Becoming a certified project manager could help you increase your earning potential and improve your employability in one fell swoop.
According to the BLS, project managers earn a median salary of $98,000, and their career growth is nearly double that of the average job (7% compared to just 4%).
But what are the PMP certification requirements, and are they worth the time and effort?
In this guide, I break down everything you need to know to determine your eligibility, including education requirements, hours of project management experience, training needs, and exam fees.
Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways
- You Need Education, Experience, and Training: To qualify for the PMP exam, you must meet specific requirements based on your education level.
- Experience Requirements Vary by Education Level: Those with a high school diploma need 5 years of experience, while degree holders need 2–3 years.
- Thirty-Five Hours of Training Is Mandatory: To sit for the exam, you must complete 35 hours of project management education or hold a CAPM certification.
- Passing the Exam Is the Final Requirement: After meeting eligibility criteria, you must pass a 180-question, 230-minute exam to become PMP-certified.
- Preparation Takes Time and Effort: Many candidates spend 2–3 months preparing, using PMP certification training, practice exams, and study guides.
How to Know If You Meet the PMP Certification Requirements
Still not sure if you qualify? Here’s a quick checklist:
- Do you have at least a high school diploma?
- Have you led and managed projects for at least 2–5 years?
- Have you completed 35 hours of project management training (or CAPM)?
If you answered yes to all three, congrats—you’re eligible for the PMP certification exam!
What If You Don’t Meet the PMP Requirements?
Don’t worry! If you’re not quite there yet, here’s what you can do:
🔹 Get More Experience: Take on project management-oriented roles at work, volunteer, or freelance to build hours.
🔹 Start with CAPM Certification: If you don’t have enough experience yet, the CAPM certification is a great stepping stone.
🔹 Enroll in a PMP Training Course: Even if you’re not ready for the exam, starting PMP certification training now will help you prepare.
Is PMP Certification Worth It?
Before we get into more details, let’s address the big question: Is it worth the time, effort, and cost to become a PMP-certified project manager?
For many professionals, the answer is yes—but it depends on your career goals and industry.
- Higher Salary: PMP-certified project managers earn 33% more on average, but salaries still depend on experience, location, and industry demand.
- Better Job Opportunities: Some companies require PMP certification for leadership roles, but others prioritize hands-on experience over credentials.
- Industry Recognition: PMP is the most respected project management certification, though some industries prefer Agile or other specialized frameworks.
- Proves Your Expertise: The certification validates your ability to manage projects effectively, but passing the test alone won’t replace real-world experience.
PMP certification can be a huge asset if you’re in a structured, process-driven industry like finance, healthcare, or engineering. But if you work in a fast-moving, flexible field like startups or creative industries, other certifications (or direct experience) might carry more weight.
Now, let’s see if you meet the PMP certification requirements!
PMP Certification Requirements: What Do You Need?
To earn your PMP certification from the Project Management Institute, you must meet four key requirements:
1️⃣ Education – A high school diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree.
2️⃣ Project Management Experience – Between 2 to 5 years of leading and managing projects.
3️⃣ Project Management Training – 35 hours of formal education or a CAPM certification.
4️⃣ Pass the PMP Exam – A 180-question, 230-minute test covering real-world project management principles.
Depending on your education level, your experience requirement changes. Here’s how it breaks down:
📌 Path A: High School Diploma or Associate Degree
- 60 months (5 years) of project management experience within the last 8 years
- 35 hours of project management education/training, OR:
- CAPM® certification
- PMI Authorized On-Demand PMP Exam Prep
- Instructor-Led PMP® course
📌 Path B: Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
- 36 months (3 years) of project management experience within the last 8 years
- 35 hours of project management education/training, OR:
- CAPM® certification
- PMI Authorized On-Demand PMP Exam Prep
- Instructor-Led PMP® course
📌 Path C: Bachelor’s Degree from a GAC-Accredited Program
- 24 months (2 years) of project management experience within the last 8 years
- 35 hours of project management education/training (GAC coursework automatically fulfills this)
If you don’t meet these requirements yet, you might want to start with the CAPM certification to build your credentials before applying for PMP. Now, let’s dig into these requirements a little deeper to give you a better idea of how to prepare.
