What Is the CAPM Certification? Requirements and More

Earning a CAPM certification can help you stand out as a candidate for entry-level project management roles. Through studying for the exam, you'll learn the principles of project management and earn credentials that demonstrate your knowledge of proven frameworks and methodologies. In the following article, you'll learn how to prepare, earn, and use your CAPM certification to advance your project management career.

If you need to fulfill your 23 hours of project management training requirement, consider getting started right away and earning dual credentials while you study by earning the Google Project Management Professional Certificate.

What is CAPM certification? 

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification is a credential designed to demonstrate entry-level project management competency. It is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a leading worldwide organization in project management. This certificate can also be used as a stepping stone to the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification.

How much does a CAPM certification cost?

The CAPM exam costs $225 for PMI members and $300 for non-members. Becoming a PMI member costs $129 a year, plus a one-time $10 application fee. Membership includes perks such as a complimentary download of the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide, lower costs for other career-advancing certifications, and access to a project management job board. If you’re a full-time student in an accredited degree-granting program, you may also be eligible for the student bundle. You might also approach faculty members teaching project management courses at your school to see if they have bulk purchase agreements with PMI, which may save you further costs. If you're employed and think the CAPM can benefit your work, consider asking your manager if your organization will cover the exam and training costs.

CAPM requirements

You’ll need to meet the following requirements to sit for the CAPM exam:

• A high school diploma, GED, associate degree, or equivalent

• 23 hours of project management education completed before the time of the exam

Once you've completed at least 23 hours of education, you're qualified to take the exam. The CAPM exam contains 150 questions and you’ll have three hours to complete it. 

What counts as 23 hours of project management education?

You may search for in-person courses at your local community college or take online project management classes, such as the Google Project Management Professional Certificate program. Throughout this course series, you'll focus on core project management skills and methodologies like Agile, risk management, project execution, business writing, and effective communication. Upon completion, you'll gain access to the Google Hiring Consortium, an exclusive job board connecting you to employers hiring for professionals with Google Career Certificates.

Read more: Project Management Career Overview: Resources for Your PM Journey

Is the CAPM certification worth it for your career?

Certifications are a great way to improve your job performance, confidence in the workplace, and competitiveness as an applicant. If you're unsure whether or not the CAPM certification aligns with your career goals, consider browsing job postings for careers you'd like to fulfill. If the skills match the ones being tested in the CAPM exam or employers ask for the CAPM by name, earning the certificate can help you meet those expectations. In the following sections, you can learn more about jobs that benefit from or specifically request CAPM certification and their respective salaries.

Read more: 6 Project Management Certifications to Advance Your Career

Entry-level project management jobs

The CAPM can prepare you for entry-level project management jobs such as project coordinator, project manager, and associate project manager.

Project management is an in-demand skill and a growing career field. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for project management specialists is expected to grow 7 percent between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average for all occupations [1]. In a report published by the PMI, the project-oriented job market is projected to grow 33 percent, equivalent to 22 million new jobs, and by 2027, employers are projected to need almost 88 million project management roles [2].

Read more: Project Manager Career Path: From Entry-Level to VP

How much does a CAPM certification increase salary?

According to Payscale, a Certified Associate in Project Management makes an average salary of $74,000 in the US as of October 2024 [3]. Below are some of the average US salaries for positions listing CAPM cerification in job postings, collected from Glassdoor.

Read more: Project Manager Salary: Your 2024 Guide

CAPM vs. PMP Certification

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is also administered by the PMI. While the CAPM is generally seen as an entry-level certification, the PMP is considered a professional-level credential. The PMP is more popular than the CAPM, with over one million PMP holders worldwide [4]. 

Here’s a quick summary of their differences.

Should I get the CAPM or PMP?

As an entry-level certification, obtaining the CAPM certification makes sense if you have little or no experience with project management. It can be a good way to break into the field. If you have at least three years of project management experience, it's worth considering the PMP. Your decision should depend on what your individual goals are.

Read more: CAPM vs. PMP: Which Is Best for You?

How to prepare for the CAPM exam

To train for the CAPM exam, you can self-study or enroll in a course. Here’s a quick look at two online training courses.

Project Management Basics

• What you need to know: Project Management Basics is a course offered by the PMI designed to prepare you for the CAPM. Lessons are 20-minute online modules that are accessible in any order. The course is based on content in the PMI project management guide, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), and includes a free digital copy of the guide.

• Price: $400 for non-PMI members, $350 for PMI members

Google Project Management: Professional Certificate

• What you need to know: The Google Project Management: Professional Certificate includes six courses on various aspects of project management, including project initiation, project planning, and agile project management. Completing the coursework will also earn you a professional certificate, and qualifies you with over 100 hours of project management education that you can use toward requirements for PMI certifications, the CAPM included. The certificate is not an official CAPM training course.

• Price: Included with Coursera Plus subscription for $59 a month

Opting to self-study?

You’ll want to at least get a copy of the most recent PMBOK Guide, which the CAPM is based on. You can also start getting acquainted with the contents and structure of the exam through the PMI’s CAPM handbook.

Take the first step toward CAPM certification

As an entry-level project management certification, the CAPM can be a great way to set yourself apart from other candidates. If you’re ready to get started, check out the Google Project Management Professional Certificate to fulfill your CAPM education requirement and earn a certificate for your study from Google.