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There are many different professional certifications that you can get. If you’re looking to make a career out of project management, then the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and the Project Management Professional certifications are good places to look.
That may leave you wondering, however, what the difference is between the two. Is one more rigorous than the other? Do you get one certification before the other? Or are they roughly equivalent?
Both certifications are valuable. However, the CAPM is aimed more at students and those looking to go into project management, while the PMP is aimed more at those who have experience and the field and want to get a certification to prove it.
Key Takeaways:
| Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) | Project Management Professional (PMP) |
|---|---|
| It’s a certification aimed at those just getting into project management. | It’s a certification aimed at experienced project managers. |
| Requires at least a high school diploma and 35 hours of training in order to register for the exam. | Requires at least a high school diploma, five years of experience, and 35 hours of training, or a CAPM Certification. If you have a four-year degree, then you only need three years’ worth of experience. |
| This is an excellent way to get started in project management. | This is an excellent way to showcase experience and further your career. |
| The exam has 150 questions with a three-hour time limit. | The exam has 180 questions and a 230-minute time limit. |
What Is a CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)?
The Certified Associate in Project Management certification is a way to show that you have the education and interest in leading projects and project management as a whole. There are requirements that you have to meet to be certified, as well as an exam that you have to pass.
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The CAPM is aimed at those pursuing higher education. You can’t get a CAPM without at least a high school diploma. There are also requirements for education or training that you have to meet before being able to take the exam.
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You have to take an exam. There is an exam you must pass in order to receive your certification. It’s 150 questions related to project management and what you would have learned in your project management education or training. It has a three-hour time limit.
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There are requirements you have to meet. These are prerequisites before you can sign up to take the exam. At the minimum, you must have:
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A high school diploma or associate’s degree
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35 hours of project management education or training
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What Is a PMP (Project Management Professional)?
Gaining the title of Project Manager Professional (PMP) is generally something done once you’ve been a project manager for a time. It shows that you have experience, expertise, and drive.
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The PMP is aimed at those who already have experience in project management. Unlike the CAPM, you need experience in product management in order to get the PMP.
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Requires an exam to be certified. The exam has 180 questions, which dropped from the previous 200. However, they scored the same number of questions as they did before. You will have 230 minutes to complete the exam, with two 10-minute breaks.
The questions are a mix of multiple choice, multiple responses, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and hot area questions.
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Has a long time commitment. As work experience is required for this certification, there’s a significant time commitment in order to complete it. At the very least, you need three years’ worth of experience.
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There are two different prerequisites you can meet. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree or higher, then you can make up for it by having more experience. In order to apply to take the exam, you need:
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A bachelor’s degree.
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Three years experience in leading programs.
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35 hours worth of project management, training, or a CAPM Certification.
Or:
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A high school diploma or associate’s degree.
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Five years worth of experience in leading projects
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35 hours worth of project management, training, or a CAPM Certification.
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Tips on choosing a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or a Project Management Professional (PMP)
The main difference between the two certifications is whether or not you need project management experience to get it. That makes the PMP Certification more prestigious, as it shows that you have experience in addition to your education.
Here are some questions to ask yourself.
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Am I just starting out in project management? If so, then the CAPM is what you want, not the PMP. You won’t have nearly the experience to get it yet – and not for a while.
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How much of a time commitment am I willing to put into my certification? The CAPM has a much shorter time commitment – just 35 hours worth of training.
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Do I want to make project management a long-term career? Or might I change my mind? If you’re not sure about your long-term interest in project management, aim for the CAPM. It requires much less of a time commitment and is an excellent way to start.
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How much do I want to spend on the exam? At the project management institute, the exam fee for the CAPM is $300, but for the PMP, it’s $550.
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) vs. Project Management Professional (PMP) FAQ
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Should I take the CAPM before the PMP?
It’s a good idea to get the CAPM Certification before the PMP. The CAPM Certification shows that you’re educated in how to manage projects, and it’s an excellent certification to get during or right after finishing a degree. When getting your PMP, an active CAPM Certification can substitute for the training hours as well.
However, if you don’t have it and meet all the requirements for the PMP, there’s no real reason to get CAPM.
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What is the CAPM pass percentage?
The CAPM pass percentage is said to be 61%, though not every organization that offers it releases statistics.
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How do I prepare for the CAPM exam?
The best way to prepare is through practice exams. Many different groups offer practice exam questions, and it’s also possible to purchase books of sample questions. There are also tutoring opportunities and other information about the test available.
The CAPM Certification Handbook will also offer a lot of information on it. It can be found for free on the Project Management Institute’s website.
Author
Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.
