The certification program includes the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification, and the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP), Program Management Professional (PgMP) and Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials.
The project management certification program adheres to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, allowing members and credential-holders to transfer skills between industries and across borders. The program's structure is practical, providing practitioners with immediately applicable training and skills.
Credentialed project managers earn instant respect and credibility in the field upon receiving credentials. They become part of a network of industry professionals, building rapport with colleagues, clients and organizations. PMI credentials build confidence in the individual, demonstrating competency and fluency in the industry's standards. Credentialing also prepares practitioners for new opportunities and may lead to higher earnings. Given PMI's global reach, credentialed project managers are not limited to practice in one geographic region.
To receive the CAPM certification, applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as a certain number of hours of formal project management experience or education. To qualify for the credentials, applicants must meet general education requirements, in addition to industry-specific education and experience (dependent on the credential). PMI reduces the number of hours of industry-specific education and/or experience required if an applicant has a four-year degree.
An applicant elects to complete and submit an application to PMI for credentialing. Within five days of submission, PMI reviews the application for completeness. Once approved, the applicant pays the appropriate fees and submits all audit materials to PMI to determine eligibility. The applicant then schedules and sits for the multiple-choice exam. If the applicant passes the exam and meets all eligibility requirements, the certification cycle, or the time between certification and re-certification, begins immediately. The PgMP credential process also requires applicants to undergo a panel review before the exam, and a Multi-rater Assessment (MRA) after the exam.
The certification cycle for the CAPM certification is five years from the date of the exam. To become re-certified, the member must retake the exam. The certification cycle for each credential is three years. During this period, members must earn and report a certain number of professional development units (PDUs) to qualify for re-certification. If the member meets the requirements, re-certification is as simple as paying renewal fees.
Members obtain PDUs by participation in courses offered through PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s). The PMI R.E.P. network consists of more than 1,300 organizations in more than 70 countries, including training organizations, universities and companies. All courses offered through R.E.P.s are pre-approved by PMI for individuals attaining or maintaining credentials.