- Process Overview
- Process FAQ
- PMP application changes in 2020/2021
- ATP program rollout in 2021
- PMP application requirements FAQ
- Access PMP Application Form
- Filling out the PMP Application
- PMP Application Academic Education
- PMP Application Professional Education
- PMP Application Experience
- PMP application exam detail
- PMP application review time
- How to check PMP application status
- PMP application audit
- PMP application review and audit FAQ
- PM PrepCast Exam Simulator
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PMP Application Process
Process Overview
The chart below from PMP PMP Handbook shows the overall flow of the PMP Certification process:
- What are the PMP application requirements? You need to make sure you meet the minimum requirements before committing time and resources to PMP certification.
- Complete the PMP application: You will learn the tips, resources, and find PMP experience examples to show you how to fill out the application easily.
- Submit, review, check status, and audit the PMP application: We will cover things to watch for during the final steps of the application process.
Process FAQ
Is there a PMP application fee?
Unlike other certifications, there is no PMP application fee. Yes, the PMP application costs nothing to get started. You will only need to pay PMP Exam fee once your PMP application is approved.
One money-saving tip I would recommend is you should consider joining PMP membership before you pay for the PMP exam. The discount you get for paying for the PMP Exam and books is well worth it.
Is PMP worth it?
It takes time and resources to earn the PMP Certification, so make sure you are ready to commit. If you are not sure, check out this article where you will find the PMP Average salary from PMI’s most recent survey and 9 benefits of PMP certification.
How do I create a PMP application?
You must create the PMP application by filling out the online form on the PMI website. You must provide details about your education, project management training, and experience. The application is randomly selected for audit to validate and uphold the quality of the candidates and submissions.
Is the PMP application hard?
Completing the PMP application can be hard for the first-timer. Many candidates find completing the work experience by writing project descriptions time-consuming and challenging. The PMP application is audited randomly which makes it harder.
What Are the PMP Application Requirements?
PMI requires all candidates to satisfy the requirements before taking the PMP exam.
In summary, here are the minimum requirements, depending on if you have a 4-year college degree or not.
Educational Background
Project Management Experience
Project Management
Education
Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent)
Minimum five years/60 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience*
35 contact hours of
formal education unless
you are an active CAPM
holder
Four-year degree (bachelor’s degree or global equivalent)
Minimum three years/36 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience*
35 contact hours of
formal education unless
you are an active CAPM
holder
Bachelor's or post-graduate
degree from a GAC accredited program (bachelor’s degree or master's or global equivalent)
Minimum two years/24 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience*
35 contact hours of formal education unless you are an active CAPM holder
*Leading and directing the project as identified with the tasks, knowledge, and skills specifically in the Project Management Professional Examination Content Outline.
Most of the PMP candidates have a 4-year college degree and thus require 3-year project management experience and completion of 35-contact hours.
PMP application changes in 2020/2021
Please be aware that PMI made a few important changes to the PMI application in June 2020. You will be glad to know that PMI actually simplified the application. Here are a few key changes:
- PMI removed the 4500 (or 7500 without a 4-year college degree) hours of project management experience as part of the requirement.
- PMI no longer restricts project descriptions to 550 characters.
- PMI allowed CAPM holders to waive the 35 contact hour requirement.
- PMI introduced a new path for PMP candidates with GAC accredited programs with only 2-year work experience.
ATP program rollout in 2021
In 2021, there is also a change in how PMP aspirants can earn the 35 contact hours required for PMP certification.
PMI rolled out Authorized Training Partner (A.T.P.) in 2021. Many of the most reputable training providers are now ATP. The A.T.P. can no longer provide their on-demand course as a result of this change.
PMI will be the official provider of the on-demand PMP course, and ATP will provide live classes to teach the course material provided by PMI.
PMP application requirements FAQ
What is GAC Accredited Program?
The Global Accreditation Center (GAC) for Project Management Education Programs is an independent academic accreditation body with project management and related programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
If you graduate from a GAC-accredited degree program, you will receive a 12-month credit toward the work experience requirement. Also, you can use the GAC coursework to fulfill the 35 education contact hour requirement.
Do I need to have a project management job title?
One of the common work experience questions is whether you need to have a project management job title in order to qualify for the work experience.
What really matters is whether you have spent time leading, managing, or directing projects, and you do not need to have a Project Management job title in order to qualify for the work experience; it is what you do that matters.
If you have PMP experience, but do not have a Project Management title, this article may help.
What qualifies as PMP experience?
While the job title doesn’t matter, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following with your work experience. According to PMBOK guide:
- Perform their duties under general supervision and are responsible for all aspects of the project for the life of the project.
- Lead and direct cross-functional teams to deliver projects within the constraints of schedule, budget, and resources.
- Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and experience to appropriately apply a methodology to projects that have reasonably well-defined project requirements and deliverables.
The work experience can be any of the process groups (Initiate, Plan, Execute, Monitor/Control, Close).
