PRINCE2 is an acronym for Projects IN Controlled Environments; it is a methodological approach to managing projects.  It is originated from UK Government as a solution to failed public projects and now owned by AXELOS (A joint venture between UK Cabinet Office and Capita). It is widely used in over 150 countries, as at today, it is a methodological approach to project management.

PMP® and CAPM certifications are centred on the Project Management Body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), the standard of project management’s generally recognized good practices, and the copyright owner is PMI.

CAPM certification offers recognition to practitioners who are starting a career in project management as well as project team members who wish to demonstrate their project management knowledge. This certification denotes that the individual possesses the knowledge in the principles and terminology of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide).

PMP® is an examination taken by experienced project managers to certify that they have a broad knowledge and full understanding of project management. The PMBoK guideline is a set of standard that is required to be complied with, for effective project management within the global best practice.

Should I certify in PRINCE2 or PMP first?

You can decide to take either PMP or PRINCE2 first. It depends on your reasons for certification or your preference.

It is best for your first certification to be the qualification that is most common in your market. Check out what is used most in your industry.  If you are targeting particular employers, check the LinkedIn profiles of key employees to find out which certifications they value.

The world is globalized, so the PRINCE2 VS PMP question is much less relevant.  The old idea that PRINCE2 was for Europe and the UK Commonwealth while PMP is for North America is out-dated.

Job adverts everywhere are now asking for PRINCE2 or PMP equally.  In markets where one certification is prevalent you can stand out from the crowd by having the other.  Certified project managers deliver better projects and are paid better than non-certified counterparts.

Forget PRINCE2 VERSUS PMP, get either or both!

The Table below highlights the common comparison of PRINCE2 (Foundation and Practitioner) and PMP certifications.

	PMP	PRINCE2
Subject	PM Knowledge	PM Method
Deals with question type	How?	What? When? Whom?
Most common in	USA, Canada, Middle East, Australia	UK, Europe, Australia
Source of the exam	Mainly PMBOK Guide, but not limited to it	The official manual, Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2
Number of questions	CAPM: 150 PMP: 200	FOUNDATION: 75 PRACTITIONER: 8×10
Type of questions	Multiple choice	FOUNDATION: Multiple choice PRACTITIONER: Objective testing
	Abstract	FOUNDATION: Abstract PRACTITIONER: Scenario based
Passmark	62%	FOUNDATION: 50% PRACTITIONER: 55%
	Note: passing is not based on a pre-defined value, and it’s not publicly available, but said to be close to 62%.
Duration	CAPM: 180 minutes PMP: 240 minutes	FOUNDATION: 60 minutes PRACTITONER: 150 minutes
Extra time for taking the exam in a second language	No	FOUNDATION: 15 minutes PRACTITONER: 30 minutes
Open book?	No	FOUNDATION: No PRACTIONER: Yes
Exam place	Exam centre	Exam centre, any other approved place, or online
Prerequisites	CAPM:  Secondary diploma (high school diploma / global equivalent)   PMP: At least 3 years of experience in the project management field (5 years if you don’t have a four-year degree)	FOUNDATION: Formal training might be required PRACTIONER: Being certified as PRINCE2 Foundation
	CAPM: 1,500 hours of professional experience on a project team PMP: At least 4,500 hours experience in leading and directing projects (7,500 hours if you don’t have a four-year degree)
	CAPM: 23 contact hours of formal education   PMP: 35 hours of formal project management education
Registering for the exam	By registering at pmi.org, and taking the exam in Prometric exam centres around the world	Usually by registering at an accelerated training organisation and taking the exam online (wherever you are), at an exam centre, or at any other place you’ve arranged with your training organisation
Renewing the certificate	CAPM: 5 Years PMP: Every 3 years, by PDUs	FOUNDATION: It doesn’t expire! PRACTITONER: Every 3 to 5 years, by a comparatively shorter exam
Price is fixed	Yes	No, price is different among training organisations

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Source: The iCademy