Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? take a look at our frequently asked questions, If your question is not answered here, please ask us directly using the contact form below.
Question: What are the benefits of PMP® Training and certification?
Answer: A certified PMP® can apply the best practices in project management, Apply the most effective tools and techniques in project management and Manage projects more efficiently.
- Gives you the deserved recognition for your professional expertise and experience.
- Enriches your knowledge on skills, tools and techniques used in effective project management.
- Enhances your marketability in the workplace.
- Earns higher wages for your services.
Question: How do I pay for the training courses?
Answer: Currently, we do not ask the participants to pay for the course until the first day of training. Registered participants will be instructed by email before the beginning of the course.
Question: What are the Eligibility Criteria for the PMP Exam?
Answer: To be eligible for the PMP credential, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. All project management experience must have been accrued within the last eight consecutive years prior to your application submission.
The eligibility requirements depend upon your Education Background.
- If you hold a High school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent, then you need:
- Project Management Experience: Minimum five years/60 months unique nonoverlapping professional project management experience during which at least 7,500 hours were spent leading and directing project tasks.
- Project Management Education: 35 contact hours of formal education (or PDUs).
2. If you hold a Bachelor’s degree or global equivalent, then you need:
- Project Management Experience: Minimum three years/36 months unique non-overlapping professional project management experience during which at least 4,500 hours were spent leading and directing project tasks.
- Project Management Education: 35 contact hours of formal education (or PDUs).
For complete details, refer to the PMP Handbook.
Question: What is the application process for the PMP Exam?
Answer: At a high level, the PMP application process involves the following steps:
- You submit an online application for the exam to PMI.
- PMI reviews your application and if it is determined to be complete, PMI will send you an email to submit the exam fee. Your application approval is valid for one-year from the date you receive the approval email.
- After you pay for the exam, PMI will send you an email indicating one of the following next steps:
- Examination scheduling instructions to help you schedule your examination
- Application has randomly been selected for PMI’s audit process
- If you receive exam scheduling instructions, you can go ahead and schedule your exam with Prometric.
- If your application is selected for an audit, PMI will provide you the follow-up instructions to comply with the audit.
Note: If your application is selected for an audit, your one-year eligibility clock stops, and would restart only when you successfully clear the audit.
Tip: Please make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria before submitting your application. Also, fill your application form honestly and truthfully. If you follow these guidelines, you would have nothing to fear from the audit.
Question: How do I report my Project Management experience in the PMP exam application?
Answer: You need to report your Project Management experience hours to PMI as part of your PMP Exam application. The experience is reported process group-wise for all relevant projects.
Question: How far back can I go for the Project Management experience on my PMP application?
Answer: All project management experience must have been accrued within the last eight consecutive years prior to your application submission.
Question: How do I apply for the PMP Exam?
Answer: PMP exam application must be submitted online through PMI’s Online Certification System.
Question: How far in advance should I apply for the PMP exam?
Answer: Read How to become a PMP in 6 Steps to understand the process of certification. It will help you determine how far in advance you need to apply.
Question: What are the fees for the PMP Exam?
Answer: The examination fees vary depending upon whether you are a PMI member.
- For PMI Members
- Computer-based exam: USD 405
- Paper-based exam: USD 250
- For Non-PMI Members
- Computer-based exam: USD 555
- Paper-based exam: USD 400
Tip: There’s an obvious benefit in joining PMI before signing up for the PMP exam. The discount on the exam is more than the membership fee. For more on PMI Membership benefits, read 10 Benefits of PMI Membership.
Question: Is it possible to apply for the PMP exam without being a PMI member?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. You don’t need to be a PMI member to apply for PMP certification. But only a fool would do so (sorry for the harsh language). PMI membership costs $139, but you get a $150 discount on the exam. So, why would you want to apply for PMP certification without joining PMI? For more details, read 10 Benefits of PMI Membership.
Question: How long does PMI take to process each PMP Exam Application?
Answer: The application processing timeline is mentioned in the table below:
Question: I made an error on the PMP Exam Application? What should I do?
Answer: We all make mistakes. If you have made a mistake in your PMP certification application that you submitted to PMI, do not panic. Email to PMI Customer Care, admit your mistake, and cooperate with them to get it resolved.
Question: What is the Audit Process for PMP Exam Application?
Answer: As mentioned above, your one-year exam eligibility clock stops when your application is selected for an audit. PMI will inform you about the audit, “after” you pay for the exam. They will also send you detailed instructions on how to comply with the audit.
During the audit, you will be asked to submit documents such as:
- Copies of your diploma/degree certificates
- Signatures from your manager(s)/supervisor(s) on projects that you mentioned in the experience verification section of your original application.
- Your 35 Contact Hours certificate from the PMI Registered Education Provider (REP).
You need to send the requested documents through regular postal mail or courier service. Faxed or emailed documents are not accepted during audit.
The audit time primarily depends on how fast the applicant mails back the requested information to PMI. Once PMI receives your documents, they usually takes about 5 business days to complete the audit.
If you clear the audit, PMI will give you a go ahead for scheduling the exam and your eligibility clock will start ticking.
Question: What Percentage of PMP Applications get Audited?
Answer: If you want an authentic answer, then it is “we do not know”. PMI does not disclose the number of applications that get audited, or the basis on which applications are audited.
According to Project Management training institutes, which train PMP exam candidates in hundreds every year, roughly 10% of the applications get audited. However, in my personal experience, the number is even lower.
Question: How can I avoid PMP Application Audit?
Answer: You cannot. There’s nothing you can do to avoid your application from getting audited. A small percentage (about 10%) of applications are selected randomly for audit. However, you can take some steps to prepare yourself to face the audit and ensure that the audit goes through smoothly, in case your application gets audited.
To get more information, read How can I avoid PMP Application Audit?.
Question: What if I fail to meet the Audit Requirements for the PMP Exam?
Answer: If you fail to meet the audit requirements, PMI will refund your exam fee, minus $100 administration fee for the audit. Now you know why they ask you to pay first 🙂
However, PMI has clearly mentioned in the PMP Handbook that they reserve the right to audit any candidate any time i.e. even after they achieve the PMP credentials. If you fail to meet the audit requirements after you achieve your PMP certification, you will not be eligible for any refund.
Note: I’m still trying to find out how and when, if at all, a candidate is eligible to re-apply for PMP certification once he/she fails the audit requirements.
Question: What is the PMP Exam Fee Refund Policy?
Answer: There are different scenarios here:
- If you fail the PMP application audit, PMI will deduct $100 from your application fee, and refund the balance amount to you automatically.
- If you have passed the audit or your application was not selected for an audit, and you have not yet taken the exam, you can request a refund of the examination fee. You must submit a written request to PMI at least one month before the exam eligibility expiration date. PMI will deduct $100 administration fee and refund the balance amount to you.
- If you fail the PMP exam, you would not qualify for any refund.
- If you do not take the PMP exam by your exam eligibility expiration date (usually one year from the application approval date), your entire application fee will be forfeited. You would not qualify for any refund.
- If you schedule the exam and do not take it (no-show), your entire application fee will be forfeited. You would not qualify for any refund.
Refer to the PMP Handbook for more details.