The PMP® Credentialing Process is a lengthy exercise but well worth the effort once you gain the PMP® credential. The following represents a digest version of the 39-page PMP® 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 PMP® credential.About the PMP® Credential

The PMP was initiated in 1984 to recognize an individual’s demonstrated understanding of the knowledge and skills to lead and direct project teams and to deliver results within the constraints of schedule, budget, and resources. Candidates for the PMP® credential ensure that all of the aspects of the project plan are executed and that progress and variances are properly addressed and communicated. They are responsible for all aspects of the project for the life of the project and not only lead and direct the project, but also oversee project team members.

PMP® Credentialing Process Overview

Evaluation 1 – Application Review

The initial evaluation occurs through an application completeness

• 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 $405. This is when the PMI tells you that selected applicants will be 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 projects you documented. You may also be asked to provide educational proof. If you are audited add another five days to the process.

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. Do yourself a favor, read the PMBOK®, and then take a prep course 3-5 days before you take the exam.

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

PMP® Eligibility Requirements & Verification

To be eligible for the PMP credential, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. All project management experience must have been accrued within the last eight consecutive years prior to your application submission.

**Leading and directing project tasks as identified in the Project Management Professional Examination Specification. Within the total hours of project management experience, experience in all five process groups is required. However, on a single project, you do not need to have experience in all five process groups.

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 project management experience to meet the eligibility requirement. For a list of PMI accredited university programs, go to www.PMI.org

Examination Blueprint

The PMP Exam is developed based on the PMP examination blueprint contained in the Project Management Professional Examination Specification. The examination blueprint details the percentage of questions contained in each project management process group. The following represents the percentage of questions in each domain that are included in the examination.

Domain Percentage of Questions

PMP® Credential Fees & Refund Policy

You must submit payment of the PMP 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.

PMP® Application Checklist

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

• Align certification/CCR cycles, 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 five years/60 months of experience leading and directing project tasks; and
  • A total of at least 7,500 hours of leading and directing project tasks.
  • Summarize the project tasks you led and directed on each project.

OR

• With a bachelor’s degree, global equivalent or higher degree:
  • A total of at least three years/36 months of experience leading and directing project tasks; and
  • A total of at least 4,500 hours of leading and directing project tasks.
  • Summarize the project tasks you led and directed on each project.

AND

Document 35 contact hours of project management education.

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