A Complete Guide on PMP Training Programs

Attending PMP training is a PMP certification requirement.

If you are a project professional and interested in passing the PMP exam, you need to fulfill three conditions:

• You should be a diploma or degree holder.
• You should have project management experience.
• You should have attended a PMP training program.

Most professionals interested in the PMP certification exam fulfill the first two conditions. The third one is specific to the PMP exam, and they must earn it.

The PMP training should provide you with a 35 contact hours certificate. 

You might have many questions, like, what are contact hours, how can I complete my PMP training, what is the best training method, what is the best PMP training program, etc.

I am writing this blog post on PMP training programs to answer these questions. After reading this blog post, you will not have any doubts regarding PMP training and contact hours.

PMP Training

Before discussing the training, let’s understand the contact hours.

A contact hour is one hour of formal education. If you have attended a course for one hour, you have earned one contact hour.

To apply for the PMP exam, the PMI has mandated 35 contact hours of formal PM training. This means you will have to attend a training for 35 hours, and you should be taught project management fundamentals aligned with the latest edition of the PMP Exam Content Outline (ECO).

A point to be noted here is that you should formally get this training through a training provider, your college, a workshop arranged by your company, etc.

You cannot study by yourself and claim to earn these contact hours, even if you study the same study material.

Watching webinars, and attending any other course whose content does not align with the PMP Exam Content Outline, does not count towards your contact hours.

Your training must be performed in a controlled environment, and the content must be aligned with the latest PMP Exam Content Outline edition.

However, if you attend a course in a controlled environment and part of it was aligned with the PMP Exam Content Outline, you can claim the concerned contact hours for that duration.

The PMI will ask you about your training during the exam application filling process. If you have attended formal training through an ATP, all required is a certificate of attendance. Otherwise, you will need to provide more information to support your claim.

ATPs are training providers that are registered and approved by the PMI.

Can I get my PMP Training for Free?

Yes, it is possible but difficult.

Look at any university courses you have attended in the past. If they qualify, you can count them towards your PMP training requirement.

If you have attended any employer-led programs which cover PMBOK Guide/ECO concepts, you can count on them.

How to Get PMP Training

There are many ways to get the training. These days there are various types of PMP training programs available, so it may be difficult to select a suitable training program for you.

Some popular training program methods may include:

• Classroom training programs
• Online training programs
• Virtual live training programs
• Hybrid training programs

Classroom PMP Training Program

This is the traditional method of teaching. Here you will go to a class and attend the training sessions. Usually, training is completed in three to four days, and after completing the course, you can get your 35 contact hours certificate.

Classroom training programs are also known as boot camps.

One, this training method was the most popular. If the trainer is experienced and charismatic, you can learn much from their experience and knowledge.

Classroom training programs are interactive, which allows you to network with other students in the class and connect with them. You can create study groups and work together, which helps a lot.

If you face any technical difficulties, they will be instantly solved.

Classroom training programs are the most expensive. Their price varies from one thousand to several thousand dollars. Moreover, seats are also limited. If you don’t arrive on time, you may be denied entry.

Classroom training programs are generally conducted in big cities. This can be problematic if you live in a small city, as you must arrange accommodations to attend the training session.

Benefits of Classroom Training Programs

Some benefits of classroom training programs are as follows:

• They can be completed quickly
• The sessions are interactive
• There is the networking possibility

Drawbacks of Classroom Training Programs

Some drawbacks of classroom training programs are as follows:

• They are very costly
• They are available in big cities only
• Seats are limited
• They are held on a fixed schedule

Online PMP Training Programs

These days, online training programs are more popular than other options.

With online training programs, you pay for the course by credit card and get immediate access. Usually, the access varies between three months to one year.

Once you get access, you can study through any desktop, laptop, or mobile device you own.

After completing the course, you can download your 35 contact hours certificate.

Online PMP training programs are the cheapest option. Their price varies from 100 USD to 1,000 USD. In rare cases, it goes above 1,000 USD.

They are more flexible as you can access them anywhere through any portable device. Unlike classroom or other options, there are no seat limitations, so you can join the course when it suits you.

Online training programs also have some drawbacks.

You are studying on your own, so there are no interactive sessions. This might bore you, and you may lose interest in studying.

Another drawback is that it takes some time for the providers to respond to your queries, and then the follow-up queries take longer, and you may get lost in this process.

Benefits of Online Training Programs

Some benefits of online training programs are as follows:

• They are cheaper
• They are flexible
• Admission is guaranteed
• They can be attended from any location

Drawbacks of Online Training Programs

Some drawbacks of online training programs are as follows:

• The sessions are not interactive
• Responses to queries can take a while
• You may lose interest
• It may take longer to complete

Virtual Live PMP Training Program

In this case, once you join the training program, the instructor will give you a scheduled time, and you must be online at the given time. The instructor will schedule a live session and teach the concepts through video conferencing.

In this PMP training, many students will be trained simultaneously.

You can also download the recorded sessions for your reference.

This type of training is popular because you can get access to a famous trainer even if you live far away.

The price of virtual training programs varies from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Benefits of Virtual Training Programs

Some benefits of virtual training programs are as follows:

• They are affordable
• They are taught by an influencer
• They can be attended from any location
• They can be completed quickly

Drawbacks of Virtual Training Programs

Some drawbacks of virtual training programs are as follows:

• Their schedule is fixed
• The time difference may pose a problem
• They require a good internet connection

Hybrid Training Program

This method is a combination of any training method; for example, a hybrid of classroom and online training programs.

I completed my PMI-RMP training through a hybrid training program. The instructor (Carl Pritchard) sent me study material through the mail, and I studied it and returned the completed assignments. After completing the final assignment, I received my 30 PMI-RMP contact hours certificate through email.

Hybrid training programs can be cheap or costly. However, they are more flexible and affordable than classroom training programs.

Which is the Best PMP Training Program?

There is no best PMP Training Program. What is best for you depends on your choice and requirements.

If money is not an issue for you, you are okay with spending three or four full days in a class and living in a large city; you may find a classroom training program a better choice.

However, if you want to spend less money, have a busy schedule, and wish to complete the training in your own time, it’s better to choose an online training program.

Does the PMP Training Expire?

Please note that your PMP training never expires. Once you get them, they will be with you forever; even if you have failed the PMP exam or you are applying for the PMP exam again several years after attending the training, you can still use these contact hours.

Summary

You need to attend a PMP training and earn 35 contact hours of formal education in project management to apply for the PMP certification program. These days, many methods and many PMP training providers are available to provide you with PMP training. You should choose a training provider who is a PMI ATP, renowned, and reliable. Classroom training programs are the most expensive; online training programs are the cheapest and provide the easiest way to complete your PMP training.

I hope you now have a better understanding of PMP training programs.

If you want a high-quality PMI-approved PMP training program, I recommend you join my 35 Contact Hours Training Program. It is available through the link given below.

PM Sprout’s 35 Contact Hours Training Program

I developed this program in partnership with PM Simplify.