PMP and CAPM Certification Programs

Certification Review Seminar

The Puget Sound PMI offers twice yearly seminars to assist in the preparation in those studying for their PMP or CAPM. The seminar provides the full 35 contact hours required to sit for the PMP Exam. The seminars are typically held in the Spring and Fall of each year. 

Certification Highlights

Below are the three primary certifications offered by PMI.  For more information visit PMI corporate by clicking here:

• PMP Certification: One of the most valued credentials in project management, the PMP credential assures employers that you are committed to project management. Earning and maintaining this credential demonstrates a solid foundation of experience in effectively managing projects.
• CAPM Certification: Considered an essential step for project team members, the CAPM credential can benefit a wide range of individuals who want to demonstrate a comprehensive and consistent understanding of the application of their work. By gaining knowledge of project management processes and terminology, project team members can enhance their contributions to the team?s success.
• New Program Manager Certification: PMI is creating a new credential for individuals managing programs. While PMI has not made final decisions on the details for the credential, they have announced that candidates will be evaluated through a series of assessments, including:
  • Application Review by PMI Staff and Panel of Program Managers
  • Multi-Choice Exam
  • Multi-rater Assesment
  • PMI has listed some FAQs on their website that can be found by clicking here.

Certification Volunteers Needed

The Puget Sound PMI Certification program can always use volunteers, including instructors for our Certification classes and facilitators to assist in the facilitation and set up of the classes. If you are interested, please contact the VP Certification.

Have a certification question?

For answers to frequently asked questions, check here or send an email message to Certification.

• Project Leaders
• Project Managers
• Program managers
• Directors and Project Executives

Interested in obtaining PMP® Certification? Here is a step by step outline:

• Download the PMP® Certification Handbook from www.pmi.org, under Professional Development & Careers
• Make sure you meet the PMI qualifications for taking the exam
• Apply on line
• Pay the fee (it's lower for PMI members - consider joining if not already a member).

• Read the PMBOK® Guide thoroughly several times, taking notes to reinforce the ideas (and to stay awake). Do this until you can list the 5 Process groups, and all of their supporting processes from memory. Much of the test requires knowledge of process interactions and definitions in the PMBOK® Guide.
• Be familiar with the PMI Code of Ethics and the PMP® Code of Professional Conduct (Professional Responsibility questions on the PMP Exam are situational and involve ethics, culture, and related concepts)
• Know Earned Value calculations for CV, SV, SPI, CPI and EAC
• Know Decision Tree analysis (Risk)
• Know all about Critical Path calculations
• Know the PMI vocabulary, as used In the PMBOK® Guide ? very important
• Study chapter 3 of the PMBOK Guide. It is a guide to correct answers to much of the exam
• This is an experience-based exam. You are expected to know vocabulary and definitions, and apply your knowledge to project situations presented in the exam.
• The PMP® exam is generalized for all industries; no questions require knowledge of specific industries to get the right answer.
• There are only four choices for each question, a, b, c, or d. Only one answer is correct. Look for the ?best? answer.
• There are ?except? questions (All of the following are true EXCEPT?)

• Get a good night's rest the night before.
• Arrive early at the Prometric testing center.
• Bring a four-function, nonprogrammable calculator.
• Bring two forms of ID, at least one with a picture (driver?s license, passport, or employer badge). Make sure the name you submitted on your application exactly matches these IDs.
• Bring your PMI confirmation letter.
• Take a few minutes before starting the test to write down important formulas, , major process groups and all of the PMBOK® supporting processes that they contain.
• Dress comfortably with layers, test center temperature can vary wildly.

• Read the question and ALL answers 3 times
• If the question(s) are difficult, skip them. You can come back later
• The first few questions may seem very hard. Skip them and come back
• Answer questions as if they are from the ?ideal project?. Do not read information into them that is unnecessary
• Most people take about 2 hours to get through the 200 questions the first time. This leaves about 2 hours to review unanswered or difficult questions. Total test time allowed is 4 hours

Step 4. You have passed the Exam.
The computer will tell you so once you press the completion key. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Celebrate!

• Project team members
• Early stage project management practitioners who will use the CAPM as a stepping stone to the Project Management Professional (PMP®)
• Students at either the undergraduate level or graduate level

• Download the CAPM Certification Qualification Handbook from www.pmi.org, under Professional Development & Careers.
• Make sure you meet the PMI qualifications for taking the exam
• You will be able to apply online in the near future. For now use the application form contained in the Handbook.

• Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Third Edition, The Project Management Institute.
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPMTM) Role Delineation Study, The Project Management Institute.
• Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, by Eric Verzuh.
• Project Management: A Managerial Approach, Fourth Edition, by Jack R. Meredith, Samuel J. Mantel Jr.

• The exam tests your knowledge of the content of the PMBOK Guide Third Edition.
• It is generalized for all industries, no questions require knowledge of specific industries to get the right answer.
• There are only four choices for each question, a, b, c, or d. Only one answer is correct.
• There are ?except? questions (All of the following are true EXCEPT?)

• Arrive early at the Prometric testing center
• Bring two forms of ID with picture (driver?s license and passport or employer badge)
• Bring your PMI confirmation letter
• Dress comfortably with layers, test center temperature can vary wildly-

• Read the question and ALL answers 3 times.
• If the question(s) are difficult, skip them. You can come back later.
• Answer questions as if they are from the ?ideal project?. Do not read information into them that is unnecessary.
• Total test time allowed is 3 hours for the 150 multiple choice questions.