Many people are just as clueless when they started their project management career as to which certification is suitable for them and why. The Project Management field is a great choice & investment to put in your career as one can grow on a larger aspect. The two most important certifications we will be talking about today are PMP Certification & CAPM Certification.
There are various Project Management Certifications one can opt for to expand their knowledge & gain recognition in the industry. One of them is Project Management Professional (PMP Certification) from Project Management Institute (PMI). This credential holds great value in the career of a project manager as it is simply made for project managers who are experienced and are looking to increase their knowledge and skill up to get ahead in their career. It helps you stand out and gives you global recognition. On the other hand, Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM) is a certification for those who have just started their career and hence don’t have the required experience in handling projects.
What is the difference between PMP & CAPM Certification?
| PMP Certification | CAPM Certification | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | PMP certification requires 4 – 5 years of experience managing projects. | Does Not require any project experience. |
| Contact hours | This certification requires 35 hours of project management | This certification requires 23 hours of project management training, which makes them eligible to sit for the exam. |
| Topics covered | Apart from everything in PMBOK guide, PMP Certification also covers additional topics like Quality, Risk, Continuous Improvement and Cost management. | Only covers concepts covered in the PMBOK guide. |
| Recognition | PMP certification is a worldwide recognized Experienced certification | CAPM is a globally recognized entry-level certification |
| Future work opportunities | PMP Training & Certification shows that one has the knowledge & experience to tackle larger business projects. | CAPM indicates that one has the knowledge to work on small to medium projects & can be worked alongside an experienced project manager, which will help him gain the additional experience. |
| Exam Questions | PMP Certification covers more situational type questions to test your knowledge on broader topics & processes. | CAPM is a knowledge baked exam which helps to test your knowledge on the different terminologies of project management. |
| PMP exam Cost | $405 USD (PMI members) $555 USD (non-members) | $225 USD (PMI members) $300 USD (non-members) |
| Recertification | Earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) within three (3) years. | Every five (5) years, you must retake the CAPM exam. |
In terms of examination,
| Area | PMP | CAPM |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 200 | 150 |
| Duration of exam | 4 hours | 3 hours |
| Number of non-scoring questions | 25 | 15 |
| Format of questions | Multiple choice | Multiple choice |
| Method of exam | Computer-based | Computer-based |
If you compare the popularity of these two certifications, then PMP certification training is the most known amongst project managers. CAPM was recently added in the year 2003. According to the PMI, there are more than 1,000,000 PMP Certification holders whereas CAPM has more than 34600 certification holders in the world.
Which Certification is right for you?
Both PMP & CAPM certifications have their own value and eligibility requirements. Both are known and recognized globally. It totally depends on the career stage you are in your life. Only you can make the decision in understanding which certification is right for you.
Contact ProThoughts Solutions to find a better answer for applying certification training for PMP Course or CAPM certification exam & grow in your career path.
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