PMP Certification – Key to success for a Project Manager
PMP is the short form for Project Management Consultant. In Project Management field the certification of Project Management Professional is a renowned and accepted certification which is accepted globally. This certificate is awarded to professionals who pass the pmp cert exam. The globally renowned Project Management Institute (PMI) of professionals in project management is the issuing authority of PMP certificates. This certificate the world over is recognized by governments, business corporations and they employ those PMP certificate holders to ensure a smooth flow of their projects.
Prior to sitting for the PMP certification exam it is a good idea to join PMI by obtaining a membership. To increase your contacts with other professional in your area it is a good idea to apply to the local chapter. The application requires that you also join additional chapters or SIGs. To apply for PMI membership, visit the PMI website for detailed information. This is not a prerequisite for sitting for the exam it benefits you as you get a discount for the examination fees. It also helps your networking with other members and helps in updating yourself about the institute.
To qualify for a PMP certification one has to have a high school diploma or associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. When you apply for certification PMI require you to furnish documentation of the experience in the field of project management and study the body of knowledge of project managers. People with a high school diplomas or associates degree or equivalent secondary school certification must give proof of having completed 5 years i.e. 60 months equivalent to 7500 hours of non overlapping (unique) months of project management experience. Persons having a baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree must show experience in the field of project management for 3 years i.e. 36 months or 4500 hours non overlapping unique months. In addition to this the person must have had 35 hours of specific classroom instruction that theorizes about the project management objectives prior to sitting for this certification.
All exams are conducted by Prometric testing centers through their global network and are computer based. A paper based option is also given where Prometric testing centers are not available. Although the test consists of 200 questions or items, the marks are given based on 175 items only as the other 25 items are pre-release items. There are four options to each item and one of them is the correct answer and the other three are distracters or incorrect choices. The exam can take about four hours to finish. Candidates taking the computer based exams get their results immediately after the exam. As per their expertise in each project management group, PMI evaluates the candidates giving them high to low proficiency in their score report after the exam. Paper based exam results are given within four weeks of sitting for the exam. The exam fees for PMI members are $405 and for non members is $555.
This certification is valid for three years and if the candidate wants to maintain this certification he must obtain 60 PDUs or professional development units in project management experience and accepted learning.
