Exam Comparison
CAPM vs PMP
Comparing the PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and the PMI Project Management Professional (PMP). Both fall under Professional Certifications. Both are covered by the IT Management Cert Exam Prep: PMP, CISM, CISA & Java app.
The Bottom Line
If you meet the PMP’s experience requirement, take the PMP, it dominates the market and the CAPM adds almost nothing afterward. The CAPM exists for people who lack the project-leadership hours: students, career-changers, and early coordinators buying credibility while the clock runs.
CAPM vs PMP: At a Glance
| Detail | CAPM | PMP |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) | PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) |
| Governing Body | PMI | PMI |
| Number of Questions | 150 | 180 |
| Time Limit | 3 hours | 230 minutes |
| Passing Score | Not disclosed (above proficiency threshold) | Above Target / Target / Below Target across 3 domains (no numeric score) |
| Exam Fee | $225 (PMI members) / $300 (non-members) | $405 (PMI members) / $555 (non-members) |
| Category | Professional Certifications | Professional Certifications |
| C3RT App | IT Management Cert Exam Prep: PMP, CISM, CISA & Java Soon | IT Management Cert Exam Prep: PMP, CISM, CISA & Java Soon |
Content Areas Compared
CAPM Domains
- Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts(17%)
- Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies(28%)
- Agile Frameworks and Methodologies(20%)
- Business Analysis Frameworks(35%)
PMP Domains
- People(42%)
- Process(50%)
- Business Environment(8%)
- Delivery Approaches (Predictive, Agile, Hybrid)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CAPM and PMP?
The CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) requires no project experience, just a secondary degree and 23 hours of project-management education, and tests foundational knowledge. The PMP requires 36 months of leading projects (60 months without a four-year degree) plus 35 education hours, and its situational exam tests judgment across predictive, agile, and hybrid delivery. Salary surveys and job postings treat the PMP as a different class of credential; the CAPM is a foothold.
Can I take both the CAPM and the PMP?
Only as a timeline, never as an end state: CAPM while accumulating hours, PMP when eligible. The CAPM effectively disappears from your resume the day the PMP arrives.
Which should I take first, CAPM or PMP?
Count your months first. Qualified for the PMP? Skip the CAPM entirely, no employer values it once you can get the PMP. Not yet qualified? The CAPM signals commitment for coordinator and junior-PM roles, and its study material overlaps the PMP’s, so little effort is wasted when you upgrade later.
Does C3RT cover both the CAPM and the PMP?
C3RT is building apps for both the CAPM and the PMP. Both will be available on iOS and Mac.
The PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) (CAPM) is administered by PMI. The PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) (PMP) is administered by PMI. C3RT is not affiliated with either organisation. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.