PMI® CERTIFICATIONS • CAPM® • PMP®
PMP® OR CAPM®?
THE RIGHT PATH STARTS WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE.
PMP® is not simply a “higher” version of CAPM®.
They are certifications designed for different stages of a professional journey.
The right path depends on where you are today, the responsibilities you have already taken on and what you want to achieve professionally.
Compare the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® and Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification paths.
CAPM® certification
Build your foundations
The CAPM® certification may be a path worth exploring.
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you are starting your journey in Project Management;
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you already work in a project environment but do not yet have extensive experience;
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you come from a technical or operational role;
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you want to better understand Project Management structure, terminology and principles;
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you want to demonstrate foundational knowledge in the discipline.
CURRENT CAPM® ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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A secondary degree, such as a high school diploma or global equivalent
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23 hours of Project Management education completed before the exam.
CAPM® EXAM
-
150 questions
180 minutes -
The CAPM® exam is also available in Italian.
PMP® certification
BUILD ON THE EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE ALREADY GAINED.
The PMP® certification is designed for professionals who already have experience managing projects and taking responsibility for project delivery.
The PMP® certification may be the right path to explore.
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you already manage projects and project responsibilities;
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you make decisions about planning, delivery and outcomes;
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you coordinate people, teams or stakeholders;
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you work with predictive, agile or hybrid approaches;
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you want to make your Project Management experience more structured and recognisable.
CURRENT PMP® ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for the PMP® certification, you need to meet one of the following education and Project Management experience pathways:
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HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT -
+ 5 years of experience managing projects
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ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE OR VOCATIONAL TRADE SCHOOL DIPLOMA -
+ 4 years of experience managing projects
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BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER -
+ 3 years of experience managing projects
-
PMI GAC-ACCREDITED PROGRAMME -
Bachelor’s or post-graduate degree from a PMI Global Accreditation Center (GAC) programme -
+ 2 years of experience managing projects
PLUS: PMP® TRAINING REQUIREMENT
35 hours of Project Management training are required.
An active CAPM® certification also fulfils the PMP® training requirement.
PMP® EXAM
180
questions
240
minutes
PMI® specifies that qualifying project management experience must have been gained within the last 10 years in a professional setting before application.
“PMP® CERTIFICATION DOES NOT REPLACE YOUR EXPERIENCE. IT BUILDS ON IT.”
CAPM® AND PMP® CERTIFICATIONS AT A GLANCE.
FEATURE
PROFESSIONAL STAGE
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
TRAINING
PURPOSE
EXAM
CAPM®
Building foundations
No
23 hours
Demonstrate foundational knowledge
150 questions / 180 minutes
PMP®
Established experience
Yes
35 hours
Build on existing experience and capabilities
180 questions / 240 minutes
Eligibility requirements are set by PMI® and may change. Always verify the current requirements directly on PMI.org before applying.