In the previous articles, we discussed about what is PMP certification exam and also estimated the rough cost of PMP certification exam in India. So, now we know what is PMP certification exam and the cost involved in obtaining it.

But, am I eligible to appear for the PMP certification exam? What are the pre-requisites for me to apply for the PMP certification exam?

In this article, you will find the various eligibility requirements for PMP certification exam.

Eligibility requirements for PMP Certification Exam

To be eligible for the PMP certification, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. The requirements are classified under the following three categories:

1. Educational requirements
2. Project management experience requirements
3. Project management education requirements

Let us see each requirement in detail below.

Educational requirements for PMP Certification Exam

Do I need to be a degree holder to pursue the PMP Credential?

No, it is not necessary. Even if you have a Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent), you will qualify.

Project Management Experience Requirements for PMP Certification Exam

If you hold a Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent), you should have:

• Minimum five years/ sixty months unique non-overlapping professional project management experience during which at least 7,500 hours were spent leading and directing the project

If you hold a four-year degree (bachelor’s degree or global equivalent), you should have:

• Minimum three years/ thirty-six months unique non-overlapping professional project management experience during which at least 4,500 hours were spent leading and directing the project

You should also note the following important information regarding the project management experience:

(a) All project management experience must have been accrued within the last eight consecutive years prior to your application submission.

(b) You should have experience in all five process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing) across all your project management experience submitted on the application. However, on a single project, you do not need to have experience in all five process groups.

(c) Experience in leading and directing the project should be in line with the tasks, knowledge, and skills as mentioned in the Project Management Professional Examination Content Outline.

(d) If you have worked on multiple, overlapping projects, you can only count the time spent on ONE of those projects toward fulfilling your eligibility requirements.

For example, you have worked on project A from January 2016-August 2016 (8 months) and on project B from May 2016-December 2016 (8 months). The total experience cannot be counted as 16 months. The overlapping period, May to August 2016 can be counted only under one project. So, your total experience from the two projects will be counted as 12 months.

Project Management Education requirements for PMP Certification Exam

You should have attended 35 contact hours of formal education in project management. One hour of classroom instruction equals one contact hour.

The course hours may include content on project scope management, project time management, project cost management, project quality management, project communications management, project risk management, project procurement management, project stakeholder management and project integration management.

You can satisfy the education requirements by demonstrating the successful completion of courses, workshops and/ or training sessions offered by one or more of the following types of education providers:

(a) PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)

(b) PMI chapters

(c) Employer/company-sponsored programs

(d) Training companies or consultants (e.g., training schools)

(e) Distance-learning companies, including an end-of-course assessment

(f) University/ college academic and continuing education programs

However, please note that self-directed learning (e.g., reading books, watching instructional videos or sessions with coaches or mentors) does not satisfy the education requirements.

Summary

The below table summarizes the requirements to apply for PMP certification exam:

Video

The highlights of the above article are presented in the video below. Do check out for a quick view of the eligibility requirements of PMP certification exam:

“PMI” and “PMP” are registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc.