PMP® Certification Training - Online

There is a simple 4-step process to apply for the PMP certification. You must check your eligibility first, then undergo training, fill out the PMP application, and finally schedule the PMP exam.

1. Check If You Meet The Eligibility Criteria: The PMP is a gold standard for project manager roles because of its strict prerequisites in terms of education and experience. Aspirants must fulfill either of these two sets of PMP certification eligibility prerequisites to qualify:

A 4-year degree.

36 months of experience in leading projects in the last 8 years.

35 hours of formal training in project management or CAPM certification.

OR

High school or Secondary school diploma.

60 months of project management experience over the last 8 years.

35 hours of formal training in project management or CAPM certification.

2. Undergo PMP Certification Training: To meet the requirement of 35 hours of training, it is recommended to undergo PMP Training from a reputed Authorized Training Partner (ATP) before applying for the examination. ProThoughts is the Premier Authorized Training Partner of PMI and we have been offering PMP certification training for over a decade.

ProThoughts offers PMP training in a Live Online Instructor-led session as well as an In-classroom session* (*available in limited countries). For your ideal PMP preparation, we provide you with 30+ study materials. 150+ PMP Flash Cards, Mind maps, 1600+ Mock questions, and Refresher Sessions – to name a few of our unique course offerings. In addition, you also get the chance to avail the Rita Mulcahy PMP Book – a bestseller for PMP prep.

3. Fill out the PMP Application Form:

To fill out the PMP Application Form, begin by creating a PMI account on the official PMI website. Then, log in to your account and access the PMP certification section to start the application process. Provide basic details such as contact information and educational background.

Next, enter your project management experience, including project names, dates, your role, and hours spent leading each project. Ensure adherence to PMI criteria regarding non-overlapping project periods. Document your educational background, including degrees, diplomas, and certifications, specifying institution names and completion dates.

Carefully review all entered information for accuracy and completeness before submitting the application. It's advisable to keep copies of supporting documents for potential audits. Upon application approval, follow PMI instructions for payment, using various online payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, PayPal, or EFT, and ensure successful processing.

4. Schedule The Exam: After your fee payment has been confirmed, your 12-month eligibility period to take the PMP exam begins. Further, you will receive an email with the steps to schedule your exam. Schedule an exam once your PMP training is complete and you feel confident to take the test. You will receive the details of scheduling your exam via the Pearson VUE platform - for both CBT and OPT tests. The ProThoughts Team will assist you throughout this process as well.

Now you’re all done with the formalities of enrollment, registration, and application!

Step-by-Step Process of Filling out the PMP Application Form:

1. Create a PMI Account: Visit the official PMI website and create an account if you don’t already have one. Ensure your personal information is accurate and up-to-date.
2. Start the PMP Application Process: Login to your PMI account and access the PMP certification section. Begin the application process by providing basic information, such as contact details and educational background.
3. Enter Project Management Experience: Enter the details of your project management experience, including project names, dates, as well as your role in each project. Specify the number of hours spent leading and directing each project. According to PMI criteria, the projects documented in your PMP application should not overlap. Each project should have a distinct time frame without any overlap with other projects. This ensures that the project hours you report are not duplicated or counted multiple times.
4. Document Educational Details: Provide information about your educational background, including degrees, diplomas, and certifications. Mention the name of the institution, your degree, and the date of completion.
5. Review and Submit Application: Carefully review the information you have entered in each section of the application. Double-check for accuracy and completeness. Pro Tip: It is recommended that you keep a copy of all the documents supporting your application and details you’ve entered. PMI can select your application for an audit at any time during the certification period and failure to provide the supporting documents could result in Certification suspension. Having the documents as a backup can also fast track the process by a mile.
6. Make Payment: You will be notified by PMI on application approval and steps to proceed with the payment. You can again login to your my PMI account and pay the fee. You can make the payment online using various payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, PayPal, and EFT. Ensure your payment is processed successfully. After submitting your payment information and completing the transaction, you will be redirected to a confirmation page.

After your fee payment has been confirmed, your 12-month eligibility period to take the PMP exam begins. Further, you will receive an email with the steps to schedule your exam.

To fill out the experience in the PMP application, start with the education section, providing details about your highest level of education, years attended, institution, and field of study. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria based on your educational background and project management experience. Remember, if your degree is GAC accredited, you may receive credit towards work experience.

Once you've completed your project management training course, fill in the project management education section with details of your training provider, dates attended, and program name. Make sure your training is completed before submitting your application.

For the project management experience section, provide details of your project titles, organizations, job titles, methodologies used, team sizes, budgets, and project dates. Describe your role and responsibilities, aiming for 200-500 words per project. Ensure your experience meets the required months based on your education level. Use concise language, avoid industry-specific jargon, and align your descriptions with PMI terminology. Emphasize your project management tasks and skills, demonstrating a wide range of competencies. Be prepared to justify any excessive hours recorded.

Finally, review your application for accuracy, download a copy for your records, agree to the terms, and submit your application.

PMI takes around 5 business days to review and approve a PMP application. During this period, they might request additional documentation as a part of an Audit. Only a small fraction of applications undergo an audit, and it is picked randomly. If your application is selected for an audit, you will be notified by email before PMP exam fee payment. You will have 90 days to submit the required documents. If you meet the terms and conditions of the audit, your PMP application is approved within 5-7 business days. Further, your eligibility period begins!

Yes, you can get PMP-certified without enrolling for a PMP certification course. The PMP eligibility criteria state that you need to get 35 hours of formal project management education/training to qualify. But, if you hold a valid CAPM certification, this requirement can be waived. You do not need to document 35 contact hours if you’re an active CAPM holder.

Instead of a PMP certification course, a university or college course on project management also counts. For example, if you spent 3 hours each week on the course for 12 weeks, then you’d have accrued 36 contact hours. However, if only some aspects of your course covered project management topics, then only the hours spent on those topics would add to your educational requirements total.

