Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Handbook

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Certied Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Handbook
Table of Contents

Topic Page
How to Use this Handbook (copyright and revision) 2
About PMIs Certification Program 3
Overview of the CAPM Certification
Overview of the CAPM Certification 4
Timeline of the CAPM Certification Process 5
CAPM Eligibility Requirements 6
CAPM Certification Application & Payment
How to Complete the Online Application 7
How to Record Your Experience and/or Education on the Application 8
Application Processing 9
CAPM Certification Fees 10
How to Submit Payment 11
CAPM Refund Policy 12
PMI Audit Process 13
CAPM Recertification 14
Exam Policies & Procedures
CAPM Examination Information 16
CAPM Examination Blueprint 17
Examination Administration 18
Examination Language Aids 19
Special Accommodations for the Examination 19
Examination Eligibility 20
How to Schedule Your Examination Appointment 21
Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy for CBT Exams 24
Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy for PBT Exams 25
Emergency Situations (Extenuating Circumstances) 25
PMI Examination Security & Confidentiality 27
Examination Site Requirements & Instructions 28
Examination Report 30
Reexamination 31
PMI Appeals Procedure 32
Use of Your CAPM Certification 33
PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 34
PMI Certification Candidate/Renewal Agreement 39

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 2
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
How to Use the CAPM

Certification Handbook
This handbook contains information on how you can apply for the Certified Associate in Project
Management certificationa certification designed to reflect individuals knowledge of project
management processes and terminology. This handbook applies to both computer-based and paper-
based testing candidates.
PMI requires that all CAPM certification applicants read this entire handbook. The purpose of this
handbook is to provide you with important information about the policies and procedures for obtaining
and renewing the CAPM certification.

The features in this handbook allow you to:
Find information on each policy or procedure by clicking on a topic in the left navigation bar.
Find tips and important information by reading NOTES throughout the handbook.
Access the online application system and other information by clicking on links within this handbook.


PMI CONTACT INFORMATION
For general information about the Certification Program, contact the
Customer Care Service Centre in your region. Find this information at
http://www.pmi.org/About-Us/Customer-Care.aspx

PMI Customer Care email:
[email protected]

Use the Online Certification System to Apply
https://certification.pmi.org


CAPM

Certification Handbook last updated 24 September 2012.



2000-2012 Project Management Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.

PMI, the PMI logo, Making project management indispensable for business results, PMBOK, CAPM, Certified Associate
in Project Management (CAPM), PMP, Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Professional, the
PMP logo, PgMP, Program Management Professional (PgMP), PMI-RMP, PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-
RMP), PMI-SP, PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP), PMI-ACP and PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) are
marks of Project Management Institute, Inc.
CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 3
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
About PMIs Certification Program
PMI offers a comprehensive certification program for practitioners with different levels of education and
experience. The certifications are developed and maintained through a vigorous process.
The certification program includes:
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

certification
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
SM
certification
PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

credential
PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)

credential
Program Management Professional (PgMP)

credential
Project Management Professional (PMP)

credential
PMIs certification and credentials are distinguished by their global development and application, which
makes them transferable across industries and geographic borders. The strength of PMIs credentials is
that they are portable and not tied to any single method, standard, or organization.
The CAPM tests on individuals knowledge of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK


Guide) and merely requires those who attain it to retest and recertify at the end of the five-year
certification cycle.
PMIs certification program is designed to ensure that all certification holders have demonstrated their
competence through fair and valid measures. Steps are taken to ensure only the most reliable testing
measures are used in the assessment of candidates. For example, interviews can be influenced by how
difficult the interviewer tends to be, how well the candidate is performing that day, and even how many
questions the interviewer asks along the same line of questioning.
PMI certification and credentials are also developed by project management practitioners for
practitioners. The certification program is driven by the thousands of certification and credential holders
who volunteer to spend time constructing and refining the exam questions used by PMI. These
volunteers represent the diversity of PMIs market, coming from every region of the world, industry, job
level, and experience level.
The exam questions are monitored through industry-standard statistical procedures, also overseen by
volunteers.
Finally, PMIs entire certification program is supervised by the Certification Governance Council (CGC), a
committee of PMI credential holders who have a Board mandate to oversee PMIs credentials.
A candidate is assessed by examining his or her knowledge using:
Reviewing Education and ExperienceA combination of education and/or experience in
project management is required for each certification.
Testing CompetenceThe candidate is required to apply project management concepts and
experience to potential on-the-job situations through a series of scenario-based questions.
Ongoing DevelopmentMaintenance of a PMI certification requires the accumulation of
ongoing professional development and education or, in the case of the CAPM certification, re-
certification.


PMI Certification Department Mission
Initiate, establish, evaluate, maintain and administer a professional credential
program to promote and support project management practitioners and the
profession.

Overview of the CAPM Certification

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 4
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
Overview of the CAPM Certification
The CAPM certification offers recognition to practitioners who are starting a career in project
management as well as project team members who wish to demonstrate their project management
knowledge. This certification denotes that the individual possesses the knowledge in the principles and
terminology of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK

Guide), the standard


of project managements generally recognized good practices.
Individuals who contribute specialized skills to a project team can benefit from this certification by
allowing them to align their work with that of project managers. The knowledge a practitioner gains from
earning the CAPM certification can be applied to on-the-job experiences which help develop growing
levels of competence in the practice of project management. Individuals who carry the CAPM
designation after their name enjoy a high level of credibility from PMP

credential holders, project


managers, employers and peers.
Overview of the CAPM Certification

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 5
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
Timeline of the CAPM Certification Process



Overview of the CAPM Certification

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 6
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
CAPM Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the CAPM certification, you must meet certain educational and professional experience
requirements. At minimum, you need a high school diploma or global equivalent and must meet one of
the following eligibility requirements.

OPTION 1


Educational Background



Project Experience
Secondary diploma (high
school diploma / global
equivalent)
AND 1,500 hours of professional
experience on a project team

OR


OPTION 2


Educational Background

Project Management
Education
Secondary diploma (high
school diploma / global
equivalent)
AND 23 contact hours of formal
education

CAPM Certification Application & Payment

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 7
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
How to Complete the Online Application
PMI encourages you to use the online certification system to apply for all credentials. However, printable
application forms are available on PMI.org.
Before you begin, check to make sure you meet the credential eligibility requirements and can record
the necessary information on the application.
Once you start an online application, you cannot cancel it. You can save it unfinished, come back to it
later, and edit any information you already entered. The application will remain open for 90 days during
which time PMI will send you an email reminder to complete the application.
Please ensure that the application includes your valid, unique email address as this will be the primary
mode of communication from PMI throughout the credential process. Although PMI will email you
reminders during the process, you have the responsibility to schedule and sit for your
examination within the one-year eligibility period (See the Exam Eligibility section of this handbook
for more details).

NOTE: Electronic communications from PMI may inadvertently be blocked or forwarded to bulk
mail folders by some spam filters. Please add [email protected] to the personal address
book in your email program to help ensure that you dont miss important CCR program updates
from PMI.

Before you submit the application, you will be required to read and agree to the PMI Code of Ethics
and Professional Conduct and the Certification Application/Renewal Agreement, which can be found in
this handbook and on PMI.org.

NOTE: Incomplete applications and faxed applications will not be processed or returned.


You can also use the online certification system to:
View your submitted application
View your examination eligibility status
Download PMI audit forms
Download your exam reports with pass/fail status
Apply and submit payment to take or retake any PMI examination and/or evaluation
Submit payment for certification renewal
Download receipts
Access your certification record and update your contact information
View your listing on the Certification Registry

CAPM Certification Application & Payment

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 8
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
How to Record Your Experience or Education on the Application
Use the experience verification section of the online application to record your professional project
experience (Option 1) or use the project management education section of the online application to
record your project management education (Option 2).
OPTION 1: PROFESSIONAL PROJECT EXPERIENCE
If you choose to report 1,500 hours of professional project experience, record your work on projects.
Record projects individually regardless of the number of projects you worked on. Do not group project
experience. Also, record the number of hours applied to the five project management process groups
and summarize, by process, your experience on each project.

NOTE: The PMBOK

Guide defines a project as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create


a unique product, service or result (PMBOK

GuideFourth Edition, p. 434).



