What Is a Project Management Professional Certification?

Overview

A Project Management Professional certification is a valuable credential in today's job market. A PMP certification shows the recipient can successfully lead projects and has passed a comprehensive examination administered by the Project Management Institute.
Project Management Institute

The Project Management Institute sets professional project management standards and administers certification examinations worldwide.

Certification requirements

High school graduates need five years of project management experience and 35 hours of project management training to apply for the PMP certification. College graduates must have three years project management experience and 35 hours of project management education.
Training

PMI recognizes training through various sources, such as PMI-registered educational providers and organizations, employer-sponsored programs, training and distance-learning companies and academic and continuing education programs through universities and colleges.
Exam

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are pre-test questions and are not included in the exam scoring. A passing score of 61% is needed (106 questions out of 175).
Recertification

PMP credentials must be recertified every three years and require 60 professional development units earned through various educational, professional and/or web-based activities.