Lawrence Tech - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
PMP® and CAPM®: What and How to Study

1.  What is the difference between PMP® and CAPM®?
2.  Do I need to be a member of the Project Management Institute before I take the class?
3.  Should I apply for the examination before the class?
4.  Any preparation before the class?
5.  Where can I get the PMBOK® and how much does it cost?
6.  What should I bring with me to the class?
7.  What if I don’t have enough educational units after taking this class?

1. What is the difference between PMP® and CAPM®?

Certified Associates in Project Management (CAPM®) credentials are designed for project team members, entry-level project managers and qualified undergraduate or graduate students. To be accepted for the CAPM® exam, you must have at least 1500 hours of work on project teams OR 23 contact hours of formal project management education.

Project Management Professional (PMP®) is designed to objectively assess the competency of the experienced project manager. To be accepted for the PMP exam, you must have between 4500 hours and 7500 hours depending on educational background and criteria for overlapping experience PLUS 35 contact hours of formal project management education.

2. Do I need to be a member of the Project Management Institute before I take the class?

No, but it is recommended. The advantages:

You will have access to PMI® member-only areas that are helpful for exam preparation (such as free downloads of standards).
You will receive a CD of the PMBOK®.
You will receive a discount on the cost of the exam.

3. Should I apply for the examination before the class?

Although you could, there are specific requirements that must be met, such as:

For the PMP®, you cannot apply until you have at least 35 educational credits (optional 23 educational credits for CAPM® depending on experience) and
You only have 6 months to pass the examination.

In addition, you will gain additional insights during the class on filling out the application for certification, especially documenting your experiences to help you reach experience requirements.

4. Any preparation before the class?

Yes.

Review www.pmi.org application requirements and print two copies of the PMI® Certification Handbook depending on which certification you are striving for (PMP® or CAPM®). If you are not sure, print both and bring them with you (www.pmi.org/info/PDC_PMPHandbook.pdf or www.pmi.org/info/PDC_CAPMHandbook.pdf)
Print and review PMI® Code of Professional Conduct
Order and review the PMBOK®

5. Where can I get the PMBOK® and how much does it cost?

PMBOK® is provided when membership is purchased – but only on a CD. It is recommended that you also purchase the paper copy available from PMI bookstore at www.pmi.org or at Amazon.com. Allow time for shipping and time for reviewing before the class.

6. What should I bring with me to the class?

Your application (PMI® Certification Handbook)
PMI® Code of Professional Conduct
PMBOK®
Resume or other information about your education and experience (whatever you can just grab and bring is fine)!

7. What if I don’t have enough educational units after taking this class?

LTU offers an additional project management course that will help you fulfill these requirements. "ACCELERATING PROJECT SUCCESS -- The Essential Skills" fulfills an additional 21 educational units helping you attain the goal of either 23 or 35 educational units depending on your certification.