Program Management Professional (PgMP) Certificate

 

Since October 1, 2007, Project Management Institute (PMI) is offering PgMP certification. In order to receive the certificate, one has to go through a procedure which more complicated than PMP certification. PMP certification is not a prerequisite for PgMP certification.

 

Consistent with the PMI's definition of "Program", one must have enough program management experience in order to be eligible for PgMP certificate. This means, enough experience is needed about high level management (in a coordinated manner) of two projects that share a common strategic goal and budget.

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

Within the last 15 years;

 

For a person with a university diploma:

 

4 years / 6000 hours of project management experience and 4 years / 6000 hours of program management experience

For a person with a high school diploma or Associate's degree:

4 years / 6000 hours of project management experience and 7 years / 10500 hours of program management experience

 

Certification Process

 

1. Starting the Application

 

On-line application through PMI's web site is recommended.

 

2. Finalizing the Application

 

Within 90 days, one has to make the payment. For PMI members it is $1500, for non-members it is $1800.

 

3. Application Completeness Review

 

PMI® checks the completeness of the application. If there is no missing part, this process is completed within 5 business days

 

4. Audit

 

Some applications are selected randomly for audit. If the applicant passes this audit process, it will not take more than 5 business days. If the applicant does not pass this audit process, there is a $700 refund.

 

5. Panel Review

 

A panel of experts reviews the applicant's application. The details about the criteria used in this process are not announced by PMI yet. This process finishes within 10 business days.

 

If one does not pass this review, then one is not eligible for PgMP certification. There will be a $700 refund. Also, until one month before the examination, one can cancel the application process and receive a $700 refund. It is possible to cancel the application procedure later than that but in this case, the refund is $350.

 

If one passes the panel review, one has to take the examination within a year.

 

6. Examination

 

There are 170 questions in the 4 hour examination. 20 questions do not affect the score. The passing score has not been announced by PMI® yet.

 

If one does not pass the test, one can re-take it two more times within a year.

 

7. Multi Rater Assessment (MRA)

 

After passing the examination, this process starts. PMI sends an e-mail message to 12 people which the applicant has chosen at the application form. These people evaluate the applicant by answering 74 questions within three weeks. The applicant has to answer these questions, too.

 

These 12 reference contacts should consist of:

 

1 supervisor

4 peers

4 direct reports

3 professional references of the applicant's choice

 

If one passes this process, one receives the PgMP certificate. The details of the evaluation criteria at this process has not been announced by PMI yet.

 

If one does not pass this process, MRA must be repeated but there is a waiting period of one year.

 

Certificate Continuation Requirements

 

The certificate is valid for three years. If one has a PMP certificate, the renewal dates of these two certificates are adjusted to be the same. PgMP certificate renewal requirements are the same as PMP certificate renewal requirements. 60 PDUs (Professional Development Units) are required. One does not need to have 120 PDUs to renew PMP and PgMP certificates, 60 PDUs are enough to renew both of them simultaneously. The renewal fee is $60 for PMI members and $150 for non-members. This renewal process is going to repeat every three years. (October 2, 2007)