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If you’re a project management professional with less than three years of experience, and you are looking to boost your resume and certify your skills and knowledge, the Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM)® certification may benefit you.
Early-career professionals who are wondering if the CAPM is worth it should consider the certification’s key factors. This article overviews factors to consider regarding CAPM certification, including costs, salary and growth potential and career options.
The CAPM certification is a beginner-level credential administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that validates an individual’s knowledge and competency in project management fundamentals. The certification serves entry-level professionals, project team members and project managers who are seeking to advance their knowledge and implement best practices in their day-to-day work.
Several components factor into the total CAPM certification cost. These expenses include exam fees, training costs, study resources and renewal fees.
The CAPM exam fee is mandatory, and test-takers must pay it directly to PMI. The fee breaks down as follows.
CAPM training and exam preparation courses typically incur additional costs. Fees for training courses vary depending on the program. CAPM bootcamps typically start at around $200. In just three or four days, these programs provide the 23 hours of project management education required for CAPM certification.
A training course can cost between $300 and $500. There are several training options available for certification candidates with varying budgets.
PMI bases the current CAPM certification exam on the sixth edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)® Guide. PMI members receive this guide with their memberships. Nonmembers must purchase the PMBOK if they want to use it to prepare for the exam. PMI bundles this edition of the PMBOK Guide with its Agile Practice Guide, which is available to purchase from PMI for $49.
Note that starting in 2023, the CAPM exam will no longer be based on the PMBOK Guide.
For the current version of the CAPM exam, test-takers should review the sixth edition of the PMBOK. PMI also recommends those pursuing CAPM certification to prepare through courses and study groups in addition to self-study. Local PMI chapters often offer formal study courses, as do PMI-authorized training partners. Costs vary among providers.
CAPM candidates may take practice exams as well. The costs of these exams widely vary, and there are some free practice tests available online. PMI offers sample test questions and the CAPM handbook—both excellent tools for self-study—online for free.
The CAPM renewal fee is $60 for PMI members and $150 for nonmembers. CAPM-certified professionals who want to maintain their CAPM status must renew their certification every three years, during which they must complete 15 professional development units.
PMI periodically updates the renewal process for CAPM certification, so make sure to check PMI’s website to stay on top of the most current renewal requirements and costs.
PMI projects that the global economy will need 25 million new project management employees to meet demand by 2030: 12 million due to the field’s projected expansion, and 13 million due to worker retirements. This amounts to 2.3 million project management job openings per year until 2030, indicating strong, steady growth for the field.
Even early-career project management professionals earn relatively high salaries as well, according to PMI. In the U.S., project professionals with less than three years of experience earn a median annual salary of $78,279.
Below we list a few roles, spanning from entry-level to senior positions, that you may qualify for with a CAPM certification.
Median Annual Salary: $93,000
Job Description: Management analysts make recommendations to Strengthen organizations’ efficiency. These professionals, also called management consultants, analyze how an organization might increase its profits by reducing costs and increasing revenues and advise managers accordingly.
Management analysts should have a bachelor’s degree and several years of work experience. CAPM certification is not required for this role, but it can bolster your resume.
Average Annual Salary: More than $48,000
Job Description: Project coordinators assist project managers by organizing projects to ensure they’re completed on time and within budget. These professionals coordinate project management activities, resources and equipment. They also collaborate with clients to identify and define project objectives, requirements and scope.
Project coordinators analyze risks, monitor project plans and oversee work hours, schedules and spending. Project coordinators often organize and participate in stakeholder meetings.
Median Annual Salary: $94,500
Job description: Project managers provide critical leadership to help organizations complete projects. These professionals oversee ongoing projects to ensure teams meet deadlines, project requirements and client expectations. They submit deliverables, prepare status reports and streamline communications between teams, team members, stakeholders and clients. They help identify and resolve issues that arise during the project duration.
Average Annual Salary: More than $123,000
Job description: Project management directors strategically develop, direct and manage multiple projects within larger organizations. They establish methodologies and standards to set measurable quality and productivity targets. These professionals oversee finances, coordinate resources within the defined scope and monitor potential risks to ensure teams complete projects on time and within budget.
The CAPM certification is a respected designation that indicates a commitment to the field and certifiable knowledge and experience in project management. If you’re contemplating earning a CAPM certification, consider the following factors before taking the plunge.