On the other hand, you can also get 35 contact hours from different sources without enrolling in a PMP certification course. As long as the sessions address project management subjects, each hour spent can add to the contact hours. The course hours may include content on project quality, project scope management, project schedule, project budget, project communications, project risk management, project procurement, project cost, project resources, project stakeholders, and project integration management. You can record these hours regardless of when you accrued them. The only criterion is that you must complete it by the time you submit the PMP application to PMI.

However, regardless of the technical criteria, PMP certification training is essential to ensure complete preparation for the exam as well as access to trustworthy study materials and guidance. Without the guidance, your expenses will go to re-examination attempts which will definitely prove even costlier. Plus, it saves a lot of time too!

Training isn't mandatory for PMP as long as you are able to document 35 hours of project management education. This could either be through a university course, through an active CAPM certification, or through different project management courses totalling to 35 hours. However, regardless of the technical criteria, PMP certification training is essential to ensure complete preparation for the exam as well as access to trustworthy study materials and guidance. Without the guidance, your expenses will go to re-examination attempts which will definitely prove even costlier. Plus, it saves a lot of time too!

You can get 35 contact hours for PMP by enrolling in a PMP certification course offered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner. It is recommended that you get this training from a reputed institute that will provide you with the authentic 35 contact hours certificate as well as get you ready for the PMP exam. ProThoughts is the Premier Authorized Training Partner of PMI and has been training PMP candidates for a decade.

On the other hand, you can also get 35 contact hours from different sources as long as the sessions address project management subjects. 1 hour of subject instruction equals 1 contact hour. The course hours may include content on project quality, project scope, project schedule, project budget, project communications, project risk, project procurement, project cost, project resources, project stakeholders, and project integration management. You can record these hours regardless of when you accrued them. The only criterion is that this coursework must be complete by the time you submit the PMP application to PMI.

If you have completed a university or college course on project management, then ensure that you record the hours according to the same. For example, if you spent 3 hours each week on the course for 12 weeks, then you’d have accrued 36 contact hours. However, if only some aspects of your course covered project management topics, then only the hours spent on those topics would add to your educational requirements total.

PMP Certification is a hallmark of proficiency due to its emphasis on project management experience as well as education. Therefore, to apply, you must meet one of the following sets of PMP certification prerequisites:

4 Year College or University Degree

Bachelor’s and Graduate Degrees.

Minimum 3 Years of experience in leading projects within the past 8 years.

I.E. 36 months of unique, non-overlapping project management experience.

35 hours of formal project management education.

OR

High School or Secondary School Degree

Associate’s degree, High School Diploma or equivalent.

Minimum 5 Years of experience in leading projects within the past 8 years.

I.E. 60 months of unique, non-overlapping project management experience.

35 hours of formal project management education.

If you still have doubts concerning your PMP Certification eligibility, you can verify it for free with our PMP Eligibility Calculator.

To apply for the PMP Certification, candidates must have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in project management prior to application submission. If you have a college degree, then you need to showcase 3 years of non-overlapping experience within the last 8 years. However, if you have a secondary school or high school diploma, you must have 5 years of experience within the last 8 years. This experience must be in leading or directing projects.

Please note that the project management experience is tracked in months, and not as a number of projects. For example, 6 months of project management experience should be noted as such regardless of how many projects you worked on during those 6 months. Even if you spent this time simultaneously on 2 or more projects, the time working on the projects cannot be counted twice or multiple times over. It will still equal 6 months of project management experience toward your PMP certification prerequisites.

PMBOK 7 covers all your definitions, concepts, and “know-how”. However, only studying from the PMBOK 7 is not enough to pass the PMP exam. The PMP is not based on the PMBOK alone, but rather on the Examination Content Outline (ECO).

We recommend reading the entire PMBOK guide twice before taking the test while also referring to a good PMP exam prep book – such as Rita Mulcahy's PMP book. Rita Mulcahy draws concepts from the Examination Content Outline (ECO), the PMBOK guide, and the Process Groups: A Practice Guide. Therefore, it comprehensively covers the entire PMP syllabus. Moreover, it prepares you for calculation questions, such as those based on Earned Value Management and Critical Path Method which are always present in the PMP exam.

Some practitioners do exclusively opt for external materials other than PMBOK for their PMP exam prep. Usually, it is because they find reading the entire PMBOK too difficult and time-consuming. It is also a given fact that the PMP exam reflects the PMP examination content outline (ECO) and not the PMBOK guide alone. So, if you choose not to read the PMBOK, the onus falls on the quality of the other project management books you choose for your PMP exam preparation. We recommend Rita Mulcahy’s PMP book. With the right PMP certification training and diligent studying, you can pass PMP without reading the PMBOK, even though it is highly recommended to sift through it.

The exact passing score for PMP is not known – it changes based on the difficulty of the questions on the specific examination. Even though the PMP results are not displayed with a cutoff percentage, your target should be to get at least 70% of the questions right. The PMP score report grades you for the three domains (People, Process, Business Environment) on a four-point scale. It displays the result as Above Target, Target, Below Target, and Needs Improvement. PMI performs sound psychometric analysis to develop these scores.

PMI offers 2 additional attempts within a 12-month eligibility period if you don’t pass the exam on the first try. There are re-examination charges for the same. PMI members must pay $275 and non-members must pay $375 for PMP re-examination. If you still do not pass the exam after these three attempts, you must wait 1 year from the date of the last examination attempt before you can reapply. This is just to uphold the security of the question pool and to avoid overexposure to individual candidates. Please note, that after the 3 attempts or the expiration of the eligibility cycle, you must reapply for the certification.

Absolutely. The PMP certification is backed by extensive research, including job tasks and global practice analysis. So, it is curated to hone you with the most in-demand project management skills as well as global practices. Moreover, PMP now encompasses various project management approaches, from predictive to agile and hybrid methodologies. This is after PMI reflected the curriculum as per industry demands. Therefore, with methodologies that empower you to lead teams irrespective of industry vertical, organization size, or geography, PMP certification stands as a significant advantage in today's job market.

