For those new to PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, the process is not as complicated or as exhausting as some people think. Mind, you it does take some work, but what worthwhile endeavor is not. So, first of all, let’s start with the principal benefits to becoming certified:

• According to the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) recent salary survey, PMP-certified professionals earn about 25% more than their non-certified colleagues.
• The certification sets you apart from the competition.
• Research indicates that there will be a need for 2.2 million project-oriented professionals per year through 2027
• Every year, more and more companies require the PMP of all their new project management hires and/or making a prerequisite for internal advancement.
• You will gain a wealth of skills and tools to make you a more efficient and effective project manager.
• Once you become a PMP, you will be part of a global community of professionals such as yourself. And your options will be limitless.

Free Project Management Certification Practice Test

Professional Development Goals

To sit for the exam, PMI will need to authorize you to take the exam. The requirements for you to apply, as well as gain access to the exam, are as follows:

• A four-year university degree or high school degree, but with additional years of experience. See below
• 36 months of experience leading projects or 60 months, if you only possess a high school diploma
• 35 hours of project management training/education

Once you have met these requirements, you can apply for PMI (www.pmi.org). In approximately 4-5 business days, you will receive confirmation from them authorizing you to proceed to a test center to take the exam, which, for most people, is the biggest challenge in the process and for a good reason. The test consists of the following:

• You have 4 hours to answer 175 questions
• Approximately half the questions represent project management approaches, while the other half will represent either Agile or hybrid approaches.
• The questions are based on three domains, which include the following:
  • Domain I – People (42%): these are questions related to managing conflict, team leadership, empowering team members and stakeholders, etc.
  • Domain II – Process (50%): these are questions related to managing communications, engaging stakeholders, plan and manage budgets and schedules, etc.
  • Domain III – Business Environment (8%): plan and manage project compliance, support organizational change, and more.

PMP Certification Exam Prep – Professional Development Goals

At the end of the exam, you will receive an evaluation based on your success in each of the above domains. You do not receive a score; however, you will know immediately if you have passed the exam. The certification is valid for three years. During this time, you are expected to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs), which you will need to renew your certificate for an additional three years. The 60 PDUs can be earned by:

• Working within your project management profession, but there is a limit, which is important for you to gain newer tools and techniques.
• Volunteer as a mentor or by performing pro bono work
• Attend conferences, workshops, training courses, and so on
• Write and publish books, articles, white papers related to project management.
• Attend and/or lead webinars and seminars in project management

To learn more about the PMP and PMI, please visit their website at www.pmi.org. And if you would like to learn more about our training courses or find out more about the exam and prepare best, please contact us for a free consultation.

PMP Certification Exam Prep

Passing the PMP Certification Exam PMP Exam Prep

professional development goals