Frequently Asked Questions

Get Certified as a PMP^® or CAPM^®after just 3 days in classroom instruction

1. Q: Why should I consider getting certified?
   
   A: Regardless of job titles, all of us are compensated based on our ability to accomplish work. Project Management is the “art & science” of accomplishing work via the implementation of business strategy. Thus, becoming a certified project management professional communicates to your employer (or potential employers) that you have a credential that matches your ability to accomplish critical work and thereby implement business strategy. This is an indispensible skill set and the market pays a premium for it.
   
   Furthermore, there is a certain amount of prestige that comes with being internationally recognized as being one of the best in your field. If you can appreciate that then you will appreciate the professional advantages derived from being a certified PMP^® or CAPM^®. Many people have the title of "project manager" but few are certified professionals. As a PMI certified professional you are communicating to the marketplace that you have objectively demonstrated to an international governing body (PMI^®) that you have a solid foundation of knowledge, which enables you to practice the profession of project management in a competent manner.
   
   
   
   
2. Q: What is the difference between the PMP^® and the CAPM^®?
   
   A:The Project Management Professional (PMP^®) credential was designed for individuals with significant experience and maturity in the profession. Specifically, the attributes "to lead and direct" were identified as key elements of a more mature project management professional according to PMI^® and its most recent role delineation study (RDS). If you have been leading and directing projects for several years you should consider applying for the PMP^® exam. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM^®) credential was designed for the following types of individuals:
   
   
   • Those already working on project teams but do not have enough experience to qualify for the PMP^® Exam.
   
   
   • Subject Matter Experts (SME) that lend their expertise to projects on a consistent and regular basis. However, the SME is not responsible for the ultimate success or failure of The Project.
   
   
   • Those making a career change into the project management profession.
   
   
   • Those who are relatively new to the project management profession
   
   
   • Graduate or undergraduate students interested in the project management profession and the increased marketability a credential can offer them.
   
   
   
   The CAPM^® credential will build your creditability in the marketplace and corporate world because it demonstrates that you have learned The Project Management Institute's internationally accepted project management framework, have a working knowledge of the key project management processes, and understand the terminology required to demonstrate project management expertise. This will increase your confidence and enhance your employment opportunities. Via a CertifiNOW class, you will be given a sold understanding of the PMI^® project management framework and the proper paradigms for thinking about project management and the project management profession.
   
   
   
   
3. Q: How can CertifiNOW help me achieve the CAPM^® or PMP^® credential?
   
   A: CertifiNOW is the premier certification preparatory company in the industry because we specialize in advanced certification training for project management professionals. “It’s what we do. It’s all we do and we do it better than anyone else.”
   
   As a result, we guarantee our results. If PMI^® will grant you the opportunity to take either test, we will guarantee that you will pass.
   
   
   
   
4. Q: What makes CertifiNOW unique?
   
   A: We are not boring!
   
   CertifiNOW offers the best class room experience in the industry. The materials covered in the classes are intense, meticulous, and tedious, thus it take an exceptional instructor to overcome those hurdles to produce an enjoyable class room experience. The enthusiasm of a CertifiNOW instructor is legendary. There is no one in the industry that offers the energy and excitement that a CertifiNOW brings to the class room. Therefore, in addition to learning a lot, you will not be bored.
   
   The Boredom-Resistant teaching techniques and methodologies utilized by CertifiNOW have been progressively fine-tuned by our founder throughout his career and integrated into CertifiNOW in recent years. Thus, our Boredom-Resistant techniques have stood the test of time, yet they are still both modern and proven.
   
   The countless number of referrals that CertifiNOW receives from previous students and PMP^® candidates is evidence that our Boredom-Resistant approach resonates with previous students and our target audience.
   
   CertifiNOW is also unique in that we pride ourselves in customer service, classroom delivery excellence, and individual student success via the 4 pillars to our business model:
   
   
   • Time–Efficient
   
   
   • Boredom-Resistant
   
   
   • Student-Centered
   
   
   • Quality-Driven
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Q: What is The Project Management Institute?
   
   A: The Project Management Institute is the world’s leading professional association for project management. As a non-profit organization they set the unbiased global standards for the project management profession. In addition, PMI^® awards two of the most internationally known and recognized certifications: PMP^® (Project Management Professional) and CAPM^® (Certified Associate in Project Management). You can find out more about them by visiting their website at www.PMI.org . CertifiNOW is a registered education partner (REP^®) of The Project Management Institute.
   
