How To Get PMP Certification In 10 Steps? [2024]

You would be wondering about the best way to get PMP certification. You will find step-by-step guidance on becoming PMP in this article. After reading this article, you will know a preparation strategy and study approach to pass the PMP exam in your first try.

This article will give you a plan to pass the credential test, but you will have to pursue it proactively in order to crack the exam, i.e., you will have to put the plan into action.

If you have already thought about attaining PMP status then there is no point in delaying it. According to PMI’s salary survey, certified PMPs in US earn 25% higher than those without the certification.

So, don’t stop after reading this article. Follow and execute the steps mentioned in this article to become a PMP.

Table of Contents

How to Get PMP Certification?

You can follow the below-mentioned steps to get PMP certification. You should read these steps one-by-one and spend some time to absorb the information contained in them.

I have written optional for some of the steps but these may not be necessarily optional for you. I have described under what circumstances they are optional. So, you should read each step to determine if it is actually optional for you or not.

I have also written investment in some of the steps. These steps require your immediate action. These will help you in acquiring training and study material. You should execute these steps as soon as possible in order to follow the rest of the steps.

1. Check Your Eligibility

Optional

You can skip this step if you already know that you are eligible for the exam.

You can apply for the exam only if you meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible for the exam, you should have:

professional project management experience of 36 or 60 months depending on your education.
35 hours of formal project management education/training or CAPM certification.

You can read my article on PMP qualifications criteria in order to understand the above two points in greater detail and to determine is you are eligible or not.

If you are eligible for the exam then you can jump to step 2.

Otherwise, it is just a minor setback if you are not eligible for the PMP exam. You can still start your project management journey by doing CAPM certification. You can use CAPM as a stepping stone for attaining the PMP as both the certifications follow the PMBOK Guide. Additionally, if you are a CAPM holder then you do not need to attend a 35 hours training program.

To do CAPM, you can take look at my article on the best CAPM training courses and buy a course that suits your needs.

2. Determine Your Budget

Optional

I have written this step as optional as most aspirants take the expenditure as it comes. However, I think this is not a good idea. Getting PMP certified is a project. So, you must determine how much money you want to spend to prepare for the exam.

Your PMP budget can vary anywhere between $1,000 to $3,000. I have written a detailed article on the cost of doing PMP. You should read this article to determine how much money you should keep aside for becoming a PMP.

Start by setting fixing a budget, so you don’t have to worry about the expenses later.

3. Enroll Into 35 Hours PMP Training

Optional | Investment

I have written this step as optional because you may already have a 35 hours certificate from a previous training program.

However, even if you have a 35 hours certificate, I would highly recommend you to join a PMP exam-oriented training program that will give you the guidance to prepare for the exam.

An exam-oriented course will help you wade through the vastness of PMP exam curriculum. It will give you the necessary tools and study aids to pass the exam in your first attempt.

Many aspirants delay taking a PMP training program, thinking that they will prepare a bit on their own before investing in a training program. I think this is not a good approach. A good training program will you the initial momentum to kick start your preparation and accelerate your studies.

A 35 hours training program is mandatory to appear for the exam. Eventually, if you have to buy a training course, then why not buy it today. There is absolutely no benefit of delaying the decision.

I have written an article on the best 35-hour PMP training program. You can read this article to choose a training program that suits your budget and requirement.

Join a good PMP exam-oriented training program as your success depends on it.

Note: You can read my article on the 35 contacts hour requirement to check if you already have 35 hours of formal project management education or not. A 35 contact hours training certificate never expires, so even if you attended a project management course 17 years ago, you can still use it to showcase 35 hours.

4. Buy PMBOK Guide

Optional | Investment

You must read PMBOK Guide to pass the exam as the exam uses PMBOK Guide concepts and terminology.

I have put this step as optional as the Guide is available as free download for PMI members. You can get a pdf copy of this Guide from the PMI’s website after you take its membership.

So, an easier way is just to download the Guide and read from it. However, if you are like me and like the feel of paper while studying then you must purchase the Guide. You can use it make notes and mark important stuff.

You can buy the Guide for about $40 from Amazon. A $40 expenditure is a very small amount to spend on PMP certification.

Note: Taking PMI membership is beneficial as it gives you a discount on the PMP exam fees also. I would recommend you to take PMI membership before you apply for the exam.

5. Buy a PMP Reference Book

Optional | Investment

This is a completely optional step as you might get enough reading material from your training program.

You might not need an extra book if you are confident about your preparation. However, a PMP reference book can increase your chance of passing the exam. It will help you in reading and understanding the PMBOK Guide.

A book is not too expensive, so you can consider purchasing it. It will cost you anywhere between $40 to $100 depending on which book you choose.

There are many reference books available for the PMP exam prep. You can buy any one of the following books:

6. Prepare a Study Schedule

Mandatory

A good project management practice is to create and follow a schedule to successfully complete the project.

Passing the PMP exam is a project so you must create a formal study schedule.

While creating a schedule, you should also take into account your professional and personal commitments. You should inform your employer and seek support your family before you prepare the schedule. Your preparation should not interfere with your work or personal life.

Your schedule should include time for doing all of the following things:

Watching training videos.
Reading study material that you got from your training course.
Doing end-of-chapter quiz questions.
Reading the PMBOK Guide.
Reading PMP reference book (if you have bought it).
Applying for the PMP exam.
Practicing 4-5 full-length mock tests.

7. Invest in a Practice Test Simulator

Optional | Investment

This would be an optional step for most individuals. A good training program comes bundled with a practice test simulator. I would recommend you to choose your training program judiciously and skip this step.

However, if you have already taken a training course then you could look at my article on the best PMP practice tests to choose a simulator that suits your needs and budget.

A good simulator is useful for the test prep as it will check your preparation level and understanding of the PMBOK Guide concepts. It will give you confidence to sit for the exam and help you in cracking the exam in your first attempt.

8. Study for the PMP Exam

Mandatory

Nothing can be more mandatory then this step. This step will take bulk of your time.

Preparation of a schedule is an important step, but more important is to follow it. Once you have prepared your study schedule, you should follow it religiously.

You can consider yourself ready for the exam when you consistently start scoring more than 80% in the practice tests. An 80% score in practice tests is a clear indication that you are ready for the real exam.

A regular daily study will keep you motivated and help you to pass the exam.

9. Apply for the PMP Exam

Mandatory | Investment

This is also a mandatory step. You can’t skip it. You will need $555 to apply for the exam if you are not a PMI member. Otherwise, if you take the membership, you will need $544 to pay the membership fees and apply for the exam.

I have written a complete article on how to apply for the PMP exam. You can read it and understand its nuances.