Top Entry Level Project Manager Requirements

Being a project manager is a rewarding job, but it is also demanding at the same time. A project manager is responsible for planning and executing all the activities related to project management in the organization. Maybe you are wondering about the requirements to become a project manager or maybe you are already working in a project management oriented-role and want to get certified as a project manager. So, how do you get started in project management? We’re going to talk about everything you need to know about entry-level project manager requirements.

Whatever the case, we are going to list all the requirements that you can go through to begin your career as an entry-level project manager.

Techcanvass provides one-on-one mentoring and professional guidance to help you pass the CAPM Certification and begin your career in project management.

Project Management Training, Education, and Certification

Since you want to become an entry-level project manager, you will have to go down the standard traditional method of acquiring project management training, education, and then getting certified. Here are the steps that you can follow to begin your project manager journey.

What is Project Management and who is a Project Manager?

If you are setting out to become an entry-level project manager, then you have to understand everything there is to know about project management and what are the responsibilities and roles of a project manager. You need to have a detailed idea about the project management career path before you take any other step. The roles and responsibilities of a project manager may differ in different industries along with the use of different project management techniques.

Therefore, it is important to go through the basics of project management and project managers to get an idea about your future career path.

Project Management Certifications

There are two of the most well-known project management certifications that you can opt for to pursue your project manager career path. The Certified Associate in project management (CAPM), and the Project management Professional (PMP) are both offered by the established Project Management Institute (PMI).

CAPM Certification requirements

Now, the CAPM Certification is ideal for you as it has minimum eligibility requirements. It is suitable for candidates who do have enough project management experience. The eligibility criteria for the CAPM certification is as follows:

• Secondary degree
• 23 hours of project management training/education completed before the exam.

PMP Certification requirements

The PMP certification requires a minimum of 4500 hours of work experience in the project management domain. Since you are an entry-level candidate, you can opt for the PMP certification down the line after acquiring your CAPM certification.

Begin your Project Management Education

You have to earn the minimum requirement of project management education to pursue the project management certification. In the case of a CAPM certification, you require 23 hours of project management training/education.

Now, there are several CAPM training providers authorized by the PMI, you have the option of earning these 23 hours of project management training through any registered education provider or you can easily enroll for the Project management basics online course offered by PMI.

You will have to record the training hours while applying for the CAPM certification. So make sure you keep a track of the number of hours you are spending on your project management training, what organization you took it from, and when you took the classes.

Once you have almost completed the project management training course, you can move on to the next step, which is preparing for the certification exam.

CAPM Exam Preparation

You can start preparing for the CAPM certification exam after completing the necessary training/education requirements. You can go through the CAPM handbook to understand everything there is to know about the CAPM certification. In the handbook, you will find the CAPM application process, exam structure, exam fees, certification renewal process, and much more.

Now, to understand the content syllabus, you can go through the CAPM examination content outline. It lays down all the topics covered in each section of the exam. The basic exam structure of the CAPM exam is as follows:

• 150 multiple-choice questions revolving around the 13 chapters of the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) guide 6th edition.
• The duration of the exam is 3 hours
• The exam can be given in 13 different languages.

You have to thoroughly go through various study materials for preparing for the examination, but the most important guide is the PMBOK, which you easily get from the official PMI website.

It is also important to create and stick to a study plan if you want to crack the CAPM certification exam in one attempt. You must invest at least 2-3 hours every day for your preparation.

You can also learn more about CAPM and PMP by visiting our blog related to CAPM vs PMP Certification and exploring a detailed comparison.

Apply For the PMP & CAPM Certification

This step involves going through the CAPM application process. It requires you to submit a number of documents and provide some general and educational details.

You can also apply for the PMP certification only if you meet the necessary requirements. Since you are an entry-level project manager, it might be difficult to meet all the requirements of a PMP certification.

Pass the exam and maintain the certification

The last step is to successfully clear the CAPM examination and get certified in the project management domain. However, there is a need to maintain your certification to avoid retaking the exam after the certification expires.

In the case of the CAPM certification, you have to earn 15 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. And for the PMP certification, you have to maintain 60 PDUs every three years.

Why should you pursue Project Management Certification?

A PMP certification is considered a golden standard when it comes to the project management profession and by attaining a PMP certification, you can validate your project management knowledge and skills. It can help you stand out and make you more appealing when it comes to job applications or during your job interviews.

Moreover, another most important benefit of getting a PMP certification is a lucrative salary and access to global job opportunities. As a PMP certification holder, you will enjoy more salary compared to a candidate without a PMP credential in their hands. The average salary of a project management professional as per PayScale is $90,149.

Furthermore, there is a high demand for project managers, which means getting a PMP certification is a wise choice considering the growing demand for project management professionals.

Conclusion

Pursuing the project management career path will open up great opportunities for you. You can become a project manager and lead great projects. However, the process of becoming a project manager may not be as easy as it sounds. It requires commitment and dedication to acquire a wide range of managerial skills and develop exceptional project management knowledge.The above-listed steps are your roadmap to becoming an entry-level project manager.

If you're looking to kickstart your career in project management, obtaining a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification is an essential step. By earning this certification, you'll gain foundational knowledge of project management and be equipped with the skills required to lead projects effectively. The CAPM certification is a great way to demonstrate your credibility as a project manager and increase your job prospects in the field.

At Techcanvass, we offer a comprehensive CAPM course that prepares you for the certification exam. Our course is designed to provide a thorough understanding of project management concepts and techniques, enabling you to manage projects efficiently. Our course is aligned with the latest PMBOK guide and provides you with the knowledge and skills required to pass the CAPM exam on the first attempt.

Our CAPM course is packed with features that make learning easy and enjoyable. You'll get access to self-paced learning modules, practice quizzes,question banks and mock tests that help you assess your understanding of project management concepts. You'll also have access to our dedicated support team, who are available to assist you with any queries or concerns you may have. Our course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive learning experience that sets you up for success in your project management career.

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