3 Jun 2021

PMP Certification – An Overview

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What is PMP

PMP stands for Project Management Professional. It is a certification awarded to qualifying candidates who meet specific requirements and pass an examination. It is the most valued certification in the field of Project Management. The PMP designation is recognized internationally and is in demand globally. PMP applies across many disciplines, sectors, and industries. PMP is the most popular certification offered by Project Management Institute (PMI.org).

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PMP Certification Popularity

The graph below shows the growth of PMP designation holders over the years. In the year 1990, the number was just approximate to 1000. However, we have seen an increase in numbers at an exponential rate in the last 20 years. In 2020, the number crossed the 1 Million figure yet increased. Most importantly, these PMP credential holders spread worldwide in 200 countries.

The rapid increase in numbers indicates professionals and industry’s popularity, interest, and confidence in this certification.

PMP Certification Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria targets three essential items.

Education
Project Management Experience
Project Mangement Training

Based on the education level, candidates must satisfy certain years of experience and a specific number of hours of training.

In the case of Secondary Diploma holders, candidates must meet five years of Project Management Experience requirements before applying for PMP certification. In the case of 4 years Bachelors’ degree holders, this requirement is three years, and for Master’s degree holders, it is two years.

The experience must demonstrate a non-overlapping work of managing, directing, and leading projects over the last eight consecutive years.

To qualify for the PMP exam, the candidate must demonstrate to have 35 Contact hours of training and the experience requirement. One contact hour is equivalent to attending one hour of classroom instructions.

PMP Candidates who already have PMI designation, “Certified Associate in Project Management” – also abbreviated as CAPM are exempt from the training requirement.

PMP Certification Exam Fee

PMI membership status of the candidate determines the amount of fee. For PMI Members exam fee is US$ 405, while for non-members, the price is US$ 555.

PMP Exam Types

There are two ways to take the Exam.

The first is Center Based Testing or CBT. In it, the candidate can sit in the exam at a local Pearson VUE Testing Center.

The second is Online Proctor Testing or OPT. It is where you can take the exam online with the comfort of being at home or in the office. The computer’s webcam and microphone monitor the candidates during the exam. It would be best if you had a computer and internet connection for OPT exam.

PMP Exam Content Outline 2021

Current outline effective January 2021, percentage of questions in the exam is based on three domains, which are;

People (42%)
Process (50%)
Business Environment (8%)

Moreover, 50% of Exam Questions are based on Predictive Methodology and 50% on Agile or Hybrid Methodology.

A new outline has been in effect for PMP Exam since January 2021. The current exam outline has changed from the older, where the percentage of questions was on five (5) Project Management processes.

PMP Exam Process

PMP® Exam is Available in 15 Languages. New Exam Time is 230 Minutes with two 10 minutes breaks. New Exam consists of 180 questions. No negative marking for wrong answers. Types of Questions a candidate may expect are; Multiple Choice, Matching, hotspot, fill-in blanks, and drag& drop.

The exam performance report is immediately available after the closing of the exam. Candidates receive a printed copy of preliminary test results and an overall pass/fail status. Upon passing the exam, you get an elegant certificate; a digital version of the certificate is downloadable from the PMI website.

Candidates may get a digital badge from PMI partner web Acclaim.

The online Certification Registry automatically lists the names of PMI’s certification holders. This feature allows search and verification of certification holders.

PMP credential holders may use the PMP letters in block letters, their name on business cards, personal letterhead, resumes, websites, and your email signature.

PMP Certification Maintenance and Renewal

PMP Certification holders must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) in three year period. Pay Renewal Fee and get a Renewal Certificate for the next three years.

PDU stands for Professional Development Unit. One hour of learning accounts for one PDU.