How to Learn CAPM Certification

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is an entry-level professional certification for new and aspiring Project Managers. Becoming CAPM certified is an excellent way to launch a new career in the very hot field of project management. The number of options for learning CAPM certification might be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, classes, and more to choose from; it all depends on your learning style and personal preferences.

Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning CAPM certification so you can make an informed decision about how you’d like to get started.

What is CAPM Certification?

CAPM stands for Certified Associate in Project Management. CAPM is a professional certification for Project Managers with little to no experience or for aspiring Project Managers interested in launching a new career in project management.

CAPM is the most entry-level professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). CAPM certification is highly recommended for new and aspiring Project Managers with less than three years of experience. Gaining CAPM certification will make you stand out on job applications, increase your salary and opportunities, and ensure you have the necessary training and credentials to launch a new career as a Project Manager.

Project management is a very hot career path. A Project Manager is responsible for managing a project, including planning, organizing, monitoring, directing, and completing various elements of that project. PMI estimates that project management jobs will see a 33% increase over the next five years, with 22 million new project management jobs created by 2027. The exploding demand for Project Managers will lead to around 90 million jobs in the U.S. that require project management skills. 

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global education, networking, and professional association for Project Managers. They have been largely responsible for defining the field of project management for the past few decades through the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). PMI offers certification programs, has local chapters in more than 80 countries, organizes academic and market research programs, and offers professional development for project management professionals. PMI’s more advanced Project Management Professional (PMP) is the gold standard in project management certification. 

Read more about CAPM Certification and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with CAPM Certification?

CNBC calls project management “a great way for people with non-tech backgrounds to earn lucrative tech salaries.” The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is the world's leading entry-level project management certification. Earning a CAPM certification will make you stand out on the job market, open the door to more opportunities, and increase your salary. 

We are in the golden age of project management: some of the industries with the largest growth in project management jobs include construction and manufacturing, information services, management and professional services, utilities, and oil and gas. Across industries, Project Managers make above-average salaries. According to PMI, the median annual salary for a Project Manager is around $116,000. The average U.S. salary for all occupations is around $50,000, which means that becoming a Project Manager would most likely nearly double your salary. For example, in an interview with CNBC, a Project Manager reports that switching from higher education to project management more than tripled her salary. 

CAPM-certified Project Managers earn even more than their non-certified colleagues: PMI reports that CAPM certification results in around a 25% salary increase.

In-Person CAPM Certification Training

In-person training is the most traditional way to train for a new career or learn new job skills. Learning from an instructor in person can offer advantages in networking and mentorship; this can be especially important to those who are completely new to project management or don’t know any Project Managers. 

PMI requires 23 hours of project management education before taking the CAPM certification exam, and taking an in-person course is an approved learning method. Finding a recognized project management course in your local area may be difficult if you don’t live in a major city or a tech hub. You can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me Tool to find in-person project management courses in your area. 

Even if in-person CAPM certification courses exist in your area, taking an in-person course can have drawbacks. You’ll need to factor commute time into your training schedule if you've already got a busy schedule. However, enrolling in an in-person course with a campus can be beneficial. For example, Noble Desktop provides computer labs, student lounge access, coffee, and high-speed WiFi for everyone enrolled in its in-person classes.

Live Online CAPM Certification Training

To sit for the CAPM certification exam, you must complete 23 hours of project management education. It is required on the CAPM-exam application that you receive live training, whether in-person or online. In-person courses may be limited in your area, and smaller schools may not be as easily recognizable as sources for education hours. Fortunately, live online classes are a great alternative since they work like in-person CAPM certification classes. 

Live online classes are an excellent way to train for CAPM certification since they have all of the features of in-person classes with a few advantages. Since the class is happening live, you’ll be able to interact with your instructor and classmates in real time: leading to the same networking and mentorship opportunities of an in-person class. You can get feedback on your work or collaborate with your classmates using screen-sharing software. 

Noble Desktop offers live online CAPM certification courses taught by expert instructors: every project management course offered by Noble Desktop is taught by a PMP-certified Project Manager. Noble Desktop uses a unique approach to live online training: your expert instructor will teach a “micro-lecture” and immediately guide students through applying the concept they just learned using hands-on, real-world projects. This method guarantees you’ll learn the skills. 

Other schools offering live online CAPM certification courses include NYIM Training, NYC Career Centers, and Project Management Academy.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

If you’re still unsure if you’d like to pursue project management and CAPM more seriously, free introductory online courses can be a great way to explore your interest. You can learn the basics without the time and financial commitment of a bootcamp or more serious course. 

The most highly-requested skill on entry-level Project Manager jobs is Microsoft Office proficiency. You’ll need to develop skills in using Microsoft Excel to become a Project Manager. Noble Desktop’s free introductory Microsoft Excel course is a great way to build project management skills.

There are also free introductory resources that describe the CAPM certification process, both the process of taking the certification exam and the content covered within it. For example, the Project Management Institute (PMI) offers free introductory project management courses through its YouTube channel.

Before taking the CAPM-certification exam, PMI requires you to complete “23 contact hours” of formal project management education. While free introductory courses and online videos can be excellent for learning the basics, PMI will not count toward the 23 hours of project management education required to take the CAPM-certification exam. If you’re serious about earning a certification, you’ll need to complete these 23 hours from a trusted source, such as a training school like Noble Desktop.

Read about more free resources available for those seeking CAPM Certification.

On-Demand CAPM Certification Classes

On-demand CAPM certification training includes free and paid online resources. Because the course is on-demand, you won’t interact with a live instructor. Instead, most on-demand courses are delivered through pre-recorded video lectures. Some on-demand email courses deliver written lessons directly into your inbox. 

