Achieving your PMP certification is a monumental task requiring years of project work. But the diligence is well worth the reward as the PMP certification is one of the most sought after achievements in the work force. Adding the PMP certification can mean a salary increase of up to $10,000 per year. As tantalizing as that number is you must meet the requirements to even sit for the exam.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the gateway to the PMP certification. The application itself is grueling and this article will show you how to navigate the website and apply for the PMP. Prior to visiting the website I suggest you block off about two hours of time to sit down and write out your complete work history by projects.
For each project you jot down make sure you gather crucial information you will need during the application. You will need to know your capacity in the project such as Project Coordinator or Project Manager. You will need to know the exact hours for each project. Also you need to write down references that can be checked by PMI.
The first actual step will be to visit www.pmi.org ; this is the official site of the Project Management Institute. Your quest to complete your application for PMP begins here. On the left hand side of the homepage you will need to click on Register Now and complete the registration process. Once that is complete you should be logged in, if not then return to the homepage and log in.
Once logged in you should see your membership status which should have something like “Not a Member”. I highly recommend becoming a member of PMI. Not only do you get a discount on the test but most of the time your company should reimburse you for the cost.
On the left hand side is also a box labeled Certification Status. In that box you need to click the link for Certificate Information and Application. Then click on the Apply for PMP credential link, this will start your PMP application process. Make sure you block off about two hours of time to complete the application.
When completing your application, make sure you break each of your projects down into the five major areas of Project Management. As a reminder the domains are Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling, and Closing. Each of your projects needs to have the hours broken into the five domains.
There is also a brief description box for each project. This description must include key words from the PMI world. Make sure you put who you reported to, whether the project succeeded or failed, what deliverables where, and any stakeholders involved.
Each application is looked at and 1 out of 4 are audited so be truthful and concise in your answers. My application was initially not approved due to insufficient descriptions of projects. I had to rewrite the descriptions before it was finally approved. The approval process should take no longer than five business days so make sure you check you junk mail folder just in case.
Once your PMP application is approved you will be granted a one year window to sit for the exam. You must pay upfront and decide on your date ahead of time. The exam itself is 4 hours long with 200 questions.
The PMP certification is an arduous process that takes hours of paperwork to complete. The reward however, is well worth the effort. Becoming a PMP certified individual will allow you opportunities you never had before. Once you become a register PMI member I suggest you update your resume to state you are a PMI member in good standing and working towards your PMP certification. You will be amazed at the increase in hits on your resume.