OPTION 2: PROJECT MANAGEMENT EDUCATION
If you choose to record 23 contact hours of specific instruction that addressed learning objectives in
project management. Record all education hours regardless of when they were accrued. The course
work must be completed at the time of your examination.

NOTE: One hour of classroom instruction equals one contact hour. If you have completed a
university or college course on project management that met for three hours per week for 15
weeks, you would document 45 contact hours on the application. If only a portion of a course
dealt with project management, only the hours spent on project management can be applied
toward the total.

The course hours may include content on project quality, scope, time, cost, human resources,
communications, risk, procurement, and integration management.
You can satisfy the education requirements by demonstrating the successful completion of courses,
workshops and training sessions offered by one or more of the following types of education providers:
A. PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)*
B. PMI chapters or communities of practice*
C. Employer/company-sponsored programs
D. Training companies or consultants (e.g., training schools)
E. Distance-learning companies, including an end-of-course assessment
F. University/college academic and continuing education programs
*Courses offered by PMI R.E.P.s, PMI chapters and communities of practice or by PMI are pre-approved for
contact hours in fulfillment of the educational eligibility requirement.

The following education does not satisfy the education requirements:
PMI chapter meetings*
Self-directed learning (e.g., reading books, watching instructional videos or sessions with
coaches or mentors)
*If at least one hour of a chapter meeting is spent conducting a learning activity, the hour(s) spent in that
activity can be counted towards the educational eligibility requirement.

NOTE: While you may be able to record applicable classes that counted toward a degree,
you cannot record the degree program in its entirety because some classes within the
program will not apply to the requirement.
CAPM Certification Application & Payment

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 9
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
Application Processing
PMI strives to process applications in a timely manner. The application processing timeline depends on
how you submit your applicationeither online using the certification system or on paper sent by postal
mail to PMI. The following table details the application processing timeline.

Application Processing Timeline
Application submitted: Process time:
Online Up to 24 hours
Paper by individuals 10 business days
by corporations 20 business days


NOTE: This processing timeline does not apply if your application has been selected for PMIs
audit process (refer to the PMI Audit Process section in this handbook for more details).

CAPM Certification Application & Payment

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 10
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
CAPM Certification Fees
The proper fees for payment are determined by your PMI membership status and the examination
delivery type (computer-based versus paper-based) for your geographic location. Refer to the
Examination Administration section in this handbook to see if you qualify for paper-based exam delivery.
Otherwise, plan on taking a computer-based exam and submitting the associated fees. Use the following
chart to determine the certification fee.

Exam Administration Type PMI Member Status US Dollars Euros

Computer-based testing (CBT) member $225 185
Computer-based testing (CBT) nonmember $300 250
Paper-based testing (PBT) member $225 185
Paper-based testing (PBT) nonmember $300 250

Reexamination CBT or PBT member $150 125
Reexamination CBT or PBT nonmember $200 170

Certification renewal, CBT or PBT member $225 185
Certification renewal, CBT or PBT nonmember $300 250
Certification renewal reexam
CBT/PBT
member $150 125
Certification renewal reexam
CBT/PBT
nonmember $200 170

The PMI membership rate will apply only if you are a member of PMI in good standing at the time you
submit payment for the credential. If you apply for membership right before you apply for the credential,
make sure you receive confirmation of your membership before you pay for the credential. If your
membership has not been completely processed before you pay for the credential, you will be charged
the nonmember rate.
If PMI membership is obtained after you submit payment for the credential, PMI will not refund the
difference.
Review all the benefits of PMI membership or J oin Now!
CAPM Certification Application & Payment

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 11
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
How to Submit Payment
Once your online application has been processed and determined to be complete, PMI will send
electronic notification to you requesting payment.
This requires you to go back into the online certification system to complete the following steps:
1. Select your examination delivery method
(refer to the Examination Administration section in this handbook for more details)
2. Request a language aid for your examination at no extra cost, if appropriate
(refer to the Language Aids section in this handbook for more details)
3. Request special accommodations for your examination at no extra cost, if necessary
(refer to the Special Accommodations section in this handbook for more details)
4. Submit payment
(refer to the Credential Fees section of this handbook for more details)
You can submit payment of the certification fees in any of the following ways:
Payment type Method for sending payment
Credit card Online certification system or postal mail to PMI
Check Postal mail to PMI
Money Order Postal mail to PMI
Wire transfer Contact [email protected] for details
If you choose to submit payment by postal mail, you must also complete and
include a Credential Payment Form with your payment.


If you submit your application by postal mail, payment is expected to be received with your
application.
If you submit your application online, you may submit payment by the following ways:
1. OnlineUse the online certification system to submit credit card payment. This will enable PMI to
process your payment more quickly.
OR
2. By Postal MailMail a check, money order, credit card information or wire payment information
to PMI. For all mail-in payments, please download and complete the Credential Payment Form
and submit the completed form with your payment. Include your PMI identification number and
user name.

NOTE: When credential payment is received, PMI will send electronic notification
indicating one of the following next steps:
Examination scheduling instructions to help you schedule your examination
Application has randomly been selected for PMIs audit process

CAPM Certification Application & Payment

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 12
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
CAPM Refund Policy
To obtain a refund for the CAPM certification, you must submit a written request to PMI at least 30 days
before the exam eligibility expiration date. PMI will retain a processing fee of US$100 if you have not
yet scheduled or taken the examination.
You also can receive a refund, less a US$100 processing fee, if you fail to meet audit requirements (refer
to the PMI Audit Process section of this handbook for details on the audit process).

PMI will NOT provide you with a refund in the following instances:
If your one-year eligibility period has expired and you have not scheduled the exam, you will not
receive a refund. You will forfeit the entire fee. You will not be able to use the initial fees for
anything else. If you still wish to obtain the certification, you will have to reapply and submit all
associated fees again.
If you have scheduled the exam and did not take it, nor provide the necessary
cancellation/rescheduling notification to PMIs testing administration partner, Prometric, you will
not receive a refund. Again, you will forfeit the fee and not be able to apply it to anything else.


NOTE: You can send a request for refund to [email protected] or by fax to +1 610 482 9971.

PMI Audit Process

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 13
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
PMI Audit Process
The submission of an application indicates your agreement to comply with the terms of the audit process.
All applications are subject to an audit, although only a percentage of applications are selected for audit.
The selection of an application for audit is random.
If your application is selected for an audit, you will be notified by email after payment of the credential fee
is received. The electronic audit notification provides detailed information on how to comply with the
terms of the audit.
During an audit, you will be asked to submit supporting documentation such as:
Copies of your diploma/global equivalent
Signatures from your supervisor(s) or manager(s) from the project(s) recorded on the application
Copies of certificates and/or letters of registration from the training institute(s) for each course
recorded on the application to meet the required contact hours of training in agile practices
PMI provides you with 90 days to submit the requested documentation. If you are able to provide the
necessary documentation to meet the terms and requirements of the audit process, the audit should take
about five to seven business days to complete.
You can send your completed audit forms by regular postal mail or express courier service, to the
address below. Please send all materials at one time, in one envelope. Sending audit documents
separately can cause delay in the audit review process.

PMI
Attn: Certification Audit
14 Campus Blvd.
Newtown Square, PA 19073-3299 USA

You may not continue with the certification process until you have complied with the audit requirements.
Once you successfully complete the audit, your one-year examination eligibility period starts.
Incomplete submissions will not be processed and will result in failure of the audit.
If you fail to meet the audit requirements, you will receive a refund (refer to the Refund Policy section
in this handbook for the credential you are pursuing for more details).


NOTE: Please be advised that while the selection process for an audit is primarily random, PMI
reserves the right to select any candidate to be audited at any time, including after the credential
has been bestowed. If you fail to meet the audit requirements after attaining the credential, you
are not entitled to a refund.

CAPM Recertification

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 14
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
CAPM Recertification
Once you pass the CAPM examination, you are certified for a period of five years. Before the end of
your five-year certification cycle, you have the option to pursue recertification or, if you are eligible,
you can apply for any other of PMIs credentials.
CAPM recertification assures employers, peers and project team members that you are versed in the
most current project management processes and terminology.