A CAPM certification can help individuals with up to three years of experience in project management boost their resumes and help their job applications stand out.
The certification is a solid place to start if your professional goals include project management. It can serve as a stepping stone toward more advanced positions and certifications in the field, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential. In fact, CAPM certification fulfills the formal training PMP certification requirements.
Earning CAPM certification can increase your earning potential. Payscale reports that CAPM-certified professionals earn around $68,000 per year. Note that several factors can impact your earning potential, including your level of education, job title, location and professional experience.
CAPM certification assesses candidates against strict guidelines that demand competency in and knowledge of project management skills, methodologies, processes and best practices. This professional designation can help your resume stand out and deliver you a competitive edge when applying for jobs. It signals to employers that you can successfully fulfill their roles, duties and responsibilities.
CAPM certification builds a strong foundation in project management fundamentals and can serve as a stepping stone toward the PMP certification. Before applying for the PMP exam, candidates must meet the following requirements.
Alternatively, you may:
Let's take a look at the teams that have already booked their ticket for the round of 16 now that we're nearing the end of the group stages
There is no denying that it has been an exciting start to the 2022 World Cup, with plenty of surprises and spectacular encounters on show in the first two matchdays of the group stages.
There was Saudi Arabia's shock win over Argentina, Germany throwing away a one-goal lead versus Japan and Belgium losing to Morocco to name just a few upsets.
And there has been no shortage of goals either, with Spain smashing seven past Costa Rica, Cameroon and Serbia playing out a hugely entertaining 3-3 draw and England hammering Iran 6-2.
But the question on everyone's mind as we enter matchday three is what all that means for the knockout stages and which teams have already secured progress to the round of 16.
Netherlands topped Group A, with Senegal coming second ahead of Qatar and Wales. England and the USMNT advance from Group B, while Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to the top of Group C after their opening-game upset against Saudi Arabia. Poland join the Albiceleste as Group C runners-up.
France and Australia qualified from Group D, while Morocco sprung an upset on Belgium in Group E and topped the table, with Croatia advancing as the runners-up. Japan were shock winners of Group F, topping the table ahead of Spain and Germany, with Hansi Flick's side bowing out.
Portugal qualified as winners of Group H, with South Korea clinching second place ahead of Uruguay. Brazil, meanwhile, won Group G ahead of Switzerland.
The World Cup 2022 round of 16 begins on December 3. With eight matches to be decided, two games a day are played on December 3, 4, 5 and 6.
A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is a distribution from your individual retirement account (IRA) to a qualified charity. You must be age 70½ or older to make a qualified charitable distribution. A qualified charitable distribution is not taxed, nor is it included in your taxable income.
If certain conditions are met, QCDs also can count toward the required minimum distributions (RMDs) that people who are age 72 or older must meet each year if they have traditional IRAs (or a number of other tax-advantaged retirement plans that you can’t use for a QCD). Also important: You don’t have to itemize on your tax return to take advantage of a QCD.
Anyone age 70½ or older can opt to take money from their IRA and donate it to a qualified charity. Qualified charitable distributions can be made from a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, but there’s no tax benefit to making a QCD from a Roth IRA because distributions are already tax free. You can also take QCDs from Active Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP) IRAs and Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRAs, if they are not ongoing SEP or SIMPLE plans (meaning that no contribution has been added to the plan in the year when the QCD is taken).
Not every charity qualifies for a qualified charitable distribution. Check with a tax professional beforehand to make sure that the organization you plan to gift qualifies for QCDs.
Qualified charitable distributions can help reduce your federal tax bill in two ways.
While a QCD is a withdrawal from your IRA, it is not counted as taxable income on your tax return like regular withdrawals are. Instead, a QCD can be deducted from your gross income on your tax return—without having to itemize your deductions. This both lowers your income and means that you can take the standard deduction instead of itemizing if you prefer.
The standard deduction is a specific amount you can use to reduce your taxable income. For 2022, single filers get a $12,950 standard deduction; it’s $25,900 for married couples filing jointly. (In 2023, those numbers rise to $13,850 for single taxpayers and $27,700 for married filing jointly.)
