CAPM certification: Cost, salary, training, and more

What is CAPM certification?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers several globally recognized certifications in project management, and the Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM) certification is a great introductory credential to jump-start a career in the field. For those without the requisite experience for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, earning the CAPM certification can help demonstrate a commitment to project management as a profession and add credibility to your resume.

The CAPM requires passing a proctored exam at an approved test center or online. The exam focuses on project management concepts, processes, and terminology and is geared toward those interested in managing larger, more complex projects, taking on a bigger role, or expanding their project management knowledge and skills.

CAPM vs. PMP

The CAPM certification is an entry and associate-level certification by PMI available to those interested in project management or new to project management with limited or no practical experience. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is for those already working in a project management role with at least 4,500 hours leading and directing project teams.

CAPM prerequisites

To be eligible to take the CAPM you will need to have a secondary degree (high school diploma, GED, or global equivalent) and 23 hours of project management education completed by the time you take the exam. CAPM holders will need to earn 15 PDUs every three years to maintain the certification.

CAPM cost

The exam costs $225 for PMI members and $300 for non-members. Students and members receive other benefits as well, including member pricing on other resources and services. Students are given a student bundle that includes the opportunity to submit one application form to join PMI as a student member and then take the CAPM exam at the discounted member rate.

CAPM exam: What to expect

The CAPM exam is an online proctored exam through PMI with questions drawn directly from the PMBOK Guide. It consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that will need to be completed within three hours. Once you have passed the exam, you must earn 15 PDUs every three years to keep using the credentials.