CAPM Certificate

Certification for CAPM

Project Management is a hot topic right now. Nothing helps your project more than to have trained project management professionals on the project. The question, however, comes up, “which credential should I try to get?”

CAPM vs PMP

Although there are six Project Management Institute (PMI) sponsored certifications, no one needs to get all six. They each have their own niche and reason for being. Three are specialty credentials, the PMI-ACP, PMI-SP and the PMI-RMP. The PgMP is a step beyond the PMP and deals with programs rather than projects.

So the real question comes down to which should I get? The CAPM or the PMP?
The PMP is the most prestigious of the two, and pulls the most weight. However, the requirements are different, and the CAPM may be the credential for you.

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is an entry-level project management certification and might be what you want as a precursor to your PMP or as an entry point into the project management field.

CAPM Certification Value

The value of the CAPM certificate is that it shows the dedication of the recipient to the project management discipline, and the willingness of the applicant to follow the best practices of the industry.
The requirements are a lot less stringent.

1. A High School Degree
2. 1,500 hours of Project experience OR 23 hours of Project Management Education.

A more detailed account of the requirements can be found in the CAPM handbook.

The PMP credential requires 35 hours of project education, a bachelor’s degree and 4500 hours of project management experience, or 7500 hours of project management experience within six years.
These pre-requisites stop a lot of would be applicants.

CAPM Certification Training

Certification Training for the CAPM is very similar to that needed for the PMP certification. The point of the CAPM test is to verify the applicants understanding of the principles and vocabulary used in the PMBoK guide, and the best practices in the project management field.

Applicants will do best to prepare for the exam through courses designed for the PMP and CAPM tests. There are a number of self-study guides that could be consulted, but applicants that take a course usually do better in the long run.

PMI membership can help in the process. The PMI provides access to articles, white papers, and other publications. It also provides a big discount on the fees to take the exam, and connects members to working professional through local chapters.

Be sure to pick up a  registered R.E.P. training course such as the PM Prepcast or the PM Perfect on Demand course.

Other R.E.P. providers can be found in the database.

Can the CAPM help you get a job?

Project Management is a hot skill right now. Multiple surveys have shown that executives are expecting more and more out of their projects, and that they are looking to those who have shown their skill in project management. That means that a certification or a credential will do wonders to put you on the short list of those being considered for a job.

Start today to make the most of yourself. Start with the CAPM cert and work your way up the PMP.

Get the process memorization tool here.

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