Getting a big career boost is something everyone dreams about. If you are in the world of managing projects, you have likely heard about the PMP Certification. It is the gold standard. But let us be honest for a second. The cost can be a bit scary. It is not just about the exam fee. There are training costs, books, and hidden fees that creep up on you. This article is going to break down exactly what you need to pay for your PMP Certification and how you can save some serious money while doing it. We will talk about everything from the exam to the PMP Boot Camp options available today.
Understanding the Real Price Tag
When you start looking into the project management professional certification, the first number you see is the exam fee. For someone who is not a member of the Project Management Institute, the price is pretty steep. It is usually around 555 US dollars or more depending on where you live. That is a lot of cash. But wait, there is more to it. You cannot just walk in and take the test. You need to qualify first. This usually means you need 35 hours of education, which people often get through PMP Certification Training.
The cost of PMP Training varies wildly. You might find a cheap online project management course for a few hundred dollars, or you could sign up for a fancy in-person PMP Boot Camp that costs thousands. If you are serious about your project manager certification, you have to budget for this. Do not forget that failing the exam means paying a re-examination fee. Nobody plans to fail, but it happens. It is another cost to keep in mind when you are planning your journey toward the project management professional certification.
Another thing to consider is the difference between this and the program management professional certification. They are different things. The program management professional certification is for people managing multiple related projects, and it has its own set of fees. But for now, we are focusing on the PMP Certification. The expenses do add up fast. You have the exam, the PMP Certification Training, the study guides, and maybe even a membership fee.
Why Join the PMI Membership?
Here is a little secret that is not really a secret. Joining the PMI is one of the easiest ways to lower the cost of your PMP Certification. When you become a member, the exam fee drops significantly. It goes down to about 405 dollars. The membership itself costs around 139 dollars plus a small application fee. If you do the math, you save money just by joining. Plus, members get a free digital copy of the PMBOK guide. That book is essential for your project management professional certification study.
If you do not join, you will have to buy the book separately. That is another 50 to 100 dollars right there. Also, being a member gives you access to cheaper PMP Training resources sometimes. It is a no-brainer for most people pursuing their project manager certification. Even if you were looking at the program management professional certification later on, the membership helps there too. It is a good investment for anyone taking a project management course.
Choosing the Right Training to Save Money
This is where people usually overspend. They think they need the most expensive PMP Boot Camp to pass. That is not true. While a PMP Boot Camp is great for learning fast, it is often the priciest option. Some of these camps cost 2000 dollars or more. If your company is paying, that is great. But if you are paying, you might want to look at other PMP Certification Training options.
There are many on-demand project management course options online. These allow you to study at your own pace and are much cheaper. You can find a good PMP Training course for under 500 dollars if you look hard enough. Just make sure it offers the 35 contact hours you need. The project management professional certification requires these hours, so do not skip this step.
Some people confuse the training for PMP Certification with the training for program management professional certification. Make sure you are buying the right one. The program management professional certification training will not help you here. You need specific PMP Certification Training. It is also worth noting that some local chapters of PMI offer discounted PMP Training. It is worth checking out if you want to save money and meet other people going for their project manager certification.
Hidden Costs You Might Forget
We talked about the exam and the project management course, but what about the other stuff? Practice exams are huge. You really need to take a few before the real thing. Some PMP Certification Training bundles include them, but often they do not. A good simulator can cost anywhere from 60 to 150 dollars. It is an extra expense, but it is cheaper than failing the exam and paying the retake fee for your project management professional certification.
Also, think about your time. If you take a week off work for a PMP Boot Camp, that is lost wages or vacation time. That is a real cost. If you study slowly with a self-paced project management course, you might save your vacation days. It depends on how you learn best. Just remember that the program management professional certification and the project manager certification both require a serious time commitment.
If you are looking at the program management professional certification as a future goal, know that the materials are different. Do not buy books for the program management professional certification thinking they will help with the PMP Certification. They will not. Stick to the materials made for the project management professional certification.
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Employer Sponsorship
One of the best ways to reduce your expenses is to get someone else to pay for it. Many companies have a budget for employee development. They value the project manager certification. It makes you more valuable to them. You should ask your boss if they will cover the cost of your PMP Certification.
They might even pay for a high-end PMP Boot Camp or a premium project management course. It never hurts to ask. If they say yes, you save thousands. If they say no, you are back to plan B. But remember, companies often support the project management professional certification because it is so recognized. They might be less likely to pay for a niche program management professional certification unless you are in a very senior role.
When you pitch this to your boss, mention that the PMP Training will make you better at your job. Show them the curriculum of the PMP Certification Training. Explain how the PMP Certification will help the team. If you are lucky, they might cover the exam fee too. This is the ultimate way to reduce costs for any project management professional certification.
Group Discounts and Bundles
If you have friends or colleagues who also want their project manager certification, you can try for a group discount. Some training providers, like Sprintzeal offer lower rates if you sign up for PMP Training as a group. This works for online courses and sometimes even for a PMP Boot Camp.
You can also look for bundles. Some providers, like Sprintzeal sell the project management course and the practice exams together. This is usually cheaper than buying them separately. It is all about shopping around for your PMP Certification Training. Do not just buy the first thing you see. The market for PMP Certification materials is huge, and there are deals to be found.
This strategy works for the program management professional certification too, but it is harder to find people taking that exam since it is more advanced. For the project management professional certification, it is easy to find study buddies. You can split the cost of some study materials, although you cannot share a project management course login usually.
Final Thoughts on Reducing Costs
Getting your PMP Certification does not have to leave you broke. Yes, the project management professional certification is expensive, but it is an investment. By choosing the right PMP Training, joining the PMI, and looking for discounts, you can cut costs significantly. Whether you choose a PMP Boot Camp or a self-paced project management course, the goal is the same.
You want that project manager certification on your resume. It opens doors that the program management professional certification might open later in your career. Do not let the price stop you. Plan your budget. Look for affordable PMP Certification Training. Avoid the expensive traps.
Remember that the program management professional certification is a different beast entirely. Focus on the PMP Certification first. Once you have your project manager certification, you can worry about the next steps. The project management professional certification is a journey, and the PMP Training is just the beginning.
So, go find a good project management course. Look into a PMP Boot Camp if you have the money, or stick to cheaper PMP Certification Training if you do not. The important thing is that you start. The PMP Certification is waiting for you. And who knows, maybe one day you will go for the program management professional certification too. But for now, good luck with your PMP Certification!
