Project Management Certification
Learn how project management certification can help you climb the project manager career ladder.
One of the best ways to bolster your marketability and advancement potential as a project manager is to obtain project management certification. One of the most respected and globally recognized organizations for project management training is the Project Management Institute (PMI), the leading membership association for the project management profession, which offers five credential tiers of certification for project managers.
Among the five types of project manager certification obtainable from the PMI or a number of online and traditional schools, all share a high school diploma (or global equivalent) as a prerequisite for minimum education level. However, the required amount of experience or specialized education in project management varies for each credential.
Flexibility in the requirements allows for different levels of job or education experience. For example, an individual with only a high school diploma may be eligible for any of the PMI credentials, provided he or she has adequate project management experience, as well as a certain amount of project management training.
How to Prepare for Project Management Certification
If you already have the documented work and education hours required to be eligible for a specific credential, you may begin the application process. If you still need to meet requirements in education or experience, follow PMI's specifications for accruing and documenting the hours that you earn.
PMI provides straightforward instructions for recording the project management time that you've accrued. A wide range of project management training is eligible to satisfy PMI's educational requirements (e.g., online courses and company-sponsored programs, to name just two). A number of online and classroom institutions are accredited by the PMI (called Registered Educational Providers). These schools offer project management training and degrees that are pre-approved by the PMI to satisfy the organization's eligibility requirements for project management certification.
Where to Take Your Exam
Once you have met the education and experience requirements and are prepared to take your specific credential exam for project management certification, you must attend an in-person, multi-hour exam at a PMI-approved testing location. You can apply and submit payment online to take or retake exams.
Types of Project Management Certification
PMI offers the following credentials. The certifications are listed in ascending order according to required education and experience.
CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management
Job role: Contribute to a project team as a subject expert, liaison, coordinator or team member.
Eligibility requirements:
- High school diploma (or global equivalent) and 1,500 hours experience on a project management team
OR
- 23 hours of formal project management education (available online)
PMI-SP – PMI Scheduling Professional
Job role: Maintain and develop project schedules
Eligibility requirements:
- High school diploma (or global equivalent), 5,000 hours project scheduling experience, 40 hours project scheduling education
OR
- Bachelor's degree (or global equivalent), 3,500 hours project scheduling experience, 30 hours project scheduling education
PMI-RMP – PMI Risk Management Professional
Job role: Identify and assess risk, mitigate threats, opportunity capitalization
Eligibility requirements:
- High school diploma (or global equivalent), 4,500 hours project risk management experience, 40 hours project risk management education
OR
- Bachelor's degree (or global equivalent), 3,500 hours project scheduling experience, 30 hours project scheduling education
PMP – Project Management Professional
Job role: Lead and direct project teams
Eligibility requirements:
- High school diploma (or global equivalent), 5 years project management experience, 35 hours project management education
OR
- Bachelor's degree (or global equivalent), 3 years project management experience, 35 hours project management education
PgMP – Program Management Professional
Job role: Defines and oversees projects and resources to achieve an organizational objective
Eligibility requirements:
- High school diploma (or global equivalent), 4 years project management experience, 7 years program management experience
OR
- Bachelor's degree (or global equivalent), 4 years project management experience, 4 years program management experience
