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Below are some commonly asked questions about the
PMP® Certification exam. Click on the question to view the answer. 1. What is the PMP Certification Examination?
2. What are the education or work experience requirements needed to sit for the PMP Certification Exam?
3. How can candidates apply to sit for the PMP Certification Exam?
4. How long does it take for PMI HQ to process the PMP Certification Exam application?
5. How will the applicant know if the application has been processed?
6. After the application has been processed, how long do candidates have to take the exam?
7. How many hours of study time are necessary to pass the exam?
8. What study materials are needed to prepare for the exam?
9. How do candidates schedule time to sit for the exam?
10. What if a candidate has to cancel after scheduling the exam?
11. What is the cost of the PMP Certification Exam?
12. What if candidates do not pass the exam?
13. What if I need to retake the PMP Certification Preparation class?
14. What is the cost to retake the exam?
Resources
Application checklist
Preparing the application
1. What is the PMP Certification Examination?
The Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Exam measures the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques that are utilized in the practice of project management. The examination specifications were established in 1997 after the Project Management Institute® completed a job analysis study. The PMP Certification Examination is comprised of 200 four-option multiple-choice questions that are developed and validated by PMPs. Examinees must obtain a score of 137 in order to pass the examination. The examination is reviewed and revised annually to satisfy the examination test specifications and to ensure that each question has a referenced source.
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2. What are the education or work experience requirements needed to sit for the PMP Certification Exam?
Candidates must complete Project Management Experience Verification Form(s). The Experience Verification Form is used by candidates to properly document and report project management experience. Each project submitted with the application must be listed on a separate form. PM experience submitted without being documented will not be accepted.
For candidates who hold a baccalaureate degree:
- 4,500 hours minimum PM experience gained over a 3-6 year period prior to application.
- Contemporary experience required within the last 3 years.
- No overlapping experience. Individual months can only be counted toward the 36 month requirement once. This applies if the applicant worked on multiple projects during the same month.
- At least 35 contact hours of specific instruction* that addresses learning objectives in project management. Hours must include content on project quality, scope, time, cost, human resources, communications, risk, procurement and integration management. No time limit associated with when the 35 hours were accrued.
For candidates who do not hold a baccalaureate degree:
- 7,500 hours minimum PM experience gained over a 5-8 year period prior to application.
- Contemporary experience required within the last 5 years.
- No overlapping experience. Individual months can only be counted toward the 60 month requirement once. This applies if the applicant worked on multiple projects during the same month.
- At least 35 contact hours of specific instruction* that addresses learning objectives in project management. Hours must include content on project quality, scope, time, cost, human resources, communications, risk, procurement and integration management. No time limit associated with when the 35 hours were accrued.
*Watermark Learning is a PMI Registered Education Provider, providing quality educational opportunities to project managers. Visit our web site to view a complete list of project management courses which meet PMI's specific instruction requirements.
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3. How can candidates apply to sit for the PMP Certification Exam?
Candidates must complete a PMP Certification Examination Application. Candidates can apply online or mail the completed PMP Certification Examination Application to:
PMP Certification Department
Four Campus Blvd.
Newton Square, PA 19073
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4. How long does it take for PMI HQ to process the PMP Certification Exam application?
PMI takes at least 10-14 working days to process online applications. Online applications can be processed up to 4 weeks faster than paper-based applications.
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5. How will the applicant know if the application has been processed?
Applications will receive an eligibility letter 3-5 days after the application has been processed, confirming that the applicant is eligible to take the exam. The letter includes an eligibility number assigned by PMI and details on scheduling the exam.
All online applicants will be issued a "CE number" and be asked to choose a password. Users can save information and log in at any time using the CE number and password to update the application. Users must type "CE" before the number.
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6. After the application has been processed, how long do candidates have to take the exam?
Candidates have 6 months to take exam and may get one extension of 6 months.
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7. How many hours of study time are necessary to pass the exam?
Without an exam preparation course, expect to spend 200-300 hours preparing. On average, students in our course spend around 40 hours studying for the exam in addition to the time spent in the classroom.
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8. What study materials are needed to prepare for the exam?
Watermark Learning provides complete course materials to its PMP® Certification Prep students. Besides hundreds of pages of useful information, study aids, and references, students in our classes also receive dozens of simulated practice questions. Candidates need to also purchase a copy of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge from the PMI Bookstore.
Sample exam questions and suggested reading are also available on the PMI web site.
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9. How do candidates schedule time to sit for exam?
The PMP Certification Exam is a computer-based exam held at Prometric Testing Centers:
7401 Metro Blvd.,
Suite 180
Edina, MN 55439
952-831-1499
13770 W. Van Buren St., Ste. 103
Goodyear, AZ 85338
623-932-7800
Examination Locations and Scheduling
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10. What if a candidate has to cancel after scheduling the exam?
Cancellations/rescheduling of scheduled examinations must be made no later than noon (12:00 p.m. local center time) 5 business days prior to the scheduled examination appointment.
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11. What is the cost of the PMP Certification Exam?
Cost for PMI members, $405.
Cost for nonmembers, $555.
Candidates can save money on the cost of exam by applying for PMI membership. Cost for PMI national membership is $129/year.
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12. What if candidates do not pass the exam?
Candidates who do not pass the exam should submit the Re-Examination Form to PMI. There is no waiting period to submit the Reexamination Form or to retake the complete examination. The Reexamination Form should be mailed to: PMI Certification Department, Project Management Institute, Four Campus Blvd., Newtown Square, PA 19073, USA or faxed (if payment is being made by credit card) to +610-356-4647 to the attention of the Certification Department. The Reexamination Form may be used for one year from the date of the last examination. Once the Reexamination fee is processed, a new eligibility letter containing testing information, identification code, and a new 6 month eligibility period will be sent.
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14. What is the cost to retake the exam?
Cost for PMI members, $275.
Cost for nonmembers, $375.
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