A fresh graduate's motivation to pursue a certification course typically revolves around two primary factors: the anticipation of a salary hike and enhanced prospects of securing desirable job roles. On the other hand, seasoned professionals bring a more comprehensive viewpoint. Their industry exposure enables them to appreciate the multifaceted professional benefits of certification beyond just knowledge acquisition to increased confidence, analytical development, enhanced mental fortitude, improved interaction capabilities, and other valuable attributes.
Are you among the masses harboring the dilemma about PMP certification's worthiness? Your concerns are justified. Having trained and placed hundreds of people, we know its significance. Follow this article to understand our perspective on your questions.
What Is PMP Certification for?
Individuals seeking managerial positions based on this certification are genuinely suitable candidates. But which designations can you expect through this certification? Here is a list:
- Project Manager
- Product Manager
- Program Manager
- Project Analyst
- Project Leader
- Project Coordinator
- Project Sponsor
- Project Leader
- Team Leader
Prerequisites for PMP Certification
As stated by the PMI or Project Management Institute, the certification is awarded to people qualifying for the PMP exam. To be eligible for the exam, candidates must possess either of the following set of qualifications:
Set of Qualifications 1
- Four-year degree
- At least 36 months of project-leading experience within the last eight years
- At least 35 hours of project management education or training or CAPM® certification
Set of Qualifications 2
- High school diploma or associate degree
- At least 60 months of project-leading experience within the last eight years
- At least 35 hours of project management education or training or CAPM® certification
Set of Qualifications 3
- Post-graduate degree from GAC-accredited program
- At least 24 months of project-leading experience without overlap with a degree
- At least 35 hours of formal project management training or CAPM® certification
PMP Starter Pack
How Does the PMP Certification Process Work?
The PMP certification process requires you to follow the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Ensure that the eligibility criteria are met as mentioned above.
Step 2: If you are eligible, you must complete the application. The application for the certification requires contact information, education, and domain experience. Remember that once you start filling in the application form, the activity is permissible only for 90 days.
Step 3: The PMI verifies the application to ensure it meets eligibility criteria. It takes around 5 to 10 days and is followed by an email for information on further instructions.
Step 4: The payment will be made after the applicant receives approval notification. The online certification system will make the payment, and the applicant will receive the eligibility number. It will be used to schedule the exam appointment. The exam fee is valid for three attempts. The exam fee for PMI members is INR 21,933, and for non-PMI members is INR 42,863.
Step 5: The applicant will receive the exam scheduling instructions with the eligibility code. They can schedule the exam either online or by telephone using the same.
Step 6: Take the 180-question exam and score 81% or higher to get the certification indicating your professional experience.
Step 7: The validity of PMP certification is three years. The stated time frame requires spending around 60 hours on professional development activities to maintain the certification actively. Alternatively, you can retake the exam. The PMP exam retake fee for PMI members is INR 14,905, and for non-PMI members, it is INR 20,311.
Is PMP Certification Worth It: Current Demand for PMP Certified Managers
According to a survey, PMP® certification leads to higher median salaries than those without PMP certification. Candidates could get 33% higher salaries on average. After completing their certification, nearly 66% of survey participants reported increased total compensation (including salary, bonuses, and other cash incentives).
Projects are driving, thriving, and surviving factors of any organization. Handling them encompasses multiple factors such as meeting the deadline, effectively using resources, arranging the raw requirements, delivering the accomplishments, organizing and planning, optimizing, and much more. A lack of strategic approach to managing the stated can never be sustainable in this scenario. PMP-certified managers have experience and are taught to handle such situations.
Hence, as long as organizations are there, projects will remain. And so will the demand for PMP-certified managers. Teaching you all the essential parameters, PMP certification is an important star that makes your resume stand out.
Benefits of Having PMP Certification
The direct advantages to answer your question 'if PMP certification is worth it' are listed as follows:
- Worthiness: Certificate holders emerge as deserving candidates for higher salaries because they invest time, hard work, dedication, and mental energy. They earn the certificate on gaining knowledge, reflected in their responses to interview questions and carry the weight of that certificate, making them better than non-certified individuals.
- Skills: Candidates develop the skills required to handle the managerial position. Coupled with prior project management experience, recruiters can easily judge the same. Furthermore, adding the existing skill set creates the base for career advancements.
- Global recognition: The ability to deal with projects and their challenges is honed in the process of PMP certification. The certification gives it direction and strategy. It bears testimony to your expertise and is recognized by all employers across the globe.
- Networking: Random connections on professional platforms are time-consuming efforts. PMP certification is recognized internationally, connecting you with a vast global community of project management professionals. This network provides opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and career growth worldwide.
Future of PMP Certification
Individuals have been earning PMP certifications since 1984. The promising potential of the certification is sure to make it one of the demand options even in the future. Here's how:
- High adoption rate of Agile methodologies
- Increased demand for PMP individuals is likely to grow with new challenges owing to the incorporation of AI
- Continuous advancements and launches of new tools, technologies, techniques, and effective methods require that one remain updated. The same will be reflected in PMP certification courses.
- Novel communication and leadership methods based on new technologies will also be added and learned through certifications.
- The industry-specific usage might also raise further.
Our PMP Certification Training Course is aligned with the latest PMP exam guidelines to help you get started the right way! Pass your exam in the first attempt! Enroll now!
Become PMP Certified!
The requirement for certification for career and business growth is expected to rise in the coming times. Switching to the field is recommended if you seek further advancement from a stagnant career. Simplilearn offers a PMP® Certification Training Course in a premier authorized training partnership with the Project Management Institute. Apart from covering the curriculum, the additional perks of this course include guidance from industry experts and practical knowledge. From live sessions for better queries to almost everything necessary to qualify for the exam, this one-stop solution is all you need to clear your PMP certification exam and nurture your capabilities!
FAQs
1. Is PMP certification still valuable?
Yes, the value of PMP certification still needs improvement due to quality teachings. The increased incorporation of Agile methodologies has even increased its value.
2. How long does it take to prepare for the PMP exam?
The time required to prepare depends on one's situation. However, 2-3 months of training and 100 to 150 hours of self-preparation together are enough to help you clear the exam.
3. Is a PMP certification hard?
Depending on your familiarity with essential concepts and the PMP exam format, the exam will be easy if you are well-prepared. Otherwise, you can expect a challenging exam.
4. How beneficial is PMP certification?
It helps you learn essential skills required to handle the unknown challenges coming with new projects. It also enables you to get recruiter attention among non-certified individuals.
5. Who should consider PMP Certification?
Individuals interested in managerial positions should seek PMP certification.
6. Is PMP Certification recognized internationally?
Yes, the PMP certification is globally recognized.