Overview of the Certification
Project management is growing at a remarkable pace, and certified professionals who can veer into the roles are in demand. This demand will only continue as organizations make the transition into the Agile framework of operations. Organizations are seeing the value in project management, and the field is earning a lot of respect worldwide. PMI saw the demand but realized that many wanted to be certified but couldn’t under PMP guidelines. Hence, CAPM was born.
Being CAPM certified shows the world that you have a good foundation of the subject matter related to project management. Yes, it’s entry-level, but it still stands out to employers and recruiters and tells them that you want to improve your skills and knowledge in project management. The CAPM certification will help you learn about the numerous project management tools and techniques. It will show you the best project management practices and give candidates the skills to plan, execute, control, and complete a project successfully. It will give you a great foundation for the PMBOK® Guide, and you will learn about proven project management practices and techniques.
Even if you have close to the required number of experience hours to qualify for a PMP certification, doing the CAPM certification helps you get into the PMP certification program faster. Plus, having another title behind your name is not too shabby. Even better for those who are not close to getting PMP certified. As PMI notes, “Project management is a rapidly growing profession. Through 2020, 1.57 million new jobs will be created each year, and qualified practitioners are in demand. With the CAPM, you’ll be on the fast track to opportunity.”
Recommended Articles ;
A Step by Step Guide on How to Get a PMP Certification
How to Be a Freelance Project Manager
Who is This Certification For?
According to PMI’s official website, this certification is for anyone who’d like to manage larger projects and gain more responsibility or add project management skills into your current role. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is right for you. This certification is also beneficial for a professional who has less than three years of experience working in a project manager role.
Eligibility Criteria and the Certification Process for the CAPM Certification
Candidates can enter either with 1500 hours of work experience, which amounts to about 200 workdays, or 23 hours of project management training. Even with 1500 hours of work experience, you’d still a secondary degree, such as a bachelor’s degree. The CAPM exam is based on the ‘A Guide of Project Management Body of Knowledge,’ or, as it is commonly called, the PMBOK.
The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Credential Handbook notes the distribution of questions from the PMBOK:
- Chapter 1 Introduction to Project Management (6%)
- Chapter 2 Project Environment (6%)
- Chapter 3 Role of the Project Manager (7%)
- Chapter 4 Project Integration Management (9%)
- Chapter 5 Project Scope Management (9%)
- Chapter 6 Project Schedule Management (9%)
- Chapter 7 Project Cost Management (8%)
- Chapter 8 Project Quality Management (7%)
- Chapter 9 Project Resource Management (8%)
- Chapter 10 Project Communication Management (10%)
- Chapter 11 Project Risk Management (8%)
- Chapter 12 Project Procurement Management (4%)
- Chapter 13 Project Stakeholder Management (9%)
The certification is valid for 5 years, and a re-exam is required for the recertification of CAPM. For getting certified, you must fill the form and apply it on the PMI website, along with all the required details. If you meet the criteria, the proof of that should be attached. They will review your application, and you’ll get to know the status within 24 hours usually. After that, you should pay the exam fee. The fee is 225 USD for PMI members and 300 USD for non-PMI members. PMI has a student bundle where you can save up to $75 on the CAPM exam if you are enrolled in an accredited, degree-granting institution. Students can submit one application form to join PMI as a student member and take the CAPM exam at the member discount rate.
As PMI notes, “Regardless of your career stage, the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is an asset that will distinguish you in the job market and enhance your credibility and effectiveness working on — or with — project teams.” The certification exam has 150 questions, and you have three hours to complete it. To maintain your CAPM, you must retake the exam every five years.
PMI, to make the exam-taking process easier, and “provide greater flexibility, we now offer the option to take your exam online. With scheduling flexibility and the comfort of your home or office, the online CAPM exam is a convenient option that fits your schedule.”
Benefits of PMI Exam
Knowledge: Project Management basics knowledge and PMBOK guide knowledge ensures that a CAPM credential holder is well aware of Project Management knowledge.
PMI assurance: Project Management Institute is a well-recognized institute, and any certification of PMI is taken with confidence in the market. PMI assurance is accepted around the world in different languages
Recognition: PMI being a world-renown institute and Project Management being everywhere, knowledge in project management is a prerequisite for any Project Management job offerings. This has made CAPM an obvious choice for entry-level Project Management.
Standard guide – Common language: The language of Project Managers in the organizations is biased by terms in the PMBOK guide. PMBOK guide has given one single platform to the Project Management community to discuss the project issues.
Networking: PMI, as an institute, gives membership and provides a lot of networking opportunities in the form of conferences, sessions, and the local chapter. These networking opportunities enable CAPM holders as well as CAPM aspirants with the latest trends in the field of Project Management.
Career Growth: This growth is both in terms of salary as well as position. CAPM credential holders get better salaries in management roles as compared to the individuals not having it. Similarly, individuals planning to take more responsibility in better roles, CAPM certification can help.
Salary for CAPM Certified Professional
As per the PayScale report, a CAPM associate can draw an average annual salary of up to $101,103. However, the salary of candidates varies based on their job role and experience. A CAPM certified candidate with less than a year of experience will have a median annual salary of $45,611. But, with further projects, experience, and certifications, the salary can go as high as 110000 USD
Where to Get Online Resources for CAPM Certification?
PMI offers training resources, guides, and practice exams for the certification. Apart from this, several other training providers like Master of Project, Udemy, and Simpli Learn offer the required training to pass the exam.
