Frequently Asked Questions

Most Common Questions & Issues

1. When will the PMP® exam change?

PMI® announced that they will be updating the PMP® exam on January 2, 2021. They last released a new version of the PMP® exam on March 26, 2018. Click here for more information. The exam is typically updated about every two-to-four years, usually associated with the publication of new edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK® Guide) and/or updates to the Exam Content Outline.

2. Has RMC released updated materials for the new PMP® exam?

RMC has released new 10th Edition versions of our PMP® Exam Prep products aligned with the PMBOK® Guide, Sixth Edition and changes to the Exam Content Outline (ECO). We plan to release a 10th Edition eLearning Course and translated versions of our PMP Exam Prep System in Q1, 2021.  All instructor-led virtual classes after December 8, 2020 have been updated to the 10th Edition standard.  Click here for more information.

3. When will the PMI-ACP® exam, CAPM® exam and PMI-PBA® exam change?
  • PMI-ACP® Exam changed March 26, 2018
  • CAPM® Exam changed May 21, 2018
  • PMI-PBA® Exam changed June 25, 2018

There are details about these exam changes and various RMC product and classroom releases related to them on our CAPM Exam Changes page.

4. What discounts are available on RMC products and classes?

RMC offers bulk discounts off the list price for orders of five or more products. Bulk discounts also apply to organizations looking to purchase five or more seats in one of our classes. We offer a 5% discount off all products and classes for active government employees and current or former military members. We also offer discount programs for PMI® Chapters (not individual chapter members) and other organizations that use RMC materials to teach their own classes via the Training Partner Program.

5. How do I report PDUs after I earn them?

To claim your PDU credit, you will need to enter the information manually. It will not appear automatically in the CCRS.

  • Go to PMI.org. Click the Log In button at the top right of the screen.
  • Enter your user name and password.
  • Click on “myPMI” drop down. Then click “Dashboard.”
  • Click the button: Report PDUs, then click “Course or Training.”
  • Enter the Course Title, Class Dates, Hours and qualifying PDUs.
  • Enter Provider Name, Address and Phone number.
  • Check that you agree that the claim is accurate and submit.
6. How do I claim the Contact Hours from my PMP® Exam Prep eLearning course or class?

Instructions will be given within the eLearning course or instructor-led class to help you claim your earned Contact Hours or PDUs. If PMI chooses to audit your application or your PDU claim, we will confirm your completion of the course or class in question.

7. What is the RMC Class Guarantee?
Students who complete an RMC’s instructor-led exam prep class for the PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CAPM®, PMI-PBA® is covered by the RMC class guarantee. If a student receives a completion certificate and fails their exam within 90 days of class completion, we will provide one-on-one instruction, an evaluation of exam results, exam readiness, strengths and weaknesses. You receive personalized assignments, a study schedule and free registration in a scheduled RMC exam prep class for the same certification.
8. Can I use RMC products to teach my own class?

RMC’s Authorized Training Partner Program™ is designed for those who want to teach exam preparation using our materials. When you join RMC’s Training Partner Program, you know you’re using products that are tested and proven to help people achieve certification.

9. How do I qualify to take the PMP® exam?
This information is available on our PMP Certification Resources page.
10. What is the difference between Contact Hours and PDUs?

Contact Hours are units of time used to measure/quantify approved education before you sit for PMI Certification Exams. One hour of classroom instruction equals one contact hour. Professional Development Units (PDUs) are one-hour units of time spent learning, teaching others, volunteering, or mentoring to maintain your certification status.

11. Does RMC have distributors outside the United States?

RMC products and classes are available through our international distributors and training partners. That’s how we offer training in 18 languages and more than 60 countries. Our extensive international distributor network is trained by RMC, using our professional training products. If you are interested in becoming a distributor, find out more here.

12. Can I use an old version of Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep book to study for the exam?

We write each edition of Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep book based on changes in the PMP Exam Content Outline (ECO) as well as the latest revision of the PMBOK® Guide. PMI® typically makes significant changes to the PMP® exam every two to four years, so we highly recommend using the latest edition of the PMP® Exam Prep book to ensure you are studying all the up-to- date information on the exam.

13. Can I download a PDF of Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep book?

Unfortunately, no. Rita’s book is the industry standard in PMP® exam prep, which makes it a popular target for piracy and fraudulent copies. To protect our intellectual property and ensure we can continue to share Rita’s innovative training methods with our students, we do not sell any downloadable electronic versions of Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep book. Any downloadable versions of Rita’s book are fraudulent and may contain inaccurate or incomplete information. HOWEVER, we’ve recently added online subscriptions to Rita’s PMP Exam Prep book. Click here for a free demo and more information.

14. What is your return policy?

All sales are final. RMC does not accept returns, except in accordance with the warranty clause. In the event RMC requests that you return a Product, by returning any Product to RMC, you represent and warrant that the returned Product was purchased from RMC, is not counterfeit or otherwise non-conforming. You also agree that RMC may test any returned Product to determine whether such Product is counterfeit, non-conforming, or otherwise violates these Conditions of Order.

15. What’s the best way to prepare for the PMP® exam?

RMC can help you prepare for the PMP® exam by providing self-study products, training classes, and eLearning courses. We recommend these options:

16. Are RMC Books and study materials available for purchase on Amazon?

Several of RMC’s products are available for sale on Amazon. Although we did not originally list Rita’s PMP Exam Prep, Tenth Edition book on Amazon due to frequent counterfeit booksellers, in 2022 we decided to list our new PMP Exam Prep, Tenth Edition – Upgraded book there. We continue to combat counterfeit booksellers who sell very poor-quality knockoffs of our products. Counterfeit books are not an uncommon issue, and we appreciate your help in reporting these fakes to Amazon using their processes. (Remember to return knock-off books to the seller and report them. Don’t use the product review function to report fakes, as that will impact the real books also.) As always, you may purchase genuine copies of RMC products from our store.