Moreover, most certified PMPs are in agreement that the certification has been valuable to their careers. PMI’s Salary Survey asked respondents to rate how valuable the PMP certification has been to their careers. The results? 58% of respondents from India rated the PMP certification as extremely/very valuable to their careers!

As per PMI’s Job Report 2024, Technology, Manufacturing, Construction, and Aerospace are the top industries to watch out for in South Asia for PM-based roles. Thus, the need for skilled project managers will become even more pronounced in the coming times. PMP certification positions you as a sought-after candidate for senior project management roles and offers ample career growth opportunities. Get started on your PMP Journey today!

Companies derive substantial benefits from employing PMP-certified professionals. PMPs bring a wealth of expertise and leadership to the table, driving project success and organizational growth. The rigorous curriculum of PMP certification, continuously updated to reflect the latest project management trends, ensures that certified professionals are well-versed in cutting-edge methodologies like Agile and Generative AI. This adaptability allows companies to stay ahead of the curve and thrive with these PMs leading the momentum.

Moreover, PMP certification serves as a stamp of credibility for an organization's project management practices, instilling confidence in stakeholders and clients alike. As the demand for skilled project managers continues to soar, PMP certification becomes not just a valuable asset but a strategic imperative for companies looking to drive innovation and achieve project excellence.

Yes, if you fail to meet the Continuous Certification Requirements (CCRs), then your PMP certification will expire at the end of a 3-year period. You must renew it before the expiration date to avoid getting your PMP revoked (in which case you’d have to start over from scratch to become PMP-certified again). To be eligible for PMP renewal you must earn 60 PDUs in a 3-year cycle, and pay $60/$150 as renewal charges. $60 is the renewal fee for PMI members and $150 is the fee that non-members must pay for PMP Certification renewal.

Yes. On enrolling with ProThoughts for your PMP certification training, you will be given access to the LMS portal and study materials in advance. You can do all your preliminary reading and studying as soon as you enroll so that there are no gaps in your learning. As a bonus, you will be better prepared for the PMP Training Workshop and grasp concepts better.

This PMP Certification Training course is a live instructor-led session. ProThoughts conducts classroom (in-person) PMP sessions in selected cities but our live online PMP batches are open to all geographies in the world. You can also opt for a complete on-site Corporate Training session for your organization. All PMP batches by ProThoughts are conducted by certified trainers who are also industry veterans.

The Live Online PMP Training by ProThoughts offers a comprehensive and flexible approach to mastering project management concepts and preparing for the PMP certification exam. Here's what you can expect from our program:

Live Instructor-led Sessions: Engage with expert instructors in real-time from anywhere, providing the flexibility to attend scheduled PMP sessions while accommodating your location.

Convenient and Affordable: Enjoy the convenience of learning from the comfort of your own environment while benefiting from a more accessible and cost-effective training option compared to traditional classroom settings.

Expert In-house Instructors: Learn from seasoned professionals who bring real-world experience and expertise to the virtual PMP classroom, ensuring high-quality instruction and support throughout your learning journey.

Complete Support: Receive comprehensive support and guidance for accessing PMP prep materials, tackling technical issues, submitting the application, scheduling the examination, and more.

Curriculum aligned with PMP ECO: Our course covers all the project management topics in the PMP ECO. You can expect the following and more to be covered in the sessions: project risk management, budgeting, scheduling, stakeholder management, team management, practical insights, and best practices for real-life project situations. Moreover, gain a deep understanding of the 3 PMP domains: People, Process, and Business Environment, to effectively manage teams, execute projects, and work through complex business structures.

Rita Mulcahy Materials: ProThoughts provides two PMP plans. One of the plans includes Rita Mulcahy materials - which are known to be the most simple and effective books to read for PMP. We also incorporate coaching based on Rita Mulcahy's renowned materials, enhancing and speeding up your exam preparation and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of key concepts.

Our Live Online training is designed to empower you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed as a project manager, lead teams effectively, and pass the PMP certification exam on your first try.

Enrolling in a PMP course offered by a PMI-Authorized Training Partner (ATP) opens doors to top-tier instruction and resources meticulously aligned with the PMP Examination Content Outline. ATPs boast seasoned instructors, rigorously vetted by PMI, who bring invaluable real-world project management experience to the classroom. Beyond delivering essential content, Premier ATPs like ProThoughts serve as mentors, offering personalized guidance to ensure your success in mastering project management concepts.

Whether you prefer the convenience of online learning, the interactive nature of in-person instruction, or a blend of both, Authorized Training Partners often offer flexible delivery formats to accommodate your learning style and schedule. This adaptability ensures that you can pursue your PMP certification journey without compromising on your existing commitments. ProThoughts is one of the few institutes that provides in-person classroom training for PMP.

At ProThoughts, we recognize that successful learning encompasses more than just absorbing content. It involves a holistic approach that integrates content mastery, expert instruction, peer collaboration, and flexible delivery options. Therefore, by choosing a PMP course offered by a PMI Premier ATP, you're investing in a comprehensive educational experience designed to empower you as a proficient project manager.

Mock Exams are crucial to PMP exam preparation. Attempting as many as possible makes you more familiar with the exam pattern and expected answers. However, the quality of the Mock Tests is also a factor that comes into play. For our PMP exam takers, we offer mock exams from 3 sources: The official body - PMI, the credible - Rita Mulcahy Learning Solutions, and, of course, our very own original Mock exams. It is recommended to try multiple mock tests to expose yourself to different question formats and difficulty levels, helping you build confidence and readiness for the actual exam.

PMI's Official Practice Exam: Created by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this mock test closely simulates the actual PMP exam format and content. It's considered reliable and provides a good gauge of your readiness. We provide access to 2 Mock Exams from PMI.

Rita Mulcahy Mock Exam Merchandize: You can opt-in for Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep book and Mock exams in your PMP training package. These 2 mock exams include challenging practice questions that closely resemble those on the actual exam. Many PMP aspirants find this resource helpful for gauging their readiness.

