1. What does PMI® stand for? PMI stands for Project Management Institute: a nonprofit organization in the USA in 1969. It has grown into a global professional society with membership. Exceeding 200,000 in more than 150 countries

2. What is PMI® R.E.P.?- In 1999 PMI® established a program to help “recognized” training providers Offering management training: this program is called the Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) program. In 2004 PMI ® introduced stricter quality requirements To further strengthen its prestige in the project management course.

3. What does company claims to be R.E.P.?- This signifies that the company has reviewed and approved as a provider of Program management training by the Project Management Institute. Furthermore, PMI® considers this company to be in compliance with its quality requirements. However this does not mean that PMI® endorses the R.E.P. company or its seminar.

4. Is the R.E.P organization only can grant PDU? (Professional Development Unit)- No. Any Project Management Course may earn PDU, but you will have to claim for them. The key difference is that non-R.E.P./ PDU claims may be subject to more scrutiny than those earned via R.E.P. This is due to PMI’s prior recognition of R.E.P.as quality standard 

5. How can I earn PDU?- There are so many methods such as self study, volunteering and providing free project management services to non-profit organizations, publishing a Professional paper, presenting a PM topic etc. PMI® has 5 categories under which a professional can earn PDU.

6. What is the difference between Contact hour and PDU?  - PDU is only applicable for a PMP. It does not exist before achieving PMP. The PMI® educational requirements call for 35 contact hours and not PDU. A contact hour is equivalent to one hour of “structured learning such as in classroom. E.g. self study does not allow for contact hours but will earn you PDU.

7. What is PMP?- The PMP® has become the most common and internationally recognized certifications in the world. PMP® stands for Project Management Professional® and is offered by PMI®. To earn this Prestigious recognition, a person has to meet PMI®’s minimum Requirements and pass a challenging exam.  

8. What are the requirements to pre qualify for PMP® Certification? - The initial PMP® application that you submit to PMI® is also a pre-Qualification questionnaire. Once you pre-qualify (accepted by PMI®) you have twelve months to take the exam. The purpose of the Pre-qualification process is to ensure that you have the proper education and experience for the certification.

9. Do I have to be engineer to become PMP?  No. You do not even have to be a college degree. If you don’t have a bachelor degree, then you must have more years of experience in project management than an individual with a degree.

10. How does PMI® calculate the experience hours required for pre-qualification? - The method used is irrelevant. All what PMI® is looking for is for the individual to have project management experience roughly equivalent to about three years (full time) in addition to a proper College degree. If your work in project management on a part time basis, then estimate your effort no one is looking for precise answers.PMI® looks for individuals that have experience in the various  Project management processes, such as initiation, planning etc.

11. PMI ® Also asks for 35 contacts, what are these? A contact hour is equivalent to 1 hour of classroom training. You can acquire these contact hours from any professional education or training provider in Project Management

12. Do I have to pay for the exam every time I take it; if did not pass it the first time?- The answer is YES, unfortunately. The cost for the initial test is $405 for PMI® members ($555 non members) but if one does not pass on the first time and wants to take the test again, the RE-examination Fee is reduced to $275 for PMI® members ($375 non members). Therefore, be well prepared before you take the exam, better for your pocket and morale to pass the first time.

13. What about establishing a study group among friends and colleagues?- A study group is committed to the effort could be a very effective way to prepare for the exam for many reasons: You can share books, so you do not have to spend a great deal of your money on reference materials. However many of these books are good references and you might to consider buying them for your personal library working in a group you can learn from each other, since some of you might be stronger in one subject vs. another setting specific and regular time to get together, will institute discipline in your approach since a group will enhance your motivation.

14. I heard that once certified that I have to recertify. What is this all about? - The PMP® is not a lifetime achievement award. The concept is if are professional in this field, then you must maintain your qualifications by continuing education. You must earn 60 PDU every three years in order for PMI® to grant you a renewal. There are many ways to earn PDU and training is one of them.

15. Do I have to be a member of PMI®? What are the advantages of being a PMI member?  - No, but consider this; if you are a member of PMI ® you apply for the certification exam, you save $150 from the exam fees. Annual Membership is $119 + $ 10 initiation fee. With the membership, you get a free Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) a key source document to use in preparing for the exam. Therefore for the price of the exam(as a non-member) you can get the exam, one year free membership in PMI® & PMI® -AGC, free monthly magazine and quarterly journal, the PMBOK®  and many other benefits, but only if you become member first.

16. How can I be a PMI member?- Just login: https://secure.pmi.org/memberapp/code/join.asp