PMP Training Requirements
- PMP certification requires project management-related work experience and training.professional beauty image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com
Project Management Professional (PMP) is a credential available through the Project Management Institute. This comprehensive field of study helps to develop managers of the highest professional and ethical standards within the business community of practicing project management professionals. To complete the PMP certification process, candidates must satisfy the requirements for work experience and training, and receive a passing score on an exam involving both written and multiple choice questions. - College graduates must have a minimum of three calendar years of experience in project management occurring within the last six years. Work experience includes at least 4,500 hours managing the aspects of the five recognized project management process groups—initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. In addition to work experience, these individuals must also complete 35 hours of formal training in project management.
- Individuals with no college degree can still complete the PMP certification process provided they meet the work and training requirements. Non-college graduates must have five calendar years of experience in project management occurring within the last eight years. Their work experience must include at least 7,500 hours managing across the five recognized project management process areas. The professional training requirements are the same as their bachelor's degree-holding brethren; non-college graduates must also complete 35 hours of formal project management training.
- To complete the required formal project management training, individuals can choose self-study programs, participate in training offered by their employer, or enroll in project management courses at local learning facilities. Many educational institutions, from major universities to community colleges and professional learning organizations, offer coursework in project management that can contribute towards the PMI's required number of training hours. Prospective PMPs can combine training from a variety of project management-related courses, or enroll in a single course that satisfies the total number of training hours required.
