Almost every project professional, who applies for the PMP Certification exam, always has the fear in his mind of what would happen if he is selected for an audit.

PMI offers six certifications and if you are interested in any of them then this audit phobia may be applicable to you.

These six certifications are as follows:

1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
2. Project Management Professional (PMP)
3. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
4. PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
5. PMI Agile Certified Professional (PMI-ACP)
6. Program Management Professional (PgMP)

Since, more and more people are applying for these certification exams, it has become very important for the PMI to check the integrity of the applicants to maintain the quality standard for the exam.

PMI checks the integrity of applicants by its audit process. PMI selects random number of candidates for audit purpose. If PMI selects you for an audit, then you have to follow the guidelines given by the PMI. These guidelines include sending them copies of your education certificate, experience certificate and certificate for attending the 35 contact hours training program. PMI may also contact your company or boss to verify about information given by you to them.

Once you send these documents to the PMI, they will take one week to review it. After one week you will be informed about your audit result. If PMI is satisfied with your documents then they will pass you, otherwise they will ask for further clarification.

If you pass the audit then you can go ahead with prometric to schedule your exam date.

Although, there is no official information available from the PMI that how many candidates are selected for an audit but it is a common understanding that about 5% to 10% of total candidates are selected for it.

You may be wondering that how does PMI select a candidate for an audit? It is a mystery and nobody knows except the PMI. As per the PMI all candidates are subjected to an audit; although, only a percentage of applicants are selected for audit. The selection of an applicant for audit is random.

Now, you will have understood that there is no way that you could avoid the PMI audit. There will always be a chance that you can be selected for it.

Therefore, you must know that how you that how you should prepare yourself in case if you are selected for the audit.

Here are the few guidelines and if you follow them, I believe you will never have any kind of fear regarding the audit.

• Give correct information to PMI while filling the exam application form. If you provide them true information then you don’t have to fear about anything.
• Keep ready photocopies of your educational certificates, experience certificate and 35 contact hours attendance certificate.
• Inform all your previous employers that PMI may contact them to verify that if you really worked with them and what was your job profile.
• Please note that, once your audit process starts, you have 90 days to complete it. Make sure that you complete all formalities and send all documents to PMI by courier within 90 days.

After receiving your documents, PMI will review it and within one week they will send you an email informing you about your audit result. If you pass the audit then you will receive the code to schedule your exam and if you failed it, you will get your money back with a deduction of USD $100 as an administration fee.

This was all about the PMI audit process.

Fahad Usmani, PMP, PMI-RMP is a blogger on Project Management topics. He writes on his blog PM Study Circle to help professionals with the PMP Certification Exam Preparation. Visit his blog to find various PMP Notes.