What is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)?

What is the CAPM Certification?

Before proceeding towards CAPM certification, let’s understand what does CAPM stand for. CAPM refers to Certified Associate in Project Management. CAPM certification is a valuable option for career advancement in the field of project management. It helps gain command over skills relevant for entry-level project management positions. The certification exam is designed and offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is one of the top globally recognized organizations in the field.

The exam has specific eligibility requirements that must be followed to take the exam. Maintaining certification also requires earning a specified number of Professional Development Units (PDUs) within three years. Candidates who have earned the certification can demonstrate their foundational knowledge and clarity of project management principles.

CAPM Certification Requirements

To take the CAPM certification, one must meet the eligibility criteria. Here are the CAPM requirements to have:

• Degree: Secondary degree, which can include a high school diploma, General Educational Development (GED), or a global equivalent
• Exposure: At least 23 hours of Project Management Education

CAPM Certification Cost and Duration

The cost of taking the CAPM certification exam is as follows: 

1. India

The fees to take the exam are: 

• PMI members - INR 13,748
• Non-PMI members - INR 18,270

2. USA

The fees to take the exam are: 

• PMI members - $225
• Non-PMI members - $300

The CAPM certification remains valid for three years following the successful completion of the exam. Furthermore, maintaining certification requires renewal every three years by earning 15 Professional Development Units within the specified timeframe. Gaining the PDUs helps individuals remain active and updated in the field, encouraging them to upgrade their knowledge level. These can be earned through different professional development activities, such as:

• Learning
• Volunteering
• Presenting
• Teaching
• Reading
• Content Creating

One hour spent on any of these activities will be considered as one PDU.

Also Read: CAPM Certification Cost

Is CAPM Worth it?

The importance of CAPM for any candidate will depend on their qualifications, experience, and level of exposure to the field. The CAPM is an entry-level project management certification designed for individuals new to the field of project management. Furthermore, there are several CAPM advantages. Check the same to evaluate the alignment of benefits with your level:

• Deems candidates fit for the field: The CAPM certification proves that individuals possess the necessary skills and knowledge essential to fulfill the job duties and responsibilities of a project management role. It also indicates an understanding of the dos and don’ts, as well as best practices relevant to the role.
• Develops essential skills: Gaining knowledge helps develop crucial hard and soft skills relevant to carrying out daily duties. Besides technical knowledge, communication and leadership skills are also developed through this.
• Gives an edge: Candidates with certification and relevant experience gain a preference over those without the same. It indicates candidates are willing to learn about the field. Furthermore, it facilitates career advancement by enabling individuals to apply for multiple positions.
• Helps earn more: CAPM certifications also lead to higher salary gains. The average hourly pay of a CAPM in the United States is $44.27, which translates to around $92,091 annually. (Source: ZipRecruiter)

Learn from a course that has been designed to help you ace your CAPM exam on your first attempt! Enroll in our CAPM Certification Training Course and master the latest project management skills that you need to become a project manager.

CAPM vs PMP: Key Differences

CAPM and PMP are both project management certifications provided by PMI. Here is how they stand apart:

CAPM Certification Training Options

There are various options available for selecting the training method for CAPM certification. The suitability depends on an individual’s learning style, overall cost, dedication, familiarity, and other factors. Here are the insights into available options:

1. Online Exam Prep 

PMI itself offers online tools to prepare for the CAPM exam. Candidates can choose these methods to learn at their own pace. The available options include: 

• PMI Study Hall CAPM: This comprehensive study option helps develop skills and practice for the exam through full-length papers, mini practice exams, extra practice questions, games and activities, and flashcards.
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Exam Prep Course: This is the official course designed to help meet the eligibility criteria for taking the exam. It allows for fundamental clarity, framework understanding, and developing skills.
• PMI Authorized Online CAPM Practice Exam: It helps candidates become familiar with the exam, gain feedback on questions, receive a performance evaluation, and view their percentage score.
• PMBOK Guide: This book, available directly from PMI, is the standard for project management. It covers development approaches, how to tailor them, and how to achieve positive outcomes.

2. Instructor-Led CAPM Training

Candidates can also opt to gain conceptual clarity and learn from external sources. These include authorized training partners of PMI, certified to provide high-quality content and guidance for exam preparation. These partners offer training from valid CAPM certification holders. The instructor-led CAPM training can be provided completely online by virtual instructors or in an in-person classroom setting. This training option also helps meet the eligibility criteria for the CAPM exam.

