What is the CAPM Certification? Requirements and More

It is meant to prepare individuals for entry-level project management employment. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) certification is a professional credential. PMI, a major global organization in project management, administers the competition. Taken by PMI members for a fee of $225 and by non-members at a cost of $300, it may be utilized as a stepping stone toward the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification.

CAPM criteria must be met.

• In order to sit for the CAPM test, you’ll need to have the following qualifications:
• A secondary degree is described as a high school diploma, GED, associate’s degree, or the worldwide equivalent in education and training.
• Project management education consisting of 23 hours must be completed prior to the time of the test.

The cost of CAPM certification

Membership in the Project Management Institute (PMI) is $129 a year, plus a one-time $10 application fee. As a result, the total cost of getting CAPM Course as a new member comes to $364 dollars. In addition to receiving a complimentary copy of the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide, members also get discounts on additional career-advancing certifications as well as free access to a project management job board.

It’s possible that you’ll be qualified for the student bundle, which costs $257 and is only available to full-time students enrolled in a recognized, degree-granting program. Included in this amount is a $32 annual membership fee as well as the cost of the CAPM test. You may also inquire with faculty members who are teaching project management courses at your school to see if they have bulk purchasing arrangements with PMI, which might save you even more money on your purchase.

If you are currently working and believe that the CAPM would be advantageous to your company, you may consider asking your manager to see if your company will pay the fees of the test and training.

Is it worthwhile to invest in the CAPM?

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is widely regarded as an introductory project management qualification. So, how can you know whether it’s going to be worth your time and effort? Here are a few of things to think about.

Salary and employment opportunities in CAPM

A certificate in project management (CAPM) may help you prepare for entry-level project management positions such as project coordinator, junior project manager, or associate project manager by Sprintzeal.

Project management is a talent in high demand, as well as a rapidly expanding job sector. Over the period of March 2019 to February 2020, according to research by Burning Glass Technologies, more than 280,000 entry-level project management opportunities were listed online. The survey also discovered that the frequency of these job posts increased by 51 percent between 2017 and 2019. According to a forecast issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in 2021, the global economy would need 25 million additional project professionals by 2030 in order to meet demand.a

Payscale estimates that a Certified Associate in Project Management earns an average income of $67,911 per year in the United States as of February 2022. Payscale has compiled a list of some of the average wages for jobs for which the CAPM has been mentioned in job postings, which you can see below. According to a study conducted by Burning Glass Technologies, workers who possessed project management abilities earned 21 percent more than their counterparts who did not.

CAPM vs. PMP: Which Is Better?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) also administers the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential. In contrast to the CAPM, which is widely regarded as an entry-level certification, the PMP is generally regarded as a professional-level certification. The PMP is also significantly more popular than the CAPM, with over one million PMP holders worldwide, compared to just a few thousand CAPM holders.

What’s better, the CAPM or the PMP?

This certification is a good option for those who are new to project management since it is an entry-level qualification. To go into the field or take on additional project management-related responsibilities in your business, it might be a smart option. Your selection should be based on your own objectives. It’s also a good idea to know how much the test costs and what alternative choices you have available. After three years of project management experience, the PMP certification should be considered.