Every month I get a copy of PMI Today and I annotate 3 data points: New PMP® for the month, new PMPs year-to-date (YTD), and total number of active PMPs.

For the second month in a row, PMI did not include New PMP monthly numbers and the YTD total, opting to report just the overall number of active credential holders. This is not a problem since I have been tracking the PMP data for over a year.

With an impressive 645 more certifications than last month, the trend continues with the new number of PMPs in June totaling *4,630. Year-To-Date total is *28,211. There are a total of 389,726 active PMPs.

* Numbers based on YTD totals reported by PMI and historical data.

The current trend predicts PMI will hit 400,000 active PMP credential holders this year.

	January	February	March	April	May	June
New PMPs (Monthly)	3,714	3,713	5,344	4,718	3,985	4,630
New PMPs (YTD)	3,714	7,429	12,779	19,596	23,581	28,211
Total Active PMPs	367,619	371,014	375,959	381,111	385,096	389,726

I want to congratulate those 4,630 out there who passed the exam in June. It’s no cakewalk and I recognize your efforts and achievement.

What do you think of the current certification velocity? Are there too many PMPs being certified on a monthly basis; too few; just right? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

3 for the price of 1!

Prepare for the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner exam!
1. Download and print out PMI Agile exam flashcards
2. Download and print out 25-Question practice exam
3. Just click and get 100 free web-based flashcards

Popularity: 1%

About Derek Huether

Enterprise Agile Coach and Trainer at LitheSpeed. Co-Lead of the PMI ACP Support Team. Lover of Agile, Scrum, & Kanban. Lawfulgood PMP Level 15. Chaotic Good Agilist Level 5. Author of Zombie Project Management (available on Amazon)

http://www.parallelprojecttraining.com Paul Naybour

I am quite surprised. I would have thought the resession would lead to a dramatic cut back in the number taking the PMP.

Derek Huether

Paul, I see no better time to learn or create something new, than when we are having a recession. That’s what lead me to create my product, PMP Flashcards (gratuitous plug)

Patrick Richard

Derek,

I’m not sure what to read in these monthly posts; aren’t you happy that so many people want to become PMPs? Isn’t this good for your flashcard business?

Regards,

Patrick Richard ing., PMP
http://www.thehardnosedpm.com
@hardnosedpm
http://www.heavyrotations.com

Derek Huether

Patrick, I’m in an interesting position, having a product that benefits from people interested in the PMP. I want to see good Project Managers, who may or may not have a PMP. At the end of the day, I would rather see fewer people getting PMPs, if it meant the quality of PMs was higher. If quality is not impacted by the quantity of people becoming PMPs, I welcome them into the fold.

Thank you for your question!
Derek

http://www.perryawilsonconsulting.com Perry

My feeling is that as long as people pass the exam – and have actually qualified with the work experience, there’s never too many certifications. I’m going out on a limb and suggesting that more candidates have time to study for and sit the exam in this economic climate.

Thanks for the post.
http://www.perryawilsonconsulting.com Perry

My feeling is that as long as people pass the exam – and have actually qualified with the work experience, there’s never too many certifications. I’m going out on a limb and suggesting that more candidates have time to study for and sit the exam in this economic climate.

Thanks for the post.
http://www.niwotridge.com Glen B Alleman

Jeff,

with the last statement ” It’s no cakewalk and I recognize your efforts and achievement,” why would there be too many PMP’s? If everyone on the planet had a PMP, what would be the downside?

Derek Huether

Glen,
Though I recognize their efforts and certainly applaud them, I do believe there could be a time when there will be too many PMP’s. More importantly, there will be too many “paper” PMP’s. I’ve been informed of multiple people going to PMP bootcamps and getting the credential, without a desire to learn or apply what is being taught. They merely want the certification. With so many people getting certified every month, I’m concerned people are gaming the system and the PMI audit process isn’t preventing it. As I responded to Patrick, I’m concerned about the quality of PMP’s being certified, not the quantity.

http://www.niwotridge.com Glen B Alleman

Jeff,

with the last statement ” It’s no cakewalk and I recognize your efforts and achievement,” why would there be too many PMP’s? If everyone on the planet had a PMP, what would be the downside?

Shim Marom

Good effort mate.
Shim Marom

Good effort mate.

June PMP Certification Numbers Are In

3 for the price of 1!

About Derek Huether

Advertisement

Get Daily Email Updates