What is PMP^®?

The Project Management Professional certification is renowned and widely adopted worldwide. A PMP certification demonstrates, in particular, the ability to direct project teams and successfully deliver project objectives.

To be eligible for the PMP certification, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. All project management experience must have been accrued within the last eight consecutive years prior to your application submission

• A four-year degree (bachelor’s degree or global equivalent). A minimum three years / 36 months unique non-overlapping professional project management experience during which at least 4,500 hours were spent leading and directing the project* and 35 hours of project management education,
  OR
• A Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent). A minimum five years / 60 months unique non-overlapping professional project management experience during which at least 7,500 hours were spent leading and directing the project* and 35 hours of project management education.

* Leading and directing the project as identified with the tasks, knowledge, and skills specific in the Project Management Professional Examination Content Outline. You should have experience in all five process groups across all your project management experience submitted on the application. However, on a single project, you do not need to have experience in all five process groups.

The course enhances existing project skills and helps ensure a more complete understanding of project processes and best practices. Candidates are tested on initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling and closing a project. In addition, PMP measures students on the 'five Es' of project management competence:

1. Education for Eligibility (a minimum number of contact hours in education)
2. Experience (a minimum number of hours aligned with specific project management tasks)
3. Examination (a scenario-based multiple-choice exam to assess adaptability and capability)
4. Ethics (all candidates must adhere to the PMI^® Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct)
5. Education for Certification Maintenance (ensuring candidates maintain and continue to develop their project management skills post-certification)

PMP sets a clear standard for project management capability. It is the world's first professional certification program to attain International Organization for Standardization 9001:2000 recognition, a known mark of a high-quality management system. It also brings many benefits to an individual, such as significantly increased career and salary prospects.

It is for all of these reasons that PMP is known as the world's most favored project management qualification.

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