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Professional Development Education and Training

Program Overview

PMI was created to advance the practice of project management so that organizations could improve project outcomes. To achieve this objective, PMI has created a series of certifications to demonstrate a professional’s understanding of acknowledged best practices.

PMI continues to evolve its products to meet the changing needs of society and the industries that power growth. The organization’s new Disciplined Agile certification product line is an example of how the organization is responding to the needs of the marketplace.

Visit the PMI Web Site to learn more about all the types of certifications PMI offers.

The Washington DC chapter of PMI acknowledges that our members are committed to effective project execution. In the course of our work, our members will encounter other project delivery certifications.

The chapter is dedicated to assisting our members in understanding the differences in managing project execution so that our members can chart their own professional growth path.

Education and Trainings for PMP Exam Preparation

PMP Certification

The Project Management Institute is the leading organization for project management knowledge and the publisher of the PMBOK® Guide. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification earned from PMI is a globally recognized certification that tests a candidate's ability to manage the people, processes, and business priorities of a professional project.

To obtain the PMP® certification, a project manager must meet certain requirements and then pass a 180-question exam as outlined below.

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PMP® Certification Requirements
If you hold a Four-Year College / University Degree:
  • 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
  • 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® certification*
If you hold a High School or Secondary School Diploma:
  • 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
  • 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® certification*

*The 35 hours of project management education/training has to be formal project management education, something that you have a certificate for and may include:

  • A classroom-based or virtual training that includes any of the ten (10) Knowledge Areas in the PMBOK Guide or the three (3) domains in the current Examination Content Outline (ECO)
  • Classroom time, not credit hours, spent during MBA coursework would suffice
  • Contracts
  • Quality training like Six Sigma, ISO9000, TQM, etc.
  • Risk management
  • Estimation
  • Public speaking
  • Conflict management
  • Change management
  • Human resource management
  • Microsoft Project
NOTE: There is no time limit on when the training occurred. You can go back as far as you’d like in time. However, you do need a certificate, or the ability to get a certificate.

PMP Exam Preparation Options

35 Hours of Project Management Training

There are several pathways available to help candidates meet the 35-hour project management education/training requirement for PMP exam preparation. These options include PMI Authorized Training Partner courses, online study programs, college-level preparation courses, and specialized programs for eligible candidates.

View PMP preparation options
01

Project Management Experts (PME)

A PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) is a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) of PMIWDC. If you have the flexibility to commit five (5) days to PMP exam preparation, you may consider attending PMP Exam Prep Bootcamp or CAPM Exam Prep Bootcamp.

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PME uses the curriculum developed and approved by PMI. Only ATPs can deliver this training and only Premier ATPs like PME can present and deliver the post-class sample test questions. It provides over 40 hours of formal virtual classroom and post-class training to every student. Course material includes hard copy textbooks.

Upon completion of PME’s 5-day PMP® Exam Prep Bootcamp, students will have earned enough hours to sit for and pass the exam. In addition, PME provides each student with over 200 sample exam questions that will allow students to continue their post-class preparation for the exam. PME also provides coaching and mentoring to each student following the bootcamp. When requested, PME will provide post-class and individual review sessions.

A PME-conducted course includes:
  • 5 days of virtual discussion, lecture, and practice exams
  • PMI Authorized Exam Prep Student Workbook
  • PMI Online Materials – videos, assessment tests, slide deck, and study guidelines
  • PMI PMP® Mastery Builder Questions
  • Over 200 PMI-developed sample test questions
  • PMI PMP® Exam Content Outline
  • Post-class support

PMEs conduct classes on a scheduled basis. For more information, please visit the Project Management Experts page.

NOTE: If you are unable to attend PME’s PMP Exam Prep Bootcamp or CAPM Exam Prep Bootcamp, you may consider the PMI On-Demand PMP Exam Prep Course supplemented with PMI Study Hall.
02

PMP Online Study Prep

PMI Online Study Prep offers a suite of flexible eLearning courses designed to help you prepare for the PMP exam on your terms and stay motivated on your way to PMP certification.

  • Set your own study schedule to fit studying into your life any time
  • Study independently, if you work better on your own or just need a refresher
  • Earn 35 training hours with the on-demand Exam Prep Course, which fulfills the PMP application’s training requirement
03

Authorized Training Partner Instructor-Led PMP Training

A PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) program connects you with PMI-aligned organizations that prepare you for the PMP certification exam.

Each Authorized Training Partner uses PMI-developed training course content to ensure that your PMP study materials always align with the PMP exam content outline.

ATP instructor-led training also satisfies the 35-hour training requirement you need to apply for PMP certification. The advantages of this option are:

  • Working with an Instructor: Authorized Training Partner instructors are valid PMP® certification holders who are up-to-date on learning methods through continued enhancement of their project management skills. This is a great option if you benefit from face-to-face discussion.
  • Study Group: You have an opportunity to participate with a group of like-minded peers that can help you reach your goals.
  • Structure: You can schedule meeting times that hold you to a structured exam prep routine.

Please visit the ATP provider directory for more information.

04

Online PMP Certification Examination Training Providers

There are non-ATP providers that offer courses to meet the 35-hour project management training requirement. These can be found online and provide certifications at the end of course completion.

This option can provide you with flexibility and choice.

Note:PMIWDC does not endorse any provider.
05

College-Level PMP Certification Exam Preparation Courses

Many universities and community colleges offer in-class and online PMP Preparation courses. Participants can focus on key concepts, formulas, and principles for passing the CAPM and PMP exams.

Using comprehensive study guides, practice exams, access to a database of hundreds of sample questions, and practical exercises, participants can focus on key concepts, formulas, and principles for passing the CAPM and PMP exams.

The advantages of this option are:
  • Instructor-led training
  • Part of project management education curriculum
  • Classroom environment, where classmates can be part of a study group
Examples:
Note:PMIWDC does not endorse any provider.
06

Google Project Management: Professional Certificate

The Google Project Management Certificate program can be completed through interactive content, including discussion prompts, quizzes, and hands-on activities.

The Google Project Management Certificate is PMI-recognized. The advantages of this option are:

  • Google is an approved member of the Project Management Institute’s Authorized Training Partner Program, which ensures practitioners have access to a consistent and high-quality training experience.
  • Those who complete the Google Project Management Certificate will qualify for over 100 hours of project management education that apply directly to requirements for globally recognized PMI credentials, like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification.
07

Onward to Opportunity (O2O)

Transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses can participate in the Onward to Opportunity (O2O) program to meet the project management education/training requirement for the PMP® and CAPM® exams.

Formerly known as the Veteran Career Transition Program (VCTP), Onward to Opportunity (O2O) is a free career training program that provides professional certification and job placement support to transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.

The Syracuse University online Project Management Certification Training Program meets the project management education/training requirement for the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exams.

The advantages of this option are:
  • It is a free college-level PMP Certification Exam Preparation training for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.

For more information, visit: Onward to Opportunity Career Training

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