Applying for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is a critical step in advancing your career. However, completing the application correctly can be challenging. Many candidates struggle with properly documenting their experience, structuring project descriptions, and ensuring they meet PMI’s requirements. Most look for a PMP application sample.
Please note that you cannot get a PMP Application Form PDF. The PMP application form cannot be downloaded from the PMI website as a PDF, unfortunately. It is only available online, through their interactive application process. However, by reading this article, it will position you with the information you need to complete a quality PMP application form when you’re ready.
This guide will walk you through the PMP application sample, explain how to fill in each section, and provide PMP application examples to help you avoid common mistakes.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The key sections of the PMP application.
- How to write clear, PMI-compliant PMP application examples for your project experience.
- The importance of documenting your 35 education hours and choosing a reputable PMP exam prep course.
By the end, you’ll be fully prepared to complete your application with confidence!
The entire PMP application process is outlined within the PMP Handbook.
Understanding the PMP Application Components
Before submitting your PMP application, it’s important to understand each section and what PMI expects from you. Completing the application correctly ensures that your experience is properly documented and reduces the risk of delays or audits. We recommend writing out the following information in a separate document, essentially making your own PMP application sample, before starting your PMP application form. This will make the process smoother if you are randomly selected for an audit.
1. Educational Background
PMI requires candidates to list their highest level of education. This information is used to determine the amount of required project management experience.
- Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: Requires 3 years (36 months) of project management experience.
- High School Diploma or Associate’s Degree: Requires 5 years (60 months) of project management experience.
2. Project Management Experience
PMI requires candidates to document their project management experience by listing projects they have worked on, along with details about their role, responsibilities, and the timeframe.
For each project, you will need to include:
- Project Title: Name of the project.
- Organization: The company where the project was completed.
- Timeframe: Start and end dates of the project.
- Your Role: The position you held in the project.
- Project Description: A summary of your contributions, aligned with PMI’s project management process groups.
3. Project Descriptions
Each project must include a clear and concise description that highlights:
- The project’s objective and goals.
- Your specific role and contributions.
- The final outcomes and deliverables.
4. 35 Contact Hours of Project Management Education
All PMP candidates must complete at least 35 hours of formal project management education before submitting their application. This requirement ensures that candidates have received structured training in project management methodologies.
The easiest way to meet this requirement is to enroll in a PMI-authorized PMP exam prep course such as Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course, which provides:
- A certificate of completion to document your 35 education hours.
- Self-paced online learning for flexible study.
- Comprehensive coverage of all PMP exam topics.
Now that you understand the key components of the PMP application, let’s explore how to write effective project descriptions that align with PMI’s expectations.
Crafting Effective Project Descriptions
One of the most challenging parts of the PMP application is writing clear and concise project descriptions that align with PMI’s expectations. The descriptions in your own PMP application sample, should highlight your project management responsibilities and how they relate to PMI’s five process groups:
- Initiating – Defining the project, identifying stakeholders, and obtaining approval.
- Planning – Developing a detailed project plan, budget, timeline, and risk assessment.
- Executing – Managing teams, resources, and communication to complete project deliverables.
- Monitoring & Controlling – Tracking project progress, managing risks, and ensuring quality.
- Closing – Finalizing deliverables, obtaining stakeholder sign-off, and documenting lessons learned.
How to Write a Strong PMP Project Description
When writing your PMP application examples, focus on what you did, not what the project was about. PMI is looking for project management experience—not technical skills.
Example of a Weak Project Description:
“Led a software development project for a mobile app. Managed developers and worked on product testing.”
⛔ Why this is weak: It does not explain how the candidate applied project management principles.
Example of a Strong PMP Project Description:
“Led the planning and execution of a software development project for a mobile application. Developed the project charter and work breakdown structure (Initiating & Planning). Managed a cross-functional team of developers, testers, and designers to deliver the product on time and within budget (Executing). Monitored sprint progress and implemented risk mitigation strategies (Monitoring & Controlling). Closed the project by obtaining stakeholder approval and conducting a retrospective analysis (Closing).”
✅ Why this is strong: It clearly outlines the candidate’s specific project management contributions*within PMI’s process groups.
Tips for Writing Your PMP Application Project Descriptions
- Use PMI Terminology: Align your descriptions with PMI’s process groups.
- Be Concise: Keep descriptions within 500 characters (PMI’s limit).
- Focus on Your Role: Emphasize your contributions, not just the team’s efforts.