Overview of the Process for CAPM Recertification
1. Submit the online application for recertification
2. Reaffirm PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the PMI Certification
Application/Renewal Agreement
3. Submit the appropriate recertification fee and PMI will email you a web link to the examination
scheduling instructions
4. Schedule, sit for, and pass the CAPM examination
5. Receive a new certificate with your certification number and certification cycle dates

How to Determine Your Certification Cycle
Your active certification cycle begins the day you pass the examination and ends five full years later.
You can determine your certification cycle in one of the following ways:
Check your CAPM certificate
Use the online certification system
Calculate your cycleif you passed the examination on 15 September 2010, your certification
ends on 14 September 2015. Your next certification/CCR cycle begins on 15 September 2015
and ends on 14 September 2020.

Process for CAPM Recertification
You must apply for recertification and take the examination during the last year of your
certification cycle.
Using the sample dates above, if you passed your examination and earned the initial certification on 15
September 2010, your renewal period begins 15 September 2014, which provides you with one year
during which you can take the exam up to three times. You must apply for renewal and pass the
examination by 14 September 2015 (your certification end date).

Calculations
Certification begins the day you pass the exam. If
you pass the exam on

15 September 2010
Your certification cycle begins 15 September 2010
Your certification cycle ends 15 September 2015
Therefore, your renewal period begins 14 September 2014
And you must renew the certification by 15 September 2015
Your new cycle begins (if you pass the exam) 15 September 2015


NOTE: You do not need to provide eligibility information again on your renewal application as you did
on your original application. The certification system has maintained this information from the initial
application you completed. Also, your renewal application is not subject to PMIs audit process.
CAPM Recertification

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 15
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
You can start your one-year examination eligibility period at any point during the fifth year of the CAPM
certification cycle.
If you wait until the month before your certification expires to apply for certification renewal, you
have 12 months to take the examination, but only one month in which to take the examination to
be considered for recertification.
If you pass the examination after your certification end date, you will be considered a new CAPM
which means that you will receive a new certification identification number and a new certification
cycle date.

NOTE: The difference between the renewal period and the eligibility period is thisthe
recertification period starts 12 months before your certification end date. The examination
eligibility period is always one year, during which you may take your certification examination a
maximum of three times. These periods may, or may not, run simultaneously depending on when
you apply for recertification.


If your certification expires and you wish to renew it, you have to go through the full application
process again as though you are new candidate. This process requires you to complete an online
application with eligibility information, be subject to PMIs audit process and submit associated fees.

CAPM Policies and Procedures
The CAPM recertification process contains the same policies and procedures as the initial certification
process. Refer to following sections in this handbook for details on:
CAPM Certification Fees and Refund Policy
CAPM Examination Information and Blueprint
PMI Credential Examination Policies & Procedures
PMI Audit Process
PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
PMI Certification Application/Renewal Agreement

CAPM Recertification Refund Policy
To obtain a refund for the CAPM recertification, you must submit a written request to PMI at least one
month before your examination eligibility expiration date. If you have not taken the examination, PMI will
grant a refund of US$125 for initial examination fees and US$50 for reexamination fees. If your one-year
eligibility period ends and you have not taken the examination, you will not receive a refund.
PMI will not consider giving you a refund if:
1. You have not taken the examination
2. You have scheduled an exam appointment but have not taken the exam or provided the
necessary cancellation/rescheduling notification to PMIs testing administration partner,
Prometric, for a scheduled examination appointment (refer to the Cancellation, Rescheduling,
No Show section in this handbook for more details).
CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 16
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
CAPM Examination Information
The CAPM examination is comprised of 150 multiple-choice questions. Of the 150 questions, 15 are
considered pretest questions. Pretest questions do not affect the score and are used in examinations as
an effective and legitimate way to test the validity of future examination questions. All questions are
placed throughout the examination randomly.


No. of Scored Questions
No. of Pretest (Unscored)
Questions
Total Examination
Questions

135

15

150

Computer-based testing (CBT) is the standard method of administration for PMI examinations. Paper-
based testing (PBT) is available under limited circumstances (refer to the Examination Administration
section in this handbook for more details).

The allotted time to complete the computer-based examination is three hours.

Allotted Examination Time

3 hours

It may take some credential candidates less than the allotted three hours to complete the examination.

NOTE: There are no scheduled breaks during the exam, although you are allowed to
take a break if needed. If you take a break during the exam, your exam clock continues
to count down.

The examination is preceded by a tutorial and followed by a survey, both of which are optional and
both of which can take up to 15 minutes to complete. The time used to complete the tutorial and
survey is not included in the examination time of three hours.

Item Development
CAPM examination questions:
Are validated by global work groups of CAPM certification holders
Are referenced solely to A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK


Guide)Fourth Edition.
Are monitored through psychometric analysis

CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 17
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
CAPM Examination Blueprint
The CAPM examination blueprint identifies the proportion of questions from each chapter of the
PMBOK

GuideFourth Edition that will appear on the examination. The questions are derived by
combining the overall evaluations of importance, criticality, and frequency, and by converting the results
into percentages.
The percentages are used to determine the number of questions related to each chapter that appears on
the examination.



PMBOK

Guide
Fourth Edition
Chapter
Percentage of
Questions
1 4%
2 4%
3 11%
4 11%
5 11%
6 11%
7 9%
8 7%
9 7%
10 7%
11 11%
12 7%
TOTAL 100%

CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 18
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
Examination Administration
Computer-based testing (CBT) is the standard method of administration for all PMI examinations.
However, paper-based testing (PBT) is available in the following situations only:
1. Candidates who live at least 300 km (186.5 miles) from a Prometric CBT site.
2. Employers (Corporate Sponsors) who wish to administer a PMI examination to their
employees. In this case, there is no restriction on distance; however, only employees of the
corporation may test at these events.

NOTE: You do not have the option of taking a CBT or PBT exam. You can onl y
take a PBT exam if you meet one of the two criteria listed above.

PMI reserves the right to cancel a PBT event that does not have a minimum of 10 candidates. Additional
restrictions apply. Sponsors can obtain a copy of the PBT Handbook by contacting [email protected].
CBT test centers are listed on the Prometric website. If you are unable to locate a Prometric CBT center
within a 300 km- (186.5 mile-) radius of your home, review the PBT listing on the Prometric website to
see if there is a PBT event available in your area.
Prometric, a leading global provider of comprehensive testing and assessment services, is PMIs
examination administration partner.

NOTE: As part of the payment process, you need to indicate whether you will be taking a
computer-based or paper-based examination. If you need to take a PBT examination, include the
site location, date, and group testing number on your application.


CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 19
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
Examination Language Aids
All PMI examinations are administered in English. Language aids for the questions and answers of the
PMP and CAPM examinations are available to assist you if English is your second language. There are
no additional costs for language aids.
Language aids are available in the following 13 languages:
Arabic Hebrew
Brazilian Portuguese Italian
Chinese (Simplified) J apanese
Chinese (Traditional) Korean
French Russian
German Spanish
Turkish

Language aids are provided at the time the examination is administered and are protected under the PMI
Test Security & Confidentiality rules.

NOTE: If you would like a language aid, you should indicate your need as part of the payment
process (if you submit your application online) or as part of the application process (if you submit
a paper application).

Once the examination is scheduled, you should review the confirmation notice to verify that your request
for a language aid has been processed. If you had selected a language aid, and the confirmation notice
makes no indication, contact [email protected].

Special Accommodations for the Examination
You may request the administration of any PMI examination to be modified due to disability, handicap
and/or other conditions that may impair your ability to take the examination. There are no additional costs
for special accommodations.

NOTE: Record your need for special accommodations as part of the payment process (if you
applied online) or as part of the application process (if you submitted a paper application).

You must submit to PMI, by fax or postal mail, supporting medical or other appropriate documentation to
complete your request. Please keep a copy of all submitted forms for your records.

CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 20
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
Examination Eligibility
Once payment of the credential fee has been received, and you successfully completed the application
audit (if your application was selected), you are deemed eligible to take the examination. PMI will send
you an email notification with:
PMI Eligibility ID
The start and end dates for your eligibility period and
The examination scheduling instructions.

NOTE: If your application was selected for audit, your eligibility period begins the day you
successfully completed the audit.