17. What if I suspect I received a counterfeit RMC product from Amazon (or another channel)?

If you believe you have purchased a counterfeit book from Amazon or another reseller, file a claim against that reseller (including a refund request) within the site where you purchased. Send us information on any person or organization that appears to be selling or distributing RMC products, training materials, or information content without permission. Lastly, RMC may replace your counterfeit book with a genuine RMC product at a 40% discount off list price of any of our PMP exam prep products, subject to proof of purchase. Contact customer service at 952-846-4484 or by email at info@rmcls.com.

PMP Exam Prep Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will the PMP® exam change?
PMI® updated the PMP® exam on January 2, 2021. They last released a new version of the PMP® exam on March 26, 2018. Click here for more information. The exam is typically updated about every two to four years, usually associated with the publication of new edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK® Guide) and/or updates to the Exam Content Outline.
2. Has RMC released updated materials for the new PMP® exam?

RMC has released new 10th Edition versions of our PMP® Exam Prep products aligned with the PMBOK® Guide, Sixth Edition and changes to the Exam Content Outline (ECO). All PMP instructor-led virtual classes and our PMP eLearning course have been updated to the 10th Edition standard. Check out our PMP Exam Prep 10th Edition offerings, now available in Spanish and Portuguese.

3. How do I claim the Contact Hours from my PMP® Exam Prep eLearning course or class?

Instructions will be given within the eLearning course or instructor-led class to help you claim your earned Contact Hours or PDUs. If PMI chooses to audit your application or your PDU claim, we will confirm your completion of the course or class in question.

4. I want to report my education with PMI for the exam application. What happens if there is no activity number or claim code associated with a course?

PMI does not ask for a course number or claim code. To report education to sit for the certification:

  • Go to PMI.org. Click the Log In button at the top right of the screen.
  • Enter your user name and password.
  • Click on “myPMI” drop down. Click “Dashboard,” then “Certifications” and follow the prompts.
  • When prompted, enter Professional Education. Enter the Provider Name, Course Dates, and qualifying hours.
  • Hit the Save Education button to save your information.
5. How do I qualify to take the PMP® exam?
Before you can take the PMP certification exam, you need to prove that you meet the academic and professional requirements that have been set by PMI. Depending on your level of academic education, the following requirements must be met:

If you have a bachelor’s degree (four-year degree or the global equivalent):

  • 36 months of unique non-overlapping professional management experience leading and directing projects
  • 35 contact hours of project management education/training or CAPM® Certification

If you have a high school diploma, associate’s degree (or global equivalent):

  • 60 months of unique non-overlapping professional management experience leading and directing projects
  • 35 contact hours of project management education/training or CAPM® Certification

If you have a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree from a GAC accredited program (bachelor’s degree or master’s or global equivalent):

  • 24 months unique non-overlapping professional project management experience leading and directing projects
  • 35 contact hours of project management education/training or CAPM® Certification
6. Can I use an old version of Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep book to study for the exam?

Your goal is to pass the PMP which is why we recommend you study using the latest edition of Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep book. We updated our book based on changes in the PMP Exam Content Outline (ECO) as well as the latest revision of the PMBOK® Guide. PMI® typically makes significant changes to the PMP® exam every two to four years. Get the latest edition of the PMP® Exam Prep book to ensure you are studying all the up-to-date information on the exam.

7. Can I download a PDF of Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep book?

RMC does not sell any downloadable electronic versions of Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam Prep book. ANY downloadable versions of Rita’s book are fraudulent and may contain inaccurate or incomplete information. This policy allows us to protect our intellectual property and ensures we can continue to share Rita’s proprietary training approach with our students, HOWEVER, we’ve added online subscriptions to Rita’s PMP Exam Prep book. Click here for a free demo and more information.

8. What’s the best way to prepare for the PMP® exam?

RMC can help you prepare for the PMP® exam by providing self-study products, training classes, and eLearning courses. We recommend these options:

9. What are the professional benefits of completing the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, Certification process and exam?

The PMP certification can earn a higher salary—25% more, on average—than non-certified project managers. You can also advance your career by demonstrating you’re capable of working in project management, whether you are new to the field or have been working in project management for quite some time. Employers recognize the value and rigor of the certification which makes you a more desirable job candidate.

10. How much time should I spend studying prior to the PMP Exam?

It depends on the way you choose to study. If you choose to study with RMC’s Exam Prep instructor-led virtual class or our PMP eLearning Course, we recommend you follow the study plan and areas of focus developed in class. Your study plan should include taking 2 to 3 tests with an exam simulator to achieve a score of 75% or higher before you take the test. Play Rita’s Process Chart game once a day, tracking your score until you achieve a score of 80%. If you use Rita’s Exam Prep book, we suggest that you read the book once through without doing any Practice Exams. When confident with the material, take each chapter practice exams in one sitting. This will help identify knowledge gaps and where more studying is needed. Continue studying the book, and the PMBOK® Guide, focusing on those gaps, then retake the practice exams in the book. If you do not score 70% or higher overall on the chapter practice exams, consider PMP Exam simulation or a PMP Exam prep course.