- Starting the PMP Process
- Applying for the Exam
- Passing the Examination
- Getting Some PMP Help
- After the Exam
Applying for the Exam
The fee for the examination isn't cheap: $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-PMI members. Guess what? It's actually cheaper to join PMI and then complete your application, as their membership fee is $129. Besides, as a member you also get some added benefits such as newsletters, magazines, and other goodies.
Beware, completing the PMP application is about as much fun as a root canal. My advice is to complete your application through PMI's website where you can pause, resume, and edit the application at your convenience until you're ready to submit it. On the PMP application, you'll have to document all of your education, experience, and the details of the projects you've completed. In addition, you'll have to provide contact information for your supervisors and managers that can verify (uh, that's vouch for you) the experience you say you've gotten on the projects you've listed.
PMI can take up to fourteen days to approve your application, though most of the applicants I've trained report a speedy response. Within those fourteen days, PMI may elect to audit your application for verification.
This is not fun.
If chosen, you'll have to provide PMI with proof of your experience, your education, and your project management training. This means you'll have to track down old bosses and get confirmation letters of your experience, photocopy your degrees, and provide your training certificates. I've known a few folks that have gone through the audit with no problems other than an extra helping of anxiety as they prepare to pass their examination.