The project management sector is filled with multiple technical training courses, management certifications, and master’s programs. These courses have different levels of significance and relevance. However, the courses and certifications offered by PMI, the largest and most renowned professional project management association, are preferred by employers during the recruitment process. Although the content of PMI certification exams rapidly changes with technological advancement, they have different requirements.
This blog discusses each certification and the eligibility of candidates.
Various PMI Professional Certifications
The certifications offered by PMI have huge demand and are highly valued by employers in the international market. Presently it offers 8 certification programs to professionals in the IT industry. They are:
- PMP or Project Management Professional
- PMI-ACP or PMI Agile Certified Practitioner
- PfMP or Portfolio Management Professional
- CAPM or Certified Associate in Project Management
- PMI-RMP or PMI Risk Management Professional
- PgMP or Project Management Professional
- PMI-PBA or PMI Professional in Business Analysis
- PMI-SP or PMI Scheduling Professional
Now let’s look at each PMI certification program for a better understanding of its requirements.
1. PMP or Project Management Professional
PMP certification is an entry-level course suitable for all professionals who want to increase their value by gaining the foundational knowledge and skills required for managing a project in the IT sector. Its eligibility requires candidates to have 35 hours of working experience in project management systems with leading a project for 7500 hours.
In addition, candidates need to answer 200 MCQs in 4 hours. However, this PMP certification is time-bound, and professionals must renew it every 3 years.
2. PMI-ACP or PMI Agile Certified Practitioner
This certification program is specifically designed for professionals who take an agile approach to meet their professional goals. PMI’s Agile certification helps managers enhance their knowledge and skill to increase productivity. To take the PMP-ACP exam, candidates need to complete at least 30 PDUs in agile subjects within 3 years.
Moreover, participants of this exam require proof of working on general projects for 2000 hours, 21 hours for agile practices training, and 1500 hours of working on agile projects. This exam has 120 MCQs, which candidates need to answer in 3 hours.
3. PFMP or Portfolio Management Professional
Portfolio managers are responsible for smoothly carrying out a project to get more clients by presenting a strong portfolio of the organisation. This is a professional level certification, and the candidates need a minimum of 8 years of working experience in the business sector. Moreover, they also need 10,500 hours of experience in project management. The PfMP exam covers 170 questions, and candidates get 4 hours to answer them.
4. CAPM or Certified Associate in Project Management
CAPM certification helps project managers increase the performance and productivity of the organisation. This increases the job security of professionals. CAPM validates a professional’s ability to understand the peculiarities of handling a complex project and meeting the goal within the deadline. The eligibility criteria of this exam require candidates to have a secondary education degree and 1500 hours of handling a project. However, candidates who fail to meet these requirements must provide proof of 23 hours of education in project management. The 3 hours CAPM exam consists of 150 questions, and candidates need to score 61% marks to earn the certificate.
5. PMI-RMP or PMI Risk Management Professional
Risk factor managers are required in every sector of the business. They are responsible for the assessment of the risk and take steps to reduce them for the success of the project. To become a PMI-RMP certified professional, candidates need to qualify for the exam by providing proof of the following experiences:
- Degree for graduation or secondary education.
- 4500 hours of experience in risk management.
- 40 hours of education in risk management.
6. PgMP or Program Management Professional
Program managers need to have excellent leadership qualities and managerial skills because they need to handle various projects at a particular time. To earn this project management professional certification, candidates need a secondary education degree with 6000 hours of experience as a project manager and 10,500 hours of program management experience.
7. PMI-PBA or PMI Professional in Business Analysis
The demand for this course has sharply increased in recent years. The prerequisites for this certification are:
- High school and associate’s degree.
- 35 hours in business analysis.
- 60 months of experience in business analysis.
8. PMI-SP or PMI Scheduling Professional
Management scheduling professionals need to use tools and self-analyse a given situation. Therefore, many participants need project management courses to increase their chances of success in exams that require the following eligibility criteria:
- Secondary education degree.
- 40 hours of education in project scheduling.
- 40 months of experience in project scheduling.
Conclusion
PMI certifications open the way to high-paying jobs at the best companies in various sectors. To upgrade your skills, you must consider taking the best courses to gain knowledge for cracking an exam according to your eligibility.
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