Hi - I need some information. I took the formal training (35 credit hours) almost 12 months ago but have not taken the PMP exam yet. Is there a time limit as to when you have to complete the exam based on completing the coursework?
"To be eligible for the PMP credential, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. All project management experience must have been accrued within the last eight consecutive years prior to your application submission."
So you must have 35 contact hours of PM training within 8 years of application for the exam. Saving Changes...
Michael WellesManaging Director| EdWel Project and Risk Management TrainingChicago, Il, United States
There is too much confusion surrounding this issue. As principal in a firm that provides PMP Certification training, I deal with this daily. The most-oft question I get is the following: "Does this training count toward the 35 contact hours?" The obvious answer is yes. The best answer is why would you take my class to meet this requirement when it is more than likely that you already have it met. Why would you wait until after my course to submit your application - submit it with what you have already taken. Finally, why would you spend the money needlessly?
As the PMP Handbook states, "Verify at least 35 contact hours of specific instruction that addressed learning objectives in project
management. Document all education hours regardless of when they were accrued. The course work must be completed at the time you submit the application."
The handbook goes on to say, "The course hours may include content on project quality, project scope, project schedule, project budget, project communications, project risk, project procurement, and project integration management."
Ok. So what does this mean? Simply, the training you have taken (from any reputable training company, your employer, a university, or on-line learning counts. It is as simple as that.
It does not say that the training must have the words "Project Management" in the title. It does not say that it has to be a PMP Exam Prep class. It does not say that it has to be done in the last eight years. Finally, it states that it "may" include content - may is not must. It only states that it has addressed "learning objectives in project management" - that's it.
Think about what a project manager really does - they communicate, they lead, they inspire, they make others feel valuable, they negotiate, they make decisions. The Project Management Body of Knowledge includes all of these elements - does it not?
Any course that you have taken (as long as it has a defined learning objective, course outline, and measurable results) and covers project management - related objectives will count towards your 35 hour requirement.
Do you really think PMI is going to turn down the nine classes you took to get your Black Belt in Six Sigma? How about that week long leadership course taught by a team of OD specialists at your employer? How about that eye-opening diversity seminar you took? No, no, and no.
Stop taking so much training and stop spending so much money on classes you "may" not need just to fill a eligibility requirement. Take the training that interests you, complete your application, take the exam very seriously, and pass it!
Sorry if this was a little long, but I get it all the time. This is just my opinions, but I have yet to have someone come back to me and say that PMI turned them down over a reputable, project management-related course that they have taken.
My only advice is that you keep it to within the last 10-15 years (just to safe), you don't include any Bachelors classes (you are already getting credit for that), and you do not include classes that are job-specific (i.e. technical in nature).
All the best and spend your limited training time/money wisely.
"If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time--a tremendous whack."
