If you’ve ever thought about obtaining Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification, one of the first questions to come to mind might have been: How long does it take to get PMP certification? If you’re still wondering about this, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about how to get PMP certification and how long this process takes. From work experience to applying for and passing the exam, you’ll be armed with the knowledge you need to approach the process with confidence.
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How Long Does it Take To Get PMP Certification?
The time it takes to earn PMP certification varies from person to person depending on each candidate’s professional experience and education level. For starters, prospective PMPs must satisfy a hefty work experience requirement of 36 to 60 months, depending on whether they have a bachelor’s degree.
Gain Professional Experience
If you haven’t earned a four-year degree, you need to have 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years before you qualify for PMP certification. This work should include experience in each of the five project management process groups (initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing).
Complete Professional Development
In addition, you’ll need to complete the standard 35 hours of professional development, also called “contact hours.” You can obtain contact hours through a PMP certification course, college classes, professional training or attending a relevant lecture or seminar. If you hold the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) credential, you can skip this requirement.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need only 36 months of work experience leading projects within the eight years preceding. The 35 required contact hours or CAPM certification remain the same.
PMP Certification Timeline
The PMP certification process involves work experience, completion of contact hours and time to prepare for and take the certification exam. Below, we’ll break down the steps involved in obtaining PMP certification.
Enroll in a PMP Training Course
The best way to complete the required 35 hours of professional development is through a PMP certification training course. You must first determine whether you want to complete these hours in person or online.
Online courses are often self-paced and allow you to complete coursework from any location. In-person options, on the other hand, tend to follow a more rigid structure. However, these courses also allow for more collaboration and interaction with your instructor and peers.
Apply To Take the Exam
Once you’ve met your work experience requirements and completed your PMP certification training course, it’s time to apply to take the exam. To do this, you must fill out an application from the Project Management Institute (PMI) website. Once you’ve applied, you should hear back from PMI within three to five days.
Note that applicants do not need to submit supporting materials with their application, but should have supporting materials available in case they are selected for an audit. PMI randomly selects individuals for an audit during the application process. If selected for an audit, applicants have 90 days to submit audit paperwork.
Schedule the Exam
When PMI accepts your application, you should receive a unique ID to present when you schedule your exam. PMI recommends that you schedule your exam far in advance of your preferred testing date.
You can take the PMP certification test in person at a proctored location, or you can opt for computer-based testing. The test format is the same regardless of where or how you take it.
Expect 180 multiple-choice questions spanning a variety of project management concepts and styles. You’ll have about four hours to complete the exam, with two 10-minute breaks for online test-takers and no breaks for in-person test-takers.
Study and Prepare
Everyone learns at a different pace and in different ways. Only you can determine how much time you should spend studying and preparing for the PMP certification exam.
If you’re looking for PMP exam prep resources, you’re in luck. You can prepare for the certification exam through PMI-authorized training partners, company-sponsored programs, training schools and higher education institutions, among other providers. Consider creating a study timeline for yourself and taking practice exams, such as the $99 PMP prep test authorized by PMI.
Take the PMP Exam
Once you’ve completed the prerequisites and paid the fee to take the exam (the PMP exam costs $425 for PMI members and $595 for everyone else), the only thing left to do is pass the test.
Here’s where things get a bit complicated. PMI does not disclose what a passing score is for the PMP exam. When it comes to passing the exam, your best bet is to aim for a score of at least 75% on your practice exams. This should help you succeed on test day, though this isn’t a hard and fast rule.
Retake the PMP Certification Exam if Necessary
Once you receive approval from PMI to take the PMP certification exam, you have one year to do so. You can take the exam up to three times in this one-year period. Retakes cost $375, or $275 for PMI members.
Maintain Certification
Once you successfully complete the PMP exam, you’ll be responsible for keeping your skills and knowledge up to date. You can do this by taking courses through PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. Similarly to the contact hour requirement, however, you can also fulfill this requirement in other ways, including attending webinars and PMI chapter meetings.
You must renew your PMP certification every three years to keep it active. In each three-year period, you should earn 60 professional development units (PDUs). If you don’t manage to keep your certification up to date, it will be suspended for one year.
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Once you’ve completed the required PDUs, you may renew your PMP certification. Renewal costs $60 for PMI members and $150 for nonmembers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How Long it Takes To Get PMP Certification
How long does it take to be PMP certified?
The most time-consuming part of earning PMP certification is accumulating the requisite project leadership experience. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need 36 months of experience within the eight years prior to taking your certification exam, but if you only have an associate degree or a high school diploma, that total increases to 60 months. You also need to earn either 35 training hours or CAPM certification and study for the exam, but many PMP hopefuls can complete these tasks simultaneously with meeting their experience requirements.
Is getting a PMP difficult?
It can be—the PMP is a valued credential in the project management field because it demonstrates high levels of experience, skill and knowledge in the field. Gaining those skills and knowledge takes time, diligent study and patient effort, but the hard work pays off for many PMP holders in the form of higher salaries and enhanced professional standing.
How long does it take to pass the PMP on average?
Each candidate follows their own PMP prep schedule, but project management experts typically recommend at least one to three months of study. Once your application is approved, you have one year to pass the exam, including up to three attempts.