Requirement #1: Education
You don’t need a master’s degree or an MBA to qualify for the PMP certification exam, but you do need at least a high school diploma. PMI accepts three education levels, and the amount of experience you need depends on which one you have.
As long as you’ve completed formal project management education—either through training or CAPM certification—you’re on the right track.
Requirement #2: Project Management Experience
A degree isn’t enough—you also need at least two years of hands-on project management experience. But what does that actually mean?
What Counts as Project Management Experience?
PMI requires that you have led and managed projects, but you don’t need the official “Project Manager” title for it to count.
If you’ve been responsible for:
- Planning project tasks and timelines
- Leading a team or coordinating across departments
- Managing project budgets and resources
- Tracking project progress and solving problems
Then congratulations! That experience counts toward the PMP requirements.
Requirement #3: Project Management Training
Before you can take the PMP certification exam, you must complete 35 hours of formal project management training.
What Qualifies as Training?
PMI accepts training from authorized providers, such as:
- PMI Authorized On-Demand PMP Exam Prep
- Instructor-Led PMP Certification Training
- University or college project management courses
- Corporate training programs
💡 Already have a CAPM certification? You don’t need to complete the 35 training hours—it already fulfills this requirement!
Requirement #4: Pass the PMP Exam
Meeting the education, experience, and training requirements is only part of the process—you still have to pass the PMP exam to earn your certification.
What to Expect on the PMP Exam
The PMP certification exam tests your ability to apply project management principles in real-world scenarios. Here’s what you need to know:
- Format: 180 questions (multiple-choice, multi-response, and scenario-based)
- Time Limit: 230 Minutes (with two 10-minute breaks)
Topics Covered:
- People (42%) – Leading and managing teams, conflict resolution, and stakeholder communication
- Process (50%) – Budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and Agile methodologies
- Business Environment (8%) – Ensuring projects align with business goals and compliance standards
Passing Score: PMI doesn’t publish an official pass rate, but estimates suggest you need around 65-70% correct answers to pass.
How to Prepare for the PMP Exam
The PMP is not an easy exam; many test-takers spend 2–3 months preparing. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:
- Take PMP Practice Exams – Simulate actual exam conditions to get comfortable with the format.
- Enroll in PMP Certification Training – Since training is required anyway, choose a course that includes exam prep.
- Apply Real-World Scenarios – The exam isn’t just about memorization—it tests how you handle project challenges.
Once you pass the exam, congratulations—you’re officially a PMP-certified project manager! 🎉
How Much Does the PMP Exam Cost?
The PMP exam fee depends on whether you’re a PMI member or not. At the time of publishing, current costs are:
📌 PMI Members: $425
📌 Non-Members: $675
📌 Retake Fee: $275 (members) / $375 (non-members)
PMI membership costs $164 per year, but since members save $250 on the exam, it pays for itself if you plan to take the test.
Final Thoughts
Getting PMP certified isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely worth it if you want to advance in your project management career.
If you meet the PMP certification requirements, your next step is to schedule your exam and start preparing. If you’re not quite eligible yet, focus on gaining experience and completing project management training—you’ll get there sooner than you think! 🚀
FAQs
To qualify, you need a high school diploma or degree, 2–5 years of project management experience, and 35 hours of formal training or CAPM certification.
No, PMI requires at least 2 years of project management experience to qualify. If you don’t meet this, you can start with the CAPM certification instead.
As long as you meet the education, experience, and training requirements, getting approved is straightforward. However, PMI does audit some applications for accuracy.
Yes! Many candidates pass the Project Management Professional Certification Exam with 8–12 weeks of focused study, using practice exams, training courses, and the PMBOK Guide to prepare.
It depends on your background. The CPA exam is known for its complex financial content, while PMP focuses on project management knowledge. It’s estimated that pass rates are lower for the CPA, which may indicate that it’s more difficult.
