PMP Application Process: A Complete Guide on PMP Exam Application Process

In this blog post, we will discuss the PMP application process. So, if you are interested in the PMP certification and intend to apply for it, you must read it.

The PMI awards the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, and it is the most popular certification of its kind. If you are working with projects, and eligible to apply, I recommend you apply for the PMP certification.

ThePMP examapplication process is easy but a little time-consuming. It requires several steps before submission. I hope this blog post will help you complete the PMP application process with little to no hassle.

Let us get started.

The PMP Application Process

Firstly, make sure that you fulfill PMP eligibility requirements. If you aren’t qualified, applying will be a waste of your time and resources.

If you do not meet the requirement, I recommend you go for the CAPM certification instead. Its needs are more lenient and do not include project management experience.

Having the CAPM certification will give you time to gather the qualifications you lack for the PMP.

You can gather the project management experience over a few days or months, though educational requirements are significantly harder to gain. Try to get a diploma certificate if you do not have one.

When you meet the qualifications, filling out the PMP application form is a straightforward process.

You can fill out the form online or with pen and paper. With the offline version, you will have to send the completed form via courier. The online version is instant.

步骤1:确保你对PMP考试合格。

This is the first step in your PMP application process. Minimum requirements include being a diploma holder, with experience in project management, who has attended aPMP training program.

Please read this post to see if you are eligible to apply for the PMP exam.

PMP Eligibility Requirements.

Please don’t proceed if you don’t qualify. It is a waste of your time and the PMI’s.

Now, if you are eligible, you can move to Step-2.

Step-2: Attend a PMP Training

Attending a PMP training for 35 contact hours is a requirement for the PMP exam.

I recommend you join any online PMP training program and earn your contact hours.

If you are looking for an affordable, online PMP training program, I recommend you join the following:

PM Sprout PMP Training Program

Step-3: Fill Out the Application Form and Schedule the Exam

This is the crucial step of your PMP application process, go through it carefully.

The application form has three sections: The first asks for general information, the second for project management experience, and the third requires details of your35 contact hourstraining program.

It is not necessary to complete the form in one sitting; the PMI website allows you to save your progress.

Note that once you have started your application, you must complete and submit it within 90 days. Although the PMI will send you a few reminders during this period, it is your responsibility to finish.

Make sure that you submit correct information because it’s difficult to change it later. Take your time to review at least twice before submitting.

Recently I received an email from a PMP aspirant who submitted the application in a hurry, wasselected for an audit, andfailed. I am not sure if it is related to the mistakes in the form, but to be on the safe side, double-check your information before the submission.

Before that, read and agree with thePMI Code of Ethics & Professional Conductand the Certification Agreement/Renewal Agreement.

The PMI will take 5 to 7 business days to review your application. I submitted an exam application form twice, the first time for the PMP and the second time for the PMI-RMP, and I received their email within 2 or 3 days.

The PMI will contact you through email if you miss something or your application requires any further clarification.

After review and acceptance, the PMI will send you a confirmation email and will ask you to make payment.

If you are a PMI member, you will pay 405 USD and 555 USD for non-members.

I recommend you join the PMI before applying for the PMP exam, as it will reduce the exam fee and provide many other benefits.

Now we come to the PMP audit.

Every PMP aspirant has a fear of being selected.

After submitting the application, you will know immediately if you are being audited. If you are not selected, pay the fee and move on to the next section. However, if you are audited, there is no cause for alarm.

The PMI will ask you to provide further documents, like copies of your experience certificates, proof of the PMP training, education certificates, etc. Just send them by mail, and the PMI will review them within one week.

If they are not satisfied with your documentation or they need more information, you will be notified. Just follow the instructions, and you should have no issues.

Keep in mind that the PMI may contact your previous bosses or employers to verify the accuracy of your work experience. Therefore, it is best to inform old workplaces in advance that you are applying for the PMP exam.

If you are selected for an audit, the PMI will give you 90 days to complete the process. Your eligibility period for the exam will start from the day your audit is cleared.

After reviewing your documents, the PMI will approve your application if they are satisfied. After that, you can make the payment.

After the payment, the PMI will send you an email with a unique eligibility code. This will also provide you with directions to schedule your exam appointment. You can use this unique code to schedule through the Pearson VUE site.

You will have one year to pass the exam and three attempts from the date you receive the code.

A Few Precautions While Filling out Your PMP Application Form

• Complete the PMP training before you start your PMP application.
• Inform your previous bosses that you are going to apply for the PMP exam, the PMI may contact them to verify your information.
• Don’t provide overlapping experiences.
• Keep photocopies of all educational certificates, experience certificates, and the PMP training certificate.
• Double-check everything before hitting the submit button.

Now your PMP exam application process is completed.

Though the PMP application process is completed, I would like to give you brief information on the PMP exam preparation and the PMP exam.

Step-4: PMP Exam Preparation

You should give yourself at least 3 months to prepare for the PMP exam.

Buy any 2 PMP exam reference books and read them thoroughly. Afterward, you can go for the PMBOK Guide and read it as many times as possible.

Then you can start practicing exam sample questions. I recommend you subscribe to any PMP exam simulator and practice some questions and simulated exams. You will know your knowledge gaps and will be confident.

I recommend you join the PMP exam simulator by Cornelius Fichter.

I have written a blog post on the PMP exam preparation. I recommend you read this blog post to understand how to better prepare for the PMP exam.

PMP Exam Preparation

Step-5: Attempt the PMP Exam

Now it’s time to attempt the exam. If you have selected the center-based test, visit the day before to find the location if you don’t know it. This will save you from the stress of finding it on exam day.

Reach the test center at least half an hour before to deal with the formalities. After, you will be allowed to start your test.

The PMP exam has 180 questions, and you have 230 minutes.

There is no negative marking for wrong answers, so it’s best to attempt every question. After submitting the answer, complete the survey, and you will see your result.

Summary

Although the PMP application process may look a little complicated, it is fairly straightforward. Ensure you are eligible for the PMP certification exam and that you have all information ready to apply. Inform your previous employer to act in case the PMI contacts them to verify your information.

How is your PMP application process? Let me know if you have any issues with the process in the comments section. I will reply to you.

This is the third part of a series of five posts.

The other blog posts are as follows:

1. What is the PMP Certification Exam?
2. What are the PMP Eligibility Requirements?
3. What is the PMP Exam Application Process? (You are here)
4. How Expensive is the PMP Certification?
5. What is the PMP Examination Structure?