ProThoughts’ PMP Exam Simulator: ProThoughts offers a comprehensive PMP practice test package with a large question bank, detailed explanations, and timed simulations to mimic the actual exam environment. We offer 5 original mock exams on our PMP exam simulator with a vast question bank. We also offer guidance based on your mock exam results to solidify your PMP exam preparation.

Therefore, with ProThoughts, you get the benefit of the top Mock Tests in the world for PMP! Enroll to avail now!

According to us, two books are your trusty guides for PMP Exam Preparation: 1. PMBOK Guide, 7th Edition, and 2. Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep, 11th Edition

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide): Published by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this guide is the primary reference for the PMP exam. It covers the fundamental concepts, processes, and terminology of project management. While it's not a study guide per se, it's essential reading for PMP candidates to understand the framework upon which the exam is based. Being well-versed with the PMBOK ensures that you don’t have any gaps in your knowledge.

PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy: This self-help book is a popular choice among PMP aspirants for its comprehensive coverage of PMP exam topics, practical tips, and engaging writing style. It includes practice questions and exam tips to help reinforce your understanding of key concepts. ProThoughts is a top distributor of Rita Mulcahy materials and we coach you based on this book as well! Following this book that complements our PMP Training workshop gears you up for PMP in 40-45 days!

Before choosing a book, consider factors such as your familiarity with project management concepts, preferred learning style, and the amount of time you have for preparation. Also, don’t try to purchase too many reference books and guides - because A. that is just plain expensive and B. Sometimes too much to read can be detrimental to your preparation. Instead, complement your primary study material with additional resources such as practice exams, video lectures, or cheat sheets to reinforce your understanding and increase your chances of success on the PMP exam.

The PMP is undoubtedly a rigorous test of your concepts and knowledge. But, how you perceive the exam difficulty depends on how you’ve been trained for the PMP. At ProThoughts, we conducted a survey on the PMP Exam Experience and most of the respondents voted on the difficulty of the exam being as expected. Very few found it tougher than they expected. So, as long as you are geared up with the right resources and mindset – the PMP exam will go exactly as predicted!

Once you finish taking the PMP test, you will immediately receive a copy of your preliminary test results. The result is displayed as Pass/Fail along with an assessment of the three domains. You will also receive a confirmed official report from PMI approximately within 10 business days after the examination. Please note that the initial results/scores provided are only considered preliminary, till the official result is out. After that, you can check your exam report on the online certification system.

As per PMI's final fact file in December 2023, there are currently 1,454,550 certified Project Management Professionals across the globe. For India specifically, the PMI Registry lists 69,470 active PMP certification holders. The exact number of certified PMPs in India could be much higher, because PMI allows candidates to opt out of inclusion in the registry.

ProThoughts has helped 10,000+ candidates clear their PMP. From their exam experiences and with insights from our team of in-house experts, ProThoughts has curated a foolproof exam strategy and PMP exam tips and tricks for your PMP. The 45-day exam strategy asks you to study consistently and diligently for 2 hours every day till your exam. It has detailed descriptions of what to study, how to study, and how to approach the vast bank of 1,600+ mock questions. While you follow the strategy, you can access supplementary materials from our LMS platform to keep information fresh. The list of PMP Tips we provide, will give you a gist of the time management that is expected and a strategic approach to attempting questions.

As for clearing the exam part, ProThoughts guarantees that you will pass your PMP exam if you follow the instructions and remember the exam tips and tricks. You can Schedule a Call with our consultants to learn more about our PMP Money Back Guarantee and the details of this exam plan.

You can wrap up your PMP certification process completely online! For people finding testing centers or training institutions inaccessible, there is always the Online route. ProThoughts also offers PMP certification training in a Live Online Instructor-led mode. You can interact with our in-house expert faculty during the sessions and not worry about having to travel. You can schedule a call with our consultants to get more details about the upcoming PMP Certification Online Batch Dates.

Moreover, since the COVID times, PMI has started offering Online Proctored Tests for PMP as well. The Online PMP exam is conducted via the Pearson VUE platform. Once you submit your application and pay the fee, you can select your mode of PMP examination as Online Proctored Test (OPT), and then follow the further instructions that you’ll receive in your email. For further assistance, the team at ProThoughts will always be available

No. The PMP is a closed-book exam. You will be given scrap papers and pencils or whiteboards and markers for your PMP Center-Based Test. But, you will not be permitted to carry any study materials, resources, or books during the exam. All your belongings will be placed inside the locker throughout the 4 hours of the examination.

The PMP syllabus is divided into three domains: People, Process, and Business Environment. Within these domains, are a list of Tasks. These tasks represent the responsibilities of the project managers corresponding to the domains. Further, there are Enablers for each task as well. These enablers are the actual step-by-step breakdown of the work you must perform to fulfill each responsibility. In an overview, you learn the following concepts corresponding to each domain:

Domain 1: People

Manage conflict resolution effectively.

Lead with a clear vision, embracing diversity and servant leadership.

Support team performance, growth, and accountability.

Empower team members, leveraging strengths and accountability.

Ensure adequate training and measure outcomes.

Build and refresh team skills, facilitating knowledge transfer.

Address impediments and obstacles for the project team.

Negotiate project agreements and collaborate with stakeholders.

Foster shared understanding and engagement among team members.

Establish and enforce team ground rules and mentor stakeholders.

Promote team performance through emotional intelligence.

Domain 2: Process

Execute projects with urgency and focus on delivering business value.

Manage communications effectively for all stakeholders.

Assess and manage risks iteratively throughout the project.

Engage stakeholders strategically and manage their expectations.

Plan, manage, and monitor budget, resources, and schedule.

Ensure quality of deliverables, scope management, and integration of planning activities.

Manage project changes, procurement, artifacts, and issues.

Ensure knowledge transfer for project continuity and closure.

Domain 3: Business Environment

Plan and manage project compliance effectively.

Evaluate and deliver project benefits, track progress, and communicate value.

Address external business environment changes and support organizational change as needed.