Another benefit of taking qualified charitable distributions is that they count toward your annual required minimum distribution (RMD)—the minimum amount that you must withdraw from many IRAs (except Roth IRAs) each year. RMDs start when you reach age 72.
The problem with taking RMDs from traditional IRAs (and 401(k)s as well) is that they increase your taxable income. Depending on your situation, they can push you into a higher tax bracket. Using qualified charitable distributions could fulfill all or part of your RMD requirement without increasing your taxable income. The maximum annual amount that you can take for QCDs is $100,000.
Don’t forget to check your state: While a QCD is not subject to withholding on your federal income tax return, state tax rules may differ. Ask a tax professional or your state income tax office for specifics on QCDs in your state.
A qualified charitable distribution can be a great tool in managing your retirement assets, but there are some drawbacks as well.
It could reduce your adjusted gross income and, thus, lower your tax bracket and how much you pay in taxes.
You can avoid the 50% penalty that is imposed if you don’t take your required minimum distribution (RMD).
You don’t have to itemize deductions on your tax return to deduct a QCD from your taxable income.
The donation must go to a qualified charity.
The donation must come directly from the individual retirement account (IRA) through your trustee to the charity; you cannot withdraw the funds and make the donation directly.
The maximum annual QCD limit is $100,000.
A QCD cannot be claimed as an itemized charitable deduction on your taxes.
A QCD could reduce your adjusted gross income, meaning that you could pay less in income taxes.
No, you don’t have to itemize deductions to deduct a QCD.
The maximum annual limit for QCDs is $100,000.
No. The charity must be a 501(c)(3) organization that is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Private foundations, for instance, are not eligible for QCDs. Before making any QCD, check with a tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to see if the charity is IRS-approved.
The qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is an important tool that lets donors age 70½ or older help charities of their choice and reduce their tax burden in two ways: lower their taxable income and reduce the required minimum distributions (RMDs) that can increase their income. It’s worth learning how QCDs work to take maximum advantage of their benefits to individuals and to the wider world.
The 2022 World Cup is reaching the business end as 32 nations began on 20 November aiming to lift the Jules Rimet trophy in Doha on 18 December.
Despite the many off-field issues around the tournament in Qatar, the group stage threw up plenty of thrills and spills, with Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia going down as one of the greatest shocks of any World Cup in history. Japan also stunned Germany, while Spain and England racked up goals in statement opening wins.
The drama has continued in the knockout stage as Morocco stunned Spain in the last 16 and Croatia knocked out tournament favourites Brazil in the quarter-finals.
There are only a handful of teams left in Qatar as the semi-final come into view before the final itself on Sunday December 18.
Here are the teams who have qualified for the semi-finals:
Through to the semi-finals:
Croatia
Here are the teams who are yet to play in the quarter-finals
France
England
Netherlands
Argentina
Portugal
Morocco
And here are the teams eliminated from the tournament:
Qatar
Canada
Ecuador
Iran
Wales
Denmark
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Belgium
Germany
Costa Rica
Ghana
Uruguay
Serbia
Cameroon
United States
Australia
Poland
Senegal
Japan
South Korea
Spain
Switzerland
Brazil
Here are all the results so far at the 2022 World Cup:
The World Cup has reached the quarter-final stage with eight teams set to battle it out for a spot in the last four.
England are safely through to the last eight following their victory over Senegal, and are now just three games away from winning their first World Cup since 1966.
Here is a look at the teams who are still standing at Qatar 2022.
The Netherlands started the World Cup well with a respectable four points from tricky assignments with Senegal and Ecuador, and they sealed the deal against already-eliminated Qatar in the final game to confirm themselves as group winners.
The Dutch then eased past the USA 3-1 in the round of 16 courtesy of goals from Memphis Depay, Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries.
Argentina recovered from their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia to record wins over Mexico and Poland to finish Group C as winners.
They then edged out Australia 2-1 in the last 16, in part due to a mesmeric performance from Lionel Messi who scored the first goal and was given Player of the Match.
England finished first in a potentially awkward-looking Group B, with their seven points arriving courtesy of dominant wins against Iran and Wales and a lacklustre draw with the USA.
The Three Lions struggled in the opening half an hour of their round of 16 clash against Senegal, but they soon found their groove to power past the African champions with a 3-0 win.
