This is the first act that describes the jitters our action hero experiences on his journey to PMP glory. His eligibility and integrity are doubted right from the beginning. He is horrified to learn that his PMP Application and later his PMP Status can be audited at anytime. He is aware that audit selection is random and he cannot predict who will be screened at what stage. However, his chances of being audited drop dramatically after certification.
Our hero knows that having his PMP application reviewed is not a concern. He has verified that he has filled out the application accurately and is confident that his application will be approved (audit or no).
He has also partnered with Prothoughts to gather the ammunition for the PMP exam. He knows that ProThoughts supports their candidates until they are PMP certified. They have templates for filling out audit applications and have expert counsellors to help the aspirants.
Remember that PMI audits both certified project managers and applicants throughout their programs to ensure the integrity of their PMP certification. Honesty is the best policy.
The following requirements are required for the audit:
Verifying Project Management Experience. A supervisor, manager, or colleague (called a referee) must review the application and complete the Project Management Experience Audit Report. It should be the manager/person who filled out the application form. This must be done for all projects where the question has been raised. After completing the form, the referee must place the Project Management Experience Audit Report into an envelope. Once signed, the envelope must be returned to the applicant by post or in person. The applicant will need to send it to PMI. PMI will not accept faxed forms or scanned forms. Substitutions and incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
Verification of 35 Contact Hours of Education in Project Management: All applicants must submit documentation proving that they have completed each course and met the requirements for the 35 hours. It must contain a certificate from the school or institute that provided the training. No substitutions will be accepted.
Verifying Attained Education: The applicant must attach a transcript, certificate, or diploma from the school where the degree was earned to properly document the education.
If an audit does happen, remember these things:
Please read the instructions in the response to audit.
Self-attest your degree certificate, 35 hours PDU certificate
Take the signatures of your referee (whose names you mentioned in the application). Let’s say you have submitted three projects. Now, take the sign-off of the reporting manager (referee), on each project sheet. Put each one in separate envelopes and seal them with the sign of the reporting manager.
All the above should be placed in a large envelope. Send it to PMI US office.
It’s as easy as it sounds
It is best to discuss your application with your referee at the time of its initial submission. This will help you avoid heartburns in the event that you are subject to an audit. Last but not least, make sure your referee(s), are available in the country for at most one month after you submit your application.
This is what our action hero knows!
Act II is the next Act. …. The next Act…Act II.
Vidyesh has extensive experience in Project Management in different Engineering and Construction companies and is currently mentoring PMP aspirants to attain PMP certification. He, along with his co-author, Vidhi Raj, run an enriching blog https://winningpmplan.com/ that provides well-researched and practical tips for PMP exam takers and serves as a snapshot of their book on PMP study techniques “Winning Plan for PMP”. (Vidyesh has not been compensated or affiliated with Prothoughts, Ritas or their publishers. His endorsement of the blog https://winningpmplan.com/ serves to promote the book “Winning Plan for PMP”)