| CAPM | PMP | |
|---|---|---|
| Education | secondary degree | 4-year / secondary degree degree |
| Experience | 23+ hrs PM training or PM Basics online course | 3+ / 5+ yrs and 35+ hours of PM training or CAPM |
| Time Commitment | 1-3 months | 2-3 months |
| Cost in USD | $225/300 | $405/555 |
| Recertification | every 3 yrs | every 3 yrs |
What Are the CAPM and PMP Certifications?
PMI’s CAPM certification is designed for project management professionals with little or no experience in the field. It validates the recipient’s grasp of fundamental knowledge, processes, and terminology that they can then apply on the job. This certification serves as an important stepping stone in developing competence in junior project management practitioners.
The CAPM certifies an individual’s knowledge of the following areas:
- Project and organization lifecycle
- Project management processes
- Project scope management
- Project risk management
- Quality management
- Time and cost management
While those with little experience pursue the CAPM, PMI offers the PMP certification for who have three or more years of project management experience.
The PMP is therefore designed for experienced project management professionals. It proves expertise in project management methods, including predictive (waterfall), hybrid, and agile approaches. It also validates the following skills:
- Leadership
- People management
- Technical process of project management
- Alignment between project management and organizational objectives
CAPM vs PMP: Similarities and Differences
The CAPM and PMP do not have much in common, except that they both:- Require successful completion of an exam for certification
- Test familiarity with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) as authoritative source of knowledge in the field
- Help you advance in your project management career.
CAPM Exam
The CAPM exam assesses knowledge of the fundamental principles of project management as laid down in the PMBOK. The exam for the CAPM certification consists of 150 multiple choice questions, with three hours to complete the test. The CAPM exam will be changing in early 2023, so be sure to check out the upcoming changes if you plan to take the exam around that time. Before registering to take the exam, individuals need to meet the following eligibility criteria:- Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent)
- At least 23 hours of project management education completed by exam time
PMP Exam
The PMP exam tests individuals on practical applications of best practices of project management. The exam for PMP certification has 180 multiple choice questions, with just under four hours (three hours and 50 minutes) to finish. Since the exam is longer, test takers get two 10-minute breaks. To take the PMP exam, make sure you meet one of two sets of criteria:- Four-year degree
- 36 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM Certification
- Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent)
- 60 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM Certification
Which Certification is Right For You?
These certifications demonstrate to employers that you have the practical knowledge, insights, and professional expertise to meet increasingly complex project management roles. Earning the CAPM and then the PMP is a logical pathway to progress your project management career. Depending on your current needs and priorities, one or the other PM certification is sure to get you where you want to be in your project management career. The certification that is right for you depends on a few key factors:- Career stage
- Budget
- Timeframe
