4 Steps of PMP Certification Process in 2021

4 Steps of PMP Certification

We have broken down the PMP certification process into four steps. Meeting the prerequisites, the application process, the examination, and the renewal and maintenance. Let’s check out the steps and take you a step closer to the PMP certification.

1. Prerequisites and Eligibility/Requirements

   You need to meet certain eligibility criteria to attend the PMP certification exam. They are as follows:

   You should have a 4-year degree (a bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent) followed by a minimum of three years of project management experience which should cover a minimum of 4,500 project management hours. You don’t need to have the designation of a project manager per se, but experience in managing and leading projects. You must also have 35 hours of project management education, which you can acquire from PMP institutes.
   
   (OR)

   You should have a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent) followed by 5 years of project management experience which should cover 7,500 hours of project management experience. You must also have 35 hours of project management education, which you can acquire from PMP institutes.

   You will need to submit documented proof for each of these requirements when applying for the PMP certification, and each criterion must be met before you apply for the exam.

2. Apply for the Examination

   Once you meet the PMP prerequisites, the next step in the PMP certification process is to apply for the exam. Make sure that you have all the required documents ready prior to applying. Here is the PMP exam registration process:

   • Log in to https://idp.pmi.org/Account/Login and apply for the examination
   • You may have to wait for up to 5 days to receive a response
   • Pay the examination fee, which is $405 for members and $555 for non-members
   • You may be subjected to an audit (candidates are selected at random). You will have 90 days to submit all the required documents for the audit
   • You will receive an authorization email from PMI with an authorization code and the Pearson VUE center information

3. Attend the Examination

   You have a validity of 1 year from receiving the authorization email to attend and clear the PMP examination. You will have to take the exam at an authorized Pearson VUE center. The process is as follows:

   • You will be tested across each of the process groups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Closing, Monitoring, and Controlling,
   • You will have 4 hours to answer 200 multiple-choice questions
   • If you fail, you can retake the examination by paying a retake fee of $275 for members and $375 for non-members. You can make a maximum of 3 attempts to pass the exam within the 1 year period
   • If you pass, you will receive the results and your PMP certification

4. Renewal and Maintenance of the Credentials

   Once you are certified, you also need to maintain and renew your PMP credentials. In order to maintain your PMP certification status, you must ensure to earn 60 PDUs every three years. You must report these to PMI via the link https://authentication.pmi.org/, and you also need to pay a renewal fee of $60 for members and $150 for non-members.

Are You Ready to Be a Certified PMP?

The PMP certification will not just uplift your professional capabilities as a project management professional, it will also add a financial growth aspect to your career for the long run. With the best skills and knowledge you will become part of a highly proficient ecosystem having more than 1 million certified project management professionals. Enroll in PMP certification training with the PMI authorized training partner, and give your project management career the growth it deserves.

Conclusion

The above steps are all you need to follow in order to get PMP certified. These are as described in the PMI handbook. Make sure you meet the prerequisites and have all documented proof before sending in the application, and you should be good to attend the exam. Studying the PMBOK^®Guide - Sixth Edition will help with the examination