   
   
   
6. Q: Do I receive a tax deduction?
   
   CertifiNOW recommends that you check with your accountant because tax laws change often and individual tax situations differ. However, your continuing educating expenses (course fee, travel, lodging, food & beverage expenses) could be tax deductible.
   
   
   
   
7. Q: What is the PMBOK^® Guide?
   
   A: PMBOK is the acronym for The Guide to The Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK^® Guide). It is also referred to as the PMBOK^® Guide and is in its 5th edition. To become an instructor at CertifiNOW, one must be a subject matter expert (SME) and have mastered all previous editions of the PMBOK^® Guide.
   
   The PMBOK® Guide is Project Management Institute's de facto global standard and it describes the knowledge areas, processes, and practices applicable to most projects most of the time. Thus, both the CAPM^® and PMP^® certification exams use the PMBOK^® Guide framework as a basis for exam questions.
   
   
   
   
8. Q: What should I bring to class?
   
   A: A great attitude and a willingness to have fun! CertifiNOW will provide you with all of the materials you will need for classes. Therefore, all you need to do is get a good night’s sleep, show up, and be prepared to learn a lot and have fun along the way.
   
   
   
   
9. Q: Are there any prerequisites for your classes or a way for me to get a head start?
   
   A: : No prerequisites; we provide all that you need when you show up for the course. However, if you would like to get a head start, we recommend ONLY the most current edition of the PMI^® published “A Guide to The Project Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide )”. Currently in its fourth edition, it is the only advance reading that we have found to be acceptable. All other sources including the internet, in our opinion, hinder the in-class learning experience. Thus, we highly recommend that you resist the temptation to read anything else prior to the class.
   
   
   
   
10. Q: Can I take a CertifiNOW PMP^® or CAPM^® Prep Course BEFORE I register for a PMI^® certification exam?
    
    A: Yes. In fact, we encourage it. One of the difficulties of the filling out the PMI^® application (which enable you to register for the exam), is not knowing The Project Management Institute's terminology. During our class, we teach you PMI^® terminology and give you a solid understanding of the PMI^® project management framework and the proper paradigms for thinking about project management and the project management profession. This new knowledge will help you fill-out your PMI^® application and help you register for the appropriate exam (PMP^® or CAPM^® exam).
    
    
    
    
11. Q: Is there anything else I need to know about the Project Management Institute (PMI^®) as it relates to the certification exams?
    
    A: The Project Management Institute is the world’s leading professional association for project management. The Project Management Institute awards two of the most internationally known and recognized certifications: PMP^® (Project Management Professional) and CAPM^® (Certified Associate in Project Management). You can find out more about PMI^® by visiting their website at www.PMI.org
    
    The following are NOT prerequisites to attending a CertifiNOW courses, however, they are things you may want to consider in regards to The Project Management Institute and the certification exams:
    
    Obtain PMI^® Membership:
    If one wants to sit for the CAPM^® or PMP^® exams, PMI^® membership is not a prerequisite nor an eligibility requirement. However, it is highly recommended for the following reasons:
    
    
    • The non-member cost for taking PMI certification exams exceed the combined cost of membership fees + exam fees for PMI members.
    
    
    • As a new member, you will receive a FREE copy of a the current PMBOK^® Guide . Recall that the certification exams are based on this PMI^® publication and it has been suggested that you consider reading this book prior to class.
    
    
    If you are not already a member of The Project Management Institute, and would like to join, click here. Learn about The Project Management Institute Member Benefits and apply for membership.
    
    Apply for exam eligibility:
    If you want to take the PMP^® or CAPM^® exam, you must formally apply for the exam by following the instructions in the applicable handbook and filling out an application:
    
    
    • PMP^® Handbook/PMP^® Exam application
    • CAPM^® Handbook/CAPM^® Exam Application
    
    Once your application is accepted, you will receive your Letter of Eligibility. Currently, most students who submit their applications online report a wait time of less than one week.
    
