What is a CAPM Certification?

Who should apply for CAPM Certification?

PMI launched the CAPM certification in 2003, which is about 19 years later when PMP was launched. The sole purpose of launching the CAPM certification was to enable professionals with less project management experience earn a certification that would demonstrate their project management skills and knowledge.

You should apply for the CAPM Certification, if:

• You wish to enter into the field of project management.
• You require more project management experience.
• You are a project manager, but don't meet the PMP’s prerequisites.
• You want to apply for PMP certification down the line.

Is CAPM worth it?

After understanding what CAPM Certification is, you might be wondering whether this certification is worth your time and efforts. Here is what you can expect from CAPM Certification.

Benefits of CAPM Certification

Becoming a Certified Associate in Project Management validates the associate’s knowledge and experience along with their abilities to handle challenging responsibilities. Acquiring a CAPM Certification opens up opportunities for candidates in nearly every industry. Here are some benefits of a CAPM Certification:

• Global and better career opportunities - There is an increasing demand for candidates with project management skills in almost every organization and industry. Earning a CAPM Certification will allow candidates to bag good career opportunities globally as CAPM is a globally recognized certification. PMI says that By 2030, the world will need 25 million new project management-focused employees to keep up with demand.
• Personal growth and professional development - CAPM Certification is a path towards personal growth and professional development among candidates. The learning journey of the CAPM Certification course fosters confidence and competence among the candidates, making them aware of best practices to manage and lead challenging projects. Worldwide, 1.6 million people have a PMI certification including CAPM Certification.
• Increased salary prospects - A CAPM Certification is likely to increase the candidate’s salary by 25%. While the salary depends on various factors such as industry, job description, and country, the certification adds value to any resume. The average salary of a Certified Associate in Project Management can range from Rs 5,47,000- Rs 2,000,000 in India.

CAPM salary and jobs

As per job roles

CAPM Certification can help you get into various entry-level project management jobs where the salary can vary for different job roles and different countries. Here is everything you need to know about the CAPM salary in different countries and as per different job positions.

A CAPM can work in different job roles such as project coordinator, project manager, program manager, junior project manager, and so on. Here is the salary structure as of 2023 for a CAPM in different job roles.

Job Role	Salary Per Annum (USD)
Junior Project Manager	$57,236
Associate Project Manager	$63,315
Project Manager	$77,428
Project Analyst	$63,043
Project Coordinator	$52,952
Program Manager	$88,741
Program Analyst	$71,977
Project Control Specialist	$76,452
Project Management Specialist	$73,433
Project Specialist	$60,784

In various countries

The CAPM demand is highest in the USA, UK, India, Canada, and Australia. Here is the salary structure of CAPM as per country.

Country	Currency	Salary Per Annum (USD)
India	INR	681k
US	USD	68k
Canada	CAD	60k
United Kingdom	GBP	40k
Australia	AUD	90k
South Africa	ZAR	367k
New Zealand	NZD	76k
Ireland	EUR	45k
Singapore	SGD	50k
United Arab Emirates	AED	81k

What does a CAPM do?

The CAPM exam requires candidates to demonstrate skills in five functional processes of the PMBOK framework. These include the following:

• Start a project - The project manager lays down the objectives and scope of the project.
• Plan and budget - It involves developing an action plan for setting up a budget and determining project deliverables. A CAPM helps in estimating the costs per process and cost of the project.
• Execute the project - Different work teams execute individual assignments. The project manager keeps a track of the progress.
• Control and track - A project manager must have the flexibility and problem-solving skills to ensure the project teams adhere to set budgets and deadlines.
• Finish and close - Certified Associate in Project Management collaborates with the project manager for verifying the completion of the projection.

What are the qualifications for the CAPM Certification?

To be eligible for the CAPM Certification, you will need to have the following qualifications:

• Secondary degree, such as a high school diploma, GED (general educational development), or global equivalent
• Requirement of 23 hours of project management training/education completed before sitting for the exam.

What is the CAPM exam application process?

If you want to take the CAPM exam, you have to go through an application process by providing all the necessary details to verify that you meet all the requirements for the exam. The application process starts as soon as you start filling the application form. Here are some highlights you need to keep in mind during your application process.

• You have to complete your application within 90 days once you start.
• On submission, it takes up to 5-7 business days to review your application for completeness.

What are the few steps to follow?

You can go through the entire application process in the CAPM handbook. You can expect the following steps for your application process.

