What Is A PMP Certification? (And How To Earn One)

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate is one of the most desirable certifications that project management professionals can earn. A PMP certificate acknowledges your ability to understand and manage people,business procedures and business environments. Learning more about the PMP certification process might assist you in making an educated decision about pursuing this certification and in preparing for the examination. In this article, we examine what a PMP certificate is, the various steps involved in earning a PMP certificate and the benefits it offers.

What Is A PMP Certificate?

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a project management credential that evaluates an applicant's capacity to manage the people, business procedures and business goals of a professional project.It is a certificate that is recognised globally. A PMP certificate proves that you have the experience, education, talent and competency to lead and direct projects. Professionals who meet the eligibility criteria to take the test for this certification can benefit from pursuing it, as it improves their employability and earning potential. The Project Management Institute (PMI) operates internationally to provide this credential to eligible candidates who pass the test.

Related: 19 Essential Project Management Skills To Master

How To Earn A PMP Certification?

Consider following these steps to earn a PMP certification:

1. Examine your eligibility

Before you apply for a PMP examination, examine if you qualify for it. If you hold a high school diploma and an undergraduate degree, you require a minimum of 7,500 hours of experience in professional project management that is unique and non-overlapping,including at least five years of project management and coordination. If you hold a bachelor's degree, you need at least three years of experience in professional project management that is unique and non-overlapping, including a minimum of 4,500 hours dedicated to leading and supervising project tasks. To qualify for the PMP certification, you require proof of your 35 hours of training in project management.

Related: 9 Project Management Types For A Project Manager

2. Enroll in a PMP training programme.

The PMP training programme fulfils the 35-hour requirement for certified or authorised formal project management education, thus taking it is the first move towards earning a PMP certification. PMP training programmes are available both online and offline. If you already have the CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) certification, you may not require the prescribed training hours.

3. Apply for the PMP examination

The application procedure requires you to provide basic personal information and details concerning your PMP exam eligibility, such as verification of 35 contact hours and project management experience. You may apply to write the PMP examination online once you have completed the prerequisites.You may only have 90 days to submit your proof of eligibility after registering, so it is essential that you have it ready. The certifying authority provides you with a confirmation number once they review your application and determine that you are eligible for the exam.

4. Fix the date

When the PMI approves your application, they notify you to visit their website to pay for the exam. Fixing a date and time for the exam requires payment. Although it is not necessary, becoming a PMI member might save you money throughout the application process. You can take the examination online or in-person. When you register for an exam which is to be conducted in person, the website gives you the option of selecting from several testing locations in your area. You get one year and three chances to pass the exam after the PMI accepts your application.

5. Study for the exam

Giving yourself adequate time to revise and study the content is critical if you wish to pass the examination. Many individuals who take the test set aside two to three months for preparing for the examination. Be realistic with yourself about which parts of the exam you know well and which are the most challenging so you can plan your study strategy.

Set goals that are sensible and achievable. Since the exam can be challenging, it is preferable to take the time to completely prepare than to merely skim over the subject. It may be beneficial to keep track of the time you require per day to study to pass the exam. You can use a variety of resources while creating a study plan.

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6. Invest in a simulator for PMP exam questions

An exam simulator offers you access to numerous PMP exam questions. Browse for simulators online that offer several full-length exams and that can mirror the online environment that you might be in on exam day. An efficient exam simulator can provide you with the realistic experience of a 4-hour exam and the option to take several exams.

7. Take the exam

You have four hours to finish the exam on the day of the examination.The exam questions are of three categories:

• People: The people section of the examination contains questions about your ability to lead dynamic and heterogeneous teams.

• Processes: These questions delve into the more technical parts of your knowledge and project management.

• Business environments: These questions test your knowledge of the relationship between project management and organisational strategies.

When you finish the exam, the portal notifies you if you passed or not. After passing the exam, you can immediately utilise your PMP certificate and the PMI sends you your physical certificate within four weeks. It might take nearly two weeks for the PMP registry to update and display your PMP certificate.

Related: 11 In-Demand Certifications For Business Analysts To Consider

8. Take the exam again if needed

You can pass the PMP exam even if you fail the first time. You have two more chances within the one-year eligibility period. To write the exam again, you can redo the scheduling and testing procedure and the PMI charges a fee each time you take the exam again.

9. Maintain the certification

Your PMP certificate remains valid for 3 years after you receive it. During this time, the PMI may request to verify your education in project management for sixty hours to retain your eligibility. It is possible for you to renew your certification after three years by paying the recertification.

How Long Does It Take To Earn A PMP Certificate?

While the exam is just four hours long, many individuals study for months in advance, and the PMI takes three to five days to inform you about your application's approval. The time you spend studying is up to you, but depending on your level of readiness, you might receive your PMP certificate in 8 to 12 weeks after applying to the PMI. Examine your study techniques and determine how much preparation you may require once the PMI accepts your application. This can assist you in selecting a date for the examination.

For many project managers, earning the PMP certificate is worth the time and effort spent studying and preparing. A PMP certificate might assist your firm or other employers in recognising you as a capable leader. Even if you have a degree in project management or a related subject, a PMP certificate can help you stand out against competing professionals with similar education backgrounds.

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Tips For Preparing For A PMP Examination

Obtaining a PMP certificate can demonstrate effort and dedication to the professional field. It may also help you gain more credibility, earn more money and stand out while applying for jobs. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the PMP examination:

• Set goals and establish a routine. Set study goals to help you stick to a regular routine and prepare for your exam. Make sure that the goals you set are realistic and attainable. As you study, consider developing routines to help you integrate PMP exam preparation into your regular life.

• Seek help from others. You can ask for help from others to engage with the PMP exam topics even more. You may seek the support of a friend or a family member to help you recall vocabulary items using flashcards.

• Try out different strategies for studying. Everyone learns differently, so experiment with different strategies for studying to determine what works best for you. For example, if you are a visual learner, colour-coding your flashcards or sketching diagrams to assist you in remembering information could be beneficial.

• Take part in discussion forums and study groups. Study groups and discussion boards may be quite beneficial in helping you prepare for the PMP examination. As an active member in study groups and discussion forums, you can assist others in passing the exam, get your own concerns and questions addressed, learn more about various beneficial resources and reduce the time it takes to prepare for the exam.

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