PMI vs. PMP: What’s the Difference?

If you are a project management professional or are considering a career in the field, you may have heard of acronyms like PMI and PMP. PMI is short for the Project Management Institute, a nonprofit organization supporting project managers. The PMP is the Project Management Professional certification PMI offers to set an industry standard for the skills a project manager should have. Learn more about PMI versus PMP and what both can do to help you reach your project manager career goals. 

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PMI vs. PMP

PMI stands for the Project Management Institute, a professional organization for project management professionals that offers industry events, education opportunities, advocacy, and other resources. PMI offers industry-standard programs to certify that project managers have the skills and experience to manage and lead projects, including the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. This certification demonstrates you understand project management principles and that you have three to five years of experience leading and managing projects. 

What is PMI?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a nonprofit organization that provides education, advocacy, and networking opportunities for project management professionals. Its mission is “to provide Project Professionals and employers with knowledge platforms and resources, career-long learning and development, and gold-standard professional certifications” [1]. PMI has over 700,000 members worldwide, and it has many local chapters where members can network and attend professional events [2]. 

PMI offers industry-standard certifications for project management professionals, including the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Earning this certification demonstrates you have the skills and experience to lead projects in any industry. Additionally, PMI offers many resources for students and professionals who want to learn new skills or stay updated on industry trends, and tools to make your job easier as a project manager. 

Benefits of PMI membership

PMI offers events, learning opportunities, certification, and other tools to help you identify your career goals and take steps toward making those goals a reality. While you don’t have to be a PMI member to become PMP certified, PMI members pay a discounted rate for certifications, courses, and events. For example, PMI members save $250 on the cost of the PMP exam [3]. 

Other benefits of a PMI membership include: 

• Local chapters: By joining a local PMI chapter, you can network with other project management professionals in your area, attend industry events, and find volunteer opportunities to use your skills to drive social change in your community. 

• AI copilot and other tools: PMI members can access PMI’s AI-powered project management coach, PMI Infinity. This AI agent is trained as an expert on project management topics and can provide a conversational experience to help you discuss your ideas or roadblocks. PMI also offers tools like the Career Navigator that can help you self-assess and understand what steps you can take to meet your career goals. 

• Educational opportunities: PMI membership allows you to access courses and other educational resources for a discounted price. You will also be able to access the Business Reading Center, where you can read business magazines and trade publications to stay up to date on project management in your industry. 

PMI membership costs $159 per year [4]. Students can get a discounted rate of $32 annually [5]. 

What is PMP?

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification that PMI offers is a credential that demonstrates you understand and apply project management industry standards to your work. To earn your PMP, you need three to five years of experience in project management, so this credential also demonstrates you have practical experience in the field. The PMP is recognized globally; you can take the exam in 16 languages. 

Who should take the PMP?

The PMP certification is appropriate for any professional working in project management. The industry-independent exam allows you to use your PMP certification in any industry that benefits from project managers. Project managers are professionals who act as the leader of a project, bridging the gap between stakeholders and the teams working on a project. In this role, you determine the project’s goals and objectives, plan how your team will complete the project, and oversee that process with an eye for budget, time management, and managing resources effectively.

The average annual salary for a project manager in the US is $104,920 [6], which is an aggregate number that considers all of the industries project managers work in. As a project manager, you can help oversee projects in many different industries, which will affect your day-to-day work and the salary you earn as a result. Some of the industries you can work in as a project manager, along with the average salary in the field, include [6]: 

• Information services: $186,040

• Oil and gas extraction: $144,750

• Financial investments and related activities: $139,990

• Federal, state, and local government: $136,960

• Aerospace: $134,200

According to the Project Management Institute, professionals who have earned their PMP certification earn an average of 33 percent more than professionals without the certification [3]. 

PMP certification scope 

The PMP certification exam consists of 180 questions, and you will have 230 minutes to answer. The exam covers both predictive project management and hybrid or Agile methodology, with each comprising half of the content. The exam will have questions about people (42 percent), processes (50 percent), and the business environment (8 percent) [3]. 

To qualify for the PMP exam, you need prior education, project management education, and experience leading and managing projects. You can meet this criteria in three ways: 

• Requirement set A: For the first option, you will need a high school diploma, five years of experience managing projects, and 35 hours of project management training. 

• Requirement set B: If you earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in any subject, you can qualify for the PMP exam with three years of experience managing projects and 35 hours of project management training.

• Requirement set C: If you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a program accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs, you will qualify for the PMP certification with two years of experience leading or managing projects. Your education will also automatically satisfy the requirement for 35 hours of project management training. 

After you earn your PMP certification, you’ll need to complete 60 hours of continuing education every three years to maintain your credential. At least 35 of these hours should be education-focused, and you can use a maximum of 25 hours in the Giving Back category. You will also need to make sure that of your 60 hours, you have eight each in the following three PMI skill categories: 

• PMI Talent Triangle Ways of Working

• Power Skills

• Business Acumen

The PMP certification exam costs $675 for non-members and $425 for PMI members [3].

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Other PMI certifications

Other PMI certifications are available for professionals managing and leading projects. In addition the the PMP, you can choose from three additional foundational certifications: 

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

• Program Management Professional (PgMP)

• Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)

The main difference between these certifications is the level of experience they require in the field of project management. Earning one certification can also help you qualify for the next certification. For example, earning your CAPM satisfies the prerequisite for 35 hours of project management training to earn your PMP, and your PMP satisfies your project management experience requirement for taking the PgMP. 

You can also explore PMI’s five specialized certifications for project managers: 

• PMO Certified Practitioner (PMO-CP)

• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

• PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)

• PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP)

Build relevant project management skills with Coursera.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers a number of certifications for project management professionals, including the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. If you want to learn more about project management or prepare to take the PMP exam, you can find resources to help you begin on Coursera. For example, the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate is a six-course series to help you learn essential project management skills, like Agile project management, project documentation, and strategic communication. You could also explore a new career in project management with a foundational course like Project Management Specialization, offered by the University of Colorado, Boulder. 

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Google Project Management:

Get on the fast track to a career in project management. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.

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Average time: 6 month(s)

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Skills you'll build:

Project Management, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Career Development, Organizational Culture, Risk Management, Quality Management, Project Execution, Agile Management, Problem Solving, Coaching, Scrum, Influencing, Effective Communication, Stakeholder Management, Business Writing, Project Charter, Procurement, Task Estimation, Project Planning

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