The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is one of the most coveted credentials in the project management industry worldwide. Earning the PMP certification demonstrates your expertise in leading and directing projects successfully, as well as your commitment to the profession.
However, before you can sit for the PMP exam, you must meet specific PMP exam eligibility requirements set forth by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the organization that administers the exam.
In this blog, we'll dive deep into the PMP exam qualifications, helping you understand what you need to do to qualify and position yourself for success on the exam.
What is the PMP Certification?
Obtaining the PMP certification acknowledges candidates skilled at managing the people, processes, and business priorities of professional projects. PMI, the world’s leading authority on project management, created the PMP to recognize project managers who have proven they have project leadership experience and expertise in any way of working.
To obtain PMP certification, a project manager must meet certain requirements and then pass a 180-question exam. The PMP exam was created by project leaders for project leaders, so each test question can be related to real-life project management experiences.
The PMP Exam is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified + Traditional), English, French, German, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish (Poland), Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish (Mexico + Spain), and Turkish.
PMP Exam Eligibility Requirements?
1. Educational Background Requirement.
The first requirement for the PMP eligibility criteria is related to the candidate's educational background. Candidates must have a high school diploma, an associate degree, or the global equivalent.
This means that if you have a bachelor's degree or higher, you automatically meet this PMP exam educational requirement. If you have a high school diploma or an associate degree, you still qualify, but you'll need to meet additional criteria related to your project management experience, which will be discussed in the third point.
2. Project Management Experience Requirement.
In addition to the educational background, the PMP exam qualifications have specific requirements related to your project management experience. Depending on your educational level, you'll need to demonstrate the following:
- With a bachelor's degree or higher: Minimum 36 months of unique, non-overlapping professional project management experience leading and directing project tasks.
- With a high school diploma or associate degree: Minimum 60 months of unique, non-overlapping professional project management experience leading and directing project tasks.
It's important to note that the project management experience must be in a paid, professional role. Volunteer work, internships, or academic projects do not count towards the eligibility requirements.
Additionally, the experience must be:
- Unique and Non-overlapping Experience: The experience must be unique and non-overlapping, meaning that if you worked on multiple projects simultaneously, you could only count the time spent on each project once, not the total cumulative time. For example, if you worked on Project A for 6 months and Project B for 6 months concurrently, you could only count 6 months of experience, not 12 months.
- Leading and Directing Project Tasks: Your project management experience must involve leading and directing project tasks, not just participating in them. This includes responsibilities such as managing project scope, schedule, and resources; communicating with stakeholders; and overseeing the project team.
- Paid, Professional Experience: The project management experience must be obtained in a paid, professional role, not through volunteer work, internships, or academic projects. The experience should be gained in a real-world, organizational setting, not just in a classroom or simulation.
3. Project Management Education Requirement.
The final requirement for the PMP exam is related to your project management education. Candidates must complete 35 contact hours of formal project management education.
This education can be obtained through various sources, including Classroom-based training courses, online courses or e-learning programs, university programs, or training provided by Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) recognized by PMI.
The 35 contact hours do not need to be obtained all at once. You can accumulate the hours over multiple training sessions or courses, if the total adds up to 35 hours or more.
How to Apply for PMP Exam
Once you are sure that you meet the PMP exam eligibility requirements, you'll need to document your qualifications by visiting the PMI website and starting your PMP exam application. This typically involves:
- Providing details about your educational background, including the degree(s) you've earned and the institution(s) you attended.
- Submitting a detailed record of your project management experience, including the project names, your roles and responsibilities, and the start and end dates for each project.
- Submitting certificates, transcripts, or other documentation to demonstrate your 35 contact hours of project management education.
The PMI will review your application and supporting documents to verify that you meet the PMP exam eligibility requirements. Once your application is approved, you'll be able to schedule and sit for the PMP exam.
Preparing for the PMP Exam
Passing the PMP exam requires more than just meeting the PMP exam eligibility requirements. You'll also need to thoroughly prepare for the exam content, which covers a wide range of project management knowledge areas and processes.
To prepare for the exam, consider the following strategies:
- Study the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide. The PMBOK® Guide - Sixth Edition: This is the foundational text that organizes the PMP exam syllabus by process groups. It's a must-read for PMP preparation. You can obtain a digital copy for free if you're a PMI member. The PMBOK® Guide - Seventh Edition: This latest edition incorporates expanded coverage of development approaches, tailoring, tools/techniques, and a focus on project outcomes. It's another essential reference book.
- Enroll in a PMP exam preparation course: We highly recommend self-paced exam preparation courses. With a self-paced option, you have maximum scheduling flexibility in your PMP learning plan and can reach out to the instructors if you have any questions. Regardless of which approach you choose, the key is to fully immerse yourself in the course material, understand the exam content and structure, and walk away with the 35-contact hour certificate required for the PMP application. The choice should come down to your learning preferences and budget.
- Utilize PMP exam practice tests and sample questions: Practicing with realistic exam questions can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop effective strategies for the real exam. To further assess your readiness, we have created a comprehensive PMP exam simulator that includes eight full-length simulated practice tests, each with 180 questions that must be completed within 3 hours and 50 minutes.
- Join a PMP study group: Collaborating with other aspiring PMPs can provide valuable insights, support, and accountability as you prepare for the exam.
To read more about the PMP exam study plan, fee free to check our article: Crafting Your Perfect PMP Study Plan for Success.
By understanding the PMP exam eligibility requirements and developing a comprehensive study plan, you'll be well on your way to earning your PMP certification and demonstrating your expertise in project management.
If you are interested in getting certified in project management, feel free to check out our PMP Exam Prep Course: 35 Contact Hours for PMI.