The exam eligibility period (the period of time during which you are able to test) is one year. You may
take the examination up to three times within this one-year eligibility period should you not pass on the
first attempt.
The examination scheduling instructions direct you to the section of the Prometric website where you can
select and schedule your examination date and location. Prometric is PMIs examination administration
partner.
PMI cannot guarantee seating at the testing centers and recommends that you schedule the
examination as soon as you select a date on which you want to take it and at least three months before
the expiration of your eligibility period.

NOTE: You must retain the unique PMI Eligibility ID located on your scheduling notification. This
code will be required to register for the examination.

Please print and save all examination scheduling verifications and correspondence received from
Prometric for your records.

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2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
How to Schedule Your Examination

FOR PBT ADMINISTRATION
If you qualified to take a paper-based examination, you will not have to do anything to schedule a
PBT appointment because you indicated this administration type as part of the application or payment
process. Although you are required to do nothing, you will receive the examination scheduling
instructions because PMIs system sends it automatically to everyone.
To confirm your PBT exam appointment, PMI will send an electronic confirmation 20 days before your
scheduled appointment. This confirmation will contain site instructions including your eligibility dates,
your examination date and location, your arrival times for the examination, information on your
government-issued identification, and a contact person.


FOR CBT ADMINISTRATION
You cannot schedule an exam appointment until PMI receives payment of your certification fee.
Schedule your Examination Online
You can schedule your CBT exam appointment online at the Prometric website (www.prometric.com/pmi).
When you press Get Started, you will be prompted to complete the following steps:
1. Select Schedule an Appointment
2. Choose the country and state/province in which you would like to sit for the examination
3. First time test takers will need to create an account by selecting the link Are you a New User. By
creating this account, you are using a Prometric login and password that is different than your
PMI.org login and password.
4. Select PMI-Project Management Institute in the Client field and PMI-Project Management
Institute (PR0, PR1) in the Program field.
5. Review CAPM Eligibility Requirements and scheduling information
6. Select CA0-001 CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) in the Exam field.
Choose your preferred language and currency. If you require a language aid, please select the
appropriate language aid here.
7. Make a selection from the Available Test Sites offerings in your area and select Schedule
Appointment.
8. Select the examination date and time.
9. Enter your PMI Eligibility ID, confirm your email address, agree to the Data Privacy Notice, and
click on Commit Registration.

NOTE: Print out your exam confirmation information once you schedule your exam online. Please
maintain a copy of the CBT examination confirmation in your files in the unlikely event that there
are any discrepancies. PMI will not be able to advocate for you if this confirmation notice is not
provided.



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CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 22
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Schedule your Examination by Telephone
If you live in North America, you can use the Prometric Telephone System, an Interactive Voice
Response System that enables you to use a touch-tone phone to schedule, reschedule, cancel,
or confirm existing examination appointments. Test center information (phone number, address
and directions) can also be obtained over the telephone or online.
This telephone service is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time).
Please call +1 800 268 2802 and follow the prompts. The hearing impaired may schedule by
calling
+1 800 529 3590.

If you live outside North America and wish to schedule your examination appointment by
telephone, refer to the Prometric Regional Contact Center chart for the applicable telephone
number.

NOTE: Please be advised that when scheduling by telephone, you must go to the Prometric
website to print your confirmation information.


Prometric Regional Service Centers
Region Phone Number Hours of Operation Local Time
Australia, New Zealand (Auckland)* 603 7628 3333 Mon.Fri. 8:30 a.m.5 p.m.
India 91 124 4517140 Mon.Fri. 9 a.m.5:30 p.m.
J apan 81 3 5541 4800 Mon.Fri. 9 a.m.6 p.m.
Korea 82 2 2116 8331 or
1566 0990
Mon.Fri. 8:30 a.m.6 p.m.
South East Asia: Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan,
Thailand
60 3 7628 3333 Mon.Fri. 8 a.m.8 p.m.
Europe: Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland,
France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan
31 320 239 540 Mon.Fri. 9 a.m.6 p.m.
Middle East: Egypt, Israel, J ordan, Kuwait City, Lebanon,
Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates; North Africa
31 320 239 530 Sun.Thurs. 9 a.m.6 p.m.
Sub-sahara Africa: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius,
Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe
31 320 239 593 Mon.Fri. 9 a.m.6 p.m.
Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia,
Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru,
Venezuela; Caribbean
443 751 4995 Mon.Fri. 9 a.m.5 p.m. EST

When calling Prometrics Customer Care Center, the Customer Service Representative will ask for:
1. Testing program: (Project Management Institute)
2. Name of examination: (CAPM, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, PMI-SP, PMP, or PgMP)
3. PMI Eligibility ID (e.g., 1234567E1)

NOTE: Please maintain a copy of the CBT examination confirmation in your files in the unlikely
event that there are any discrepancies. PMI will not be able to advocate for you if this
confirmation notice is not provided.

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How to Schedule an Examination with Special Accommodations
If you have been approved special accommodations for the examination administration from PMI, please
follow these steps:
Candidates who live inside North America must call Prometric Special Conditions Department at +1
800 967 1139
Candidates who live outside North America must contact Prometrics Regional Service Center in your
region. Please see the phone list on the previous page.
When scheduling your exam with special accommodations, be prepared to provide the following:
1. Testing program: (Project Management Institute)
2. Name of examination: (CAPM, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, PMI-SP, PMP, or PgMP)
3. PMI Eligibility ID (e.g., 1234567E1)

NOTE: If you neglect to apply for special accommodations at the time you complete the application
and wish to do so as you schedule your exam, you must first contact [email protected].
You cannot schedule the exam with speci al accommodations without first applying for the
accommodations and getting them approved.
CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

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Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy for CBT Exams
You can reschedule or cancel your computer-based exam at any time, as long as you do so more than
two full calendar days before your scheduled exam appointment. However, because of limited seating
capacity at Prometric Testing Centers, late rescheduling and cancellations will result in a fee. It is
recommended that you reschedule or cancel your exam as soon as you know you wont be able to make
the appointment. Please read the following policy carefully.

Within 30 Days of Your Appointment
If you reschedule or cancel your exam within 30 days of your scheduled appointment, you will be
charged a fee of US$70. This fee helps to ensure greater seating availability at Prometric Testing
Centers since candidates who wait until the last minute to reschedule or cancel their exams are
reserving seats that could be used by others.
The fee will be charged when you go online to Prometrics website to reschedule or cancel your exam
within the 30-day period. The $70 charge will appear on your credit card as a charge from Prometric.
The 30-day period does not include the day of the exam appointment. For example, if you scheduled
your exam for 5 May, you must reschedule or cancel the exam on or before 4 April to avoid the fee.
For emergency situations in which you are unable to change your exam appointment before 30 days
within your exam appointment, the Extenuating Circumstance Policy may apply. However, PMI will
evaluate these situations on a case-by-case basis to determine if a refund of the rescheduling fee is
appropriate.
Read the FAQs document for more details on this rule.

Within 2 Days of Your Appointment
You need to reschedule or cancel your appointment before you are within two calendar days of your
exam appointment. If you wait until you are within two days of your exam appointment, you will be able to
cancel your appointment and you will forfeit the entire exam fee. You will not be able to reschedule your
appointment at this point and will need to pay associated reexamination fees to schedule a new exam.

Examples
Date of Exam
Appointment
Date that you Reschedule
or Cancel
Fee Amount
30-Day Policy
5 May 4 April (or before) No Fee
5 May 5 April (up until 2 May) US$70
2-Day Policy
5 May 2 May US$70
5 May 3 May (you are unable to reschedule, but
can cancel the appointment)
Forfeit the
entire exam fee
CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

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How to Reschedule or Cancel Your CBT Appointment
To reschedule or cancel your CBT exam appointment, go to the Prometric website and follow the
prompts. Emails to Prometric or PMI are not acceptable forms of communication to reschedule or cancel
your exam appointment.
If you have Internet connectivity problems, you can call Prometric directly to reschedule or cancel your
appointment. Call Prometric using the same number you called when scheduling your exam and not the
local test site where you are scheduled to take the examination. Contact telephone numbers for
Prometric are located on your Examination Scheduling Instructions and in this handbook.

Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy for PBT Exams
To reschedule or cancel a paper-based testing (PBT) exam appointment, you must email
[email protected] no later than 35 calendar days before the scheduled examination administration
date. Include your name, your PMI identification number, group ID number, (both found on your
confirmation email) and the location of the PBT event in your email. The group ID number is available on
the Prometric website or from the PBT sponsor.

