The Career Education section of the Personal Development section presents this information as a valuable area of focus in adding necessary certifications to your career path.

Project Management Professional (PMP) is an internationally recognized professional designation offered by the Project Management Institute. (PMI) It is the gold standard of project management certification. Recognized and demanded by organizations worldwide, the PMP validates your competence to perform as a project manager, leading and directing projects and teams.

A PMP certification can help you advance your career as it reflects your education, skill, and persistence level. It’s also ideal because it isn’t just limited to one industry. It can apply to healthcare, publishing, information, professional, construction, finance, and insurance.

The Project Management Institute offers this certification and includes prerequisites, such as a high school diploma, 7,500 hours of leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education. The alternative is a four-year degree, 4,500 hours of directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education. To obtain this certification, candidates must organize their work experience on the application and pass a 200-question multiple-choice exam, which is now available online. You must earn 60 professional development units annually to maintain the certification.