Towards PMP Certification: Steps Before and After Taking Your PMP Online Course

A PMP credential can open many doors of opportunities for you. It can lead to higher pay, more challenging work, and personal satisfaction if only you can attach those three all-important letters to your list of Bas, BSAs, MBAs, PhDs, and other acronyms representing your achievements. Your PMP online course is just a step, albeit a major one, in getting your PMP certification. Here are the steps.

Before PMP Online Course

You just do not purchase an online course at the drop of a hat. First, you have to read the Project Management Institute (PMI) Credentials Handbook, which is available online at the PMI site. You will spend approximately half an hour to read and understand the process involved in securing your PMP certification, which is time well spent considering that you will be enlightened on the basic guidelines of eligibility requirements and the application process.

Second, you have to make sure that you are eligible to take the PMP examination. The Credentials Handbook sets requirements on educational attainment, professional project management experience in terms of months acquired and hours logged, and a uniform 35 hours of Project Manager related training. The PMP online course from a PMI Registered Education Provider is counted as PM-related training. Since the number of hours logged runs in the 4,500-7,500 range, being a pack rat of your certifications is a huge help.

Third, you have to sign up for the PMP examination. You have to follow a timetable on when you will actually take the examination, instead of setting an ambiguous date. To accomplish this, you can sign up online via the PMU website as soon as possible.

Fourth, you have to read the definitive Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide (if that is a mouthful, try PMBOK Guide). If possible, read it twice thoroughly. It is definitive because most of the examination questions are from this guide alone! How does knowing 75% of the answers sound to you?

During PMP Online Course

First, you have to sign up for a PMP online course because the other 25% of the examination questions will be discussed. Though the PMBOK Guide is definitive, you will encounter vague concepts that need further translation into everyday situations.

Second, if you still have the time and the energy, you can attend PMP workshops. You will get additional examination tips, you can de-stress with fellow candidates and you can hobnob with your mentors.

Third, you have to put your mind into the course. You should read the training manuals, answer the sample questions, and monitor your progress. You have to study hard and study even harder when you see room for improvement. Indeed, there simply is no sense in wasting good money, be it corporate sponsorship or personal funds, when you can take full advantage of the opportunity for advancement.

After the PMP Online Course

There really is only one step in this area - take the exam! Your cold feet should not get in the way of the final step towards securing your PMP certification. All your studying and pouring of blood, sweat and tears in memorizing the PMBOK Guide and in acquiring work experience deserve self-confidence during the PMP examination itself.

When you have successfully passed the exam, you will realize that the long journey (eight years of experience, no less!) towards PMP certification was worth every penny and every step.