Extenuating Circumstances
PMI understands that there are times when personal emergencies may cause you to:
1. Reschedule or cancel your exam within 30 days of the appointment,
or
2. Miss a scheduled exam appointment (resulting in a no-show status).
These are referred to as extenuating circumstances and can include:
medical emergency,
military deployment,
death in immediate family,
illness in immediate family, or
natural disaster.
*Extenuating circumstances do not include work-related circumstances.*
Should a situation like this occur, PMI will examine your situation and take appropriate action.
1. If your circumstance forces you to reschedule or cancel your exam within 30 days of the
appointment:
Go online to the Prometric website as soon as you know you are unable to make your scheduled
appointment and reschedule or cancel your exam. You will be charged the $70 fee; however, you
can contact PMI Customer Care with an explanation and supporting documents (e.g., accident
report, medical documentation, etc.) to obtain a refund on the late rescheduling/cancellation fee, if
approved by PMI.

2. If your circumstance forces you to miss your scheduled exam appointment (resulting in a no-show
status):
Please Contact PMI Customer Care within 72 hours following the missed exam
appointment. You will be asked to provide an explanation along with supporting documentation
CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 26
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
(e.g., accident report, medical documentation, etc.) in order for you to reschedule or cancel your
exam without penalty, if approved by PMI.
PMI will review all claims on a case-by-case basis. If your extenuating circumstance claim is not
approved, you will be required to pay the full reexamination fee to sit for the exam.

No-Show Status
Failure to notify Prometric or PMI within the specified time periods to reschedule or cancel
your exam and failure to meet a scheduled examination appointment will result in a no-show
status. If you reach a no-show status, you will forfeit the exam fee and have to pay the full
reexamination fee in order to schedule another examination.
CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

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PMI Examination Security & Confidentiality
The examination, answer sheets, worksheets and/or any other test or test-related materials remain the
sole and exclusive property of PMI. These materials are confidential and are not available for review by
any person or agency for any reason.
Examination (pass/fail) results are confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without candidate
consent, unless directed by valid and lawful subpoena or court order. If you would like your examination
results to be released to a third party, you must provide PMI with a written request that specifically
identifies the types of details (e.g., examination date, pass/fail status, etc.) about the examination results
that the third-party person or organization should receive.
When you submit an application, you agree to abide by the PMI Certification Application/Renewal
Agreement (found in this handbook). Among other things, this document addresses post-examination
questions and discussions. It states: Furthermore, I agree not to discuss, debrief or disclose, in
any manner, the specific content of PMI examination questions and answers, to any individual.
Any such discussion would be a potential violation of the Certification Application/Renewal Agreement
and thus, could affect the status of your credential, up to and including revocation of your credential or
permanent suspension from any PMI credential examinations.

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Examination Site Requirements & Instructions
In order to be admitted into the Prometric testing center, you must bring a valid and current (non-expired)
form of government-issued identification. Your identification must include:
1. English characters/translation and
2. your photograph
Your government-issued identification must match your name exactly as it appears on the
scheduling notification. You will not be permitted to test if the name on your government-issued
identification does not exactly match the name on your scheduling notification. Neither PMI nor Prometric
will make any exceptions to this policy.
If you do not provide the appropriate and/or matching identification, you will not be permitted to test. If
you still wish to take the exam, you will be required to apply for reexamination and pay the reexamination
fee in order to take the exam at a later date.
The following are acceptable forms of government-issued identification:
Valid drivers license
Valid military ID
Valid passport
Valid national identification card
The following are acceptable forms of secondary identification:
Valid employee ID
Valid credit card with signature
Valid bank (ATM) card
The following ARE NOT acceptable forms of identification:
Social Security cards
Library cards
Check-in procedure
On the day of your examination, please arrive a half hour before your scheduled appointment. You
must sign in, present the required identification, and provide your unique PMI Eligibility ID. You may also
be asked to provide the confirmation number received when scheduling the appointment.

PROHIBITED from the Testing Center:
You may NOT bring anything or anyone into the testing area or to the desk where you take the exam.
This includes:
food beverages book bags
coats sweaters luggage
calculators eyeglass cases pagers
cellular telephones tape recorders dictionaries
watches wallets any other personal items

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Testing Aids
Test candidates are prohibited from bringing calculators and scrap paper into the test site. However,
these items will be provided for you by Prometric on the day of the exam:
Calculators are built into the CBT exam and will be provided to those candidates taking a PBT
exam
Scrap paper and pencils
Erasable note boards and markers

Termination of Examination Administration/Grounds for Dismissal
You are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times at the testing center. Any
person who violates the PMI Test Security & Confidentiality Policy will be subject to disciplinary action(s)
by the PMI Certification Department.
The test center administrator/supervisor or proctor is authorized to dismiss you from an examination
administration and the PMI Certification Department may cancel your scores, or take other appropriate
action, when there is a reasonable basis for concluding that you have engaged in any of the following
conduct:
1. Using or attempting to use someone else to take the test
2. Failing to provide acceptable personal identification
3. Having access to or using notes or any prohibited aid related to the test
4. Creating a disturbance (disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated; the test
administrator/supervisor has sole discretion in determining whether specific conduct constitutes
disruptive behavior)
5. Communicating, in any manner, with another person other than the test administrator/supervisor or
proctor about the test during the administration, including attempting to give or receive assistance
6. Attempting to remove scrap paper from the testing room, or tearing the scrap paper.
7. Eating or drinking in the testing room
8. Leaving the testing room or test center vicinity without permission
9. Removing or attempting to remove, examination-related material, or portions of a test in any format
from the testing room
10. Attempting to tamper with a computer
11. Engaging in any dishonest or unethical conduct, such as cheating
12. Failing to follow any other examination administration regulations set forth in PMI Certification
Program policies given by the test administrator/supervisor, or specified in any examination materials
The PMI Certification Department reserves the right to take all action including, but not limited to, barring
you from future testing and/or canceling your scores, for failure to comply with the test
administrator/supervisors directions. If your scores are cancelled, you will be notified of such action and
its basis, and your examination fees will not be refunded.
Although tests are administered under strict supervision and security measures, examination
irregularities may sometimes occur. You are required to contact PMI as soon as possible to report any
observed behavior that may lead to an invalid scorefor example, someone copying from another test
taker, taking a test for someone else, having access to test questions before the examination, or using
notes or unauthorized aids. All information will be held in confidence.

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Examination Report
Upon completion of the computer-based examination, you will receive a printed copy of your test results.
In addition to the overall pass/fail status, important diagnostic information on your performance is
provided for each domain. This information provides specific guidance for both passing and failing
candidates.
Understanding Your Exam Report
Your test results are reported in two ways:
1. A pass/fail result score is generated based on your overall performance on the examination.
2. The second level of results is the assignment of one of three proficiency levels to each chapter.
Each topic domain is assigned one of three levels of proficiencyProficient, Moderately
Proficient and Below Proficientbased on the number of questions answered correctly within the
domain.
This provides direction about your strengths and weaknesses.

PMI defines the levels of proficiency as follows:
Proficient indicates performance is above the average level of knowledge in this chapter.
Moderately Proficient indicates performance that is at the average level of knowledge in this
chapter.
Below Proficient indicates performance is below the average level of knowledge in this chapter.
For candidates who pass the examination, the performance information will help identify specific
chapters to focus on for continuing education purposes. For candidates who fail the examination, the
performance information will identify specific chapters where improvement or further study may be
required in order to successfully complete the examination in the future.
Candidates who take a computer-based examination receive the exam report at the test center the day
they sit for the examination. You can also access your exam report on the online certification system 10
business days after your examination date.
Candidates who take a paper-based examination will NOT receive the exam report the day of the exam.
You will be able to access your exam report on the online certification system approximately six to eight
weeks after your examination date.
HAND SCORING for the paper-based test is available up to six months after the administration. The fee
for hand scoring is US$45. For more information or to request hand scoring please contact
[email protected]. PMI does not offer hand scoring for computer-based tests.

NOTE: If you do not pass the credential examination on your first attempt, you have two more
opportunities to retest within your one-year eligibility period. Refer to the Reexamination section
in this handbook for more details.