• Check your eligibility - The first step before starting your application process is to check whether you are eligible for the CAPM exam. You can check the eligibility criteria mentioned above.
• Fill out the application form - If you are eligible to apply for the CAPM exam, you can start filling out the application form. You can easily find the application form online on the PMI website. You can take up to 90 days to fill out your application form. You need to fill out two different sections of the application form including a general education section and a section for your project management experience. After filling out the entire application form, you must recheck the information before you submit it for approval. Finally, go through and agree with the PMI Code of Ethics and professional conduct before submitting the form.
• CAPM application completeness review and fee payment - After submitting your application form, PMI can take up to 24 hours-5 days to review your application form. On successful completeness review, you will get a confirmation email. After which you can pay your exam fees and schedule the exam.
• CAPM Audit - There are chances that PMI may select your application for an audit. The audit process is a way for PMI to quality-check your application. However, the audit process is completely random and PMI may or may not select your application for an audit. You will receive an email if PMI selects your application for an audit. You might have to submit copies of educational certifications, experience certifications, among other requirements. The PMI audit process usually takes up to 5-7 business days. After the audit process, you will receive an email either for rejection or acceptance of your application form.
• Schedule the CAPM exam date - If PMI does not select your application for an audit, then you will receive a confirmation email with a code to schedule your CAPM exam date.

CAPM exam cost

The cost structure for the CAPM exam is as follows:

• PMI members: ₹12,202.00
• Non-PMI members: ₹16,218.00

The candidates can become PMI members by opting for a membership plan that costs ₹7,646.00/year along with a one-time ₹772/year application fee. PMI membership comes with its perks for the candidates such as access to the project management job board, complimentary download of the PMBOK guide.

CAPM exam format and syllabus

CAPM exam format

• The CAPM examination exam is a multiple-choice question based exam. In updated version, candidates can attend the exam in 8 different languages. After completing the exam, candidate will receive a mail which will inform them about the result. On majority of the people who scored more than 80% in the simulator test will pass the real exam.
• All the questions are arranged randomly covering the topics Project Management Fundamentals and its Core Concepts, Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies, Agile Frameworks/Methodologies, Business Analysis Frameworks throughout the examination.
• This CAPM exam should be taken in a test center or an online proctored exam, which is a timed assessment administered through an online platform that supervises the applicant's desktop activity, webcam video, and audio.
• In CAPM examination you have 3 hours to complete the examination.
• There are a total 150 questions which has multiple choices to pick as an answer.
• In those 150 questions,15 are the pretest questions. Pretest questions are used in exams as an efficient and legal way to test the validity of subsequent examination questions. These pretest questions have no bearing on the final score.
• In those 3 hours’ time, you will have a break for 10 minutes.
• The break will appear when you finish your first 75 questions and review them all. You should be attentive at this part, because once you finish reviewing your answers and start your break, you might not be able to return to the previous session.
• In this examination you also have a tutorial. Addition to that there will be a survey. Both of which are optional. It may take 5 to 15 minutes to complete. This time will not be compromised with the prearranged time of 3 hours for the examination.

Exam retake policy

• We recommend that you keep studying and retake the exam if you don't pass it the first time. Within your 1-year eligibility period, you may take the test up to three times.
• You are required to wait one year from the date of the final exam after three failed attempts before reapplying for the certification.
• This policy is intended to protect exam security while also limiting individual candidates' exposure to examination questions. You are free to apply for whichever additional PMI certifications in these years.

New syllabus for CAPM Exam

Domain Areas	Weightage
Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts	36%
Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies	17%
Agile Frameworks/Methodologies	20%
Business Analysis Frameworks	27%

Boost your training for the CAPM exam

You have the option of self-studying or you can opt for different CAPM training courses. Here are a few options that you opt for the CAPM training.

1. PMI-Project Management Basics

PMI is offering a course on Project management basics that will help you prepare for the CAPM certification exam. The course includes various lessons from the PMBOK Guide-6th edition, you can access the 20-minute online modules to prepare for your exam. The price for the PMI PM basics course is $400 (non-PMI members) and $350 (PMI members).

2. Techcanvass’s CAPM Training Course

Techcanvass offers a comprehensive entry-level project management training course that offers you real life projects and case studies to work on along with mock questions to prepare you for the actual CAPM exam.

The Project Management Body of Knowledge(PMBOK) serves as the foundation for the entry-level or associate-level PMI certification known as Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Skills Covered:

• Project Management Basics
• Resource Management
• Risk Planning and Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Requirements Management
• Creating plan with MS Project
• Project Planning and Scheduling

3. Techcanvass’s PMP Course

Techcanvass is also offering a PMP course for experienced Project management professionals. This course can be the right option for you if you wish to clear your PMP exam on your first attempt. Through this course, you get access to 2000+ mock questions, sessions led by PMI authorized instructors, among others.

