PMP Certification Eligibility Criteria in 2024 – What you need to know

 PMP Certification Exam, Requirement, & Eligibility

PMP, or Project Management Professional Certification, is one of the most widely recognized certifications worldwide. Because of its immense popularity, the competition is pretty tough. Therefore, aspiring candidates must be well-prepared to ace the examination to get the certificate.

But before that, you need to be well aware of the PMP eligibility criteria for PMP certification. Hence, this comprehensive guide will further discuss everything regarding the criteria to get this prestigious certificate. So, without further ado, let’s quickly dive right in!

An Overview of PMP Certification

The PMP certification is one of the prestigious certifications for PMP professionals. As of now, there are more than 1.2 million professionals are PMP-certified. The accreditation is given to the individuals who successfully passed the PMP examination. The PMI or Project Management Institute awards the certification to all deserving candidates to help different institutions find the best talent.

The increasing demand for Project Management Professionals has made this specific certification popular. Candidates worldwide are working hard to get this certification. However, it is worth noting that there are some particular PMP Certification criteria that candidates must meet to enroll themselves for the exam. This is because project management is one of the significant topics, and all project-based roles need practical and theoretical knowledge.

PMP Certification Eligibility Criteria

Achieving the PMP certification may seem challenging, but it marks a rewarding milestone in your Project Management career. With this certificate, you may get a higher salary hike in your organization. However, the preparation for the PMP examination helps you develop a deeper understanding of complex project management topics.

The global recognition of this certificate influences the effort that one must put in to earn this certification. Now, this section will discuss the PMP exam criteria in detail.

For Candidates with a Secondary Degree

Here are the PMP eligibility criteria for candidates with a secondary degree-

·   A minimum of 5 years or 60 months of distinct and non-overlapping professional project management experience is needed.

·   Within this time, the candidates must dedicate a minimum of 7500 hours to leading or directing projects.

·   Additionally, there must be a completion of 35 contract hours of formal Project Management education.

For Applicants with a Four-Year Bachelor Degree

You need to meet the following passing criteria for the PMP exam if you have a four-year bachelor's degree.

·   All the applicants must have experience of at least 36 months or 3 years in distinct and non-overlapping project management.

·   During this time, a minimum of 4500 hours must be devoted to leading and directing projects.

·   The candidates also must have a completion of 35 contract hours of Project Management education.

How to Apply for the PMP Certification Exam?

Applying for the PMP Certification exam is easy and hassle-free. But remember, all the candidates must create an account with the PMP to apply on their website. Furthermore, the applicants must know that they cannot cancel their application and request a refund. So, before you apply, it is recommended to check everything. Now, let's look at the steps-

Step 1: Register for the PMI Membership and Then Apply

After checking the PMP certification criteria, first, you need to register for the PMI membership to save the incurred cost. You need to pay a one-time fee of $139 as an application fee. For the PMI members, the membership price is $139, while the non-PMI members need to pay $555.

Step 2: Take the Training Course for PMP Certification Requirements

The Project Management Professional Certification training will help you complete the education requirement of 35 hours. When you enroll, you get to learn from industry experts. Apart from this, these courses include accompanying test papers to simplify preparation. On successful completion, they offer a widely accepted completion certification to improve your chances of securing a high position in reputed companies.

Step 3: Submit Your PMP Application

If you meet the PMP exam criteria, submit your application online. The institute will verify your application and approve it if it meets all the criteria. Once they accept your application, you will receive a link to pay for the examination and schedule it. You get time of 1 year to take this exam.

Step 4: Take the PMP Examination and Get a Certificate

After scheduling your exam date, you need to prepare for the exam. The maximum attempt to take the PMP exam is three within a year. You can even choose your exam venue at your convenience. The examination consists of 180 questions, and you get 230 minutes to complete it. There are mainly three categories of questions, including People (42%), Business Environment (8%), and Process (50%). Once you pass the exam, you will get the certificate within a few days.

Ways to Gather the Required Experience for PMP Certification

There is a way that can help you gain the needed experience to take the PMP exam. For Project Management professional certification, it is easy to gain all the required experience. But, if you are a non-project management professional, here is how you can gather all the required experience to get PMP Certification.

·   You can change your role in your organization if you do not have the time to spend on handling projects. Consider talking to your manager and asking how you can be more involved in the project. You can also directly talk to them about your wish to get the certification quickly.

·   But, if your company does not have a policy to change roles, you can join another organization. It will help you get a better position where you can have more time to manage projects to reach your goals.

Conclusion

If you wish to advance your project management career and give it a wing, consider getting PMP Certification. It is a worldwide recognized certification that can help you hone your skills so that you get a better position in your organization. With real-world case studies, flexible online learning options, and expert instructors, you can gain confidence and knowledge to stand out in your field and get a significant salary hike.

Please also check: If you are looking for PMP Certification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia