CAPM vs PMP: Which Certification Is Right for You?

Introduction

When it comes to earning professional certifications like CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) or PMP (Project Management Professional), it is essential to understand how both can significantly enhance your project management experience portfolio. Today, as professional courses and certifications are becoming increasingly popular, accreditations like these validate an individual’s knowledge in project management and their technical expertise.

Both certifications can support careers and bring in excellent opportunities for individuals to pursue a career in project management.

What is CAPM Certification?

CAPM, or Certified Associate in Project Management, is a beginner-friendly certification in project management, provided by the Project Management Institute (PMI), to guide individuals in learning the foundational concepts of project management. The CAPM course encompasses project management principles, terms and procedures and is ideal for those with minimal to no experience. With this credential, individuals can embark on their journey in project management.

CAPM Certification is Suitable for:

This certification is suitable for individuals who have either just started their career, are freshly graduated or are planning to enter the project management industry. This certification is only an entry-level credential that does not entirely prepare you for leadership roles, but it does prepare you for executive or assistant roles in project management. Candidates who choose this certification establish credibility within the teams they work in and the company they become a part of.

Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify for the CAPM certification, the applicant must either pursue 23 hours of formal project management training or hold 1,500 hours of project experience. Additionally, having a high school diploma (the secondary degree) or equivalent is crucial for eligibility for the CAPM certification. To qualify for CAPM, applicants must pass the CAPM examination, which consists of 150 questions and lasts for up to 3 hours.

What is PMP Certification?

The Project Management Professional certification is a popular credential, recognised globally and offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), that prepares an individual to pursue a thriving career in project management. This certificate is primarily designed for experienced working employees who have prior experience in leading and driving successful projects. This certificate adds more value than just preparing project managers to be leaders. It also helps them learn the techniques of surviving in business, managing complex projects, handling multiple teams, project members and their work, among other essential skills.

PMP Certification Suitable for:

Individuals with desirable experience in the field of project management, who have worked as project managers, led teams or are simply willing to be a part of this industry, can confidently take up the PMP certification training. Although considered one of the most relevant and challenging certifications, it can help project experts or aspirants to grow their careers immensely, earn higher salaries and experience stability in their professions. Additionally, professionals from popular industries such as Information Technology, construction, healthcare and finance can pursue this certification to grow professionally and build recognition globally.

Eligibility Requirements:

When it comes to the qualifying criteria for PMP certification, individuals with a four-year degree (a high school diploma), at least 35 hours of project management education or 36 months of project leading experience over the last 8 years are considered to be eligible. Additionally, suppose the individual holds a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, and 5 years of project leadership experience within the last 8 years, along with 35 hours of project management education (or CAPM credential), they can also easily proceed to apply for the PMP certificate.

What is the Difference Between CAPM and PMP certifications?

Both the CAPM and PMP are crucial certifications; however, in certain areas, both certifications work differently. What we know so far is that PMP is a highly revered certification in high demand by experienced project managers. This certification benefits the existing project management professionals the most, who already have extensive expertise in the subject. And the best part about this qualification is that it is relevant and applicable in different industry segments. Whether you are into Information and Technology, the Construction business, Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing or Energy Resources, you can utilise this certification the right way and secure decent positions in companies.

Whereas, CAPM is an entry-level certification for newcomers who can understand the basics of project management without pursuing it as a full-time profession. With this certificate, candidates can quickly become familiar with various project management areas and handle multiple projects working as an assistant project manager, project administrator, project coordinator, project analyst, technical project manager, and more.
 

For a deeper insight into both the certifications and their aspects, we have provided a table for you to dive into:

How Difficult Are the CAPM and PMP Certification Exams?

The PMP certification is unquestionably the toughest of the two, PMP and CAPM. The reason for this is that PMP encompasses a wide range of areas within one subject, which makes it a complex career to pursue. Primarily, earning the PMP certificate prepares an individual to tackle real-world scenarios and dynamic, live projects easily. PMP is challenging due to the nature of the questions you encounter in the examination. If an individual qualifies for this credential, they would possess extensive knowledge about project management, sourced directly from the PMBOK Guide.

CAPM is a certification designed for individuals who have a limited understanding of project management. As this one is a basic certificate, it does not require extraordinary learning and interpretation on the individual’s part. The examination primarily covers the concepts and theories on project management, as outlined in the PMBOK Guide and therefore remains comparatively easy.

Benefits of CAPM and PMP Certifications

Any form of higher education, training and learning helps in an individual’s growth. Regardless of the courses they pursue or the upskilling they undertake, it ultimately contributes to their qualification and helps in career growth. With both certifications - CAPM and PMP - individuals can increase their visibility, establish integrity in the workplace and pave the way for higher salaries and more rewarding careers. The primary difference is that the CAPM certificate will qualify you for entry-level roles. In contrast, a PMP certificate will enable you to lead projects, train team members and create value to the business you are working for.

CAPM vs PMP: A Salary Comparison

Typically, the certified Project Management Professionals earn more than those holding a Certified in Advanced Project Management credential. There are countless reasons for it. With CAPM certification, an individual can earn approximately 6 to 9 lakhs annually. A PMP certification, on the other hand, can offer them a salary range between 12 lakh and 25 lakh, depending on the years of experience they have and the skill sets they possess.
 

Which Project Management Certification is Right for Your Career?

This entirely depends on the individual, their goals, interests, and career perspective. If someone does not wish to pursue a career in this field but is interested in knowing about the fundamentals of this subject, then CAPM is a good choice. This certification will provide the necessary knowledge to help you boost your career if you are in supervisory roles and work with a larger team to assist in project deliveries.

Whereas the PMP certification is the more popular one when it comes to pursuing roles in higher management. This is a highly recognised credential that only experienced project management professionals can seek to hold to lead projects. Furthermore, with this certification, people can gain a deeper understanding of management concepts and the various aspects involved in project development. For this reason, the PMP certification is in high demand. It prepares you to take up challenging roles and pushes you to do more with your calibre.

PMP or CAPM: Which is Better for Career Growth?

The PMP promises higher career growth while the CAPM provides a foundational understanding of project management. Those who have worked as project leaders and managers can gain a deeper understanding of how to execute complex projects efficiently and promptly with the PMP certification training. Most job roles branching out from the PMP course lead to higher positions, primarily leadership roles, and as a result, a higher salary package.

CAPM is primarily chosen by beginners who wish to map their way into project management and have no prior experience in the field. This course is an excellent starting point for learning about project management principles and establishing a clear understanding of the management concepts. Students or those with limited or no experience can pursue the CAPM certification to work as a project coordinator, supervisor and assistant project manager. As this one is a foundational certificate, one will need to upskill and gain more knowledge in the field to work as a project manager eventually.

Case Studies: When CAPM is Better, When PMP is Better?

We encounter numerous real-life examples that illustrate when to choose CAPM and when to opt for PMP. In this answer, we will elaborate on everything to help you decide which one would work best for you and your career growth. However, before making a choice, we still advise you to conduct thorough research, demonstrate your educational background, work history, and overall experience, so you can decide which course feels the perfect fit for you and helps you easily pivot your career roadmap.

When to Choose CAPM?

For someone considering management roles that require no specific set of skills or prior knowledge of the domain, except for the essential soft skills, the CAPM certification is the best choice for you. This could be when you are opting for a coordinator role, supervisor, head, or someone who will oversee the projects from start to finish without getting into its intricacies. These roles do not require you to have prior experience in project management, but they offer you immediate professional credibility.

When to Choose PMP?

Someone who holds significant experience in project management, has previously led projects for years, and has participated in meetings and discussions with the stakeholders, managers, and clients regarding project development, can pursue the PMP certification. With this certificate, you will acquire advanced project management skills that equip you with the principles of project management, stakeholder involvement, and leadership, helping you to function more efficiently in top roles within your organisation, such as managers, leaders, program managers, directors, and vice presidents.

PMP® vs CAPM® Certification: Which is Best for Your Next Career Move?

The CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) certificate is an entry-level, foundational credential best suited for individuals with absolutely no prior experience, students, recent graduates, or those starting in their professional journey. This certificate does not require any absolute qualification criterion, making it easier for aspiring individuals to pursue it.

On the other hand, the PMP (Project Management Professional) certificate is ideal for project managers who have at least 3 years of experience in a similar field (management or project handling). Earning a PMP certificate not only confirms an individual’s knowledge of project management but also enhances their existing skill sets in project management. With this certification, one can validate their comprehension of project management tools, techniques, and software, and also learn to survive in different, dynamic environments.

Conclusion

This article demonstrates how both certifications would help you in their own way if you consider them in your professional journey. While the CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) credential is ideally suited for beginners (learners), it can provide the formative training required for those aspiring to be a part of the project management industry. On the other hand, anyone with a fair amount of experience as a project manager or project leader can choose the PMP certification, as it will help them further develop their project management skills and pursue high-paying management positions in top companies.

FAQs

1. Which certification is more valuable: PMP or CAPM?

   The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is undoubtedly the most valuable credential for those seeking a career in project management. This certificate is designed keeping in mind the management professionals who have fair experience (ideally more than 3 years) in leading projects end-to-end. This certificate remains a go-to choice for those already in higher positions, enabling them to drive multiple projects successfully in companies. On the other hand, the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certificate is a basic certification that nearly anyone, irrespective of their qualification, can pursue to kickstart their career in project management. Although elementary, this credential does add value to an aspiring project expert’s portfolio and authenticates their knowledge in the project management segment.

   So, it entirely depends on the individual pursuing it. If you are a working professional with significant knowledge of the project management industry and have previously managed projects effectively, you can go for the PMP certificate. For those just starting in this domain, the CAPM certification can be a great start to your career.

2. Can I obtain a PMP certificate without experience?

   The PMP certificate cannot be obtained without prior experience in project management. Any individual willing to learn project management and earn a PMP certificate must have at least 36 to 60 months of experience in project management. Additionally, many resources also mention that a mandatory 35 hours of formal project management education or a CAPM certification is required to qualify for it.

3. What is the pass mark for the CAPM and PMP Exam?

   Ideally, there is no defined passing mark for the CAPM and PMP examinations; however, a score of 65% or higher is considered crucial for obtaining the CAPM certificate, and a score of more than 70% is required for PMP exam applicants.

4. Can I skip the CAPM and proceed directly to the PMP?

   Yes, applicants can skip the CAPM and proceed directly to the PMP certification, provided they hold the relevant qualifications for it. Ideally, the PMP certification has a structured eligibility criterion that includes individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in project management to qualify for it. Even a high school diploma certification of at least 5 years can be considered. Not appearing for the CAPM certification will also work if you are aiming for higher roles in project management and are not just willing to pursue the foundational courses.

5. How soon after passing the CAPM can I take the PMP?

   If the applicant meets the PMP examination requirements, they do not need to wait for it. There is no defined waiting period to apply for PMP. Suppose you have decided to pursue the CAPM certification before applying for PMP. You will need to devote 35 hours to the formal project management training provided in the session, which will prepare you for the PMP certification.