About the PMP Exam and Certification

The PMP certification is managed by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and reflects the PMI's project management processes as published in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide. Since 1984, the PMP certification has become one of the most sought after internationally recognized management credentials available. The average salary of a PMP certified manager is 14% higher than individuals without the PMP certification.

The PMP certification is a globally recognized credential, and individuals are encouraged to remain active via PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements (CCRs). Only individuals who maintain active PMP credentials may refer to themselves as Project Management Professionals. Individuals do not need to be a member of PMI to earn a PMP credential.

The following are the minimum requirements in attaining the PMP certification:

• Education: At a minimum, A high school diploma is required
• Project management experience:
• 36 months and 4500 hours of professional experience for individuals with a Bachelor's degree or global equivalent (within the past 8 years)
• 60 months and 7500 hours of professional experience for individuals without a Bachelor's degree or equivalent (within the past 8 years)
• Project Management Education: 35 contact hours of formal education
• Ethics: Agree to PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

• Pass the PMP Exam

For detailed credentialing information, click here to download PMI's PMP Credential Handbook.

The Nine PMBOK® Knowledge Areas covered by the PMP exam are listed below.

• Project Integration Management
• Project Scope Management
• Project Time Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project Human Resource Management
• Project Communications Management
• Project Risk Management
• Project Procurement Management

A complete list of all processes, grouped by Knowledge Area, is outlined at the end of this page.

All PMPerfect exam prep content reflects the latest PMP exam version based on the PMBOK® Guide - Fourth Edition

The most recent version of the PMP® exam was placed into use by PMI® as of July 1, 2009. The PMP exam is based on information contained in the latest PMBOK® Guide—Fourth Edition, which was (officially) released by PMI® on December 31st, 2008.

With the current version of the PMBOK® Guide's content, a focus is placed on removing redundant information, and to add clarifying statements where needed. Significant enhancements were made to improve readability, and terminology was updated only to present them consistently in a verb-noun format.

About the Project Management Institute (PMI)

The PMI was founded and incorporated in 1969 and has published a number of standards related to project management, including the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) guide. The PMI maintains two colleges: the College of Performance Management and the College of Scheduling. In addition, the PMI maintains a membership of more than 220,000 individuals, including 180,000 PMP-certified individuals in more than 175 countries.

Visit the PMI Site

The list below outlines the nine Knowledge Areas of the PMBOK - Fourth Edition (latest version), along with their associated 42 management processes. These processes are used throughout the Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling and Monitoring, and Closing segments of a project.

Project Integration Management

• Develop Project Charter
• Develop Project Management Plan
• Direct and Manage Project Execution
• Monitor and Control Project Work
• Perform Integrated Change Control
• Close Project or Phase

Project Scope Management

• Collect Requirements
• Define Scope
• Create WBS
• Verify Scope
• Control Scope

Project Time Management

• Define Activities
• Sequence Activities
• Estimate Activity Resources
• Estimate Activity Durations
• Develop Schedule
• Control Schedule

Project Cost Management

• Estimate Costs
• Determine Budget
• Control Costs

Project Quality Management

• Plan Quality
• Perform Quality Assurance
• Perform Quality Control

Project Human Resource Management

• Develop Human Resource Plan
• Acquire Project Team
• Develop Project Team
• Manage Project Team

Project Communications Management

• Identify Stakeholders
• Plan Communications
• Distribute Information
• Manage Stakeholder Expectations
• Report Performance

Project Risk Management

• Plan Risk Management
• Identify Risks
• Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis
• Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis
• Plan Risk Responses
• Monitor and Control Risks

Project Procurement Management

• Plan Procurements
• Conduct Procurements
• Administer Procurements
• Close Procurements