Establishing the Passing Score
The passing score for all PMI exams is determined by sound psychometric analysis. PMI uses subject
matter experts from across the globe to help establish a point at which each candidate should pass the
exam(s) and the exam point of difficulty. Data that show how candidates actually performed are cross
referenced with the subject matter experts to ensure that the point of difficulty on each exam is healthy.

NOTE: You will not see your certification status on the online Certification Registry until PMI receives
your exam report from Prometric.
CAPM Examination Policies & Procedures

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 31
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Reexamination
You are granted a one-year eligibility period in which to pass the examination. During the eligibility
period, you may take the examination up to three times because candidates do not always pass the
examination on their first attempt. Gauge your time carefully to leave enough time during the eligibility
period to retake the examination if needed.
Reexamination fees apply to the second and third attempts to pass the examination.
Exam Administration Type PMI Member Status US Dollars Euros

Reexamination CBT or PBT member $150 125
Reexamination CBT or PBT nonmember $200 170


If you fail the examination three times within your one-year eligibility period, you must wait one year from
the date of your last examination to reapply for the certification. However, after failing a certification
examination three times, candidates may opt to apply for any other PMI credential. For example, a
candidate who failed the CAPM exam three times in his or her one-year eligibility period must wait one
year to reapply for the CAPM certification. However, he or she can apply for the PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP,
PMI-SP, PMP, or PgMP (and submit associated initial credential fees) at any time.
Reexamination fees apply to the second and third attempts to pass the examination during each eligibility
period. If your eligibility period expires without you having passed the examination, you must reapply for
the credential.

Certification Policies & Procedures

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 32
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PMI Appeals Procedure

All challenges to PMIs Certification Program are governed by the comprehensive and exclusive rules of
the PMI Certification Appeal Procedures. The PMI Office of Certification Appeals will conduct the review
of all certification related appeals submitted by a candidate and/or existing certification holder, in
collaboration with the PMI Certification Manager, render the final decision.

All certification related appeal requests must be made in writing via email ([email protected]) or
postal mail to the Office of Certification Appeals (14 Campus Boulevard; Newtown Square, PA 19073-
3299; USA). The Office of Certification Appeals will maintain a record of each appeal, the subsequent
action(s) taken, and the decision made. The Office of Certification Appeals will be responsible for all
communications with the person who submitted the appeal.

This appeal process is the only method to review all decisions made by the PMI regarding applications,
eligibility, examinations, test administration and results, Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR)
and other application or testing-related certification issues and/or challenges or complaints*.

* Disciplinary decisions made by PMI regarding persons already certified and credentialed by PMI are
evaluated under a separate process, the PMI Ethics Case Procedures, which is detailed at:
http://www.pmi.org/About-Us/Ethics/Ethics-Complaints.aspx.
Certification Policies & Procedures

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 33
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
Use of Your CAPM Certification
Once you pass the examination, you are granted the CAPM certification. You may refer to yourself as a
CAPM certification holder as long as you have an active certification status. You are authorized to use
the CAPM designation in block letters after your name on business cards, personal letterhead, resumes,
websites and in your email signature.
Please note that as part of the application process, you agreed to adhere to the PMI Code of Ethics and
Professional Conduct and the Certification Application/Renewal Agreement. This means, among other
things, that you will only use the CAPM designation in the manner stated above and that you will not use
the CAPM designation in company names, domain names, product names, or any other unauthorized
manner.

Certificate Package
Within six to eight weeks, you will receive a certification package that includes:
Congratulatory letter
Information on how to renew your certification
Certificate

Both of these documents list your:
Certification numbera unique identification number used by PMI to maintain your individual
certification records
Your certification cycle dates

You will want to file this information in a safe and easily accessible location. You will need to refer to it in
order to renew your certification.
Until you receive your certificate package, you may use your exam report (available online through the
certification system) to validate your certification status.
Online Certification Registry
The online Certification Registry automatically lists names of all credential holders. This feature allows
verification of certification holders for the benefit of employers, service purchasers and others. Users can
search for certification holders by first name, last name, or by country.
Certification holders can choose to be removed from the registry, so the absence of your name in the
registry does not necessarily mean that you are not certified. You can opt out of inclusion in the registry
or update your demographic information by visiting PMI.org.

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 34
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PMI Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

CHAPTER 1. VISION AND APPLICABILITY
1.1 Vision and Purpose
As practitioners of project management, we are committed to doing what is right and honorable. We set high
standards for ourselves and we aspire to meet these standards in all aspects of our livesat work, at home, and in
service to our profession.
This Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct describes the expectations that we have of ourselves and our fellow
practitioners in the global project management community. It articulates the ideals to which we aspire as well as the
behaviors that are mandatory in our professional and volunteer roles.
The purpose of this Code is to instill confidence in the project management profession and to help an individual
become a better practitioner. We do this by establishing a profession-wide understanding of appropriate behavior.
We believe that the credibility and reputation of the project management profession is shaped by the collective
conduct of individual practitioners.
We believe that we can advance our profession, both individually and collectively, by embracing this Code of Ethics
and Professional Conduct. We also believe that this Code will assist us in making wise decisions, particularly when
faced with difficult situations where we may be asked to compromise our integrity or our values.
Our hope that this Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct will serve as a catalyst for others to study, deliberate,
and write about ethics and values. Further, we hope that this Code will ultimately be used to build upon and evolve
our profession.
1.2 Persons to Whom the Code Applies
The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct applies to:
1.2.1 All PMI members
1.2.2 Individuals who are not members of PMI but meet one or more of the following criteria:
.1 Non-members who hold a PMI certification
.2 Non-members who apply to commence a PMI certification process
.3 Non-members who serve PMI in a volunteer capacity.
Comment: Those holding a Project Management Institute (PMI

) credential (whether members or not) were


previously held accountable to the Project Management Professional (PMP

) or Certified Associate in Project


Management (CAPM

) Code of Professional Conduct and continue to be held accountable to the PMI Code of
Ethics and Professional Conduct. In the past, PMI also had separate ethics standards for members and for
credentialed individuals. Stakeholders who contributed input to develop this Code concluded that having
multiple codes was undesirable and that everyone should be held to one high standard. Therefore, this Code is
applicable to both PMI members and individuals who have applied for or received a credential from PMI,
regardless of their membership in PMI.
1.3 Structure of the Code
The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is divided into sections that contain standards of conduct which are
aligned with the four values that were identified as most important to the project management community. Some
sections of this Code include comments. Comments are not mandatory parts of the Code, but provide examples
and other clarification. Finally, a glossary can be found at the end of the standard. The glossary defines words and
phrases used in the Code. For convenience, those terms defined in the glossary are underlined in the text of the
Code.
1.4 Values that Support this Code
Practitioners from the global project management community were asked to identify the values that formed the
basis of their decision making and guided their actions. The values that the global project management community
defined as most important were: responsibility, respect, fairness, and honesty. This Code affirms these four values
as its foundation.
1.5 Aspirational and Mandatory Conduct
Each section of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct includes both aspirational standards and mandatory
standards. The aspirational standards describe the conduct that we strive to uphold as practitioners. Although
adherence to the aspirational standards is not easily measured, conducting ourselves in accordance with these is
an expectation that we have of ourselves as professionalsit is not optional.
The mandatory standards establish firm requirements, and in some cases, limit or prohibit practitioner behavior.
Practitioners who do not conduct themselves in accordance with these standards will be subject to disciplinary
procedures before PMIs Ethics Review Committee.

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 35
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Comment: The conduct covered under the aspirational standards and conduct covered under the mandatory
standards are not mutually exclusive; that is, one specific act or omission could violate both aspirational and
mandatory standards.

