The PgMP® Credentialing Process is a lengthy one that has a few opportunities for improvement by the Project Management Institute. Before even starting this arduous process understand that the application fee is a whopping $1,500 (USD). That in itself may be a reason why there were less than 150 PgMP®s world-wide more than a year after the PMI launched the credential. The following represents a digest version of the 57-page PgMP® Credential Handbook by the PMI available online here. The PMI makes the credential handbook available free to all and lists it as a required reading for the PgMP® credential.

About the PgMP® Credential

The PgMP® is a credential that recognizes demonstrated experience, skill, and performance in the oversight of multiple, related projects that are aligned with an organizational objective and strategic goal. Candidates for the PgMP® manage a program’s resources to ensure the ultimate success of the program and are responsible for modifying programs and making decisions that advance strategic and business objectives to ensure the ultimate success and acceptance of the program. Program managers define and initiate projects, assign project managers to manage cost, schedule, and performance of component projects and oversee multiple projects directed at achieving a strategic goal.

PgMP® Credentialing Process Overview

Unlike other PMI credentials, you must pass a sequence of three evaluations to obtain the PgMP® credential.

Evaluation 1 – Application Review

The initial evaluation occurs through an extensive application review during which a panel of program managers will perform a review of your professional project and program management experience. However, there are a few steps before that occurs.

• Complete the application. From the time you begin the online application process you have 90 before the application window closes. Don’t worry if you fail to complete and submit the application before you reach 90 days. All of your previous entries will be retained so when you restart the process, you will be able to continue where you left off.
• Once you submit the application, the PMI will take five days to review it for completeness. Be sure to check your status online in five days just in case PMI’s response finds its why to your spam folder.
• Now that your application is accepted, it is time to pay $1,500. This is when the PMI tells you that selected applicants will be audited.
• Surprise! everyone is audited. The audit is not a big deal. You will be asked to provide sworn statements from those you listed as your supervisor while leading the programs you documented. You may also be asked to provide educational proof. Even though you know it is coming don’t bother jumping ahead as the sworn statements will need to be on a form created by the PMI. Yes, I know, the PMI should just ask for the statements and proof when you submit the application as the separated activities just serve to delay the process another five days.
• Now that the audit is done, it is time for the panel review. Time to count off another ten days. Congratulations, time to move on to Evaluation 2.

Evaluation 2 – Multiple-Choice Examination

The next step occurs with the multiple-choice examination in which you will be called upon to demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge to both situational and scenario-based questions. You have one year and three chances to pass the exam. Do yourself a favor, read the Program Standard, get your hands on test questions and take a prep course 3-5 days before you take the exam.

Evaluation 3 – Multi-rater Assessment (MRA)

Once you pass the examination, you will be moved to the third and final evaluation, which is the MRA. Similar to a 360-degree review process, a team of raters that you select will assess your abilities to perform tasks that are pertinent to program management.

But, lets not get ahead of ourselves. The first thing you need to do is check if you meet the prerequisites.

PgMP® Eligibility Requirements & Verification

To be eligible for the PgMP® credential, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. All project and program management experience must have been accrued over the last 15 consecutive years.

*Project Management Experience – as identified under the five process groups defined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)—Third Edition.

**Program Management Experience – for each program listed, there must be at least two corresponding projects that share the common strategic goal and budget of the program.

If you obtained a bachelor’s degree, global equivalent or higher degree from a degree program that has been accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management, you will receive 1,500 hours toward the professional program management experience requirement. Therefore, you will only need to fulfill 4,500 hours of program management experience to meet the eligibility requirement. For a list of PMI accredited university programs, go to www.PMI.org

Examination Blueprint

The PgMP® Exam is developed based on the PgMP® examination blueprint contained in the Program Management Professional Examination Specification. The examination blueprint details the percentage of questions contained in each performance domain. The following represents the percentage of questions in each of the six performance domains that are included in the examination.

Domain Percentage of Questions

PgMP® Credential Fees & Refund Policy

You must submit payment of the PgMP® credential fee as part of the payment process (if you submit an application online) or as part of the application process (if you submit a paper application). You can submit payment by credit card using the online certification system or through postal mail to the Global Operations Center if you chose to pay by check, money order or wire. For all mail-in payments, please include your PMI identification number and user name.

The proper fees for payment are determined by your PMI membership status and the examination delivery option (computer-based versus paper-based) for your geographic location. Refer to the Examination Administration section in this handbook to help you determine if computer-based delivery or paper-based delivery of the examination is most appropriate for you. Once you determine the examination delivery option, use the following chart to determine the credential fee.

The PMI membership rate will only apply if you are a member of PMI in good standing at the time your application is approved. If PMI membership is obtained after this application has been submitted, PMI will not refund the difference.

If you are interested in becoming a member of PMI at the time you apply for the credential, you can submit your membership application and credential application at the same time and receive the membership rate. PMI membership applications are available online at www.PMI.org.

PgMP® Application Checklist

Use the following checklist as a guide when you complete the credential application.

• Align PgMP® certification cycle with PMP certification cycle, if applicable.
• Write your name exactly as it appears on your government-issued identification that you will present when you take the examination.
• Ensure application includes your valid e-mail address since this is PMI’s primary way of communicating throughout the credential process.
• Document your attained education and provide all requested information.

Experience Verification Section

*Be mindful to complete the minimum requirements for this section because if you are audited, you will need to obtain signatures for all documented experience.

• Document your professional experience according to the eligibility requirements in the experience verification section.
• With a high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent:
  • A total of at least four years of professional project management experience; and
  • A total of at least seven years (10,500 hours) of professional program management experience with at least some experience in each of the six program management domains; and
  • Detail at least two project associated with each program documented.
  • Experience dating back past 15 years from the completion of this application will not fulfill the requirements.

OR

• With a bachelor’s degree, global equivalent or higher degree:
  • Document a total of at least four years of professional project management experience; and
  • Document a total of at least four years (6,000 hours) of professional program management experience with at least some experience documented in each of the six program management domains; and
  • Detail at least two project associated with each program documented.
  • Experience dating back past 15 years from the completion of this application will not fulfill the requirements.
• Provide responses to the eight Program Management Experience Summaries.
• Provide current information for 12 reference contacts (one supervisor, four peers, four direct reports, three professionals of your choice) who will serve as raters on your Multi-rater Assessment.

“PMP” and “PgMP” are registered marks of The Project Management Institute.