The PMP exam is offered as a Center Based Test (CBT) or an Online Proctored Test (OPT). Both types of tests are conducted on the Pearson VUE platform. The CBT can be taken at a Pearson VUE testing center. You can select the location when you schedule your examination. Online proctored tests are just as effective as CBT, but some system requirements must be met. On the payment of the PMP Certification fees to PMI you will receive the complete details in your email. Our consultants at ProThoughts will also guide you through the details of Exam Scheduling, Selecting the details, and what would be ideal for you CBT or OPT.

The Pass Percentage for PMP is 65-70%. The PMP exam is not the same for each aspirant who attempts it. The results and passing scores are formulated by sound psychometric analysis based on the type and difficulty of questions. Therefore, we suggest not relying on other people’s PMP experiences and results. Rather, we suggest consistently studying post-training, taking mock tests, analyzing their results, and following a strict yet comfortable study plan. ProThoughts provides a tried and tested 45-day exam plan to all our candidates. Diligently following the plan guarantees exam success or your money back!

The PMP exam is 230 minutes long. You have 180 questions to answer within this timeframe with two 10-minute breaks in between. These breaks can be taken once you answer and review questions 1-60 and then questions 61-120. Also, there is a 15-minute tutorial before the exam and a 15-minute survey after exam completion - this time is not included in the 230-minute allotted time for the test. Figuratively, you can say that the PMP is approximately 4 hours long.

Yes, you absolutely can get PMP-certified without a degree. As per the eligibility criteria set by PMI, the candidate can have a High school or Secondary school diploma to meet the educational prerequisites. However, you will also need a minimum of 5 Years of experience in leading projects within the past 8 years to qualify. This must be 60 months of unique, non-overlapping project management experience. In addition, there is a mandatory 35 contact hours of formal project management education required regardless of whether you have a degree or not.

PMP-certified candidates receive a digital PMP badge through Credly, which employers can use to verify the status of any PMP credential. Moreover, you can authenticate a PMP certification by checking its status on the PMI Registry. You will have to fill out a few details - First and Last Name, Credential, and the Country/ Region. If you do not enter the Name you want to verify your certification against, then you might not have a 100% comprehensive list. This is because the Credential holders can opt out of inclusion on the registry and hence their names will not display on search.

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Here is a curated list of certifications you can pursue after your PMP:

Program Management Professional (PGMP) Certification

The PgMP Certification enables you to stand out from millions of PMPs. PgMP is a very prestigious certification and is quite exclusive when it comes to training and assessments. To give an overview, the PgMP certification holder or a Program manager keeps the organizational goals in mind while considering the projects and teams under it as a sub-component. Essentially, the program manager has an eye for the bigger picture rather than just a single aspect of it, as it would in the case of a project manager. Thus, you can work to get involved in the decision-making procedures of an organization after your PMP.

Six Sigma Certification

Six Sigma certification equips you with the knowledge of process improvement methods that increase efficiency and minimize errors by focusing on customer expectations. The end goal of Six Sigma is to create products or services with less than 3.4 defects per million products or services produced. This extreme focus on product quality makes Six Sigma a very lucrative certification in the market. This specialization will sharpen your skills and also make you an in-demand professional.

Disciplined Agile Coach (DAC)

Disciplined Agile Coach (DAC) is a certification designed to make you an Agile Coach who can help enterprises achieve true Agility. An Agile Coach is the expert authority to consult on Disciplined Agile and lead teams. It is definitely one step above a Project Manager. Thus, the DAC certification can uplift you from managing projects to coaching teams at an organizational level with your Agile knowledge and experience.

DAVSC Certification

PMI’s Disciplined Agile Value Stream Consultant (DAVSC) certification teaches you how to scale Disciplined Agile across your organization and deliver value quickly. Its curriculum includes practices from Flow, Lean, Theory of Constraints, Organizational Development, and more. With the Disciplined Agile toolkit, you can go beyond managing projects to effectively optimize enterprise-wide value streams.

PMP vs Agile has been a long-standing debate because these two terminologies represent two very different yet popular approaches to project management. Until a few years back, PMP solely consisted of traditional predictive project management methodologies, like the waterfall model. Agile, on the other hand, uses a more flexible approach to project management. Agile consists of several methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, XP, etc. But, PMP also included Agile in its curriculum in 2021.

PMP runs with the times, by conducting Job Task Analysis and Global Practice Analysis to consistently find out what the current roles demand. With PMP also turning into Agile mode, it seems PMP is an all-encompassing solution. Moreover, PMP carries a legacy of success to millions of PMP-certified practitioners across the globe. However, PMP offers an introduction to Agile Fundamentals, not complete mastery.

You can therefore go for a PMP first. Then, you can build on the concrete stability of project management knowledge acquired through the PMP with an Agile Specialization. For example, Disciplined Agile Coach or Disciplined Agile Value Stream Consultant (DAVSC) are some credible master-level agile certifications.

Certainly! When comparing PMP certification to an MBA, we would say PMP tends to be a better choice for Project professionals. Here's why:

Specialization in Project Management: PMP certification provides is specifically created for project professionals. In contrast, an MBA offers a broader business education covering areas such as finance, marketing, and operations. Thus, it does not have a laser focus on project management methodologies and practices.
Affordability: Compared to MBA programs, which can be expensive, PMP certification is more affordable. MBA from a credible university costs a hefty sum of money, for which people sometimes go into debt. A full-time MBA program starts from $50,000 to more than $200,000. PMP certification cost is much lower in comparison ranging between $405 - $595. Thus, it is a more accessible option for professionals looking to upskill in project management.
Time Commitment: MBA programs typically last for up to two years and require dedicated studying for this period. PMP certification on the other hand requires a shorter time commitment. PMP Candidates from ProThoughts typically clear their exam in 45 days!! As working professionals, this time difference definitely plays a major part.
Job Opportunities: There are very few PMPs as compared to MBA graduates globally. Therefore, while both PMP and MBA lead to lucrative career opportunities, competition among MBA graduates can be fierce, Moreover, an MBA may not always translate directly to project management roles, but a PMP always translates to a PM Role.

Both Prince2 and PMP certifications are highly valuable project management credentials.