CHAPTER 2. RESPONSIBILITY
2.1 Description of Responsibility
Responsibility is our duty to take ownership for the decisions we make or fail to make, the actions we take or fail to
take, and the consequences that result.
2.2 Responsibility: Aspi rational Standards
As practitioners in the global project management community:
2.2.1 We make decisions and take actions based on the best interests of society, public safety, and the
environment.
2.2.2 We accept only those assignments that are consistent with our background, experience, skills, and
qualifications.
Comment: Where developmental or stretch assignments are being considered, we ensure that key
stakeholders receive timely and complete information regarding the gaps in our qualifications so that they may
make informed decisions regarding our suitability for a particular assignment.
In the case of a contracting arrangement, we only bid on work that our organization is qualified to perform and
we assign only qualified individuals to perform the work.
2.2.3 We fulfill the commitments that we undertake we do what we say we will do.
2.2.4 When we make errors or omissions, we take ownership and make corrections promptly. When we
discover errors or omissions caused by others, we communicate them to the appropriate body as soon
they are discovered. We accept accountability for any issues resulting from our errors or omissions and
any resulting consequences.
2.2.5 We protect proprietary or confidential information that has been entrusted to us.
2.2.6 We uphold this Code and hold each other accountable to it.
2.3 Responsibility: Mandatory Standards
As practitioners in the global project management community, we require the following of ourselves and our fellow
practitioners:
Regulations and Legal Requirements
2.3.1 We inform ourselves and uphold the policies, rules, regulations and laws that govern our work,
professional, and volunteer activities.
2.3.2 We report unethical or illegal conduct to appropriate management and, if necessary, to those affected by
the conduct.
Comment: These provisions have several implications. Specifically, we do not engage in any illegal behavior,
including but not limited to: theft, fraud, corruption, embezzlement, or bribery. Further, we do not take or abuse
the property of others, including intellectual property, nor do we engage in slander or libel. In focus groups
conducted with practitioners around the globe, these types of illegal behaviors were mentioned as being
problematic.
As practitioners and representatives of our profession, we do not condone or assist others in engaging in illegal
behavior. We report any illegal or unethical conduct. Reporting is not easy and we recognize that it may have
negative consequences. Since recent corporate scandals, many organizations have adopted policies to protect
employees who reveal the truth about illegal or unethical activities. Some governments have also adopted
legislation to protect employees who come forward with the truth.
Ethics Complaints
2.3.3 We bring violations of this Code to the attention of the appropriate body for resolution.
2.3.4 We only file ethics complaints when they are substantiated by facts.
Comment: These provisions have several implications. We cooperate with PMI concerning ethics violations
and the collection of related information whether we are a complainant or a respondent. We also abstain from
accusing others of ethical misconduct when we do not have all the facts. Further, we pursue disciplinary action
against individuals who knowingly make false allegations against others.
2.3.5 We pursue disciplinary action against an individual who retaliates against a person raising ethics
concerns.

CHAPTER 3. RESPECT
3.1 Description of Respect
Respect is our duty to show a high regard for ourselves, others, and the resources entrusted to us. Resources
entrusted to us may include people, money, reputation, the safety of others, and natural or environmental
resources.

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An environment of respect engenders trust, confidence, and performance excellence by fostering mutual
cooperation an environment where diverse perspectives and views are encouraged and valued.
3.2 Respect: Aspirational Standards
As practitioners in the global project management community:
3.2.1 We inform ourselves about the norms and customs of others and avoid engaging in behaviors they might
consider disrespectful.
3.2.2 We listen to others points of view, seeking to understand them.
3.2.3 We approach directly those persons with whom we have a conflict or disagreement.
3.2.4 We conduct ourselves in a professional manner, even when it is not reciprocated.
Comment: An implication of these provisions is that we avoid engaging in gossip and avoid making negative
remarks to undermine another persons reputation. We also have a duty under this Code to confront others who
engage in these types of behaviors.
3.3 Respect: Mandatory Standards
As practitioners in the global project management community, we require the following of ourselves and our fellow
practitioners:
3.3.1 We negotiate in good faith.
3.3.2 We do not exercise the power of our expertise or position to influence the decisions or actions of others in
order to benefit personally at their expense.
3.3.3 We do not act in an abusive manner toward others.
3.3.4 We respect the property rights of others.

CHAPTER 4. FAIRNESS
4.1 Description of Fairness
Fairness is our duty to make decisions and act impartially and objectively. Our conduct must be free from
competing self interest, prejudice, and favoritism.
4.2 Fai rness: Aspi rational Standards
As practitioners in the global project management community:
4.2.1 We demonstrate transparency in our decision-making process.
4.2.2 We constantly reexamine our impartiality and objectivity, taking corrective action as appropriate.
Comment: Research with practitioners indicated that the subject of conflicts of interest is one of the most
challenging faced by our profession. One of the biggest problems practitioners report is not recognizing when
we have conflicted loyalties and recognizing when we are inadvertently placing ourselves or others in a conflict-
of-interest situation. We as practitioners must proactively search for potential conflicts and help each other by
highlighting each others potential conflicts of interest and insisting that they be resolved.
4.2.3 We provide equal access to information to those who are authorized to have that information.
4.2.4 We make opportunities equally available to qualified candidates.
Comment: An implication of these provisions is, in the case of a contracting arrangement, we provide equal
access to information during the bidding process.
4.3 Fai rness: Mandatory Standards
As practitioners in the global project management community, we require the following of ourselves and our fellow
practitioners:
Conflict of Interest Situations
4.3.1 We proactively and fully disclose any real or potential conflicts of interest to the appropriate stakeholders.
4.3.2 When we realize that we have a real or potential conflict of interest, we refrain from engaging in the
decision-making process or otherwise attempting to influence outcomes, unless or until: we have made
full disclosure to the affected stakeholders; we have an approved mitigation plan; and we have
obtained the consent of the stakeholders to proceed.
Comment: A conflict of interest occurs when we are in a position to influence decisions or other outcomes on
behalf of one party when such decisions or outcomes could affect one or more other parties with which we
have competing loyalties. For example, when we are acting as an employee, we have a duty of loyalty to our
employer. When we are acting as a PMI volunteer, we have a duty of loyalty to the Project Management
Institute. We must recognize these divergent interests and refrain from influencing decisions when we have a
conflict of interest.
Further, even if we believe that we can set aside our divided loyalties and make decisions impartially, we treat
the appearance of a conflict of interest as a conflict of interest and follow the provisions described in the Code.
Favoritism and Discrimination
4.3.3 We do not hire or fire, reward or punish, or award or deny contracts based on personal considerations,
including but not limited to, favoritism, nepotism, or bribery.

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4.3.4 We do not discriminate against others based on, but not limited to, gender, race, age, religion, disability,
nationality, or sexual orientation.
4.3.5 We apply the rules of the organization (employer, Project Management Institute, or other group) without
favoritism or prejudice.

CHAPTER 5. HONESTY
5.1 Description of Honesty
Honesty is our duty to understand the truth and act in a truthful manner both in our communications and in our
conduct.
5.2 Honesty: Aspi rational Standards
As practitioners in the global project management community:
5.2.1 We earnestly seek to understand the truth.
5.2.2 We are truthful in our communications and in our conduct.
5.2.3 We provide accurate information in a timely manner.
Comment: An implication of these provisions is that we take appropriate steps to ensure that the information
we are basing our decisions upon or providing to others is accurate, reliable, and timely.
This includes having the courage to share bad news even when it may be poorly received. Also, when
outcomes are negative, we avoid burying information or shifting blame to others. When outcomes are positive,
we avoid taking credit for the achievements of others. These provisions reinforce our commitment to be both
honest and responsible.
5.2.4 We make commitments and promises, implied or explicit, in good faith.
5.2.5 We strive to create an environment in which others feel safe to tell the truth.
5.3 Honesty: Mandatory Standards
As practitioners in the global project management community, we require the following of ourselves and our fellow
practitioners:
5.3.1 We do not engage in or condone behavior that is designed to deceive others, including but not limited to,
making misleading or false statements, stating half-truths, providing information out of context or
withholding information that, if known, would render our statements as misleading or incomplete.
5.3.2 We do not engage in dishonest behavior with the intention of personal gain or at the expense of another.
Comment: The aspirational standards exhort us to be truthful. Half-truths and non-disclosures intended to
mislead stakeholders are as unprofessional as affirmatively making misrepresentations. We develop credibility
by providing complete and accurate information.

