G'day Vanessa,
Your message appeared to be "stuck", however I think I managed to get it forwarded. I do hope this gets to you. The Handbook does have alot of information to absorb at once, especially if you are just getting started.
1) In order to apply to write the CAPM Exam, as per page 10 of the guide, you will need 23 contact hours. If the project management course that you have taken, or will take, is 23 contact hours (23 hours of instruction minimum), then this does qualify. Most courses tell you that they provide the required 23 hours clearly, so that you don't have to guess.
As an example, the following website shows the "Certificate 23 Contact Hours" checked off.
www.project-management-prepcast.com/capm-exam/the-capm-prepcast
Regarding the Audit:
- On page 15 of the guide, they did outline the PMI Audit Process, however audits are typically random, or exceptional circumstances. You are required to retain the necessary proof of the requirements listed and you have 90 days from the issue of PMI's request to produce this proof. Just keep the backups in a file and put them away, then if you are asked, they are right at hand.
- The requirements that I have mentioned are in the middle of page 15, under "during an audit, you will be asked to submit supporting documentation such as:". Its basically just proof you took the course(s).
2) It is best to submit your application once you have a date in mind, to write the exam (ballpark of course). You can take the course while waiting for the response and have 1 year from the time it is approved, to write the exam. You will find the reference to the "1 year from the date of the application approval" on page 7 of the CAPM Handbook.
3) Obtaining the CAPM certification does not need any experience, just the contact hours/training. However the PMP will require considerably more hours of direct experience to qualify for writing the exam.
Once you obtain your CAPM, yes you will need to rewrite the exam every 5 years. However once you get your PMP, you just need to maintain your PMP. This typically only requires ongoing training for which you receive PDU's, which are proof of that training. You will no longer need the CAPM at that time, it is a stepping stone.
If I have missed anything, please let us know.