- Avoid Jargon: Use industry-neutral language that PMI reviewers can understand.
Now that you know how to write effective project descriptions, let’s discuss why proper documentation of your 35 education hours is critical for a successful PMP application.
The Importance of Documenting Your 35 Education Hours
One of the most critical PMP application requirements is completing 35 contact hours of project management education. PMI requires candidates to obtain these hours from a recognized provider, ensuring they have formal training in project management methodologies.
Why Proper Documentation Matters
When submitting your PMP application, PMI may request proof of your 35 education hours. Proper documentation ensures that your application meets PMI’s standards and reduces the chances of delays or an audit.
To properly document your training, you should:
- Choose a PMI-recognized training provider.
- Ensure the course covers all PMP domains.
- Obtain a Certificate of Completion that lists the number of training hours.
Where to Get Your 35 Education Hours
The best way to fulfill this requirement is to enroll in a PMP exam prep course that is recognized by the PMI to provide the 35 education hours.
A quality PMP exam prep course will offer:
- Official Certificate of Completion recognized by the PMI
- Self-paced online training that fits your schedule.
- A PMP Exam Simulator with realistic exam questions validate what you’ve learned.
- Comprehensive coverage of PMP topics aligned with the latest PMBOK Guide and Exam Outline.
- A Pass Guarantee: Ensuring that you don’t incur additional cost if you need to retake the exam
What Happens If You’re Audited?
PMI randomly selects applications for an audit to verify education and experience claims. If your application is audited, you’ll need to provide documentation of your 35 education hours.
With a Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course, you don’t have to worry—their team will help you navigate the audit process if needed.
Next, let’s explore why Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course is the best choice for both meeting PMI’s education requirements and preparing for the exam.
Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course: The Best Choice for PMP Applicants
When choosing a PMP exam prep course, it’s important to find one that not only meets PMI’s 35-hour education requirement but also prepares you effectively for the exam. Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course is a top-rated, self-paced training program that ensures you’re ready to pass the PMP exam with confidence.
Why Choose Brain Sensei?
Unlike traditional PMP courses, Brain Sensei uses a unique storytelling approach to make learning engaging and effective. Here’s why it stands out:
- PMI-Recognized Training Provider: Officially meets PMI’s 35-hour project management education requirement.
- Certificate of Completion: Provides official documentation needed for your PMP application and audit support.
- Self-Paced Online Learning: Study anytime, anywhere, at your own pace.
- PMP Exam Simulator: Includes 1,500+ realistic PMP exam questions to help you practice.
- 100% Pass Guarantee: Confidence that you’ll pass the PMP exam—or get your money back.
- Audit Support: If your application is audited, Brain Sensei’s team will guide you through the process.
Affordable & Flexible Pricing
Brain Sensei offers flexible pricing options to fit your budget:
- $99/month – Ideal for short-term study plans.
- $349 one-time payment – Full 1-year access at a discounted rate.
With Brain Sensei, you’re not just meeting PMI’s requirements—you’re setting yourself up for success.
Enroll in Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course today!
Next, let’s summarize the key takeaways and how you can confidently submit your PMP application.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Completing your PMP application correctly is the first step toward earning your Project Management Professional certification. We strongly recommend that you create your own PMP application sample, by following the steps above, before applying online. By ensuring your education, experience, and project descriptions meet PMI’s requirements, you can avoid delays and increase your chances of approval.
Key Takeaways
- Ensure your application includes accurate education and experience details.
- Write clear PMP project descriptions using PMI’s five process groups.
- Document your 35 education hours with an official Certificate of Completion.
- Be prepared for a random PMI audit by choosing a recognized training provider.
Start Your PMP Journey with Brain Sensei
One of the best ways to ensure a successful PMP application is by enrolling in a PMI-authorized exam prep course like Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course.
With Brain Sensei, you’ll get:
- A Certificate of Completion to fulfill PMI’s 35-hour education requirement.
- A self-paced, engaging learning experience to prepare for the exam.
- A PMP exam simulator with 1,500+ practice questions.
- Full audit support if your application is selected.
- A 100% pass guarantee*for confidence in your success.
✅ Ready to take the next step? Enroll in Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course today!
Final Action: Submit Your PMP Application
Once you have completed your education and documented your experience, you can submit your PMP application directly on the PMI website:
Submit Your PMP Application on PMI.org
With the right preparation and Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep Course, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)®.
