PMI vs. PMP: What’s the Difference?

Key takeaways

PMI is the organization that sets project‑management standards, while the PMP is its flagship certification proving your project management skills.

• A Project Management Institute (PMI) membership supports your career with a global community of over 750,000 members, offering education, networking, and discounted certification costs [1].

• The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is an industry‑recognized credential that validates both your project‑management experience and your ability to apply standardized practices across any sector.

• You can take other PMI certifications in addition to the PMP, like the CAPM, PgMP, and PfMP, where earning one certification can also help you qualify for the next one.

Learn more about PMI versus PMP and what both can do to help you reach your project manager career goals. Then, if you’re ready to build expertise in project management, enroll in the Google Project Management Professional Certificate. Within six months, you can have the opportunity to learn in-demand skills like Agile, change management, and project implementation, and get AI job search training from Google experts. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career certificate for your resume.

PMI vs. PMP

PMI stands for the Project Management Institute, a professional organization for project management professionals that offers industry events, education opportunities, advocacy, and other resources. PMI offers industry-standard programs to certify that project managers have the skills and experience to manage and lead projects, including the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. This certification demonstrates that you understand project management principles and that you have three to five years of experience leading and managing projects. 

What is PMI?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a nonprofit organization that provides education, advocacy, and networking opportunities for project management professionals. Its mission is to be a “community creating the products, services, and experiences that power project success.” [2]. PMI has over 750,000 members worldwide and many local chapters where members can network and attend professional events [1].

PMI offers industry-standard certifications for project management professionals, including the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Earning this certification demonstrates you have the skills and experience to lead projects in any industry. Additionally, PMI offers many resources for students and professionals who want to learn new skills or stay updated on industry trends, and tools to make your job easier as a project manager. 

Benefits of PMI membership

PMI offers events, learning opportunities, certifications, and other tools to help you identify your career goals and take steps toward making those goals a reality. While you don’t have to be a PMI member to become PMP certified, PMI members pay a discounted rate for certifications, courses, and events. For example, PMI members save $250 on the cost of the PMP exam [3].

Other benefits of a PMI membership include:

• Local chapters: By joining a local PMI chapter, you can network with other project management professionals in your area, attend industry events, and find volunteer opportunities to use your skills to drive social change in your community.

• AI copilot and other tools: PMI members can access PMI’s AI-powered project management coach, PMI Infinity. This AI agent is trained as an expert on project management topics and can provide a conversational experience to help you discuss your ideas or roadblocks. PMI also offers tools like the Career Navigator that can help you self-assess and understand what steps you can take to meet your career goals.

• Educational opportunities: PMI membership allows you to access courses and other educational resources for a discounted price. You will also be able to access the Business Reading Center, where you can read business magazines and trade publications to stay up to date on project management in your industry.

PMI membership costs $164 per year [4]. Students can get a discounted rate of $32 annually [5]. 

What is PMP?

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification that PMI offers is a credential that demonstrates you understand and apply project management industry standards in your work. To earn your PMP, you need three to five years of experience in project management, so this credential also demonstrates you have practical experience in the field. The PMP is recognized globally; you can take the exam in 16 languages. 

Can I pass the PMP in 3 months?

It is possible to pass the PMP in three months if you have a clear plan and employ steady effort. To begin, define what you already know, get good study materials, and make a regular plan. Use prep courses, online tools, and study guides to bolster your confidence. Taking practice tests regularly can help you track your progress and work on your areas for improvement. Staying on track, practicing self-care, and revising thoroughly in the last few weeks can set you up well for exam day.

Who should take the PMP?

The PMP certification is appropriate for any professional working in project management. The industry-independent exam allows you to use your PMP certification in any industry that benefits from project managers. Project managers are professionals who act as the leader of a project, bridging the gap between stakeholders and the teams working on a project. In this role, you determine the project’s goals and objectives, plan how your team will complete the project, and oversee that process with an eye for budget, time management, and managing resources effectively.

The median annual salary for a project manager in the US is $100,750 [6], which is an aggregate number that considers all of the industries project managers work in. As a project manager, you can help oversee projects in many different industries, which will affect your day-to-day work and the salary you earn as a result. Some of the industries you can work in as a project manager, along with the median salary in the field, include [6]:

• Finance and insurance: $111,350

• Professional, scientific, and technical services: $106,130

• Manufacturing: $101,920

• Administrative and support services: $97,1000

• Construction: $96,700

According to the Project Management Institute, professionals who have earned their PMP certification earn an average of 17 percent more than professionals without the certification [3]. 

Read more: PMP Certification Salary Potential

PMP certification scope 

The PMP certification exam consists of 180 questions, and you will have 230 minutes to answer. The exam covers both predictive project management and hybrid or Agile methodology, with each comprising half of the content. The exam will have questions about people (42 percent), processes (50 percent), and the business environment (8 percent) [3].

To qualify for the PMP exam, you need prior education, project management knowledge, and experience leading and managing projects. You can meet these criteria in three ways:

• Requirement set A: For the first option, you will need a high school diploma, five years of experience managing projects, and 35 hours of project management training.

• Requirement set B: If you earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in any subject, you can qualify for the PMP exam with three years of experience managing projects and 35 hours of project management training.

• Requirement set C: If you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a program accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs, you will qualify for the PMP certification with two years of experience leading or managing projects. Your education will also automatically satisfy the requirement for 35 hours of project management training.

After you earn your PMP certification, you’ll need to complete 60 hours of continuing education every three years to maintain your credential [7]. At least 35 of these hours should be education-focused, and you can use a maximum of 25 hours in the Giving Back category. You will also need to make sure that of your 60 hours, you have eight hours each in the following three PMI skill categories [7]:

• PMI Talent Triangle Ways of Working

• Power Skills

• Business Acumen

The PMP certification exam costs $675 for non-members and $425 for PMI members [3].

Other PMI certifications

Other PMI certifications are available for professionals managing and leading projects. In addition to the PMP, you can choose from three additional foundational certifications:

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

• Program Management Professional (PgMP)

• Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)

The main difference between these certifications is the level of experience they require in the field of project management. Earning one certification can also help you qualify for the next certification. For example, earning your CAPM satisfies the prerequisite for 35 hours of project management training to earn your PMP, and your PMP satisfies your project management experience requirement for taking the PgMP.

You can also explore PMI’s five specialized certifications for project managers:

• PMO Certified Professional (PMO-CP)

• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

• PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)

• PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP)

Navigate your next career move with confidence

Join Career Chat on LinkedIn to get timely updates on popular skills, tools, and certifications. Then continue your learning journey in project management with our free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Sprint Planning Explained: Build Better Agile Teams

• Get prepared: Project Manager Interview Preparation Guide

• Bookmark for later: Project Management Terms and Definitions

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