The Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification is one of the most respected credentials in the field of project management. Earning it can open doors to new career opportunities, higher salaries, and recognition as a skilled leader who can deliver projects successfully.
But before you can sit for the PMP exam, you need to prove your project management experience, complete the education requirements, and prepare strategically. This PMP Preparation guide walks you through everything you need to know to get ready for PMP certification.
Step 1: Understand PMI Requirements for Project Management Experience
Before applying, know exactly what counts as project management experience. Read carefully PMI exam requirements. PMI requires experience and education. Experience must be documented across five process groups:
- Initiating: Define project purpose and objectives
- Planning: Outline scope, schedule, budget, risks, and resources
- Executing: Lead teams, coordinate work, manage deliverables
- Monitoring & Controlling: Track progress, resolve issues, manage risks
- Closing: Finalize deliverables, hand over outcomes, document lessons learned
Experience can come from professional roles or significant volunteer projects—as long as there are clear objectives, timelines, and deliverables.
Step 2: Document Your Project Experience Clearly
- Careful documentation strengthens your PMP® application. Include:
- Responsibilities: Stakeholder management, scheduling, budgeting, reporting, team leadership
- Verifiers: Supervisors or colleagues who can confirm your involvement. You only need to provide a name and a valid email. Make sure your verifiers are informed about this action.
- Accuracy is essential because PMI may audit your application.
If you get audited: PMI may audit your application, in which case you may be requested to provide supporting documents such as: project charters, plans, reports, timesheets, or contact information of verifiers. If your application is not selected for audit, you do not need to submit documents upfront. So, you should document and keep your supporting files ready, but you only provide them if requested during an audit.
For PMP® application verifiers: PMI requires just enough information to confirm your project involvement, but not detailed documents unless audited. Typically, you provide:
- Name of the verifier – Supervisor, manager, or colleague familiar with your work on the project.
- Email address – PMI may contact them directly if your application is selected for audit.
- Phone number (optional) – Sometimes requested for verification purposes.
- Role/position – Their title or relationship to you on the project.
- Project details – Brief context of the project(s) they can verify (usually listed in your application).
Verifiers don’t need to submit anything proactively. They are only contacted by PMI if your application is audited. You should always inform your verifiers in advance so they know to expect a possible email from PMI.
Step 3: Complete the Required 35 Contact Hours (PDUs)
PMI requires 35 contact hours of project management education before you can apply for the PMP exam. These hours are separate from the PDUs you earn after certification for maintaining your credential.
Acceptable sources include:
- PMI Registered Education Providers (REPs) PMP Preparation courses
- Universities or colleges – formal courses in project management or related subjects.
- Employer-sponsored programs – internal training or workshops offered by your company.
- Online courses – from recognized training platforms (Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, etc.), as long as they are structured and cover project management topics.
- Online courses, workshops, and university programs all count.
Using PMI-accredited (REP) courses for the 35 contact hours simplifies this process because PMI automatically recognizes these hours, provides exam-aligned content, and offers audit-ready certificates. Non-accredited courses can be cheaper, self-paced, and tailored to your industry, yet you must carefully document the hours and ensure the content aligns with project management principles, as PMI may review them during an audit. Many PMP candidates suggests that submitting non-REP (non-PMI-accredited) courses may slightly increase the chance of being selected for an audit. This is because PMI can more easily verify hours from REP courses, whereas non-accredited training requires extra documentation and justification, which may trigger a closer review.
Step 4: Submit Your PMP® Application
When ready:
- Create a PMI account in PMI's website.
- Fill out the application with project details and responsibilities
- Pay the exam fee
- Wait for approval (prepare for a possible audit)
- Schedule your exam with Pearson VUE (online - proctoring examination platform)
Step 5: Prepare for the Exam
The PMP® exam tests knowledge and situational judgment. Together with a PMP Prep Course, continue your preparation by:
- Studying the PMBOK® Guide and Agile Practice Guide
- Practicing with as many mock exams as you can
- Joining study groups or forums for support
Step 6: Maintain Your PMP® Certification
After certification, maintain your credential by earning 60 PDUs every three years:
- Attend training sessions, webinars, or conferences
- Engage in self-directed learning (reading, research, online modules)
- Give back to the profession (teaching, mentoring, volunteering)
Getting PMP certified is not just about passing an exam—it’s about proving you can lead projects effectively and strategically. By carefully documenting your experience, preparing with the right resources, and committing to continuous learning, you’ll not only earn your PMP credential but also elevate your career as a project management professional.
Check also this PMP FAQs section with more information about PMP preparation and application requirements.
Register for the PMP® Preparation Seminar