Can I skip CAPM and go to PMP?

It goes further to also provide the opportunity of taking the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam without having to undertake the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification exam. However, and even so the CAPM is the less demanding of the two, whether or not to forgo the PMP depends on the following.

The two certifications’ general prerequisites for its holder are almost similar though with some variation. Costing up to $149, the CAPM is for these who have some project management experience or training, to which, an associate degree and twice twenty three hours of project management training or 1,500 hours of project experience are required. On the other hand, the PMP is meant for practicing project managers with the PM-EM targeted at the following candidates; four-year degree, 36 months of project leading, 35 hours of project management education training or CAPM certification.

The topics and their degree of complexity also differ as a result of these innovations in the multimedia content. CAPM test relates to project management concepts and its key terms; the PMP test is even harder than CAPM. Hence, the PMP exam is more inclusive of various aspects of project management, emphasizes on applicative content, and is regarded as being harder.

CAPM can actually come in handy if one is new in project management or has intents to be a project manager in the near future. However, if they have the working experience especially in project management and confident enough to pass the PMP exam, then it will be wiser to take directly for PMP.

PMP has been deemed very crucial and is almost acknowledged in every region as well as the majority of firms employ it as the benchmark for the foremost project management positions. It will also help a lot in enhancing the career path of choice and total earnings in the process. But it can still be of value, if one has to take the thirty-five hours education required for the PMP. You may use the CAPM exam prep course to satisfy this requirement and this may be efficient than having to do it on your own.

In any case, the decision is made according to your previous experience, your position, and maybe what you can do in the distant future. It remains advantageous to dissect every possible certification and its advantages and disadvantage before passing a decision. However, it should be noted that regardless of which of the two tests you intend to take, preparation is imperative, therefore, do not hesitate to spend on the prep books, practice tests, and training courses.

Resources: Project Management Institute. (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Seventh Edition and The Standard for Project Management (English). Project Management Institute, Inc.