PMP Certification Exam Eligibility You Need to Know Before Scheduling

Have you ever asked yourself, "What is the PMP certification for project managers?" When it comes to the PMP® Certification, the answer is simple.

With PMP certification, you can work on projects all over the globe, no matter what sector you are in or which project management methodology you choose.

To sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP) ® exam, you must meet specific education and experience requirements.

In particular, you need to have at least five years of project management experience to appear for the exam. This shows that you have enough soft skills (knowledge of project management theory) to manage a project.

And PMI, to accept your application, you need to prove that you have a specific educational background—either a bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PMP Exam Eligibility Requirement

If you are wondering where to find out about the requirements for taking the PMP® exam, then you can download the free PMP® Credential Handbook from PMI's Web site. The handbook contains details about becoming certified, including eligibility information. 

Identify PMP Eligibility

To determine if you are eligible to take the PMP® exam, follow the simple 4-step approach outlined here:

Go through the PMP handbook

Click here to read the PMP handbook

Eligibility requirements in this section of the PMI website under "Project Management Professional," you will be able to find the required information for determining your eligibility for taking the PMP® exam. 

In addition, you will be able to start your application and request more information on how to prepare for the exam if necessary. 

You must read this page very carefully, especially if you are starting. It will provide you with the information you need to help plan and execute your next steps in achieving accreditation.

Read Examination Content Outline (ECO)

PMP content outline

Based on the tasks identified in the outline, you should recognize many of them as tasks you typically complete as part of your work in managing projects. The system covers what a Project Manager does, which would make you eligible to take the PMP® exam.

Analyze

You worked hard to gain the skills and experience to qualify for the PMP® exam. 

Now review your responsibilities to identify areas of overlap with the responsibility requirements for Certification. 

After identifying those areas, update your resume to provide specific examples of projects where you gained the experience required for Certification.

Get in touch with PMI customer care

Don't worry about eligibility. PMI's customer care department is happy to assist you with any queries. Visit the website PMI

What happens if the PMP certificate expires?

PMP credential holders must earn 60 PDUs every three years to maintain active Certification.

If they do not earn the required 60 PDUs during the three-year certification cycle, their Certification will be suspended. 

To retain the suspended PMP certification, you have to submit 60 additional PDUs and pay the annual credential fee within one year of the suspension date. 

Failure to do so will result in their Certification being placed on Terminated status. Having a certification on suspended status means that the individual may not. 

(1) Call himself a certification holder 

(2) Use the certification designation. 

The whole recertification process must be completed within one year of suspension to regain benefits.

Skills Needed for PMP

Many organizations hire project managers to oversee and help monitor projects. 

Getting a project management certification is good if you want your project management career to take off.

Skills needed are –

Risk Management and Analysis

Outsourcing enables industries to complete projects more quickly with greater flexibility, including hiring employees from other areas. 

Outsourcing tasks require much coordination among teams in different locations. 

Project managers need to be vigilant about the potential for miscommunication or supply chain management problems.

To monitor and control project risks, qualitative and quantitative risk analysis techniques and predictive risk responses are used.

Cost Management

Starting with a clearly defined scope of work will help you plan a realistic budget, and setting achievable milestones will make it easier to estimate costs and stick to a budget.

A project manager's role is to determine how much money a particular project phase requires and ensure that the stakeholder's budget is not exceeded.

Once the project has started, it is essential to keep close track of how much money each milestone is costing—and be prepared to adjust your plans if they start exceeding your budget.

Communication Skills

Proper communication between the various teams and the stakeholders will significantly determine the success of an entire project. Each unit has to know its expected deliverables, budget, and time constraints.

A project manager should be aware of any scope changes or work lag that could affect the overall progress of the project and resolve any conflicts that may arise.

Organizing one-to-one interactions and team meetings with a goal, proper documentation of the conclusions, and using the right communication channel for each issue is essential for keeping all parties informed.

Managing Time 

Creating an activity list based on a clearly defined scope—the things you and your team will do to reach your goal—will help you estimate how long it will take to finish the project. 

A time plan can involve creating milestones, which are essential pauses in your project that allow you to celebrate what you've done so far and plan for what's ahead. 

To create good milestones, think about the goals of the project and what your team can accomplish within a certain amount of time.

Leadership skills

A project manager's role is to manage a project and oversee its progress. 