For example, you can negotiate and be closing a sales contract and use various techniques outlined in the PMBOK guide. One project does not have to cover all the domain areas, but PMI does expect that you have project-leading or management experience that covers all 5 process groups.
How do I get my PMP application approved?
To increase the likelihood of getting your PMP application approved, your application should follow PMI’s recommended word count and format. The word count should be between 250 to 500 words. Each project description must state the project objective, your role, the outcome, and a summary of your responsibilities.
How to Complete PMP Application
Access PMP Application Form
To get started with your application, simply navigate to Project Management Professional (PMP) page, and you will be greeted with “Apply for PMP Certification.”
You will need to complete and submit the PMP application online.
Keep in mind that once you begin the PMP online application, you will have 90 days to complete it.
Filling out the PMP Application
- Academic & Professional Education
- Work Experience
- Exam Details
We will go over each of the sections in order. However, I will focus my attention on the PMP Application Experience section.
The most challenging part for most PMP aspirants is the work experience section, where I will
- Take a deep dive to provide tips
- Share PMI-approved PMP application examples provided by PMP aspirants
- Show how you can write the project description easily
PMP Application Academic Education
Academic Education is straightforward. Simply complete it with the school you attended. The school you attended will dictate the number of years of project management experience needed to complete the application.
PMP Application Professional Education
What is Professional Education for PMP Application?
As one of the PMP application requirements, the PMP aspirant must complete relevant professional education in project management. A total of 35 contact hours of project management training must be completed and verified.
What are 35 contact hours for PMP?
One contact hour is equivalent to 60 minutes of qualified project management training. Completing 35 contact hours is required for completing the application and applying for PMP certification.
You may also be aware of the Professional Development Unit (PDU). PMI delineates the professional management learning before and after PMP certification; the project management training before the PMP certification is called the contact hour, and PDU after earning the PMP certification.
How to get 35 contact hours for PMP Application Professional Education?
Unless you have prior project management training that satisfies the 35 contract hour requirement, PMP aspirants will follow one of the four paths to earn 35 contact hours and prepare for the PMP Exam:
PATH #1: Take PMI’s on-demand course
If you prefer the official on-demand course, PMI is the provider that offers the official on-demand PMP course. The cost of the on-demand course is $699 for PMI members and $799 for non-members.
To accompany the on-demand learning, you will need to invest in a quality PMP exam simulator such as PM-Prepcast, which is highly recommended on Reddit by PMP aspirants who pass the PMP Exam. Make sure you check out the latest PM-Prepcast coupon code.
You may need a study guide to help you prepare for the PMP exam. You can find the review for the popular PMP study guides and a list of PMI’s published book references with this PMP book resource.
The total cost for the on-demand course, PMP Exam Simulator, and a study guide will be around $950, not too far off from taking the boot camp course. This is the least popular path because it’s pricy with the least value.
PATH #2: Take ATP’s live virtual training course
Alternatively, you can opt for live PMP boot camp online training with a live instructor and a supportive learning environment. The PMP boot camp training will typically cost between $1000 to $2000. A few popular ATP include PMTraining, Project Management Academy, and GreyCampus. Or you can check out the PMP boot camp comparison chart side by side.
Once you complete the 35 contact hours of training, you will receive the certificate of completion from your training provider, and you can enter your training information.
Most ATP may sweeten the boot camp training package by including the PMP exam simulator, study material, PMP application assistance, or exam-pass guarantee.
While it is a bit pricier than PMI’s on-demand course, you are getting a lot more value from the boot camp online training.
PATH #3: Take on-demand course
If your company is not going to sponsor your PMP certification and you have a limited budget, you can still opt for on-demand courses and still earn 35-contact hours. Also, i f you are not sure if you have accumulated enough contact hours from schools and employment training, this affordable course can be a great “Plan B” option.
By far, this is the most popular option amongst PMP aspirants, and Udemy offers top-rated courses at a very affordable price from amazing instructors. Udemy often offers deep discounts, and the prices do fluctuate frequently without notice, please use the link to find the latest discount price.
PMP Certification Exam Prep by Andrew Ramdayal
Price: 129.99 $14.99
Andrew Ramdayal’s PMP course has emerged as the favorite Udemy course amongst PMP aspirants.
The students find the “project manager mindset” section very helpful for learning to pick the right choice on the exam. The training style is engaging and easy to understand. The course also included 400 exam-like questions.
PMP Exam Prep Seminar by Joseph Phillips
PRICE: 149.99* $15.99
Joseph Phillips Exam Prep course is another course that is highly recommended among PMP aspirants. The instructor is knowledgeable and the course is well organized.
PATH #4: Take on-demand course with an exam simulator discount package
Another popular option is to take advantage of the discount when buying the on-demand course and the PMP exam simulator together. PM Prepcast has the most highly rated PMP Exam simulator when you get savings when you buy its Elite or Elite PLUS courses and the exam simulator together.
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