CAPM vs PMP: Which Certification is Better?

Deciding which project management certification works best for your career can be a difficult choice. There are many options available depending on the industry you intend to enter.

Two that are especially hard to pick between are CAPM certification and PMP certification. After all, each represents a different level of education and experience. A Certified Associate in Project Management is viewed by many as easier to obtain, whereas the Project Management Professional distinguishes the holder as a professional experienced in the field.

So which one is right for you?

We’ve assembled a guide that will help you decide whether CAPM or PMP certification is right for you and your career goals. We’ll compare and contrast the two in terms of time, experience, salary, and more!

Why Get Project Management Certification in the First Place?

Why should you consider certification geared towards this industry in the first place? Mark. A Langley, President and CEO of the Project Management Institute (PMI) said it best:

“Project leaders are becoming even more essential as organizations recognize that strategy is implemented through projects and programs, and as disruptive technology frees them from mundane routines, providing more opportunity to innovate. ” – Mark A. Langley

As the workforce moves toward a culture of specialized projects, proving that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for effective management of a project is vital. One of the ways you can quickly show potential employers that you have the education and training that they’re looking for is with certification. And the most common choices for both students and employers is CAPM or PMP certification.

We’ll go over the differences between the two below:

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CAPM vs PMP: Eligibility Requirements

One of the major differences between these two credentials is their eligibility requirements.

The CAPM is easier to obtain than the PMP, requiring fewer hours and less education than the latter.

For this reason, the CAPM is a better option for individuals with limited project management experience and education, who are looking to get their foot in the door and stand out to potential employers.

Here’s a list of the CAPM requirements:

• A high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent
• 1500 hours of project work experience OR
• 23 hours of formal project management education

The CAPM makes certification in project management possible even for high school graduates with no four-year degree. They can simply take a Project Management course, either online or in-person, to satisfy the requirement and sit for the CAPM exam. In fact, the PMI offers a Project Management Basics course that satisfies the 23-hour requirement; you can even take this course at your own pace, which is useful for distance learning or nontraditional students.

In contrast, the eligibility requirements to take the PMP exam are a little more rigorous. Like the CAPM, there are two avenues to obtaining your PMP.

The first set of eligibility requirements for the PMP exam are:

• High school diploma, secondary degree or global equivalent
• Minimum of five years/ 60 months project work experience, with 7500 of those hours spent leading/ directing a project
• 35 hours of formal project management training

The second set of eligibility requirements for the PMP exam are:

• Bachelor’s degree or global equivalent
• Minimum of three years/ 36 months project work experience, with at least 4,500 of those hours being spent leading/ directing a project
• 35 hours of formal project management training

Because of the years required in both avenues of earning eligibility for the PMP exam, the PMP certification is recommended for professionals who have been practicing project management for a while and have gained plenty of experience. On the other hand, the CAPM certification is a great way to get your foot in the door to get on project teams and help you earn the hours needed to take the PMP exam.

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CAPM vs. PMP: Cost

Another key difference between the CAPM and PMP credential is the certification exam cost. The PMP is nearly double the cost of the CAPM examination in terms of pricing. To sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam, the fees are as follows:

• PMP exam, PMI member: $425
• PMP exam, non-member: $675
• PMI individual membership: $179 a year (optional, but it cuts the PMP exam fee)

PMP renewal is 60 PDUs every three years, not another full exam. If you fail the first attempt, PMI charges a separate re-examination fee. Confirm the current retake price on the PMP page.

In contrast, the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification costs are lower. Here are the fees set out by the PMI for the CAPM exam:

• CAPM Exam Fee for PMI Members: $225
• CAPM Exam Fee for Non PMI Members: $300

In the event that you don’t pass the first time, the re-examination fee won’t break the bank quite like the PMP’s will:

• CAPM Re-Examination Fee for PMI Members: $150
• CAPM Re-Examination Fee for Non-PMI Members: $200

Although at first glance the CAPM may seem by far the better deal with it’s lower price point, there is another factor that makes the more expensive price tag of the PMP certification worth it.

That incentive is the prospective salary difference between CAPM and PMP designation holders.

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CAPM vs. PMP: The Exam

There are some pretty marked differences between the exams for the CAPM and the PMP.

For one, the PMP exam is longer: 180 questions in 4 hours, versus 150 questions in 3 hours for the CAPM.

Here’s the current PMP exam breakdown from PMI:

• A total of 180 questions
• Allotted time: 4 hours, with two 10-minute breaks
• Pearson VUE test center or online proctoring

The exam covers different portions of the project management process. The percentage breakdown of questions on the test according to the PMP Exam Content Outline is:

1. People 33%
2. Process 41%
3. Business Environment 26%

Even the most experienced project management professionals are encouraged to study for the exam at length, as well as brush up on the most recent edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide, or PMBOK®.

Because re-examination fees are so costly, is it highly recommended that you look into some test taking tips. You can start by studying at length, using refresher courses, and enrolling in training sessions offered by Registered Education Providers (R.E.Ps) in your area.

In contrast, the CAPM exam is used to prove knowledge of skills and terminology. Instead of testing on the various phases of project management, this examination has a more general breakdown of topics.

According to PMI’s current CAPM outline, the 150 questions (135 scored, 15 pretest) break down as:

1. Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts 36%
2. Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies 17%
3. Agile Frameworks/Methodologies 20%
4. Business Analysis Frameworks 27%

The main difference between the two exams is that the CAPM displays a general understanding of the terminology and practices found in the PMBOK, while the PMP exam demonstrates a precise working knowledge of project management in each of its phases.

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CAPM vs. PMP: Continuing Certification Requirements

The last main difference between earning either of these credentials is their maintenance through Continuing Professional Education (CPE).

Unlike most of the topics previously covered in this article, PMP holders must maintain their status with Continuing Certification Requirements (CCRs.) These requirements are in place to ensure that PMP holders are continually experiencing educational and professional development. This helps make sure PMPs are equipped to handle changing needs in the workforce, technology, and methodologies of the industry.

Each Project Management Professional must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) during each cycle, including two types of PDUs.

Each PMP must earn:

• 35 Educational PDUs- These are learning opportunities that expand your skill-set
• 25 Giving Back PDU’s- Activities that allow you to share and use your project management skills to give back to the profession as a whole.

Not only must a PMP credential holder commit to educational and professional growth opportunities as a part of their recertification application, they also have a shorter window until they must take this exam.

PMP holders renew with 60 PDUs in each three-year cycle. They do not sit a recertification exam if those PDUs are complete. CAPM holders renew with 15 PDUs every three years. Confirm both on PMI’s certification pages.

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