APPENDIX A
A.1 Hi story of this Standard
PMIs vision of project management as an independent profession drove our early work in ethics. In 1981, the PMI
Board of Directors formed an Ethics, Standards and Accreditation Group. One task required the group to deliberate
on the need for a code of ethics for the profession. The teams report contained the first documented PMI
discussion of ethics for the project management profession. This report was submitted to the PMI Board of
Directors in August 1982 and published as a supplement to the August 1983 Project Management Quarterly.
In the late 1980s, this standard evolved to become the Ethics Standard for the Project Management Professional
[PMP

]. In 1997, the PMI Board determined the need for a member code of ethics. The PMI Board formed the
Ethics Policy Documentation Committee to draft and publish an ethics standard for PMIs membership. The Board
approved the new Member Code of Ethics in October 1998. This was followed by Board approval of the Member
Case Procedures in J anuary 1999, which provided a process for the submission of an ethics complaint and a
determination as to whether a violation had occurred.
Since the 1998 Code was adopted, many dramatic changes have occurred within PMI and the business world. PMI
membership has grown significantly. A great deal of growth has also occurred in regions outside North America. In
the business world, ethics scandals have caused the downfall of global corporations and non-profits, causing public
outrage and sparking increased government regulations. Globalization has brought economies closer together but
has caused a realization that our practice of ethics may differ from culture to culture. The rapid, continuing pace of
technological change has provided new opportunities, but has also introduced new challenges, including new
ethical dilemmas.
For these reasons, in 2003 the PMI Board of Directors called for the reexamination of our codes of ethics. In 2004,
the PMI Board commissioned the Ethics Standards Review Committee [ESRC] to review the codes of ethics and
develop a process for revising the codes. The ESRC developed processes that would encourage active
participation by the global project management community. In 2005, the PMI Board approved the processes for
revising the code, agreeing that global participation by the project management community was paramount. In
2005, the Board also commissioned the Ethics Standards Development Committee to carry out the Board-approved

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2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
process and deliver the revised code by the end of 2006. This Code of Ethics and Professional Development was
approved by the PMI Board of Directors in October 2006.
A.2 Process Used to Create This Standard
The first step by the Ethics Standards Development Committee [ESDC] in the development of this Code was to
understand the ethical issues facing the project management community and to understand the values and
viewpoints of practitioners from all regions of the globe. This was accomplished by a variety of mechanisms
including focus group discussions and two internet surveys involving practitioners, members, volunteers, and
people holding a PMI certification. Additionally, the team analyzed the ethics codes of 24 non-profit associations
from various regions of the world, researched best practices in the development of ethics standards, and explored
the ethics-related tenets of PMIs strategic plan.
This extensive research conducted by the ESDC provided the backdrop for developing the exposure draft of the
PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The exposure draft was circulated to the global project management
community for comment. The rigorous, standards development processes established by the American National
Standards Institute were followed during the development of the Code because these processes were used for PMI
technical standard development projects and were deemed to represent the best practices for obtaining and
adjudicating stakeholder feedback to the exposure draft.
The result of this effort is a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct that not only describes the ethical values to
which the global project management community aspires, but also addresses the specific conduct that is
mandatory for every individual bound by this Code. Violations of the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
may result in sanctions by PMI under the ethics Case Procedures.
The ESDC learned that as practitioners of project management, our community takes its commitment to ethics very
seriously and we hold ourselves and our peers in the global project management community accountable to
conduct ourselves in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

APPENDIX B
B.1 Glossary
Abusive Manner. Conduct that results in physical harm or creates intense feelings of fear, humiliation,
manipulation, or exploitation in another person.
Conflict of Interest. A situation that arises when a practitioner of project management is faced with making a
decision or doing some act that will benefit the practitioner or another person or organization to which the
practitioner owes a duty of loyalty and at the same time will harm another person or organization to which
the practitioner owes a similar duty of loyalty. The only way practitioners can resolve conflicting duties is to
disclose the conflict to those affected and allow them to make the decision about how the practitioner
should proceed.
Duty of Loyalty. A persons responsibility, legal or moral, to promote the best interest of an organization or
other person with whom they are affiliated.
Project Management Insti tute [PMI]. The totality of the Project Management Institute, including its
committees, groups, and chartered components such as chapters, colleges, and specific interest groups.
PMI Member. A person who has joined the Project Management Institute as a member.
PMI-Sponsored Activities. Activities that include, but are not limited to, participation on a PMI Member
Advisory Group, PMI standard development team, or another PMI working group or committee. This also
includes activities engaged in under the auspices of a chartered PMI component organizationwhether it
is in a leadership role in the component or another type of component educational activity or event.
Practitioner. A person engaged in an activity that contributes to the management of a project, portfolio, or
program, as part of the project management profession.
PMI Volunteer. A person who participates in PMI-sponsored activities, whether a member of the Project
Management Institute or not.

CAPM Certification Handbook revised 24 September 2012 39
2000-2012 Project Management Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
PMI Certification Application/Renewal Agreement
1) I agree to satisfy and conduct myself in accordance with all PMI certification program policies and
requirements, including this Agreement and the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (as they may be
revised from time to time); and I shall maintain confidentiality of PMI examination questions and content.
Furthermore, I agree not to discuss, debrief or disclose, in any manner, the specific content of PMI
examination questions and answers, to any individual.
2) I agree that I shall at all times act in a truthful and honest manner and provide truthful and accurate
information to PMI. I agree that any intentional or unintentional failure to provide true, timely and complete
responses to questions in this application or renewal form may lead to further investigation and/or sanctions
by PMI. I also agree to promptly report to PMI any possible violations of the terms of this Agreement or the
PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct by PMI members or by persons who have applied for a PMI
credential or have been awarded a credential by PMI.
3) I agree to notify the PMI Certification Department in a timely manner of changes concerning the information I
have provided, including my current address and telephone number.
4) I have reported, and will continue to report, to the PMI Certification Department, within sixty (60) days of
occurrence, any matters, proceedings, lawsuits, settlements and/or other agreements, administrative agency
actions, or organizational actions relating to my profession or occupation, including all complaints relating to
my professional activities as a project management practitioner, and matters or proceedings involving, but not
limited to certification, credentialing, malpractice, disciplinary ethics or similar matters. I also agree to
promptly report, within sixty (60) days of occurrence, any felony criminal charges, convictions, or plea
agreements or other criminal charges, convictions, or plea agreements relating to acts of dishonesty or
unethical conduct.
5) I agree that if my compliance with any of the terms of this agreement requires or includes an explanation and
supporting documents, I will provide a complete and accurate explanation and true copies of the materials to
the PMI Certification Department with this application.
6) I agree that the PMI Certification Department has the right to communicate with any person, government
agency or organization to review or confirm the information in this application or any other information related
to my application for PMI credentialing. Further, I agree to and authorize the release of any information
requested by the PMI Certification Department for such review and confirmation.
7) I agree that the PMI credential status does not imply licensure, registration or government authorization to
practice project management or to engage in related activities.
8) I agree that all materials that I submit to the PMI Certification Department become the property of the PMI
Certification Department, and that the PMI Certification Department is not required to return any of these
materials to me.
9) I agree that upon achieving the PMI credential, my name may be posted on the PMI website as part of an
Online Registry to be created and maintained by PMI.
10) I agree that information related to my participation in the PMI certification process may be used in an
anonymous manner for research purposes only.
11) I agree that all disputes relating in any way to my application for a PMI credential and/or my involvement
generally in a PMI certification program, will be resolved solely and exclusively by means of PMI Certification
Department policies, procedures and rules, including the Appeals Process.
12) PMI reserves the right to suspend or revoke the credential of any individual who is determined to have failed
to uphold, or otherwise breached this Agreement, or committed a violation of the PMI Code of Ethics and
Professional Conduct.
13) I release and indemnify PMI and the PMI Certification Department from all liability and claims that may arise
out of, or be related to, my project management and related activities.
14) I hereby release, discharge and indemnify PMI, its directors, officers, members, examiners, employees,
attorneys, representatives, agents and the PMI Certification Department from any actions, suits, obligations,
damages, claims or demands arising out of or in connection with this application, the scores given with respect
to the examination or any other action taken by PMI with regard to credentialing, testing and professional
development including, but not limited to, all actions related to ethics matters and cases. I understand and
agree that any decision concerning my qualification for any credential, as well as any decisions regarding my
continuing qualification for any credential and my compliance with the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional
Conduct, rest within the sole and exclusive discretion of PMI, and that these decisions are final.
This Agreement may be updated or revised from time to time. It is your responsibility to obtain the most up-to-date copy online.
Agreement last updated March 2007.

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