If you are interested in obtaining your CAPM certification, the following is a list of steps that you should take:

1. Earn a secondary degree or global equivalent

A high school diploma or a globally recognized equivalent is required of professionals who wish to sit for the CAPM certification exam offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). You can take the exam even if you do not have a bachelor's degree or an associate degree in a field that is connected to the certification process or the function of a project manager. However, acquiring one of these degrees may help you prepare for the process. This means that this credential can be a wonderful chance for nontraditional students who do not have a degree from a four-year university, as it allows you to pursue certification without a degree in project management. In other words, this certificate can be a great option for nontraditional students who are looking to make a career change.

2. Obtain a degree in project management from an accredited institution or relevant work experience.

In addition to holding a secondary degree, the Project Management Institute (PMI) requires candidates for certification to complete 23 hours of formal study in project management. This institute provides a course that can be taken online to fulfill the formal education requirements that are necessary for professionals.
Because it can offer an introduction to the role of project manager and define the core tasks that come along with it, this class may be of particular benefit to persons who have only a little bit of experience in the field. If you already have expertise in this industry, you might be eligible to skip the 23 hours of required classroom instruction if you put in 1,500 hours of work as a project manager or as a member of a project management team instead of completing the required coursework.

3. Fill up an application to take the test and get ready

You will be able to apply for the CAPM certification exam if you have earned all of the prerequisites that are required. The exam costs $300, although PMI members might be eligible for a discount on the cost of taking the exam. You have the option to acquire study materials for the CAPM certification exam or to complete a variety of practice tests, either of which may increase the likelihood that you will score well on the actual exam. You can enroll in a variety of preparatory programs in addition to taking the 23-hour formal education course that is provided by the PMI. These classes will allow you to learn more about the subject matter that the exam may cover and will allow you to continue to build your project management skills.

4. Pass the test required for the CAPM certification.

After your application has been reviewed and accepted by the PMI, you will be able to take the CAPM certification exam. The test will take all candidates a total of three hours to complete, and it will consist of 150 questions. Because the PMI considers 15 of them to be part of the pre-exam, it will only take into account your performance on the other 135 questions when determining your final score.
Because there is no universally accepted value for a passing score, the Project Management Institute (PMI) relies on a group of subject matter experts, such as project professionals hailing from a variety of fields, to determine the minimum number of questions that must be answered correctly by applicants for them to be considered successful in passing the test.

5. Maintain your certification

To keep their CAPM certification current, the Project Management Institute (PMI) requires practitioners in the field of project management to acquire 15 project development units (PDU) every three years. The institute stipulates that certificate holders can earn a minimum of nine education PDUs and a maximum of six giving back PDUs to successfully meet the 15 PDU requirement.
Education Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) focuses on three key areas: technical information, leadership, and strategic and business management. Alternately, the PMI separates the PDUs for giving back into two categories, which are working as a professional and volunteering and developing knowledge respectively.