The Project Management Professional® (PMP®) certification recognizes project managers who lead and direct projects and teams. The credentialing exam is developed and maintained by the Project Management Institute and is designed for applicants to demonstrate experience with the field of project management.
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Exam Requirements
To be eligible for this exam, you must meet the following requirements, which are based on your level of education:
You must have at least 36 months of experience in leading projects within the past eight years, and you must have at least 35 hours of project management education or CAPM certification.
High School/Secondary School Diploma
You must have at least 60 months of experience in leading projects within the past eight years, and you must have at least 35 hours of project management education or CAPM certification.
PMP Exam Outline
The PMP certification exam contains 180 questions, five of which are unscored, and you will be given a time limit of 3 hours and 50 minutes. The unscored questions are used to validate questions for use on future versions of the exam.
The exam is split into three content domains.
I. People (33%)
The questions in this domain cover the following topics:
- Developing a common vision
- Managing conflicts
- Leading a team
- Engaging stakeholders
- Aligning and managing stakeholder expectations
- Ensuring knowledge transfer
- Planning and managing communication
II. Process (41%)
The questions in this domain cover the following topics:
- Developing an integrated project management plan and plan delivery
- Developing and managing project scope
- Ensuring value-based delivery
- Planning and managing resources
- Planning and managing procurement
- Planning and managing finance
- Planning and managing schedule
- Planning and optimizing the quality of products/deliverables
- Evaluating project status
- Managing project closure
III. Business Environment (26%)
The questions in this domain cover the following topics:
- Establishing project governance
- Managing project compliance
- Managing and controlling changes
- Removing impediments and managing issues
- Planning and managing risk
- Supporting organizational change
- Evaluating external business environment
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Registration
To register for the PMP certification exam, you must submit an application on the Project Management Institute (PMI) website. This application should include any proof of eligibility and the $675 examination fee. PMI members pay a discounted fee of $425.
Once your application is approved and your registration is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with information on scheduling your examination appointment.
PMP Online Prep Course
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PMP vs. CAPM
The PMP and CAPM are both project management certification exams, but there are some notable differences between them. Wondering which exam is right for you?
Take a look at the details of each exam here:
| Exam Format | |
|---|---|
| PMP | CAPM |
Testing time: 4 hours Questions: 180 Breaks: Two 10-minute breaks Delivery: At a Pearson VUE testing center or securely online | Testing time: 3 hours Questions: 150 Delivery: At a Pearson VUE testing center or securely online |
| Exam Content | |
|---|---|
| PMP | CAPM |
Domains: 3
| Domains: 4
|
| Eligibility and Application | |
|---|---|
| PMP | CAPM |
Option 1:
Option 2:
Application: Document your education, project leadership experience, and qualifying training or CAPM certification | Education: A high school diploma, GED, or global equivalent Project management education: At least 23 hours completed before the exam Application: Document your academic education and qualifying project management education |
| Cost and Retakes | |
|---|---|
| PMP | CAPM |
Exam fee: $675 Retakes: Up to 3 exam attempts within one year | Exam fee: $300 Retakes: Up to 3 exam attempts within one year |
Test Day
You should arrive at the testing center 15-30 minutes earlier than the scheduled exam time. This will give you enough time to complete the check-in process. When you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and present your photo ID to the proctor. You will be photographed and asked to sign a roster and other rule forms.
Personal items are not allowed in the testing room, so they should be left at home or placed in a secure locker outside the testing area.
Just before the exam starts, you will be given a brief tutorial on the testing system and will be asked to sign an NDA.
How the Test is Scored
The scores for the PMP certification exam are calculated using a criterion-based scoring system. This means that a panel of subject-matter experts has evaluated the questions and determined a passing score.
PMI does not release their minimum passing score requirements, but it is believed that answering at least 70% of the questions correctly will allow you to pass the exam.
You will receive a preliminary score report before you leave the testing center, and an official confirmation of your scores should be available within 10 business days.
Retaking the Exam
If you do not pass the exam, you may retake it up to two times within one year.
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FAQs
Q
What is PMP certification?
A
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam is used to recognize the knowledge and skills of project managers with significant experience and expertise.
Q
How many questions are on the PMP certification exam?
A
There are 180 questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the PMP certification exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 3 hours and 50 minutes.
Q
What is the passing score for the PMP certification exam?
A
The exact passing score for this exam is unknown, but answering at least 70% of questions correctly is likely enough to pass the exam.
Q
How much does the PMP certification cost?
A
The examination fee is $425 for PMI members and $675 for non-members.
PMP, Project Management Professional, and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this page.
