What does it mean to have a PMP Certificate?
Project Management Professional Certification, often known as PMP certification, is a title that is granted by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to individuals who meet certain requirements about their education and experience in the field of project management. Before becoming eligible to apply for certification, professionals are expected to fulfill a variety of obligations first. To become a certified associate in project management, an individual is required to first have their application accepted and authorized before taking a test that is both extensive and comprehensive.
The majority of jobs and positions inside companies do not require this type of certification; however, it is a well-recognized credential that enhances credibility and strengthens any résumé. This certification is not required. The certification was developed to establish a standard of project management that could be applied across a variety of sectors and locales. Acquiring a PMP certificate is only one of the many ways in which a professional can demonstrate to a prospective or existing employer their level of expertise and commitment to the field in which they work.
Why Should I Get the PMP Certification?
The PMP certification is something that a lot of project managers are wondering whether or not it is worthwhile to get. First, let's take a look at the many upsides to earn your PMP certification.
Advantages of Having a PMP Certification
'Opens the door to career opportunities' 'Gives you professional clout in the project management industry' 'Builds core project management skills' 'Provides a systematic framework for how to manage projects 'Gives you professional clout in the project management industry' 'Gives you professional clout in the project management industry' 'Gives you professional clout in the project management industry' 'Gives you professional
The figures demonstrate that holding a PMP certification can increase your potential earnings. The following salaries were reported in the twelfth edition (2021) of PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey:
The PMP credential is held by 79% of project managers, according to the report.
Participants in the poll who held a PMP certification earned a median salary that was 16% greater on average than those who did not hold a PMP certification.
The longer you have a PMP certification, the more your income will steadily increase over time.
How to Obtain Your PMP Certification
The steps necessary to earn your PMP certification can be completed in a relatively short amount of time. To obtain your PMP certification, all you need to do is follow these steps:
1. Confirm you're eligible. To be eligible to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) test, candidates with a four-year degree are required to have either 36 months of experience managing projects or 35 hours of training in project management. If you have a high school diploma or an associate's degree, in addition to the 35 hours of training in project management, you will need to have a minimum of 60 months of experience directing projects.
2. Submit an online application to be considered for the PMP certification exam. You should be ready to demonstrate that you are a real-life project manager who has previous experience managing projects on the job while also leading and directing a multi-functional team. You will also need to demonstrate that you have completed the necessary prerequisites for formal education in project management.
3. Take a look at the manual. The PMI Certification Handbook will guide you through the steps necessary to earn any of the PMI credentials available, including the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
4. Enroll in a PMP training course. To be eligible for the Project Management Professional certification, you will need to complete 35 hours of project management instruction. Take some time to educate yourself on the subject of project management by reading A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). PMI provides additional tools that can assist you in preparing for the exam. These options include Authorized Training Partners and PMI Authorized On-demand PMP Exam Prep.
5. Plan to take the Project Management Professional exam. After your application has been reviewed and accepted, PMI will send you an email with scheduling instructions for the exam. You will have the choice to take the examination either in person or online, and you will have one year to sit for the examination.
6. Take (and do well on) the Project Management Professional examination. Now is the time to demonstrate what you've learned from all of your hard work! Don't worry about failing the test the first time you take it. To acquire your PMP certification, you can retake the exam a maximum of three times within a single calendar year.
7. If you want to keep your PMP certification current, you need to keep learning. Obtaining your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is not a "set it and forget it" approach. To keep your PMP certification active, you will be required to acquire a total of 60 PDUs every three years.