Answers for the queries for Project Management for Managers.

1. STUDENT FAQS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR MANAGERS
BEING A FRESHER, ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR A CAPM
CERTIFICATION?
Applicants need to meet certain educational and professional requirements in order to be eligible
for the CAPM certification examination.
All candidates must possess the following necessary conditions:
1. Education Background: Must possess High School Diploma, an associate’s degree, or the
Global Equivalent Secondary School Credential
And
2. Project Experience: Report 1,500 hours of professional experience on a project team
Or
Project Management Education: Record 23 contact hours of formal education, which
addresses the learning objectives in Project management.
If a candidate possesses a High School Diploma/Equivalent Secondary School Credential but has no
project experience, he/she can go for the 23 contact hours of Project Management education option.
The Project Management education requirement can be satisfied by demonstrating successful
completion of courses, workshops and training sessions offered by one or more of the following
types of education providers:
A. PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)
B. PMI chapters or communities of practice*
C. Employer/company-sponsored programs
D. Training companies or consultants (e.g., training schools)
E. Distance-learning companies, including an end-of-course assessment
F. University/college academic and continuing education programs
*Courses offered by PMI R.E.P.s, PMI chapters and communities of practice or by PMI are
pre-approved for contact hours in fulfillment of the educational eligibility requirement.
The course hours may include content on project quality, scope, time, cost, human resources,
communications, risk, procurement, and integration management.
PMP OR CAPM, WHICH IS BETTER?
PMP is one of the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers. It is
suitable for experienced project manager responsible for all aspects of project delivery, leading and
directing cross-functional teams. It demonstrates to employers, clients and colleagues that a project

2. manager possesses project management knowledge, experience, and skills to bring projects to
successful completion.
CAPM is suitable for those who would like to manage larger projects and gain more responsibility
or add project management skills into their current role. It offers recognition to practitioners who
are starting a career in project management as well as project team members who wish to
demonstrate their project management knowledge. This certification denotes that the individual
possesses the knowledge in the principles and terminology of A Guide to the Project Management
Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), the standard of project management’s generally recognized
good practices.
Both of these certifications are highly beneficial for project management professionals looking to
enhance their career prospects. However, their eligibility requirements are different and hence
cater to different audiences.
For PMP applicants need to possess:
a. At least a Secondary Degree/High School Diploma, and a Minimum 5 years unique
non-overlapping Professional project management experience during which at least
7,500 hours were spent leading and directing the project and complete 35 contact
hours of Formal Project Management Education.
Or
b. A 4 year bachelor’s degree, and a Minimum 3 years unique non-overlapping
Professional project management experience during which at least 4,500 hours
were spent leading and directing the project and complete 35 contact hours of
Formal Project Management Education.
Whereas for CAPM applicants need to possess at least a Secondary Degree and either 1500 hours of
professional experience on a project team or 23 contact hours of formal Project Management
education.
WHAT ARE PDUS?
Professional development units measure the certificate holder’s ongoing educational and
professional service. These are required for maintaining PMI’s certified credentials. Each hour
spent engaged in professional development activity qualifies as 1 PDU.
PMI demarcates PDUs into 6 categories falling under education and Giving back to the Profession.

3. THE TEST BEFORE THE TEST. HOW TO GET CAPM CERTIFICATION
WITHOUT HAVING WORK EXPERIENCE?
Candidates with no project experience can become eligible (provided they possess Secondary
School Credential) by completing 23 contact hours of formal education with specific instructions
that address learning objectives in project management.
Candidates may satisfy the education pre-requisites by demonstrating the completion of courses,
workshops and training sessions offered by one or more of the following types of education
providers:
 PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)*
 PMI chapters or communities of practice*
 Employer/company-sponsored programs
 Training companies or consultants (e.g., training schools)
 Distance-learning companies, including an end-of-course assessment
 University/college academic and continuing education programs
*Courses offered by PMI R.E.P.s, PMI chapters and communities of practice or by PMI are
pre-approved for contact hours in fulfillment of the educational eligibility requirement.
If only a portion of a course dealt with project management, only the hours spent on project
management can be applied towards the total 23-hour requirement.
Some of the reputed R.E.Ps have expert project management trainers who mentor candidates to
clear the exams on the first try. Moreover, they provide hands-on learning on project management
tools that come handy to manage complex projects.
References
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® Handbook - PMI
Project Management Professional (PMP) Handbook-PMI
www.pmi.org/certification/project-management-professional-pmp.aspx
www.pmi.org/certification/certified-associate-project-management-capm.aspx