The Audit Story
Alright people, I have an exam this week and next week, plus a paper due, so CAPM study is on the slow track. I still read Chapters 9 and 10 from the PMBOK. But before I forget I will share my audit experience. In all it took about a month to pass through this phase.
Week 1: I went online to register for my exam. Filled out some of the information, and then made sure that I had enough money on my card ($225) and then submitted my info. I got an immediate notification that I was being audited. I waited for some time and then called the PMI office in Pennsylvania. I had to wait a little but I was able to talk to a representative from the PMI office. He/she (I forget) mentioned that I will receive an email with the audit forms. They emailed me five documents
1. Audit Cover letter (directions)
2. Experience Verification Master copy (letter to supervisor/manager)
3. Experience Audit (list of experiences that you entered)
4. Project Management Attained Education Audit Report.doc (courses related to project management)
5. Project Management Education Audit Report.doc (degree info)
Note: Call or email the PMI office as soon as you get your audit notification. Otherwise I do not know how long it would take for the PMI office to email the documents to you.
Week 2:
I read the audit cover letter and started on my way to fulfill the requirements.
A. First I went to my current university to get an official copy of my transcript. The guy told me that it would be mailed and I should have it in 5-7 business days. I got mine in three.
Note: Either get a sealed official copy in advance or know the process and time frame of getting an official transcript or verification of your course or courses.
B. I pulled out my diploma, and photocopied it.
Note: Know where your diploma is or how to get a copy of one.
C. I only listed my experience (six or seven projects) from one company. So I had to go to my former boss and have him sign off on the experience audit docs. My boss circled all the projects, signed on the audit form, placed the docs in an envelope and signed on the back after sealing the envelope. I dropped off the docs at his office one day and picked them up the following day.
Note: Know beforehand the contact information of former supervisors/managers or colleagues (if you were in charge of the project)
End of week 2/Beginning of Week 3:
I collected all my documents. The envelope with my experience documents, official transcript, copy of diploma and wrote a note explaining the content and place it all in one envelope. I mailed my documents. I used delivery confirmation from USPS just to be on the safe side. I did not overnight it as it was not necessary.
Week 3: I was checking the USPS website regularly to track my package. And finally they received it in Pennsylvania. A day or two later I called and confirmed that some one had my documents. Then I started tracking the PMI website and my email account.
Week 4: I received my audit confirmation. It was successful and I could take my exam.
Lessons: I initially thought that the verification would take place the first time that I entered my education/experiences. But the audit takes place when one tries to register for an exam. So this was a mistake on my part. I was under the impression that if there was an audit I would not have been allowed to be able (i.e. I would not be asked to make a payment) to take the CAPM exam.
If I had to this again I would list experience or education (pm courses) not both, because all one needs for taking the CAPM exam is 1500 hours of PM related experience or 23 hours of PM related coursework. Since I entered both, I had to provide documentation for both. This process pertains to the second option, i.e. the one with an undergraduate degree. So I had to provide a copy of my diploma.
In all I am happy, because I can say that my experience and coursework has been verified (or audited), by PMI. It took me almost a month to get through the audit. My time frame to take the exam is out of synch now. I was planning to take the exam by early February. But now it looks like it will be about April if not later. And in the meantime I have the PMHub forum reader to bore with my rants and ravings.
EZ