PMP vs CAPM: Choosing the Right Project Management Certification

According to pmi.org here are more than 1,000,000 PMP certification holders worldwide. While as per 360pmo.com there are over 39,524 CAPM certification holders worldwide. Since project management, skills refer to the core abilities that are necessary to build a project from start to finish. Through project management skills, you can also build good communication with your workers that can strengthen your workforce. In this post, we are going to talk about two major professional project management certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification vs Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

Both the CAPM vs PMP are specialized credentials offered through the Project Management Institute (PMI) that provide improved credibility, more professional development opportunities, and a higher salary. These certifications are emblems that you possess ‘those’ leadership skills that are market-competitive and internationally acknowledged. ‎ Knowing the statistics, lets explore some contrasting facts surrounding PMP vs CAPM!

• What is PMP?
  • • Significance
    • Eligibility Criteria
    • Examination Format
    • Topics Covered
    • Benefits of PMP Certification
• What is CAPM?
  • • Eligibility Criteria
    • Examination Format
    • Topics Covered
    • Benefits of CAPM Certification
• PMP vs CAPM
• Development
• Roles
• Certification
• Final Thoughts

What is PMP?

Project Management Professional certification (PMP) is the one that represents an elite group of project managers. Having this certification proves one’s project leadership experience and expertise in any way of working. There are certain requirements that should be met by a project manager if he wishes to obtain PMP certification. Having a PMP certification easily validates your skills in the following;

• People: Skills to lead and motivate a project team throughout a project efficiently.
• Business Environment: Highlight the success of a project and its impact on overall strategic organizational goals.
• Process: Use predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches that determine which way of working is suitable for each project.

In short, earning this certification is a valuable commitment and if you have gained real-world project management experience then congratulations, you have finished the hardest part.

Significance:

• Having a PMP certification can give professionals a competitive edge in the job market and this ultimately leads to higher salaries. For those looking to gauge their understanding, we’ve compiled a set of questions on project resource management to help you prepare for the PMP exam.
• With that, you have the chance of getting promoted or landing a new job more easily.
• Similarly, it can help individuals stand out from the competition while bidding on projects.

Eligibility Criteria:

Before applying for this certification, you need to make sure the following requirements are fulfilled;

If you have a four-year degree then;

• 36 months of experience in leading projects within the past eight years.
• 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM certification.

For a detailed understanding of what you’ll gain, check out our PgMP Course Overview and Benefits to see how this certification can enhance your career.

If you have a High-school Diploma or Associates Degree then;

• 60 months of experience leading projects.
• 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM certification.

Examination Format:

• The PMP exam has a duration of 4 hours.
• At this time, you have to solve 200 questions.
• Among these 200 questions, 25 questions will not be scored. The important part here is that we do not know which 25 questions will not be scored and that is why you need to take all 200 questions seriously.
• The passing score is 81%. This means that you have to get 141 questions out of 175 correct.

Topics Covered:

As per the topics are concerned, we have listed them below along with their percentage of test questions;

• 13% of questions will be from the domain “Initiating”.
• 24% of questions will be from the domain “Planning”.
• 31% of questions will be from the domain “Executing”.
• 25% of questions will be from the domain “Monitoring and Controlling”.
• 7% of questions will be from the domain “Closing”.

Benefits of PMP Certification:

• Research showed employers would eventually need to fill around 2.3 million new project-oriented roles every year till 2030. This shows that all the skilled project managers are quite high in demand. It validates that you are among the best project professionals there are in the market.
• The C/O magazine ranked the PMP to be the top project management certification in North America why because it proves that you have the skills that employers want.
• The best and most eye-catching benefit of having this certification is that the median salary for project professionals is 16% higher than those who don’t have it. In the United States, it is 32% higher.
• Similarly, it proves you have the relevant skills to drive business results and increase your organization’s impact around the world. Interested in expanding your educational horizons? Read our detailed course review here to find out if TIA Education’s courses are right for you.

What is CAPM?

Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM) is a globally recognized credential that can open many opportunities for a project manager in the field of project management. Having this certification tests your ability in the fundamentals of project management and the role of project managers. With that, it tests your aptitude in project scope, schedule, quality, cost, and resource management.

