One of our participants was kind enough to get this information regarding the certification process for PMP for all of you who are project managers, who might also desire this certification. Remember, if you qualify because you have been laid off or your company has relocated, then there are stimulus dollars to pay for this. Visit the Henrico Career Transition Center in Innsbrook for more details on this program that pays.

Here you go.

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PMI has information about the PMP credential on their website – the application process, required qualifications, and overview of the exam. http://www.pmi.org/ca...

The exam and test are changing on June 30th (from the PMBOK Guide 3rd Edition to the 4th Edition), so whoever has interest needs to understand what version they would test on, and make sure their materials – books, classes, etc. – are for the correct version.

There are a number of options for courses:

Many universities have prep courses for this test – U of R, Villanova. Some are on-line and some are in-person.
There are also a lot of commercial companies that provide a 4-5 day “cram” course where the participants take the test right after the end of the course.
Local PMI chapters have prep courses too, and these are usually the most affordable classes. PMI CVC (the Richmond chapter) will be having a 3-Saturday course that starts in Sept. I don’t think the registration is open yet for that course. (www.pmicvc.org)

The PMP credential has some requirements to apply. You would need to be able to document 4500 hours of “leading or directing” projects.



The application process is tough – for the 4500 hours, you need to be able to tell them the project, the process group (initiation, planning, executing, controlling, closing), the deliverable that was produced, how many hours were spent on it, the company and the name/contact info for the manager.


Once you apply and are accepted, you need to take a 200 multiple choice question exam. When I took the exam, about half the questions had two answers that looked like they could be right. The test is based on the information that is in the PMI Book of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). So answers are based on the book rather than what you did as a project manager working in a company.

So long-winded answer – it is not an easy credential to get. The person needs the right experience, and must spend the time to be able to get it.

I hope this is enough information for the folks at VCN.