TSP Knowledge Base

1. Application Submission – 90 days

The good thing about the PMP application is that you fill it out in bits, save your progress, come back at a later time or date and keep repeating the cycle till the application is complete. You have 90 days from the days you started your application to complete the application. If you have not completed the application by day 90, it will be marked as expired and you will be required to start all over again.

2. Application Review – 5 calendar days

After your application is completed and submitted, PMI typically takes 5 days to review the application. The result of the review will either be a decision to audit or approve the application. If the application is approved, you will receive instructions on how to pay via email and your PMI account. If your application is audited, you will receive instructions on what is needed from you to meet the audit requirements via email and your PMI account as well.

3. Audit process – 90 days

You are required to get your audit materials to the PMI office in Newton Square, PA by day 90 at the latest after your application has been randomly chosen for audit. You will be typically required to provide the following:

Copies of your degree certificate or transcripts
Proof of your project management education (contact hours)
References from colleagues, supervisors, managers, project sponsors, etc to support your project management experience claims.

4. Submit Audit Materials for review – 5-7 Business days

PMI requires a period of 5-7 Business days to review your application. Your application will either be declined or approved after your materials have been reviewed. If your application is declined, you will be advised why the application was declined so that you can know where improvement is needed should you decide to reapply. If your application is approved, you will be advised to pay the certification fee.

5. Pay Certification Fee – 1 Calendar year to pass in a maximum of 3 attempts

You are eligible to pay your certification fee after you successfully pass the audit process. You will get an email with instructions on how to make payment. Follow the instructions when you are ready to make the payment. You have up to 1 calendar year and a maximum of 3 attempts to pass the certification after you have been approved.

6. Examination schedule – 1 Calendar year to pass in a maximum of 3 attempts

You will be advised you can now schedule your certification after your payment has been successfully processed. You can either schedule an in-person test at a test center or sit for your exam online from the convenience of your home/office. Both options are supervised by a proctor. You have up to 1 year and a maximum of 3 attempts from the date you have been cleared to take the exam to pass it. You will be required to wait for a period of 1 year from the date of the last exam to reapply if you fail it 3 times within a calendar year.

7. Applicant Credentialed – 3 years

When you successfully pass your examination, you will be credentialed for a period of 3 years. You will however need to bear in mind that you have to maintain the credential by acquiring Professional Development Units (PDUs).

8. Certification maintenance – 60 PDUs to renew

For the PMP, you require 60 PDUs every 3-year cycle to maintain the credential. PDUs can be obtained by education or giving back. This could include:

Attending and/or speaking at PMI related seminars
Attending and/or speaking at PMI chapter events
Attending and/or speaking at PMI organized conferences
Practicing as a Project Manager
Creating training materials and teaching project management courses

It is important to note the PDUs acquired should be related to the PMI talent triangle of:

Technical project management
Leadership
Strategic and Business Management

9. Certification renewal – 60 PDUs and a renewal fee

You are eligible to renew your certification after you have successfully submitted your PDUs and they have been approved. Your credential can be renewed anytime before the expiration of the 3 year period. A fee of $60 is payable by members and $150 by non-members. Upon successful payment, an additional 3 years will be added to your account. Your account will display active and In good standing.

10. Certification suspension

If you do not maintain your certification, your account will be suspended for a period of 1 year after the end of the 3 years

11. Certification expiration

You will lose your credential if you do not renew your certification at the end of the 1 year period following credential suspension. You will need to reapply for the credential if you desire the certification again.