The CAPM usually distinguishes your skill set as a project manager and can be considered a crucial stepping-stone on your path to career advancement.

Eligibility Criteria:

• To earn this certification, you need to fulfill the following requirements;
• A secondary degree like a high school diploma, General Educational Develop or globally equivalent degree.
• At least 23 contact hours of project management education should be completed before the exam.

Examination Format:

• The CAPM exam consists of 150 questions.
• These questions should be answered within 3 hours.
• The questions will be in the form of multiple choice and there will be no negative marking done.
• 15 out of 150 questions will not be scored and contributed towards the overall exam score. But we don’t know which 15 questions are not scored so you need to answer all the questions.

Topics Covered:

Below are the topics covered in the exam;

• Agile methodologies and frameworks.
• Business analysis frameworks.
• Predictive plan-based methodologies.
• Project management core concepts and fundamentals.

Benefits of CAPM Certification:

• If you are CAPM certified then be at ease as this certification can create numerous opportunities for entry-level project management roles. This includes the project coordinator associate and junior project manager.
• The CAPM distinguishes your skills and empowers your ability to build the project management career of your dreams.
• Earning this certification means you have met the 35 hours of project management education and training that is required to sit for the PMP exam. So in other words, this is good news for all those individuals who wish to earn the PMP certification as well.

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PMP vs CAPM

Having  a project management certification is an excellent way to advance your career, establish yourself as a valuable asset, and earn a higher salary. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification are two of the most popular certification options. In this guide, we will contrast CAPM vs PMP certifications.

Development

The Project Management Institute developed the CAPM qualification in 2003 as an entry-level certification for project managers. This qualification is attainable regardless of where you are in your career. It is an asset that will distinguish you in the job market and enhance your credibility and effectiveness working on  or with  project teams, according to PMI. The CAPM is an excellent way to distinguish yourself in the early stages of your career.

The PMP qualification was developed in 1984 and has since become the most widely recognized standard for project managers all over the world. As a PMP, you can work in virtually any industry, with any methodology, and in any location, according to PMI. Obtaining the PMP certification can truly help you advance your career. The catch is that you must have a significant amount of experience to be eligible for this certification.

 

Roles

After you obtain a PMP, you will be qualified for full-time project management roles where you manage projects of all sizes. Positions like program manager, project manager, and project controller are within reach. In these positions, you can expect to take ownership of large, complex projects. You will be expected to lead them to their conclusion on-time and within budget. You might also be interested to know top 5 Industries demand PMP certified Professionals.

On the other hand, CAPM qualified you for positions such as assistant project manager, project coordinator, and junior business analyst and If you already have a considerable technical experience, the CAPM may help propel you to a leadership position. For example, for a developer, a CAPM may be the boost you need to become a team lead.

Certification

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification generally has a lower threshold for testing. The prerequisites are a secondary degree, which includes a high school diploma, an associate’s degree or the global equivalent, and at least 1,500 hours of project experience. Alternatively, the work experience is waived if the tester has completed 23 hours of project management education by the date of the exam. If those requirements are met and you are eligible for testing, you can sit for the CAPM® exam for $300 (PMI members can test for a discounted rate of $225).

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is for experienced project managers, evident by its prerequisites. Those interested in testing for the PMP exam need a secondary degree, at least 7,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.

Having a four-year degree can help cut the experience requirement down to 4,500 hours, but that still equates to more than two years in a project management role. Along with the enhanced requirements, the price point is also higher than the CAPM certification – $555 and $405 for PMI members. You can checkout all about new PMP Certification Exam at takethiscourse.net.

Final Thoughts

Simply put, knowing the disparities between CAPM vs PMP certifications helps individuals make informed decisions about which certification aligns better with their career goals and level of experience. The CAPM is deemed as a mere entrance exam, whereas the PMP is recognized as an expert qualification. As a result, the qualifications required for the CAPM exam are less stringent, and the exam is less difficult and less expensive than the PMP. If you decide to pursue one of the two, choose wisely and find success in your project!