Prince2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) is a process-based methodology for project management. It provides a structured framework for managing projects, focusing on the organization, control, and delivery of projects.

On the other hand, PMP (Project Management Professional) certification promotes all project management methodologies - Predictive, Agile, and Hybrid. It approaches all the methodologies under the umbrella of its 3 domains - People, Process, and Business environment. This practical approach is to ensure that the certified candidates are well-rounded professionals.

PMI’s PMP is more strict in terms eligibility, applications, and the examination. Because the process of getting certified is so rigorous, it is considered a very important and credible certification. However, Prince2 has no such criteria set. Since, Prince2 is a standard in European government and public sectors, people tend to opt for it there. But, in rest of the world, PMP aligns better - because the course content is not bound by geography, industry vertical, or language. PMP is globally recognized, with certified professionals in every country.

There are two things to cater to here: 1. PMI classifies certification status as “Suspended” and “Expired”. These refer to different things.

PMP Certification: Suspended Status: If you do not satisfy the 60 PDU requirements within your current cycle dates, you will be placed in suspended status. The suspension period lasts one year (12 months). During this time, you may not refer to yourself as a PMP certification holder or use the PMP certification designation. Further, you will be required to earn the necessary PDUs and complete the renewal process during this suspension period. The date of your next CCR cycle will not change once your certification status changes back to Active (i.e., the cycle dates remain the same as before.)

PMP Certification: Expired Status: Now, if you do not earn the necessary PDUs or do not complete the renewal process within the suspension period too, your PMP certification will go into an Expired status. Expiration means that you will lose your PMP certification. If your PMP certification expires, then there is no way of renewal. You must re-apply for the PMP certification, pay the exam fees, and retake the PMP examination all over again to become PMP-certified again.

After a 3-year cycle, PMP certification renewal costs $60 for PMI members and $150 for non-members. In addition, you must also accrue and submit 60 PDUs to PMI for the PMP renewal process.

Yes absolutely. The CCR program by PMI allows you to maintain multiple project management certifications simultaneously, thereby simplifying the maintenance process. There are 2 Types of PDUs: Education PDUs and Giving Back PDUs. You can earn these PDUs for multiple certifications in the following ways:

Education PDUs: Since Power Skills and Business Acumen concepts are broader educational topics and not specific to any one certification domain area, the PDUs claimed in these education areas can be applied across all Certifications. For example, if you attend a course that awards two leadership PDUs, you will be able to count them towards every certification you hold.

Education around Ways of Working is specific to each certification domain area (e.g., the Ways of Working to perform program management differ from those for business analysis). However, certain Ways of Working topics apply to multiple certification subjects. In this case, the Ways of Working PDUs can be claimed for all relevant certifications. The number of PDUs claimed should be equivalent to the amount of time spent on the specific technical topics.

Giving Back PDUs: Giving Back PDUs Apply Across All Certifications Since activities related to giving back to the profession apply to the core aspect of each PMI certification, the PDUs claimed through these activities can be applied across all certifications. As an example, if you claim 2 PDUs for volunteering at a PMI event, you may count them towards every certification you hold.

To maintain your PMP certification validity status, you must earn 60 PDUs in a 3-year period. The PMP is valid for 3 years, and after that you must renew it to maintain your PMP status. To maintain your PMP, you need to accrue 60 PDUs corresponding to the three categories in the PMI Talent Triangle. These categories are Ways of Working (Technical Project Management), Power Skills (Leadership), and Business Acumen (Strategic and Business Management).

You can earn these PDUs by:
Attending Events: Participate in PMI-accredited project management conferences, workshops, or seminars. ProThoughts offers monthly webinars led by expert speakers where you can earn PDUs for free.
Giving Presentations: Deliver project management-related presentations at conferences, seminars, or within your organization.
Volunteering: Engage in project management-related volunteer activities within PMI chapters or other professional organizations.
Writing/Publishing: Author articles, books, or blog posts on project management topics and get them published in reputable outlets.
Enrolling In Online Courses: Complete online courses from PMI or other approved providers. ProThoughts offers an "Earn PDUs" plan where you can select a course and earn 60 PDUs. Undergoing Formal Education: Enroll in university courses in project management to accumulate PDUs.
Self-Directed Learning: Read project management books, listen to podcasts, or watch educational videos independently.

In addition, you must pay a PMP renewal fee of $60 (for PMI Members) OR $150 (For Non-Members) to maintain your PMP certification. Your new cycle will start once your current certification expiration date is over (even if you make the payment earlier).

PDUs, or Professional Development Units, are used by project management professionals to maintain their Project Management Institute (PMI) certifications. Here are some ways to earn 60 PDUs for your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification:

Free alternatives
Attending Events: Participating in project management conferences, workshops, or seminars can earn you PDUs, provided they are accredited by PMI or other relevant organizations. At ProThoughts, we conduct project management webinars every month. You can register for these insightful sessions with expert speakers and earn PDUs for Free.

Giving Presentations: Delivering presentations or speeches related to project management at conferences, seminars, or within your organization.

Volunteer Work: Volunteering for project management-related activities, either within PMI chapters or other professional organizations.

Writing/Publishing: Authoring articles, books, or blog posts on project management topics. Getting these published in reputable outlets can earn you PDUs.

Paid Alternatives
Online Courses: Completing online courses offered by PMI or other approved providers. Many online platforms offer courses specifically designed to help professionals earn PDUs. At ProThoughts, we have an Earn PDUs plan, where you can complete a course of your choice from our options and earn 60 PDUs in one go.

Formal Education: Participating in university courses. Enrolling in a course in project management and completing it can add to your 60 PDUs count.

Self-Directed Learning: Engaging in self-directed learning activities such as reading project management books, listening to podcasts, or watching educational videos.

PDUs stand for Professional Development Units. As part of the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program, you must earn these “PDUs” to quantify your professional developmental hours. 1 PDU is equal to 1 Hour of learning/activity. For the PMP certification, you must earn 60 PDUs within a 3-year duration to qualify for PMP certification renewal. PDUs system and the CCR program exist to uphold the credibility of the certified professionals and to keep them up-to-date with the latest in the project management field.

