PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification is one of the internationally recognized designations offered to project managers. The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers this certification to help project managers grow their skills and knowledge in their field. Those with this certification tend to have an upper hand in the job market considering most employers look for it, according to the Central Washington University. However, only those who are eligible can obtain this certification. For instance, you need to have at least a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, a postgraduate degree, or their global equivalents. If you meet this requirement, follow these four steps to attain your PMP certification.
Become a Member of the Project Management Institute
While the PMI still allows non-members to sit for the PMP exam, the cost for the exam is way higher than what members pay. As such, ensure you register as a PMI member to save on your certification costs.
Take a PMP Training Course
To become eligible for the PMP exam, you must complete 35 hours of education in project management. Here, you will gain knowledge in areas such as project integration management, project resource management, project cost management, and project schedule management, among others. That said, take a training course in any reputable and accredited institution.
Apply for the PMP Exam Online
Once you complete 35 hours of the required coursework, you can submit an online application to sit for the exam. If your application is approved, you will have to schedule your exam within one year from the approval date. Take note that you can sit for the exam up to three times within this period.
Sit for the Exam and Pass
In the exam, you will encounter 180 questions broken down into 3 sections as follows:
• Process — 50%
• People — 42%
• Business environment — 8%
You will be required to complete all the questions within 230 minutes. While the passing score of this exam changes from time to time, aim to score at least 70% to be on the safe side. Once you sit and pass the PMP exam, you can then receive your PMP certification.
Conclusion
As a project manager, the PMP certification can help you rise to the top of your career. To obtain this certification, follow the four steps discussed in this article. Take note that while the Project Management Institute offers this certification, you can take the training in any GAC accredited institution.
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