Background Qualifications

To begin, you’ll need a four-year college degree, an associate’s degree, or a high school diploma. If you have a four-year degree, you will need 36 months of experience leading projects, plus 35 hours of project management training. If you have either a high school diploma or an associate’s degree, you’ll need more on-the-job experience —specifically, 60 months— and 35 hours of project management training. These 35 hours may be obtained from a variety of sources and can be in real time or self-paced. Depending on the provider you select, training typically costs around one thousand dollars. It’s worth talking to your employer before you sign up for training, to determine if they will sponsor you and pay for this portion of your certification preparation.

Application Process

Once you’ve completed the educational requirements, it’s time to gather your documentation and apply to sit for the exam. You’ll need a record of where you’ve worked, the projects you’ve worked on, and the hours associated with each project. You’ll also need proof that you’ve completed your required 35 hours of training. The application fee is currently $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. PMI membership is $129 annually, so you should strongly consider joining the association before paying the application fee. Be thorough and honest in all steps, as applications are randomly audited and you never know if yours might be selected for a closer look.

Acing the Exam

From the date you receive word that you are approved to sit for the exam, you have one year to take it. You’ll need to schedule a time to take it live at a testing center or online. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and requires deep knowledge of the five domains of project management as defined by the PMP Examination Content Outline and A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). Careful preparation is key, with the average PMP candidate spending 35 hours or more studying for the exam. If you do not pass on your first try, you are allowed to retake the exam up to two more times in your approval year.

Maintaining Your Certification

Once you’ve passed your exam, your newly minted PMP certification lasts three years. You are required to earn and report 60 professional development units (PDUs) within this cycle, and in every three-year cycle thereafter. If you do not complete 60 PDUs in a cycle, your designation will expire, and you will have to begin the application process again and retake the exam.

The PMP designation demonstrates to employers that you are serious about your training and up to date in your project management knowledge. By taking the time to work through the steps outlined above, you will likely be recruited more easily and be able to command a higher salary than similar candidates without the certification.

Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing www.webuildstaffing.com  . To learn more about Michael or to follow his blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com