There are 3 Types of PDUs as per the PMI Talent Triangle:

Ways of Working (previously Technical Project Management): This PDU category encourages you to learn new and different project management practices. There are many practices that exist today: predictive, agile, design thinking, hybrid and there are more that will be developed in the future. It is clear that there is no one size fits all approach. Thus, PMI encourages you to learn a diverse set of methodologies and practices to become a versatile professional.

Power Skills (previously Leadership): This PDU category focuses on interpersonal skills. You can attend sessions that help you grow your collaborative skills, leadership power, emotional intelligence, and communication skills. The idea is to help make you a well-rounded professional with an innovative mindset, for-purpose orientation, and empathy. Thus, you become a leading change maker who can engage anyone and everyone!

Business Acumen (previously Strategic and Business Management): This PDU category aims to sharpen your decision-making skills to paint a larger picture. Simply speaking, professionals with business acumen understand the macro and micro influences in their organization and industry. And also have the domain-specific knowledge to make good decisions. Thus, PMI urges you to grasp how your projects contribute to the overarching organizational strategy and global trends, regardless of your level or role. You can attend webinars, enroll in self-paced courses, or contribute to the community, to gain PDUs in these different categories.

No, there is no re-evaluation in the case of the PMP exam. You do, however, have two more attempts within your eligibility period. So, if you fail your PMP certification exam on the first try, you can always opt for a re-exam. There are additional fees associated with the re-examination: $375 for non-members and $275 for members.

If you do not succeed in your PMP examination on the first attempt, you have two more attempts to take the test in a 12-month eligibility period. Once you receive your official PMP results from PMI (which is usually within a week after you take the exam), you can proceed to schedule your Re-examination.

Step 1: Login to your PMI account

Step 2: Navigate to the Certifications Section

Step 3: In the PMP Certification section, follow the instructions to apply for the Re-exam.

Step 4: Pay the PMP Re-examination Fee. The PMP Exam fee for further attempts is $275 for PMI Members and $375 for Non-Members. Step 5: On payment confirmation, you will receive a new Eligibility ID.

Step 6: Using the provided PMP Eligibility ID, you can schedule your PMP Re-Exam on the Pearson VUE platform. The re-attempt can also be taken either as a Center-based test (CBT) or as an Online Proctored Test (OPT).

Step 7: Follow the same steps of PMP Exam Scheduling as you did for your 1st attempt. If you have any questions or queries, our Support Team at ProThoughts will be available for assistance.

If your one-year eligibility period has expired without appearing for the PMP exam, you will forfeit the entire exam fee paid to PMI. If you still wish to obtain the PMP certification, you will have to reapply and submit all associated fees again. You can also take a PMP refresher course from ProThoughts to revisit your concepts. At ProThoughts, we suggest that you do not take a break from PMP preparation and take the exam 2-3 months after completing your PMP Training.

You can find more information about PMP Audit in the PMP Certification Handbook available for download on the PMI website. You can also visit the Certification FAQs page for more specific queries and resolutions regarding the Audit. Moreover, you can contact our consultants at ProThoughts to guide you through the Audit process and resolve any issues. We have a seasoned team of experts on board for complete PMP application assistance!

The PMI PMP Audit fails if the candidate does not meet all the requirements or makes an incomplete submission to PMI. The PMI Certification Department will address further actions with you depending on your case. Moreover, if you choose to not abide by the rules of the audit and do not proceed with the steps, it results to audit failure as well. In this case, you will also be facing a 1-year suspension period from applying for any PMI certification. Please note that, the audits are conducted at random and are only in place to uphold the credibility of the PMP certification.

During the PMP application process, PMI sometimes requests additional documentation as a part of an Audit. PMI conducts application audits to confirm the experience and/or education details documented. The purpose of the audit is to enhance the credibility of the PMP certification program and the PMP holders. Only a small fraction of applications undergo an audit, and it is picked randomly. If your application is selected for an audit, you will be notified by email before the PMP exam fee payment.

For the PMI Audit Process, you will be asked to submit supporting documentation such as Copies of your diploma/degree/global equivalent, Signatures from your supervisor(s)/ manager(s) from the project(s) recorded in the experience verification section of the application, Copies of certificates and/or letters from the training institute(s) for each course are recorded on the application to meet the required 35 contact hours of professional education.

Candidates can log into their PMI dashboard and select ‘Access Audit Package’. From there, you will be directed to the application audit dashboard. Simply upload academic and professional education requirements. Additionally, you can send references electronically. You cannot select the submit button until all documents are collected. You will have 90 days to submit the PMP Audit Package and the processing time from PMI is 5-7 business days. If you meet the terms and conditions of the audit, you can proceed with the PMP Exam Fee Payment.

You will be notified by PMI when your PMP application is approved to proceed with the fee payment. You can log in to your PMI account and pay the fee. In India, the PMP exam fee is ₹24,708 for PMI Members and ₹50,025 for Non-members. You can make the payment online using various payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, PayPal, and EFT. Further, ensure your payment is processed successfully. After submitting your payment information and completing the transaction, you will be redirected to a confirmation page.

After your fee payment has been confirmed, your 12-month eligibility period to take the PMP exam begins.

The ideal way to approach the 35 contact hours requirement is to undergo PMP certification training from an authorized training partner. However, you can also get 35 contact hours from different sources. As long as the sessions address project management subjects, each hour spent can add to the contact hours. The course hours may include sessions on project quality, project scope, project schedule, project budget, project communications, project risk, project procurement, project cost, project resources, project stakeholders, and project integration management. You can record these hours regardless of when you accrued them. The only criterion is that you must complete it by the time you submit the PMP application to PMI. The bottom line is that, no you do not need to earn all 35 contact hours from 1 project management course - but it is ideal to do so.

Yes, you must complete all the 35 PMP contact hours mentioned in the eligibility criteria before submitting your application to PMI. In the PMP application, you need to mention the date of completion along with your course details to meet the eligibility criteria. At ProThoughts, we can assist you in determining what details should be documented and how, so you don't have to worry much about it!

