Project management is a rapidly growing field that recognizes the advantage of qualified project managers. There is a widening gap across the globe between employers who need skilled project managers and the availability of professionals to fill those roles. Obtaining project management certification addresses corporate competition by bestowing credentials that win client trust. A Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a unique position that can also take advantage of tools like Docket wit an integrative and dynamic system to run productive meetings.
Becoming a Certified Associate in Project Management is a professional achievement that awards the credentials that impact performance and improve careers. Pursuing either a CAPM or PMP (Project Management Professional) is determined by current skills and time on the job. CAPM is an entry-level certification while PMP is an advanced designation obtained by those with years of experience and training. PMP is the level to aim for following CAPM and is the determination when considering CAPM vs PMP certifications.
The Benefits of Becoming a CAPM
The CAPM career path may pose the question, “Is CAPM certification worth it?”, but consider the benefits of CAPM certification: higher salaries, greater opportunity, and the gateway to PMP.
The Certified Associate in Project Management salary can range globally. For instance, the Certified Associate in Project Management salary in India is 650K rupees and 56K euro in Germany yearly. In the United States, the average certified project manager salary is 65K. Even entry-level CAPM jobs boast starting salaries of 49K per year in the U. S. For PMP salary, the U.S. average is between $85-$100K per year when comparing CAPM vs PMP salary.
CAPM certification salary is just one bonus. CAPM is evidence of dedication to the profession and a credential that inspires customer confidence in abilities and skills. The CAPM certification indicates knowledge and understanding of key elements of project management.
- Improve communication with global clients and peers
- Increase knowledge to reach successful project completion and outcome
- Better delegation of tasks
- Advanced abilities to keep projects progressing on time and within budget
- Increased project monitoring and action to make adjustments
- Utilization of tools and products like Docket for efficient meetings and project tasks
- Fully evaluate the completed project to identify success and reflect on areas for improvement
The Requirements and Costs of Getting Your CAPM
Consider project management certification cost as an investment in the future. CAPM is an associate-level credential open to those with less than three years working on project teams and who hold a secondary degree.
Membership in the Project Management Institute (PMI) can reduce the total costs of project management education and exams. Membership is $139 annually, the same for CAPM or PMP cost, with discounted student rates for candidates enrolled in an accredited school. Discounts on exams and training materials come with membership and reduce CAPM certification cost by $75 to $225 for members. If an exam is unsuccessful, candidates can retake the test at a cost of $150 for members and $200 for non-members.
The CAPM exam takes three hours to complete and contains 135 scored questions and 15 pre-test questions.
CAPM certification requirements:
- Option one: Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent) and 1500 hours of professional experience on a project team.
- Option two: Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent) and 23 contact hours of formal education.
For candidates considering a CAPM to PMP upgrade, the PMP exam consists of 25 pre-test survey questions and 175 scored questions. PMP certification cost is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.
Eligibility requirements for PMP testing:
- Option one: Four-year degree with three years of project management experience. 4500 hours leading or directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.
- Option two: Secondary degree with five years of experience. 7500 hours leading or directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.
CAPM Training and Resources
The associate project manager exam covers several project management focused knowledge areas found in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). At least ten knowledge areas and over 40 processes are outlined in PMBOK. This CAPM handbook is available through PMI or the Project Management Training Institute (PMTI) websites. Testing materials found in PMBOK cover:
- Management process groups
- Project integration
- Scope and schedule
- Cost, quality, and resource management
- Time, communication and risk management
Find details of project management certification online through the PMI Project Basics Course, which fulfills CAPM certification training and 23-hour education requirement. Both CAPM and PMP exams are taken at a testing center or candidates can earn project management certification online. PMTI offers a 3-day online CAPM training course and is a breakdown of CAPM exam questions by PMBOK chapter. This certification training includes a CAPM practice test and CAPM cheat sheets.
The Certified Associate in Project Management course is also available online. Courses are available for PMP and include a PMP certification cheat sheet and PMP handbook. The PMI and PMTI sites offer simple page navigation to check dates for CAPM exam dates in 2019 and access to tools for Certified Associate in Project Management in pdf. If you prefer in person, you can search on, “project management certification near me,” and quickly find onsite options as well.
