Complete Learning and Earning PMP® Cert: Step-by-Step from “Should I Apply?” ⏩ “I’m Certified!”

bishopphoto
Jul 3
4 min read

The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is one of the most respected and recognized credentials in the world of project management. Whether you're a federal employee, private sector professional, or a contractor looking to level up, this guide walks you through every step from the initial “should I even apply?” to the moment you become PMP certified.

Step 1: “Is PMP Right for Me?”

Before diving into applications or study guides, take a moment to reflect:

Are you leading or directing projects (activity manager, budget, procurement, etc)?
Do you want to validate your project management skills and boost your career prospects?
Do you already have some project experience, formal or informal?

If you answered yes to any of these, PMP might be the perfect next step. It’s especially relevant if you manage teams, oversee deliverables, and are responsible for timelines, budgets, or outcomes.

Step 2: Check Your Eligibility

PMI requires you to meet both education and experience thresholds. Here’s a quick look at the main pathways:

Education Level	Project Experience Required	Formal PM Education
High school diploma or associate’s degree	5 years (60 months) of leading/directing projects	35 contact hours
Four-year bachelor’s degree	3 years (36 months) of leading/directing projects	35 contact hours
Graduate from a GAC-accredited program	2 years (24 months) of leading/directing projects	Education fulfilled automatically

Bonus tip: If you already have the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®, you don’t need to submit the 35 education hours again.

Step 3: Earn 35 Contact Hours of Project Management Education

To meet the formal education requirement, you must complete 35 contact hours of PM training. These hours must come from structured learning (not self-study or on-the-job learning).

Accepted sources:

Look no further then FederalPMP.com

Step 4: Gather Your Experience Details

When filling out the application, you’ll need to describe your project experience clearly and professionally:

Each project should have defined start/end dates.
Time must be non-overlapping.
Include your role, industry, and a brief outline of responsibilities.
Emphasize leadership and direction of project tasks, not just participation.

Pro tip: PMI tracks months, not projects. So, simultaneous projects count only once for time eligibility.

Step 5: Submit the PMP Application

Head to PMI.org and create a free account. Then:

Fill out education and experience details.
Upload your 35 contact hours.
Review and submit.

PMI typically reviews applications in 5 business days. But a random percentage (our best guess is under 20%) of applications go through an audit process (more on that in a bit).

Step 6: Audit (if selected)

Don’t panic! PMI’s audit is straightforward:

You’ll need to provide proof of education (like a diploma or transcript).
You'll ask your project supervisors or managers to sign an experience verification form.
And submit any certificates for your PM education.

You have 90 days to complete the audit if selected.

Step 7: Pay the Exam Fee

Once approved, you’ll be prompted to pay:

PMI Member	Non-member
$405 USD	$555 USD

Membership isn't required, but it gets you discounts and access to a digital PMBOK® Guide — often worth it if you're planning to take more than one PMI certification.

Step 8: Schedule Your Exam

After paying, PMI will issue you an eligibility ID valid for 1 year. You can take the exam up to three times ($275 for members, $375 for non-members) in that window if needed.

Choose your exam format:

Test Center (Pearson VUE locations)
Online Proctored Exam (home setup with camera & quiet space, RECOMMENDED)

Step 9: Study Like a Pro (with US!)

The PMP exam isn’t just about memorizing PMBOK terms anymore. The current exam is based on three domains:

People (42%): Team leadership, conflict resolution, virtual teams, emotional intelligence
Process (50%): Risk, schedule, budget, scope, quality, procurement, agile delivery
Business Environment (8%): Benefits realization, compliance, organizational change

Use a blend of:

PMBOK® Guide (7th and 6th Edition)
Agile Practice Guide
Online simulators and mock exams
Other fantastic FederalPMP resources
Flashcards and study groups

Step 10: Take the Exam

The exam is:

180 questions
230 minutes
Includes two 10-minute breaks
Multiple formats: multiple choice, drag-and-drop, hotspot questions

Your score is based on performance across the three domains. You should get your pass/fail result immediately after finishing (unless it’s a paper-based test or online).

Step 11: Celebrate You’re PMP Certified!

When you pass, you’ll receive:

A digital badge from PMI
Your PMP certificate
Access to PMP branding and communities
A special thank you from FederalPMP

But your journey doesn’t end there…

Step 12: Maintain Your Certification (Every 3 Years)

You’ll need to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) over a 3-year cycle to keep your certification active. Stay tuned for a blog diving in on this topic. These can come from:

Courses
Webinars
Volunteering
Writing/blogging about project management

Final Thoughts

Getting PMP certified is a serious investment of time, effort, and often money. But it pays off. PMP-certified professionals often see higher salaries, more leadership opportunities, and greater job mobility.

Whether you’re applying from federal service, contracting, or the private sector, the roadmap is the same. And it’s doable. Join us today!