ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AUDIT IN PMP® APPLICATION
"Why does PMI conduct application audits?
PMI conducts application audits to confirm the experience and/or education documented on certification applications. The purpose of the audit is to enhance the credibility of the certification program and of the certification holders."
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Why does PMI conduct application audits?
PMI conducts application audits to confirm the experience and/or education documented on certification applications. The purpose of the audit is to enhance the credibility of the certification program and of the certification holders. For each certification, a specified percentage of applications are randomly selected for audit.
How long does the audit process take?
Audit materials will be processed within one week upon their arrival at PMI. Once we review and approve audit materials, you will receive an e-mail containing your eligibility code and exam scheduling instructions.
What is the best way to send audit materials to PMI?
You can send your completed audit forms, depending on where you live, by regular postal mail or express courier service, to the address below. PMI will not accept faxed or emailed audits documents. Please send all materials at one time, or in one envelope, to expedite the processing time.
PMI Attn.:
Certification Audit
14 Campus Blvd.
Newtown Square, PA 19073-3299 USA
Are audit materials confidential?
Yes. Audit materials are strictly confidential and are not shared with any external organization unless required through legal action involving PMI.
Does PMI return the original audit materials after review?
No. PMI retains the original documentation according to its internal auditing procedures.
Do the Experience Verification Forms need to be notarized?
No.
Will PMI accept an e-mail signature?
No. All audit signatures must be handwritten.
How should an audit candidate verify experience that they were the manager/supervisor/consultant for? What if the manager/supervisor is no longer at the specified company?
Candidates can have a colleague, peer, client or sponsor who has intimate knowledge of the project verify this experience. A supervising manager can still verify experience even if he/she is no longer with the company specified. If this option is not feasible, a colleague from the project can verify, or a current manager or supervisor, who has intimate knowledge of the project, can verify.
If the projects and/or programs listed were completed in a highly classified environment, or a company is very sensitive about proprietary information being seen by other employers or individuals outside the company, how should this be handled?
We are very sensitive to this situation, and encourage candidates to have the information verified in a way that is consistent with company practices and policies. Candidates may black out any proprietary information so as long as there are no changes or omissions to the original information provided to us. We can also provide a letter of intent to any managers or supervisors upon request.
A manager accidentally mailed the envelope directly to PMI. The cover letter states that partial submissions are considered an automatic failure of the audit. Is this oversight considered an automatic failure?
We will not penalize an audit candidate for this oversight; however it is important that we are aware of the situation so that we can flag the piece of mail in anticipation of the remaining audit materials.
A manager or supervisor is across the world. Can the audit materials be faxed or sent directly to PMI?
The Experience Verification Form and Experience PDF attachment can be e-mailed to any verifying manager or supervisor; however because the original audit forms need to be submitted in the sealed and signed envelopes, we will not accept faxed copies. We prefer that the candidate mail all documents in one parcel.
Are photocopies of education certificates of completion sufficient or does PMI require the originals?
Copies of your certificates are sufficient. We recognize that your certificates are important to you. Therefore, we suggest that you send copies of the originals.
Do certificates in a foreign language need to be translated?
Candidates are required to send a copy of the original and a letter outlining a general translation.
If a course was completed at a PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.), can PMI contact them for my certificate?
No. Audit candidates must contact the PMI R.E.P. directly for the necessary verification.
If an in-house course did not issue a certificate, what type of verification will PMI accept?
We will accept a letter of completion from the course administrator, HR department, or manager on company letterhead to verify that the course was completed.
The individual who verified my work experience forgot to sign the back of the envelope. Will this be a problem?
Although it is preferred that your experience verification form(s) are returned to PMI in a signed and sealed envelope, we understand that this may not be possible in some cases due to internal business regulations, customs inspections, etc. Please make a note on the back of the envelope in question that the signature was omitted.
Will PMI accept a receipt or course roster as educational verification?
No. This does not provide any information relating to completion of the course.
Will PMI accept a school transcript to meet the degree requirement?
Yes, school transcripts are acceptable.
Will PMI contact a verifying manager or supervisor?
Not always. PMI does reserve the right to do so if there is a specific question related to verification.
What happens in the case of a failed audit?
The Certification Department will address further actions on a case-by-case basis.
What steps need to be taken when an audit candidate decides not to proceed with the audit?
If a candidate chooses not to complete the audit, it is considered a failed audit due to non-conformance. A candidate may reapply after one year. At that time, a new certification application and payment must be submitted, and the application will be subject to a re-audit.
Source: https://www.pmi.org/certifications/faq
Atoha Institute of Project Management
See more: 7 steps to document your project management experience for PMP® application