Project management is one of most rewarding career options. The average salary for a project manager is just over $75,000 per year. This is not limited to one industry. It is therefore not surprising that many PM specialists are aspiring to further their careers.
If you’ve ever thought about obtaining a project management certificate, you probably know of the Project Management Professional and Certified Associate in Project Management certificates offered by the Project Management Institute. Many specialists find it difficult to choose between these two credentials. This blog post will help you make an educated decision and decide which one is best for you.
What is the Difference between PMP and CAPM
The main difference between these two certifications is that PMP and CAPM are professional-level certifications. The PM certificate is awarded to professionals who have demonstrated industry experience and are recognized as professionals. PMI PMP focuses on experienced project managers. The associate level is an entry-level credential. The CAPM can also be described as an entry level certification, when compared to PMP. This means that Certified Associate in Project Management is for those who want to improve their project management skills, and gain validation.
The difficulty of the exams is another difference between these certificates. The CAPM exam is much easier than the PMP. It also has fewer requirements and is cheaper. Let’s take a look at the two certification exams.
PMP Exam
The PMP credential, which is considered the highest standard in project management certifications, is widely regarded as the gold standard. It is also considered to be the most difficult exam. It consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. It takes four hours to complete. It covers the concepts, principles, and application of the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide (PMBOK). It is not enough to memorize the exam content. It measures your comprehension of the topics and concepts as well as your ability apply the theoretical knowledge.
The PMI member fee is $405 and the non-member fee is $555. There are certain prerequisites. Candidates must have a high school diploma, an associate degree, or the equivalent. You must also have at least 7,500 hours in project management experience and 35 hours education in the field. A bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent 4-year degree, with at least 4,500 hours of experience in project management and 35 hours of education in the field, is another prerequisite. You must earn 60 PDUs (Professional development Units) within three year to maintain your PMI certification. The official website provides more information about the exam and recertification process.
Exam CAPM
CAPM is also based upon the PMBOK, but it focuses more on understanding the principles and concepts than on applying knowledge. It is a 3-hour exam that consists of 150 multiple-choice question. The CAPM exam is simpler than the PMP exam. However, it is not easy. The CAPM credential is more difficult than many other entry-level certificates in project management. The fee for the CAPM exam is $225 for PMI members and $300 for non-members. This certification test requires a high school diploma, an associate degree (or its equivalent), as well as a certificate.