France became the first team to qualify from the group stage with wins over Australia and Denmark, finishing top of the group despite losing to Tunisia in their final game.
Didier Deschamps’ side then made light work of Poland in the round of 16, with two goals from Kylian Mbappe and one from Olivier Giroud helping Les Blues to a 3-1 win.
Morocco surprised the odds by beating Belgium and Canada and drawing with Croatia to reach their first round of 16 since 1986.
Their good fortunes continued with a dramatic victory over Spain following a penalty shootout, confirming a place in the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Croatia finished Group F as runners-up after holding Belgium to a tense goalless draw in their final group fixture.
The Croatians were taken to extra-time and penalties by Japan in the round of 16 following a 1-1 draw after normal time, and prevailed in the shootout after goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three spot kicks.
In the quarter-final against Brazil, they fell behind in the first half of extra-time but equalised with just three minutes remaining through Bruno Petkovic.
They prevailed on penalties once again, scoring all four of their efforts to reach the semi-finals for a second consecutive World Cup.
Portugal are through to the quarter-finals after navigating their way to top spot in the group stage followed by a 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the last 16.
Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped for the tie with the Swiss and replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick to justify his selection.
MORE : Who will England play in the World Cup semi-final if they beat France?
MORE : Which teams have been knocked out of the World Cup 2022 so far?
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Fifa lettering is displayed at the presentation ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between South Korea and Ghana at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on November 28, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
With the World Cup knockout phase having begun, here is an overview of the teams advancing to the last 16 at the tournament in Qatar:
FILE–Netherlands’ Davy Klaassen celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/Molly Darlington
FILE–England’s forward #11 Marcus Rashford (C front) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)
FILE–FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group C – Argentina v Mexico – Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar – November 26, 2022 Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring their second goal with Lionel Messi REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
FILE–FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group D – France v Denmark – Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar – November 26, 2022 France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
FILE–FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group E – Japan v Spain – Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar – December 1, 2022 Japan’s Maya Yoshida and Daizen Maeda celebrate with teammates after the match as Japan qualify for the knockout stages REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
FILE–FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group F – Morocco v Croatia – Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar – November 23, 2022 Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol in action with Morocco’s Yahya Attiat-Allah and Selim Amallah REUTERS/Marko Djurica
FILE–FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group G – Cameroon v Brazil – Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar – December 2, 2022 Cameroon’s Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu with teammates look dejected as Cameroon are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
South Korea’s players celebrate qualifying for the World Cup last 16 at Uruguay’s expense during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between South Korea and Portugal at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 2, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
Netherlands vs United States (11 p.m.)
Argentina vs Australia (3 a.m.)
France vs Poland (11 p.m.)
England vs Senegal (3 a.m.)
Japan vs Croatia (11 p.m.)
Brazil vs South Korea (3 a.m)
Morroco vs Spain (11 p.m.)
Portugal vs Switzerland (3 a.m.)
FILE–FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group E – Costa Rica v Germany – Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar – December 2, 2022 Germany players look dejected after the match as Germany are eliminated from the World Cup REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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Earlier on the same day, Netherlands and Senegal finished in the top two positions in Group A to seal their places in the knockout stages.
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They join France, Brazil and Portugal who each confirmed qualification with a game to spare in groups D, G and H respectively.
Finishing second in Group D were Australia, who recovered from an opening match hammering from the French to win back-to-back games against Tunisia and Denmark respectively to make it through.
GROUP | TEAMS |
Group A | Netherlands, Senegal |
Group B | England, USA |
Group C | Argentina, Poland |
Group D | France, Australia |
Group E | Japan, Spain |
Group F | Morocco, Croatia |
Group G | Brazil, Switzerland |
Group H | Portugal, South Korea |
Qualified teams:
Eliminated:
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Saturday December 3
R16 1 - Netherlands vs. USA (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3pm)
R16 2 - Argentina vs. Australia (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; 7pm)
Sunday December 4
R16 3 - France vs. Poland (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; 3pm)
R16 4 - England vs. Senegal (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; 7pm)
Monday December 5
R16 5 - Japan vs. Croatia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; 3pm)
R16 6 - Brazil vs. South Korea (Stadium 974, Doha; 7pm)
Tuesday December 6
R16 7 - Morocco vs. Spain (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; 3pm)
R16 8 - Portugal vs. Switzerland (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7pm)
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WORLD CUP last-16 ties are now done with and teams are making plans to play in the quarter-finals.
