have lead projects for 3-5 years or for around 4500 hours (through the Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring and controlling, Closing). If you have been around for 3-5 years, many of the assignments can fit into the framework of a project, and you should be able to prove this experience to PMI. However, in case of a random audit, you may need to have this 'project’ experience vetted by your supervisor in your company's letterhead.

No If you are a fresher with no or less than 3 years of experience & are hoping to get a project manager role based on PMP certification. Getting the PMP certification involves having answers to some “situations”, and you are better prepared for these questions with experience. PMP certification without relevant experience doesn't sell on the market place.

What are the steps involved ?

• Read through the PMP certification handbook.
• If you meet the eligibility criteria to apply for certification: schedule an appointment with a local REP (Registered education provider) accredited by PMI 
• Have a discussion with the counselor at REP to check if your professional experience would suit PMIs requirement of 4500 hours of project management practice. If yes, check with your superior if he will be willing to provide a letter stating your 'project’ experience. (In an unlikely event that PMI’s computer chooses your application for audit)
• Take the mandatory 40 hour classroom on project management from any PMI authorised REP. Ask Quora or Google, for the best trainer in your locality. Make sure you get a certificate for the 40-hour session, just in case PMI wants to audit your application
• The training should take you through the PMBoK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). Take a 6-8 weeks to get a grip every idea in the book.
• Take practice tests (a lot of them)
• After you are fairly confident, go ahead and apply at PMI website. Wait for the approval of application. Pay the fee, book the exam slot, crack it. And let the world know you are PMI certified.

How much does it cost ?

The exam fee is $405 and the training class should be around $150 (in my part of the world from the PMI local chapter). So, around $600 of money , and 8 weeks of your effort.

How easy is it ? Does everyone appearing for the exam get certified ?
If you are a project manager with a decent experience , and have spent a decent time going through the concepts in PMBOK, it is a walk in the park. But caution : I have friends, who appeared twice and failed both times.

Once certified, how long is it valid ?
Valid for three years. You need to renew every three years, by showing PMI that you have been in project management field over the last 3 years and you have been involved in giving back to project management fraternity. Like all professional certification bodies, PMI also has the familiar business model of renewing the certification every three years - you pay $150 for renewal.


If you have read through this, I am assuming you are a bit more serious (than I thought at the start of this article) about applying for PMP certification. All the very best !!