What is the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification?
The Project Management Institute (PMI®) sponsors a project management certification program. The purpose and goal of this program is the development, maintenance, evaluation, promotion and administration of a rigorous, examination-based, professional certification program of the highest caliber. In 1999, PMI's Certification Program Department became the first professional certification program department in the world to attain ISO 9001 recognition. PMP® Certification is not a license or registration and does not provide legal authority to practice project management. PMP® Certification does indicate a demonstration of competence in the project management profession. To achieve PMP® certification, each candidate must satisfy all educational and experiential requirements established by PMI® and must demonstrate an acceptable and valid level of understanding and knowledge about project management that is tested by the Project Management Professional Certification Examination. In addition, those who have been granted the PMP® credentials must demonstrate ongoing professional commitment to the field of project management by satisfying Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR).

Who is Eligible for PMP® Certification?
If you enjoy the prestige that comes from being the best in your field, then you'll appreciate the professional advantages derived from attaining the PMP. PMP certification is the profession's most globally recognized and respected certification credential. The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have a solid foundation of project management knowledge that can be readily applied in the workplace.

To be eligible for the PMP certification, you must first meet specific education and experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step in becoming a PMP is passing a multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your project management knowledge. This computer-based examination is administered globally. In addition, those who have been granted the PMP credential must demonstrate an ongoing professional commitment to the field of project management by satisfying PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements Program.

How Can I Find Resources to Help Me Prepare for the PMP® Examination?
Interested in earning a certification? It takes some work but the rewards are worth the effort. There are several approaches to earning your certification: self-study, formal classroom training, group study, etc. Whichever style you choose, your local chapter is here to help. In the past, we have conducted several PMP Exam Review preparation classes. We also promote local Study Groups so that you can work with your peers to improve your knowledge. An added benefit is that the knowledge of our existing members is always available to assist you.

PMI® offers the PMBOK Guide® and an array of textbooks and other project management reference materials here. You may also check out A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge and other useful books from our Chapter Library.

For more information concerning the Examination (Exam Application, FAQ's, Sample Exam Questions, etc.) consult the PMI® headquarters certification page.

Can You Tell Me More About the PMP® Examination?
Like Most professions such as law, medicine, and accounting, there exists a "Body of Knowledge" within the project management profession. "Body of Knowledge" is an inclusive term that describes the sum of knowledge within the profession. It includes knowledge of proven, traditional practices which are widely applied as well as knowledge of innovative and advanced ones which have seen more limited use. The project management body of knowledge cannot be found in one comprehensive document. The sum of this knowledge rests with the practitioners and academics that apply and advance it

PMI's PMBOK® Guide
Like most professions such as law, medicine, and accounting, there exists a "body of Knowledge" within the project management profession. "Body of Knowledge" is an inclusive term that describes the sum of knowledge within the profession. It includes knowledge of proven, traditional practices which are widely applied as well as knowledge of innovative and advanced ones which have seen more limited use. The project management body of knowledge cannot be found in one comprehensive document. The sum of this knowledge rests with the practitioners and academics who apply and advance it.

PMI's PMBOK® Guide serves as the official basis for the PMP® Certification Exam and provides a basic reference for anyone interested in the profession of project management. As a basic reference, this document is neither comprehensive nor all-inclusive. The PMBOK Guide identifies and describes that subset of the project management body of knowledge which is generally accepted. Generally accepted means that the knowledge and practices described are applicable to most projects most of the time, and that there is widespread consensus about their value and usefulness. Generally accepted does not mean that these practices are, or should be, applied uniformly on all projects; the project management team is always responsible for determining what is appropriate for any given project.

The Nine Knowledge Areas
The PMBOK Guide document provides a basic structure for understanding project management, the environment in which projects operate and a generalized view of how the various project management processes commonly interact. The document outlines nine Project management Knowledge Areas described in terms of component processes shown below:

• Project Integration Management
• Project Scope Management
• Project Time Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project Human Resource Management
• Project Risk Management
• Project Procurement Management
• Project Communication Management

In developing this document, PMI® worked with the International Organization for Standardization (IS) and actively solicited feedback from representatives around the world. In an effort to improve project management performance, many organizations are developing their project management processes and practices around PMI's PMBOK Guide.

How are PMP Certification Credentials Maintained?
The Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) supports the ongoing professional development of Project Management Professionals (PMP's) and the maintenance of PMP certification.
The purpose of the CCR is to:

• Sustain the PMP as a global certification credential
• Enhance the ongoing professional development of PMPs
• Encourage and recognize individualized learning opportunities
• Offer a standardized and objective mechanism for attaining and recording professional development activities

PMP's must complete and submit a minimum of sixty Professional Development Units (PDU's) during each Continuing Certification cycle. A PMP's Continuing Certification cycle can be identified by the dates on their PMP Certificate. PMP's must also comply with the PMP Code of Professional Conduct to maintain certification status.

What is the Continuing Certification Requirements Folder?
All PMP's should maintain a personal CCR folder with documentation that supports reported activities.

A percentage of PMP's will be randomly selected for auditing purposes each year; therefore documentation should be maintained for at least 12 months after the CCR cycle has ended. For more information about maintaining PMP credentials, consult the CCR Handbook.