How many hours of study are required to be eligible for a PMP certification?

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification eligibility criteria include acquiring a certain number of contact hours of formal project management education. The requirement is to have completed a minimum of 35 contact hours of project management education. Here's a breakdown of what this means:

1. Contact Hours:

   • The 35 contact hours refer to formal education hours in project management. These hours can be acquired through various training programs, courses, or workshops that focus on project management principles and practices.

2. Formal Education Providers:

   • Contact hours must be obtained from formal education providers, which can include Project Management Institute (PMI) Authorized Training Partners (ATPs) or PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s). These providers offer courses that align with PMI's standards and cover the necessary topics for PMP certification.

3. Training Programs:

   • Participating in a PMP training program is a common way to accumulate the required contact hours. These programs often cover the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) and other essential project management concepts.

4. Online or In-Person Training:

   • Contact hours can be earned through both online and in-person training programs. Online training has become increasingly popular, providing flexibility for candidates to complete the educational requirement remotely.

5. Course Duration:

   • The duration of training programs varies. Some programs are designed to be completed in a few days through intensive sessions, while others may offer a more extended format spread over several weeks.

6. Certification of Completion:

   • Upon completing the training program, participants typically receive a certificate of completion or documentation confirming the earned contact hours. This documentation is a requirement when applying for the PMP exam.

7. Documenting Contact Hours:

   • When applying for the PMP exam, candidates need to provide evidence of completing the 35 contact hours. This documentation is submitted as part of the application process.

It's essential to choose a training program from a reputable PMI Authorized Training Partner or Registered Education Provider to ensure that the contact hours are recognized by PMI. Additionally, candidates should check the latest requirements on the official PMI website, as policies may be subject to updates or changes.