How Do I Prove PMP Project Management Experience?

Getting PMP (Project Management Professional) certified is a major milestone in a project manager’s career. It validates your experience, skills, and ability to lead projects efficiently. But one of the biggest challenges PMP aspirants face isn’t passing the exam—it’s proving their project management experience during the application process.
In this blog, we'll break down how to prove your PMP experience clearly and correctly. Whether you’re a project manager, team lead, or even someone with informal PM responsibilities, this guide will help you navigate the process with confidence.
Why Proving Experience Matters
The Project Management Institute (PMI), which issues the PMP certification, wants to ensure candidates have real-world project experience. They don’t just want people with theoretical knowledge—they want professionals who’ve actually managed or led projects.
That’s why your application must demonstrate:
• You’ve led and directed project tasks.
• You’ve worked across all five PMBOK process groups (Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing).
• Your projects align with PMI’s definition and expectations.
Eligibility Requirements (Quick Recap)
To apply for the PMP, you must meet the following work experience criteria:
• If you have a four-year degree (Bachelor’s or global equivalent):
➤ 36 months of non-overlapping project management experience within the past 8 years.
• If you don’t have a four-year degree:
➤ 60 months of non-overlapping project management experience within the past 8 years.
And for both, you also need:
• 35 hours of project management education (can be earned through a PMP prep course).
Step-by-Step: How to Prove PMP Project Management Experience

1. Identify Your Projects Start by listing out all the projects you've worked on in the past 8 years. Remember: • A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined start and end, and it delivers a unique product, service, or result. • Routine operations or tasks (like daily IT support or general admin work) do not count. Ask yourself: • Did the work have clear objectives? • Was it time-bound? • Did you contribute to the project’s success? If yes, it can count!
2. Calculate Hours Across Process Groups For each project, divide your work hours across the five PMBOK process groups: Process Group Example Tasks Initiating Defining project scope, identifying stakeholders Planning Creating schedules, budgets, risk plans Executing Leading teams, managing resources Monitoring & Controlling Tracking progress, managing changes Closing Final project handover, documentation You’ll need to estimate how many hours you spent in each group per project. PMI understands these are estimates—just be honest and realistic. Pro tip: Use a spreadsheet to log each project, timeline, total hours, and hours per process group.
3. Write Clear Project Descriptions (The Right Way) This is the most crucial part. PMI doesn't want a resume—they want to see what you actually did in terms of project management. For each project, you’ll enter: • Project Title • Organization Name • Functional Area • Project Dates (Start & End) • Your Role • Approach/Methodology (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid) • Project Description (200–500 words) Your project description must cover: What the project was about What your responsibilities were Which process groups you were involved in What tools/methods you used What results you delivered Example: “Led the planning and execution of a new internal HR management system for a 200-employee company. Responsibilities included stakeholder communication (Initiating), creating a detailed work breakdown structure and timeline (Planning), coordinating with the software vendor (Executing), tracking progress with weekly status meetings and resolving change requests (Monitoring & Controlling), and ensuring project closure through formal acceptance and documentation (Closing).”
4. Use PMI-Friendly Language PMI has its own terminology, based on the PMBOK Guide. Try to mirror this language in your application to make your experience match PMI’s expectations. Use words like: • “Managed stakeholders” • “Defined scope” • “Created risk response plans” • “Tracked milestones” • “Monitored project performance” • “Led cross-functional teams” Avoid vague terms like “helped”, “participated”, or “supported”. Instead, use action verbs that show leadership and ownership.
5. Avoid Overlapping Projects PMI counts non-overlapping months only. That means if you managed 2 projects at the same time (e.g., Jan–June 2022), it still counts as 6 months, not 12. So plan carefully—pick projects that allow you to accumulate the required months without double-counting.
6. Get a Verifier (If Selected for Audit) You don't need to submit proof (like emails or documents) with your initial application. However, if you're selected for audit, PMI will ask for: • Copies of your degree or diploma • Proof of your 35 hours of PM education • Verifier confirmation for each project you listed A verifier can be: • Your manager • A client • A senior stakeholder familiar with the project They’ll simply need to confirm that you actually did the work described. So make sure: • You’ve informed your verifiers in advance • Your descriptions match what they remember Common Questions Answered Q: What if my job title wasn’t “Project Manager”? That’s okay! PMI cares more about your role and responsibilities than your title. If you led or directed project tasks, your experience counts. Q: What if I worked on Agile projects? That’s great. Just mention the methodology used (Agile/Scrum/Kanban) and your role (like Scrum Master, Product Owner, etc.). PMI accepts all methodologies. Q: Can I use freelance or volunteer projects? Yes, as long as they were structured projects and you led or directed tasks. Just make sure someone (like a client or NGO supervisor) can verify it if needed. Final Thoughts Proving your PMP project management experience doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right preparation, clear documentation, and honest reflection on your work, you can build a strong application that gets approved without issues. Here’s a quick recap: List valid projects Break hours across process groups Write clear and concise project descriptions Use PMI language Avoid overlapping timelines Keep verifiers ready (just in case) Once your application is approved, you’re one step closer to becoming a globally recognized PMP professional—a credential that opens doors to high-paying, leadership-level opportunities. Website: https://www.icertglobal.com