There's no holding back in the last eight as it is when the competition really starts to get serious in Qatar.
We're now down to the final eight teams in the tournament, with just seven matches left to play in total.
England are through and will play France, but who else has made it?
Netherlands were the first team to qualify after beating USA 3-1.
Argentina have also made it into the last eight after beating Australia 2-1.
France are in after beating Poland 3-1 in a Kylian Mbappe masterclass.
And England will face the French, after their victory over Senegal.
Croatia beat Japan on penalties to get through to the last eight.
Brazil thumped South Korea 4-1 and breezed into the second knockout round.
Morocco stunned Spain and won on penalties to make it through.
And they will play Portugal who hammered Switzerland 6-1... without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Saturday, December 3
Sunday, December 4
Monday, December 5
Tuesday, December 6
Friday, December 9
Saturday, December 10
Tuesday, December 13
Wednesday, December 14
Saturday, December 17
Sunday, December 18
Based on UK time zone
Everything you need to know about the World Cup
When announcing the marijuana pardon project earlier this year, Gov. Tom Wolf said it had the potential to help thousands of Pennsylvanians clear their records. But it has fallen well short of that goal.
More than 3,500 applications were sent in for the program, aimed at wiping out low-level marijuana convictions in a one-time mass act of clemency. Fewer than 250 people, however, will have an opportunity to clear their record later this month.
On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons voted whether to move forward on more than 2,600 applications from the project. Of those, 231 were approved and will go for a final vote by the board on December 16. Any of the cases that make it through that round, will go on to Wolf to grant the pardon.
Another 2,002 applications were denied Thursday because they did not meet the requirements of the project and 434 were held under advisement, meaning the board can vote on them at a later date.
A spokesperson for Wolf explained that there were a number of cases with multiple applications for people with more than one conviction. The total number of unique people who applied for clemency under the program was just over 2,600.
“The Pennsylvania Marijuana Pardon Project was a first of its kind project with a goal to pardon a large amount of people with select minor, non-violent marijuana criminal convictions since the governor cannot unilaterally issue pardons and the General Assembly has yet to act to legalize adult-use marijuana,” Emily Demsey, deputy press secretary for Wolf, wrote in an email. “It is the hope of Governor Wolf that the next administration will continue working to Strengthen this process and deliver people with these offenses their rightful clean slates, until marijuana becomes legal in Pennsylvania.”
The program only applied to people who were convicted of possession of a small amount of marijuana and excluded anyone who had any additional criminal convictions on their record.
Advocates said the narrowness of the program was a significant concern for how effective the program could be.
“Often cannabis consumers get multiple convictions when they are arrested that first time,” said Chris Goldstein, NORML’s Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware regional organizer. “They get a paraphernalia charge, and they get a possession charge all at once. You would have to essentially lead a police-free life other than that one marijuana encounter to qualify.”
Goldstein said the fact that program had a very short window for people to apply also likely limited its impact.
Wolf announced the program on September 1 and people had until September 30 to apply.
The applications were supposed to be heard on Oct. 13 but were put on hold because a significant number of typos and clerical errors in the applications.
Goldstein said more than 13,000 people were arrested for possession of a small amount of marijuana in 2021.
About 10 percent of those people wind up with a conviction for the offense. Most others are either dismissed or plead out to a lower level crime.
More than 1,150 people were sentenced in 2018 with possession of a small amount of marijuana as the highest charge in their case, according to the latest year of data available from the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission.
While Goldstein said he was disappointed that only a fraction of the people affected will receive a pardon through the program, clemency for those people will mean less barriers to housing, employment and hopefully Strengthen their lives.
“I’m sure to the 231 people who went through this process, got approved, do qualify, when they get the pardon certificate in their hands, it will matter in their lives,” he said. “They had a reason they wanted this pardon. Whether they wanted it for their own person justice, to clear their own name, or they needed it as answer to their record, those pardons will matter.”
This story has been updated to clarify that 3,500 applications were received from a little more than 2,600 people and to include a comment from Gov. Wolf’s office.
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