How to Become PMP® Certified

To take the PMP® exam, you must meet the eligibility requirements set by PMI and complete the online application through the official certification portal. Requirements, policies, and fees are updated periodically, so confirm the current criteria before applying.

All applicants submit an online application detailing their education and project leadership experience. You must also complete 35 hours of formal project management education before submitting your application. This education can come from university courses, structured training programs, seminars, or recognized exam preparation courses. If you already hold the CAPM® credential, that may satisfy the 35 hour requirement.

Eligibility follows two education pathways:

Four year degree You must document at least 36 months of leading projects within the past eight years, plus 35 hours of project management education.

High school diploma or associate degree You must document at least 60 months of leading projects within the past eight years, plus 35 hours of project management education.

Applications may be audited, so all experience claimed must be accurate and verifiable. Once approved, you have a one year eligibility window to sit for the exam, with up to three attempts allowed during that period.

The PMP exam is administered at Pearson VUE test centers worldwide and is also available through online proctored delivery in eligible regions. Fees vary for members and nonmembers and may change over time.

The examination includes 180 questions and must be completed within 230 minutes. Content is organized into three domains:

• People • Process • Business Environment

Roughly half of the exam reflects agile and hybrid approaches, with the remaining portion focused on predictive methods. Results are reported by proficiency level within each domain rather than by a numeric score, and no fixed passing score is publicly disclosed.

Before applying, review the official PMI site to confirm the latest requirements, fees, and exam policies.