Is Getting a CAPM Certification Worth It?

One entry-level Project Management Certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is the Certified Associate Project Management (CAPM) Certification. So, if you are just getting your feet wet in the Project Management domain, CAPM Certification is worth your investment.

A career in Project Management is a smart choice considering the growing demand for project managers globally. If you want to choose Project Management as your profession, then getting the right credentials can help you excel and advance your career journey.

In this guide, we will talk about why CAPM is worth your best shot and how it can offer you numerous benefits, great salary perks, and Global recognition, among others. We will take a look at what are the requirements for qualifying for the CAPM Certification, and how you can obtain the CAPM Certification in a few steps.

What Is CAPM Certification?

The Project Management Institute (PMI), a well-known industry leader, offers this. They provide a variety of certification options, including the well-known Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. The CAPM Certification was introduced in 2003 to meet the growing demand for an entry-level project management certification. Many of PMI’s existing certifications were designed for experienced professionals.

Still, the CAPM aims at those who want to make a name for themselves in the field but may not have much Project Management experience. As a result, the CAPM Certification is the most approachable and attainable of the certifications available, and it’s an excellent choice for newcomers looking to distinguish themselves.

The CAPM Certification tests the candidate’s knowledge of various project management knowledge areas. Here is the weightage of different knowledge areas covered in the CAPM exam:

Who Qualifies for CAPM Certification?

The CAPM does not have stringent eligibility standards as the PMP or other tests for more experienced project managers. Those interested in applying must, however, satisfy the following qualifications, according to the CAPM Handbook:

• A high school diploma or its international equivalent
• 23 contact hours of formal project management instruction
• Some individuals may be confused by the schooling requirement, but it’s rather straightforward.

You must demonstrate that you have successfully finished at least 23 hours of education by proving that you have successfully attended courses, seminars, and training sessions given by accredited education providers. That implies self-directed learning (such as reading project management-related books or articles) will not be accepted.

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How Does One Obtain CAPM Certification?

You satisfy the eligibility conditions and are eager to obtain this certification.

You’ll begin by creating a PMI account (if you don’t already have one) and completing an online application. Once you begin an application, it will be active for 90 days.

You can add any more education hours that you finish within that period.

• Be advised that you have finished all of your school hours before applying for the certification and taking the exam. You must also include a payment with your application. This costs $225 for PMI members in good standing and $300 for nonmembers.
• A proportion of applicants will be picked at random for an audit, during which PMI will ask you to present evidence to confirm that you fit the standards. It may sound intimidating, but it’s quite simple and you have up to 90 days to deliver them the information they want.
• Once you’ve completed the audit procedure (if applicable), your one-year examination eligibility period begins. That implies you have one year and three chances to pass the CAPM test.
• The exam, which comprises 150 questions, may be taken online or in a testing facility. 15 of those are pretest questions, which implies they aren’t graded (yeah, freebies!). As a result, only 135 of the total questions will be counted toward your final grade.
• You’ll have three hours to finish the exam, but you may not need all of it. The test does not have a predefined passing score. Instead, it is decided through psychometric analysis, implying that the passing mark will differ for each exam.
• Remember, if you don’t pass (don’t be too hard on yourself—it happens! ), you get three chances within a year. If you pass, your CAPM certification will be valid for five years from when you completed the test. After that, you must retake the test to be recertified.

Advantages Of Obtaining CAPM Certification

The best response to the predicament “Is The CAPM Worth It?”, understand the benefits of CAPM certification. Getting a CAPM certification can further your career in multiple ways. Let’s have a look at the benefits of CAPM certification.

We understand that there is a lot of information to sort through here, making the process seem overwhelming. However, the CAPM certification is one of the simplest professional designations to obtain in project management.

You Will Learn New Things

If you’re just starting in project management, you probably don’t have a lot of experience to draw from. Instead of viewing the educational requirements for CAPM certification as a burden, consider them a reward. By devoting some time to studying (for example, through GoSkills classes), you’ll establish the groundwork for a successful project management career and make a name for yourself in a high-demand area.

You Will Get Credibility

It’s easy to feel that you don’t have much going for you when you’re deemed entry-level in a field. You don’t have much relevant professional experience to show off, which might undermine your self-esteem. Taking the initiative to obtain CAPM certification will help you improve your reputation and differentiate yourself from other entry-level job hopefuls. Furthermore, seeking this type of certification aggressively (even when it is not required) tells companies that you are devoted to your industry and passionate about completing your education.

You Will Create the Groundwork for The PMP Certification

In the realm of project management, the PMP certification is regarded as the gold standard. People with their PMP certification typically earn a 20% greater wage than those without the certification. But we’ll be blunt: there are tougher qualifying conditions, it’s more expensive, and it’s a lengthier exam.

CAPM certification is an excellent method to get your feet wet if you’re just starting. You’ll go over many principles and essentials that you’ll need to ace the PMP test without biting off more than you can chew straight away.

Opportunity In Different Available Job Profiles

Since the CAPM certification is an entry-level credential and revolves around the fundamental concepts and terminologies of project management, a CAPM certified professional can enjoy the opportunity to work in various related job profiles such as:

• Consultants
• Relational administrator
• Business analyst
• Operational support associate
• PMO
• Senior project manager in IT
• Marketing coordinator for communications

CAPM Certification Salary

Is the CAPM worth it? Yes, one of the advantages of CAPM certification is that it adds a significant amount of value to your resume and skills.

As previously stated, the PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credential is considered one of the top paid qualifications in the business. According to the PayScale survey, a CAPM associate may earn up to $101,103 per year on average.

Candidates’ salaries, however, vary depending on their employment type and expertise. A CAPM-certified candidate with less than one year of experience may expect to earn $45,611. Within ten years or so, this will have risen to $77,914.

If you have an interest in knowing more about CAPM Salary & Jobs, go through our latest blog on CAPM Jobs and Career Opportunities

Is It Worthwhile to Compare CAPM To PMP?

Let’s compare the two most well-known project management certifications to help you get insights into their differences.

PMP may be out of reach when you are just beginning out in your project management profession. Not only is the PMP a massive commitment, but it also necessitates ongoing education, such as 60 professional development units every three years, to keep the PMP. In addition, as a qualifying condition for PMP, you must have 35 hours of project management education and 4500 hours of project management experience.

So, if you are a professional who wants to demonstrate your project management skills but lacks the qualifications mentioned above, will you wait that long? In this case, CAPM certification is the ideal option. So, even if you have little project management expertise, you can demonstrate your commitment to project management inside the same PMI framework. A CAPM certification on a CV unquestionably provides a candidate an advantage over a non-certified individual in the job market.

Is CAMP Worth It?

Absolutely! Whether you’re looking for a job in project management or looking for a method to further your career, gaining CAPM certification will help you. With that stated, if you have the necessary qualifications, pursuing the PMP certification straight immediately is generally a preferable option (even if it will require a little more legwork upfront). However, if you’re just starting, CAPM certification will provide you with all of the foundations you need—all while making you appear good.

You can also explore your blogs related to Steps to Achieve PMI-ACP Certification which will help you to meet the experience and education requirements.

Conclusion

Are you still confused about whether you should opt for the CAPM certification? This article gives you an overview of how much salary you can expect and what types of job roles you can get into after attaining the CAPM certification. Nevertheless, if you are working in a project management field or wish to enter it, then a CAPM certification is a good choice.

However, like any other certification, you will have to prepare for the CAPM exam to successfully clear it on your first attempt. Access to good training courses, reference books, and a study plan can help you achieve excellence. And keeping this in mind, Techcanvass offers a CAPM training course that will help you through your entire preparation journey.