The entire PMP certification process takes a minimum of 4-5 months to about a year for some professionals.

The PMP certification process starts with hunting for a good training institute, enrolling in a course, and getting trained as per their batch dates. Then, the process speed depends on your commitment to getting PMP-certified. Some candidates attempt the exam a week after the Training is complete, while some wait for months together.
At ProThoughts, we suggest not waiting beyond 2-3 months to take the exam. In this period, you also need to apply for the exam. Sometimes PMI puts applications for an Audit, which also takes a week or two (if done right away). Therefore, several factors contribute to the time it takes to complete the PMP certification process. Taking a rough estimate of 6 months is a good idea - to incorporate any barriers that delay the process. `

For the most part, ProThoughts covers everything in the tuition fee - from materials to practice questions, and from application samples to PMP exam simulators. For classroom training, the PMP certification fee you pay us also covers the venue costs and your meals.

While budgeting for PMP, however, you’ll have an additional fee to pay to PMI. This would include the Exam Fee which is ₹24,708 for PMI members and ₹50,025 for non-members, and an optional PMI Membership fee of ₹9,840. Other expenditures would be travel expenses on the day of the exam if you choose a Center-Based Test or if you take classroom training. Moreover, if you choose to print the PDFs we share with you, that would also add to the number. Besides that, we’ve got you covered!

Yes, we do assist in the PMP exam application process. We provide our candidates with sample PMP applications at no extra charge. These sample applications serve as a reference and help you prepare a draft of your own PMP application. Moreover, once you get the draft ready you can share it with our team. Your PMP course instructor will review it and provide you with further guidance before you submit your application to PMI. Our team ensures that no applications submitted to PMI are rejected!

Yes, you can pay the PMP Certification Course fee in 2 installments at no extra cost. You can pay the 1st installment to reserve the seat and pay the remaining amount at least 2 days before the PMP training workshop. To know more details about PMP Fee payments and other finance-related queries, you can contact our customer support team.

If an institute is a PMI ATP, it means that it serves as PMI’s Authorized Training Partner and is officially recognized to coach professionals for PMI certification exams.

Authorized Training Partners hold PMI certifications, have completed PMI Train the Trainer courses, and use PMI-developed training course content. The PMI Authorized Training Partners Badge guarantees that you're receiving training aligned with the latest PMI Global Standards. ProThoughts has the Premier status in the ATP program. Only a few institutes gain that status. We have it because we are one of the oldest institutes propagating Project Management Knowledge, with PMI-certified instructors for each course!

ProThoughts offers PMP Certification Training without geographic restrictions - Enroll in our live PMP Online batches from anywhere in the world! Our sessions are live and instructor-led, ensuring that you learn at your convenience but without compromising on interactions! Also, if you’re keen on learning in a physical classroom environment, ProThoughts offers PMP Classroom Training in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. If you are close to any of these locations, we would be ecstatic to see you in our Classrooms. Contact our Team to get more details on PMP Certification Training near you.

No, freshers cannot take PMP. To apply for the PMP Certification, candidates must have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in project management prior to application submission. The strict educational and experiential criteria makes PMP such a prestigious certification.

There is no age limit for PMP. However, most PMP holders are in the age group of 35-45. Also, as per the Salary Survey Report, individuals who hold a valid PMP for longer periods, reap higher benefits. So, the younger you are to get PMP-certified, the more advantage you'll have. If you fulfill the eligibility criteria for PMP, then the time to start your PMP journey is NOW!

Yes, pursuing PMP certification is totally worth it. We don’t say it as trainers for PMP but with a team of PMP-certified experts backing the claim. All our trainers are active holders of the PMP and are some of the leaders in the field. So, here are some Let’s see why:

1. Monetary perks: Obtaining a PMP certification early in your career has many benefits, including increased interview calls, stronger negotiating positions for salary, and access to higher-paying job opportunities. Some Project Managers have even bagged double their salary after adding the PMP tag after their names.

2. Proof of Competency: Having a PMP certification demonstrates a foundational understanding of project management. It’s a stamp of approval and a significant one at that. There are other project management certifications as well which involve you going through self-paced courses and that’s about it. However, PMP has stringent criteria and requires dedicated effort. Naturally, PMP stands out as a certification and distinguishes you from others in the field too.

3. An Extra Push To The Skillset: PMP certification adds to your existing skills and knowledge. It propagates Agile, Waterfall, as well as Hybrid approaches. Hence, you become a versatile professional. From an employer’s point of view: If asked to choose between 2 similarly experienced PMs, who would you prefer? – The one who took time to improve themselves, or the one who’s stagnant in upskilling?

4. Access to Untapped Opportunities: The PMP certification is respected by employers and carries a certain level of prestige. In our opinion, companies value the certification and consider it mandatory, because they value the experience, which the PMP is indicative of, unlike many other certifications. They don’t have to verify the experience and education of the person - because it comes packed with the PMP Badge. Therefore, we strongly recommend pursuing the PMP certification at an early stage of your career to reap more benefits. Contact our team to learn more about the Benefits of Obtaining the PMP!

As per PMI’s Job Report 2024, Technology, Manufacturing, Construction, and Aerospace are the top industries to watch out for in South Asia for PM-based roles. Thus, the need for skilled project managers will become even more pronounced in the coming times. PMP certification positions you as a sought-after candidate for senior project management roles and offers ample career growth opportunities. You can also keep an eye on the opportunities posted by PMI on its Job board. PMI updates new job opportunities from across the globe on this page, and it can help unlock greater opportunities for you as a PMP.

The PMP certification is backed by extensive research, including job tasks and global practice analysis. So, it is curated to hone you with the most in-demand project management skills as well as global practices. Moreover, PMP now encompasses various project management approaches, from predictive to agile and hybrid methodologies. This is after PMI reflected the curriculum as per industry demands. Therefore, with methodologies that empower you to lead teams irrespective of industry vertical, organization size, or geography, PMP certification stands as a significant advantage in today's job market.