Why Techcanvass PMP Certification:

• PMI-authorized and certified instructors
• Have Online/Offline access to trainers and experts
• Special Workshops/ Mock Practice sessions
• Question Bank with 2000 Questions
• 180-day access to Online Sessions (Flexi-Pass)

4. Google Project Management Professional Certificate

Start your career in the quickly growing project management industry with a professional degree from Google. Learn to manage projects both traditionally and agilely while honing your strategic communication skills. The course lasts for six months and requires ten hours of study per week to complete.You don't need a degree or any prior experience for this course.

Here is what you will discover:

• Learn in-depth the methods and skills necessary to be effective at the entry level of project management.
• Learn how to create effective project artifacts and documentation during the various project phases.
• Mastering the principles of Agile project management by concentrating on carrying out Scrum events, producing Scrum artifacts, and comprehending Scrum responsibilities.

Click here to Sign Up for this Certification for Free.

What is the CAPM recertification process?

PMI offers a renewal process for CAPM Certification that allows candidates to keep the CAPM certificates valid even after the expiration of the validity and without retaking the exam. Candidates can renew their certificates by earning 15 Professional Development Units (PDUs) within 3 years of the certification cycle.

Here are the steps you need to follow for CAPM Certification renewal.

• Earn 15 PDUs within 3 years of the certification cycle.
• Navigate to your PMI profile and enter your PDUs.
• Pay the renewal fees
  $60 (PMI members)
  $150 (Non-PMI members)

The 15 PDUs are broken down as 9 PDUs earned through continued professional development education and 6 PDUs earned through Giving back to the industry. The 9 PDUs are further broken down as:

• 2 PDUs in leadership
• 2 PDUs in technical areas
• 2 PDUs in strategic and business management
• 3 PDUs from other topic area

Alternatively, the 6 Giving back PDUs can be earned through volunteering or mentoring on PMI boards and committees or creating content on project management.

What are the skills needed to pass the CAPM exam?

A few skills that are needed to pass the CAPM exam are as follows:

What are the Skills of a successful Project Manager?

A successful project manager has a versatile skill set that includes a number of technical project management skills, strategic and business management skills, and leadership skills. Let’s take a look at these skills in their depth.

What are the differences between CAPM & PMP Certifications?

	CAPM	PMP
Who is it for?	Entry-level project management candidates	Candidates with 3 or more years of project management experience.
Eligibility requirement	• Secondary degree • 23 hours of project management experience	• 4 year degree with 36 months of project management experience, or • high school diploma or associates degree with 60 months of project management experience • 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM certification for both
Exam format	• 150 multiple-choice questions • 180 minutes	• 180 questions(multiple-choice, multiple responses, matching, hot area, and limited fill-in-the-blank) • 230 minutes
Exam cost	• ₹12,202.00 (PMI members) • ₹16,218.00 (PMI non-members)	• ₹21,933.00(PMI members) and • ₹30,042.00(PMI non-members)
Avg. Base Salary (INR)	₹693k/ year	₹2m/ year
Difficulty level	• The CAPM certification is designed for entry-level project management professionals. • It is relatively easier and is based on the 6th edition of the PMBOK Guide.	• The PMP certification is designed for experienced project management professionals, and is therefore challenging to clear and achieve. • It requires more than just the PMBOK guide for the exam preparation.
Benefits	• A CAPM certification demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge of Project management framework, processes, and methodologies, making them stand out from among the pools of candidates.	• A PMP certification is considered the golden standard when it comes to project management. It is widely-recognized for project managers around the globe, which enables the PM professional to enjoy global job opportunities. A PMP certification can help candidates earn 16% more median salary than a non-PMP certified candidate.
Potential job titles	• Entry-level Project Manager • Associate project Manager • Project Manager	• Senior Project Manager • Senior Program Manager
Jobs postings that mention certification on Indeed (Feb 2022)	1,285	23,548

Conclusion

The CAPM Certification can be your first stepping stone to build your career in the field of project management. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for the CAPM Certification and start your journey as a Certified Associate in Project Management.

The CAPM certification is a widely recognized and highly valued credential. Data shows that CAPM-certified individuals earn on average 20% more than non-certified project managers. But, does holding a CAPM Certification can help you bag a high-paying job? The answer is No.

Along with the CAPM credential, you should also learn how to crack the interviews by putting your best foot forward. Our CAPM Certification training involves rigorous Job interview orientation sessions.

This can include mock interviews, where you can practice answering common interview questions and receive feedback on your responses. Additionally, you will also gain tips on how to effectively communicate your experience and qualifications during an interview.

If you have any queries, let us know in the comments below.