On-demand courses are more flexible than live instruction because you can learn at your own pace. You can pause, rewind, and restart whenever you need. This makes on-demand courses more accessible for people who don’t have the time to commute to an in-person course. 

On-demand courses are often a more affordable option than live instruction. However, the cost is typically less because you’re not paying for a live instructor, have no access to computer labs or WiFi, and have free retake options. You’ll have to do all of the preparation for your new career on your own. 

It is important to note that PMI will not count “self-directed learning” toward your required project management education hours. This includes reading books and watching instructional videos. You’ll need to complete 23 hours of formal project management training before you can take the CAPM-certification exam.

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many different resources available to help beginners learn the basics of becoming CAPM certified, you might need clarification on which is best for you. Everyone has different learning styles and preferences, and you can experiment with multiple tools to see which one feels right for you. One of the great things about directing your own learning is that you get to pick which combination of tools you prefer; you don’t have to stick with what a teacher chooses.

It’s also essential to consider your current schedule before selecting a learning method. If you have a lot of responsibilities like a full-time job or family commitments, you may not be able to devote time to a structured course that requires you to attend at the same time every day. In this case, a self-paced class or video tutorials may be better since you can access them when your schedule allows. On the other hand, those with a more flexible schedule may prefer a structured course offered in-person or live online. 

The most important thing to consider when studying to become CAPM certified is that you will need to meet certain requirements. To become CAPM certified, you will need to pass the certification exam. Before you can take the exam, you’ll need to meet certain requirements, including 23 hours of project management education. Self-directed courses and study methods, such as reading books or watching online videos, will not be counted toward the education requirements. Taking an instructor-led course, such as the live online or in-person Project Management Bootcamp offered by Noble Desktop, will meet the education requirements to apply for certification. 

Why Earn CAPM Certification?

Project management is a very hot career path. The Project Management Institute (PMI) estimates that project management jobs will increase by 33% over the next five years, with 22 million new project management jobs created by 2027. 

Project management is a skill-based field, meaning your skills are more important than formal education. It is also a relatively new field that is still establishing its career paths and expectations. PMI’s CAPM certification is the top professional certification for aspiring and entry-level Project Managers. Project Managers who are CAPM certified have more job opportunities, are more likely to get hired, and earn higher salaries. PMI estimates that CAPM-certified Project Managers earn 25% more than non-certified Project Managers. 

If you’re serious about becoming a Project Manager, then it is recommended that you seek Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification. CAPM certification benefits include a higher salary, demonstrating your capabilities, more job opportunities, better understanding of project management practices, and industry-recognized credentials. 

CAPM-certified Project Managers earn around 25% more than non-certified professionals. The average annual salary for a CAPM-certified Project Manager is around $101,000. More senior Project Managers earn a lot more, with a median annual salary of around $125,000. Earning a CAPM certification can help you get hired: it allows you to demonstrate that you have training in project management practices, theories, and methodologies. 

Read more about CAPM Certification.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

Earning a professional certification could seem intimidating, especially if you’re totally new to project management. However, the CAPM is designed for new and aspiring Project Managers. Rather than focusing on professional experience managing projects, CAPM certification requires you to demonstrate knowledge in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and the four primary domains: Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts, Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies, Agile Frameworks, and Business Analysis Frameworks. How long you prepare for the exam depends on which training format you choose and your learning style. 

There are two prerequisites to becoming CAPM certified: a secondary degree (a high school diploma or associate’s degree) and 23 hours of project management education. It is important to note that self-directed study will not apply to the education prerequisite, including watching online videos and reading books. You’ll need to choose an approved learning method, such as the Project Management Bootcamp offered by Noble Desktop. This bootcamp is a great way to learn project management from a PMP-certified Project Manager and complete education hours toward this requirement. 

Becoming CAPM-certified isn’t as expensive as you might think. You’ll need to pay an application fee to take the certification exam, which typically costs around $225 to $300. The other cost will come from taking an instructor-led course that qualifies toward the education prerequisite. Noble Desktop’s Project Management Bootcamp costs around $450. This means that you could become CAPM certified for less than $1000. 

Read about prerequisites for CAPM Certification.

Learn CAPM Certification Skills with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is the top professional certification for new and aspiring Project Managers. Earning a CAPM certification is highly recommended for anyone serious about pursuing a new career in project management. Being CAPM-certified will create more job opportunities and lead to a higher salary: reports show that CAPM-certified Project Managers earn around $101,000, 25% more than non-certified entry-level Project Managers. 

There are prerequisites to taking the CAPM exam. Before you can apply to take the CAPM-certification exam, you will need to have 0 to 3 years of project management job experience, a high school diploma, and 23 hours of project management education. Enrolling in a bootcamp like Noble Desktop’s Project Management Bootcamp is a great way to accrue the required education hours to take the exam.

Noble Desktop is a coding, business, and design school that offers project management courses live online and at its state-of-the-art campus in Midtown Manhattan. All of Noble Desktop’s project management courses are taught by PMP-certified Project Managers using Noble Desktop’s highly-rated, unique approach to learning: expert instructors teach a “micro-lecture” and then immediately guide students through applying what they just learned. This unique approach to training ensures that students learn the skills they need to get hired.

Noble Desktop’s Project Management Bootcamp is highly recommended for aspiring Project Managers and those seeking CAPM certification. Students are guided hands-on through managing real-world projects to develop skills in the five phases of project management, foundational project management concepts and terminology, project scope, resource management, project costs and budgeting, and risk management. Students also get an overview of several Agile Project Management Frameworks: Scrum, Extreme Programming (XP), and Kansan. Graduates earn a Certificate of Completion to demonstrate their credentials.

Key Insights

• Self-directed study does not count toward the CAPM certification exam prerequisites. You’ll need to complete an instructor-led course before you can apply for certification.
• You can receive comprehensive CAPM certification training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.