    
    
    
12. Q: Is the PMP^® Exam for Program Managers?
    
    A: Yes. The PMP^® Exam is still the primary prerequisite for most Program Management positions. The PMP^® certification demonstrates maturity as a Project Management professional. Thus, for most Program Management positions, you must pass the PMP^® Exam to become eligible for those positions. CertifiNOW has provided certification training for many PMP^® candidates who currently hold senior-level Management and Program Management positions.
    
    
    
13. Q: What are the work roles of typical students who attend CertifiNOW courses?
    
    A: CertifiNOW students span all major industries. Therefore, the following list is not all-inclusive but it does typify the work roles of many students who attend CertifiNOW courses:
    
    
    • Senior Executives
    
    
    • Project managers and project team members
    
    
    • PMO (Project Management Office) employees
    
    
    • Consultants
    
    
    • Stakeholders
    
    
    • Functional managers
    
    
    • Department managers with employees assigned on projects
    
    
    • IT professionals
    
    
    • Procurement professionals
    
    
    • Portfolio managers
    
    
    • Specialist in project management or similar disciplines and functions
    
    
    • Engineers of all varieties
    
    
    • Researchers
    
    
    • Developers
    
    
    • Subject Matter Experts (SME) in a plethora of industries across the globe
    
    
    
    
    
    
14. Q: Contact Hours vs. Professional Development Units (PDU)? Which do I need to sit for the PMP^® Exam?
    
    A: Prior to taking the PMP^® exam, you are required to have 35 contact hours. This demonstates 35 hours of Project Management education. If you have taken any previous courses in project management or any of the 10 Knowledge Areas of project management, you can use the course hours to fulfill this 35 hour contact hour requirement.

    CertifiNOW’s Prep course does the following:

    • Provides you with 27 contact hours via the 3 day course
    • Prepares you to pass both the PMP^® or CAPM^® certification exam

    PDUs are required AFTER a person earns the PMP^® certification. In other words, after you pass the PMP^® exam, you will be required to earn 60 PDUs over a three year period to maintain your PMP^® status. There are a variety of ways to earn PDUs including the attendance of PMI^® Chapter meetings.
    
    
    

15. Q: Why did the PMP^® Exam change in January 2016?
    
    A: The PMP^® exam was updated based on The Project Management Institute's most recent Role Delineation Study (RDS), which was published in August 2015. The changes were not based on inadequacies in the of the PMBOK® Guide Fifth Edition. The Fifth Edition PMBOK^® Guide is still the newest edition and it reflects a focus on improved consistency and clarity, relative to previous editions of the PMBOK^® Guide. Great consideration was given by The Project Management Institute to remove redundant information and add clarifying statements. Terminology was also updated to provide consistency across the Project Management Knowledge Areas and other PMI Global Standards. In addition to adding a new Project Management Knowledge Area, PMI^® placed an additional emphasis on the distinction between Stakeholder Management and Communications Management. Regarding the new PMP^® Exam, it will now reflect the RDS published by PMI^® in August 2015. New questions will continue to be produced, tested, and then used to replace older questions on a periodic schedule. Please remember that PMI^® Standards (e.g., Role Delineation Study, PMBOK^® Guide, etc.) are only one component within the full project management body of knowledge, therefore the best way to assure a successful PMP^® or CAPM^® Exam experience is to schedule and take a CertifiNOW PMP^® or CAPM^® Prep course. See our current schedule.
    
    
    
    



16. Q: How often will The Project Management Institute update the credential examinations?
    
    A: The last update was January 2016. PMI^® Certification exams are updated based on a schedule determined by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements standards, updates to the PMBOK Guide^® and/or the publication of a new role delineation study (RDS). Therefore, it safe to assume that PMI^® exams and the PMBOK^® Guide will be updated at lease every 5 years.
    
    



17. Q: When studying for a PMI^® credential exam, which edition of the PMBOK^® Guide should I use?
    
    A: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge(PMBOK^® Guide), Fifth Edition, is the current version and the version you need to study for either the PMP^® or CAPM^® exams.
    
    
    
    
18. Q: What are the requirements for the PMP^® exam vs. the CAPM^® exam?
    
    A: The following are links to the PMI^® website that explain the requirements for each exam:
    
    
    • CAPM^® Exam Requirements:
      http://www.pmi.org/Certification/Certified-Associate-in-Project-Management-CAPM.aspx
    
    
    • PMP^® Exam Requirements:
      http://www.pmi.org/Certification/Project-Management-Professional-PMP.aspx