What is the name of the credential?

A: The new credential for individuals managing programs is named, Program Management Professional (PgMP^SM).

Who should apply for the Program Management Professional (PgMP^SM) credential?

A:   The target market is individuals who manage programs. More specifically, the role of a program manager has been defined by the examination specification as someone who can competently demonstrate the following:

·      Under minimal supervision, program managers are responsible and accountable for the coordinated management of multiple related projects directed toward strategic business and other organizational objectives.  These programs contain complex activities that may span functions, organizations, geographic regions, and cultures. Program managers build credibility, establish rapport, and maintain communication with stakeholders at multiple levels, including those external to the organization.

·      Define and initiate projects, and assign project managers to manage cost, schedule, and performance of component projects, while working to ensure the ultimate success and acceptance of the program. Program managers maintain continuous alignment of program scope with strategic business objectives, and make recommendations to modify the program to enhance effectiveness toward the business result or strategic intent. Program managers are responsible for determining and coordinating the sharing of resources among their constituent projects to the overall benefit of the program.

·      Knowledge and skills needed to be effective in both the project and business or government environment, and decision making that accomplishs strategic objectives. In addition, the program manager should have advanced skills in finance, cross-cultural awareness, leadership, communication, influence, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

Do I have to be a Project Management Professional (PMP^®) or a PMI Member?

A: No. Candidates do not have to be either a PMI member or a PMP.

Can a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM^®) apply?

 A: Yes, provided he or she meets the eligibility requirements.

What’s involved in getting the credential?

A:  Candidates must successfully complete three assessments:

·      The initial assessment occurs through an extensive application review. This includes a panel of program managers who will look at your work experience. PMI also may select any application for audit to verify any aspect of the application.

·      The second assessment occurs with the multiple-choice examination in which candidates will be called upon to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge to a variety of situational or scenario-based questions.

·      The third assessment occurs through the Multi-rater Assessment (similar to a 360-degree review process) in which a team of raters that the candidate selects will evaluate the candidate’s competence to perform tasks that are pertinent to program management as defined through the examination specification.

Who are the Application Reviewers?

A:  A panel of program managers has been appointed to serve as the application reviewers for PgMP credential. This panel has been carefully selected by PMI for their extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of program management. 

Since PMI appoints these members, there is no formal process available to the public to serve as a volunteer in this capacity.

To protect applicants against any potential review bias, PMI will not provide candidate names, demographic or employee information from the application to the reviewers.

What is the multiple-choice examination like?

A:  The examination consists of 170 questions. Candidates will be given four hours in which to complete the examination. Twenty of the questions, dispersed randomly throughout the examination, are pre-test (or un-scored) questions.

Applicants who pass the application review are eligible to take the multiple-choice examination. The eligibility period for the examination is one year.

During the eligibility period, the candidate may take the examination up to three times. Candidates should gauge their time carefully to leave enough time during the eligibility period to retake the examination, if needed. PMI will collect retake fees for candidates making second or third attempts to pass the examination.

Where will the examination be given?

A:  The PgMP credential examination is offered at all Prometric Testing Centers that offer the CAPM and PMP examinations, during normal business hours Monday through Saturday (excluding holidays.) You cannot schedule your examination appointment until you receive your eligibility notification and have submitted payment. Please refer to Prometric’s website www.Prometric.com/pmi for more information.

When will the examination specification be available?

A:  The examination specification is currently available on the Marketplace section of the web site www.PMI.org.

Will the examination be available in translations?

 A:  Not immediately. Translations will be considered at a future date.

How much time does the Multi-rater Assessment (MRA) take?

A:  During the application submission process, the applicant will provide 12 professional contacts to participate in the MRA. After PMI receives the candidates passing score for the multiple-choice examination, PMI will automatically begin the MRA process. PMI will send an e-mail containing a link to a web-based survey to the candidate, who performs a self evaluation, and to the 12 reference contacts that the candidate provided on the application. The MRA survey will be available to the invited contacts for three calendar weeks.

What are the eligibility requirements for potential candidates?

A:  Specific eligibility is as follows:  

Will this new credential dilute the Project Management Professional (PMP^®)credential?

A:   No, PMI’s credentials reflect different roles, and therefore, different  candidates. Please visit PMI.org and select “Get Certified” on the left navigation bar of the home page for additional clarification on the difference between the PgMP and the PMP credentials.

What are the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) for this credential?

A:   PgMP credential holders are required to attain no less than 60 Professional           Development Units (PDUs) during each three-year certification cycle.

What is the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program?

A:  In order to satisfy CCR program requirements and maintain an active certification status, credential holders who have attained either the PMP or PgMP must accrue and report a minimum of 60 PDUs during each three-year certification cycle.

The credential holder needs to complete an Application for Certification Renewal, remit payment of the renewal fee, and reaffirm the appropriate PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

For more information on the CCR program and how to report PDUs, please refer to the CCR section of the Credential Handbook.

How will I maintain both credentials if I have a Project Management Professional (PMP^®) and attain the Program Management Professional (PgMP^SM)?

A:   Both the PMP and the PgMP are valid for a period of three years. To maintain and renew both credentials beyond the initial three years, credential holders must adhere to the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. PMI will align the certification cycle of the two credentials so that credential holders need only to acquire 60 (not 120) PDUs for both credentials.  To maintain both credentials, the PMP credential must be current and in good standing at the time the PgMP credential is granted.

PMI will align the credential cycles based on the candidates choice of the following options selected during the application process.

Option A – PMP credential and PgMP credential will share PDUs going forward. Any PDUs earned for the PMP prior to obtaining the PgMP will be forfeited. The PMP renewal date will be set equal to the newly-acquired PgMP renewal date.

Option B – PMP credential and PgMP credential will share PDUs including 
those earned for the PMP before optaining the PgMP and any PDUs earned
after receiving the PgMP. The PgMP renewal date will be set equal to the
existing PMP renewal date. Therefore, renewal of the PgMP credential will
need to occur with the renewal of the PMP credential.

Example: Sally is a candidate whose PMP expires in one year and has already accumulated 55 professional development units (PDUs). Sally may want to choose Option A so that, although both of her credentials will expire in one year, she will only have to earn 5 additional PDUs in order to qualify for renewing both of her credentials for the following three years.

What is the cost to earn the credential?

A: The cost for PMI Members to earn the credential is $1,500.00 (US) ($1,800.00 US for non-members).

When will the credential be available?

A:  The PgMP application will be made available to the public by 1 October 2007  through the PMI web site www.PMI.org. Candidates can also access a paper application on the Certification & Credentials section of www.pmi.org. Those candidates without access to the internet are encouraged to contact customercare@pmi.org to request a handbook through the mail after 1 October 2007.