3. Self-Study Resources

Candidates can also choose to self-study with the help of PMI-designed study materials. For this, they can make use of the following items:

• CAPM exam content outline
• PMI certification handbook
• CAPM exam official certification guide
• Sample CAPM exam questions

CAPM Exam Details

The CAPM exam consists of 150 questions to be answered within a 3-hour time frame. The 150 questions are divided into 15 unscored pretest questions and 135 scored questions. The pretest questions are randomly distributed among the questions and do not impact the candidate’s scores. These questions are put in to test the validity of future exam questions. The exam also offers a ten-minute break after attempting and verifying questions 1 to 75. Further, these questions are inaccessible after the break.

The exam content is divided into the following categories:

• Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts 36%
• Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies 17%
• Agile Frameworks/Methodologies 20%
• Business Analysis Frameworks 27%

The question paper can be chosen in any of the following languages:

1. English
2. Arabic
3. Brazilian Portuguese
4. French
5. German
6. Italian
7. Japanese
8. Spanish

The CAPM certification exam can be taken online through a proctored testing environment or in person at a Pearson VUE Testing Center. The exam can be retaken up to three times a year if the candidate doesn’t pass it. 

Conclusion

So, let’s recall what the Certified Associate in Project Management certification is. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is the entry-level certification awarded to candidates who qualify for the exam. This PMI certificate is globally recognized, opening up numerous opportunities. It acts as a valuable entry point for new individuals to establish their identity in the field. They get to understand the field in detail and prepare themself for the job role and responsibilities. The CAPM certification, combined with relevant industry experience, is one of the best combinations for entering the field.

Get CAPM-certified with Simplilearn

The CAPM exam presents an opportunity for individuals aiming for career growth in project management to make a lasting impression. It does so by evaluating their grasp of the intricacies essential for managing the project. To gain proficiency in related concepts, authorized training partners of the PMI play a key role. They offer guidance, mentorship, and high-quality content to ace the exam. Simplilearn is a premier authorized training partner of the Project Management Institute, offering the CAPM® Certification Training Course.

Enroll in the program to:

• Clear the CAPM exam in 1st attempt
• Practice with two full-length mock tests
• Gain clarity on key project management principles
• Earn 23 PDUs for entry into the field
• Enhance learning with an exclusive Generative AI Masterclass

FAQs

1. What is new with CAPM certification? 

The new CAPM certification is based on a different approach, focusing on agile principles, predictive project management, and business analysis. The core domains for evaluation in the new format are project management fundamentals and core concepts, predictive and plan-based methodologies, adaptive frameworks/methodologies, and business analysis frameworks. 

2. What is the best way to prepare for the CAPM exam? 

There are multiple ways to prepare for the CAPM exam. The best one can be subjective and depend on the candidate's preferred learning style and other factors. The candidates can prepare through the new self-paced exam prep course of PMI, which also helps meet the eligibility criteria. Alternatively, candidates can also learn from authorized training partners of the exam, study the PMBOK Guide, or leverage the CAPM exam content outline provided by PMI. 

3. Is the demand for project managers growing? 

According to the World Economic Forum, project management is among the fastest-growing fields. Furthermore, PMI also states that there is a potential requirement for around 2.3 million new project managers each year until 2030.

4. What industries value the CAPM certification? 

Several industries require CAPM-certified professionals. It includes finance, healthcare, IT, construction, manufacturing and others.

5. What topics and knowledge domains are covered in the CAPM exam? 

The key topics and knowledge domains covered in the CAPM exam include project life cycle processes, project management schedules, planning, roles and responsibilities, executing frameworks and strategies, problem-solving techniques, project control, adaptive planning, project management, product roadmaps, and other relevant areas.

6. Can I get a project management job just by clearing the CAPM exam? 

While clearing the CAPM exam helps in landing a project management job, relevant industry experience, demonstrated project-related skills, and networking also play a crucial role.

7. How is CAPM useful for those with limited project management experience? 

The CAPM helps individuals with limited experience by offering them insights into core concepts and building a foundational knowledge base. Further, being associated with PMI and fulfilling the eligibility criteria helps demonstrate one’s understanding and skills.