PMI certification shows that you have the essential knowledge, experience, and education to effectively contribute to project, strategic, and organizational success. A PMI certification is a valuable investment in your career, and yourself.
Top five reasons to earn a PMI certification:
- Credibility. Provide an unbiased and reliable means to validate your domain of knowledge and professional experience. For over 30 years, PMI has offered certification and is a globally recognized leader in the industry.
- Transferability. PMI certification is not tied to any one specific methodology, industry, or region. A PMI certification can move and adapt with your career.
- Competitive advantage. Be more marketable. Many certification holders achieve salary increases, career advancement opportunities, and employer recognition.
- Commitment. Emphasize your commitment to professional growth. By earning and maintaining a PMI certification, you continue to develop your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Relevance. Demonstrate your relevance with certifications that are developed by practitioners, upheld by rigorous standards, based on ongoing research, and always reflect current industry practices.
PMI Talent Triangle®
Your PMI certification will include a way to keep your certification current and your knowledge relevant as the profession evolves through the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program.
The program focuses your professional development on the employer-demanded skills of the PMI Talent Triangle® — technical, leadership, and strategic and business management skills.
PMI Talent Triangle
Prepare for success: Quick tips
- Read the applicable certification handbook. (Visit the Certification tab on PMI.org to download certification handbooks.)
- Review the certification’s Exam Content Outline.
- Read through the Reference List for the exam and determine which will be most helpful for you.
- Seek additional educational opportunities through PMI, a PMI chapter, a PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.), or other provider.
- Form a study group with colleagues or friends.
PMI® Certifications
- Project Management Professional (PMP)®
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)®
- Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)®
- PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)®
- PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
- PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®
- PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
| Check your eligibility | PMP® | CAPM® |
|---|---|---|
| Certification definition | The PMP certification recognizes experience, knowledge, and skill in leading and directing projects. | The CAPM certification recognizes a demonstrated understanding of the fundamental knowledge, processes, and terminology as defined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) that are needed for effective project management performance |
| Apply if you: | • Are responsible for leading a project • Lead and direct cross-functional teams to deliver projects within the constraints of time, budget, and scope | Provide subject matter expertise in a project team environment • Support project managers with coordination of project duties • Serve as a project team member, coordinator or liaison • Are interested in project management and want to learn project management fundamentals |
| Professional education (contact hours) | 35 hours of project management education OR CAPM certification | Minimum of a high school diploma, associate degree, or global equivalent At least 23 hours of project management education without professional work experience |
| Professional work experience | With bachelor’s degree or global equivalent: minimum three years (4,500 hours) spent leading and directing projects within the last eight years OR With high school diploma or global equivalent: minimum five years (7,500 hours) spent leading and directing projects within the last eight years | |
| Exam information | 4-hour, 200-question multiple-choice exam | 3-hour 150 question exam |
| Exam fee | PMI member: US$405 Non-member: US$555 | PMI member: US$225 Non-member: US$300 |
| Certification maintenance requirements | 3-year cycle 60 PDUs per cycle | 5-year cycle No PDUs per cycle Retake the exam before the end of your five year certification cycle |
PMI certifications
PMI certifications