A good project manager needs to set the vision for the entire project, initiate it in the right direction, control its flow by inspiring the team to achieve their targets, and coordinate with other groups working on different parts of the project. 

Checking all deliverables at various times and ensuring that they adhere to the standards laid out early on help ensure a quality product.

Management of Product Quality

It's essential to define the project guidelines in the beginning stages to ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied with the results. 

Documentation of each step of a project milestone, in conjunction with regular stakeholder communication, will help prevent setbacks that could slow down the project's progress.

Expert project management professionals who can demonstrate an ability to put previous lessons learned into practice by creating comprehensive business case studies for projects will be able to enhance their resumes further.

What does PMP mean in the real world?

Project Management Professional Certification from the Project Management Institute or PMI is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a project management career.

This Certification will help you learn how to plan, manage resources and successfully execute a project on time and budget. 

Project Management Institute or PMI offers PMP Certification, which has been around for over four decades and is the leading authority in the project management industry. 

It provides rigorous programs to introduce people to the field's basics and helps experienced managers increase their effectiveness.

Project Management is the collection and application of skills, knowledge, processes, and activities to acquire specific project goals according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. 

Project management has final deliverables constrained to a finite timescale and budget.

Day to Day responsibilities of the Project Manager is:

· Cost Estimation

· Analysis and design of project goals

· Risk Assessment and Management 

· Ensuring the project is completed in a given timeline and directing the work as a whole.

· Sending out the reports and tracking progress on a regular system through Management Information System

· Maintaining coordination between the different departments and Defining Project Timeline 

· Organizing human and material resources

· Project Closure and Communicating to Stakeholders

· Resource Estimation and Allocation of Work

· Quality Management and Resolution of Issues

· Forecasting future trends, analyzing results and developing future strategies based on these results and trends.

· Maintaining the Six Sigma Quality

Can you pass PMP without experience?

You cannot appear for the credential test without relevant experience.

The project management experience refers to time spent performing various project management tasks during the entire duration.

You can apply the knowledge you had while working with (or on) your PMP exam application.

Why is experience needed?

PMI clearly says that a certified Project manager will deliver the desired result that he has learned from his experience.

Many PMPs have achieved their Certification based on their actual project management experience. 

However, passing the PMP exam confirms that you have studied all the inputs and tools of project management. 

You will not just be able to work in a world-class environment but also have the edge over your peers who do not hold a PMP certification.

Experience Proof

Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential is for project manager's competency and experience. 

Hence it goes without surprise that PMI undergoes extensive measures to verify the applications. In addition, random audits are done to ensure the skills and knowledge of the applicants.

The demand of Projects Managers

Since project managers can work in just about any industry you can imagine, they're always in demand. 

They also have quite a bit of flexibility regarding their career path. 

If you're considering studying towards a project management degree, here are four industries where project managers are always in demand.

IT industry

Always wanted to be an IT project manager? Sure, it can be heavy lifting, but it's a dynamic field that offers a chance to work with some of the newest and most exciting technologies. 

You'll have the opportunity to work with teams, leadership training and presentations, monitor progress, and develop long-term relationships with clients from different industries.

Finance

Global finance represents one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing industries today. 

It also offers tremendous opportunities for trained and certified project managers with experience in the industry. 

Project managers in this field perform various business risk identification, mergers and acquisitions, and everything in between. 

However, they all have one thing in common: they can apply their understanding of both business processes and regulatory structures to the benefit of their employers.

Construction

Construction, infrastructure, and engineering industries are booming across the globe – so project managers are in high demand.

Earning a PMP certification can give you the skills to take advantage of this growing field. 

Construction project managers are needed everywhere globally to find themselves out of work.

Construction projects remain necessary, regardless of economic conditions, making for a stable career option for those starting in the workforce. 

Flexible Job profile

Project managers have a unique advantage in finding "the right fit." Those who choose to pursue degrees in project management often find that they can work as freelancers, moving from project to project. Or, they can focus on a particular industry to build experience. 

The variety of options that project managers have in finding the right career is endless. 

The bottom line is that those choosing to pursue degrees in project management will be granting themselves entry to one of the most exciting and rewarding professions anywhere. In addition, they will be able to find a path they love without fear of getting stranded in a job they don't enjoy.

For more information regarding PMP, do visit the website iCert Global

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