PMP Certification: Eligibility, What's On the Test, and How to Prepare

Key takeaways

• The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is a globally recognized credential offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

• The certification applies to project managers in nearly any industry, including health, construction, IT, and business.

• Earning this certification can be an excellent way to become a more competitive job candidate, earn higher salaries, or advance in your career.

Learn more about what's involved in taking the PMP certification, including requirements to qualify for certification. Afterward, build your project management knowledge to prepare for PMP certification with the Google Project Management Professional Certificate.

PMP certification: eligibility requirements

You'll need to meet certain eligibility requirements before pursuing PMP certification. The good news is that PMI, the institution that administers the PMP, offers some flexibility about how to qualify. While all options (called "sets") require 35 hours of project management education, you can choose which set best reflects your academic education and professional experience.

First set:

• 35 hours of project management training: Coursework that addresses learning objectives in project management.

• 60 months (five years) of professional experience: Managing and leading projects within the last eight years.

• High school diploma or associate degree.

Second set:

• 35 hours of project management training: Coursework that addresses learning objectives in project management.

• 36 months (three years) of professional experience: Managing and leading projects within the last eight years.

• Bachelor's degree or global equivalent.

Third set:

• 35 hours of project management training: Coursework that addresses learning objectives in project management.

• 24 months (two years) of professional experience: Managing and leading projects within the last eight years.

• Bachelor's degree or global equivalent from a GAC-accredited institution or program.

PMP certification cost

As of August 2025, the exam fee is $675 for non-PMI members and $425 for PMI members [1]. A PMI membership costs $159 a year, with special membership options for eligible students and retirees.

PMP certification renewal

The PMP certification is valid for three years. It can be renewed or maintained by earning 60 hours (also referred to as professional development units) during that time frame on professional development activities to maintain it. Otherwise, you'll need to sign up to take the exam again.

PMP prep course costs

Some courses can cost several hundred or even a few thousand dollars to complete. However, they may be a worthwhile investment if you're looking for a structured way to ensure you’re fully prepared for the test. If you think earning the PMP certification also benefits your employer, consider approaching your manager to see if they can cover exam or exam prep costs.

What’s on the PMP exam?

The PMP exam entails answering 180 questions. These include multiple choice, matching, hotspot, and limited fill-in-the-blank questions. Over the course of the three hours and 50 minutes (230 minutes total) that you have to complete the exam, you'll get two 10-minute breaks.

Roughly half of the content represents predictive project management approaches, while the other half represents Agile or hybrid approaches. The questions fall into three domains that span process, people, and business environment:

Process: 50 percent

• The process section tests your knowledge of the methodology for completing a project. You might be asked about managing budgets and other resources, scheduling, handling project changes, and determining the best methodologies for the project.

People: 42 percent

• The people section, which makes up slightly less than half of the exam, includes questions on leading and building teams, managing conflict, supporting virtual teams, mentoring, and related topics.

Business environment: 8 percent

• The business environment portion of the exam deals broadly with the more business-minded aspects you’ll have to tackle as a project manager, like compliance, delivering value, and supporting organizational change.

How to get PMP certification

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your PMP certification:

1. Meet the PMP certification requirements. 

Before you can take the PMP exam, you’ll have to make sure you’re eligible for one of the sets. Keep track of your work and training, recording information like your specific role, responsibilities, and length of projects or professional development, so that you have it at hand when you apply.

You can work toward the 35-hour requirement by achieving CAPM certification (designed for project management professionals with three years of experience or less) or by completing the Google Project Management Professional Certificate program. Both can help fulfill portions of that requirement.

2. Apply.

Make an account using the PMI website to get started on your application for the PMP exam. This will entail sharing basic personal information like your educational background, as well as details about the projects you’ve worked on. Once you’re approved, you’ll pay the exam fee and schedule a test.

3. Study for the exam.

Studying for the exam will take some planning, prioritization, and dedication. You can train for this exam either through structured coursework or on your own. Generally, exam prep providers recommend spending 60 to 120 hours studying.

A survey by PM Exam Lessons Learned found that successful exam takers dedicated two to six months to practice. Depending on how frequently you study, this can take several months. Consider taking practice exams and studying PMI resources to prepare.

The PMP certification is not an entry-level exam. It can be challenging, even for experienced project managers. It requires a strong knowledge of the Project Management Body of Knowledge and the ability to think critically to apply these guidelines and other industry-standard practices to a variety of workplace situations.

4. Take the PMP exam.

The exam can be taken at a testing site near you or online. The exam typically takes around four hours to complete.

5. Maintain your certification.

The PMP certification is valid for three years. You’ll need to spend 60 hours during that time frame on professional development activities to maintain it. Otherwise, you can sign up to take the exam again.

Is the PMP worth it?

Ultimately, whether a PMP certification will be worth it to you professionally and financially depends on your unique circumstances. PMI also offers other types of project management certification, which may be worth reviewing in case there is another certification that could be more beneficial to your career goals.

Here are a few benefits you might see with a PMP under your belt to help you navigate your decision.

• Industry recognition: The PMP certification can show employers or clients that you know the ins and outs of project management, and have the experience and training required of a professional.

• Learning new skills: You are also likely to learn a significant amount about project management as you prepare for the exam. Taking hours out of your life to master project management fundamentals like conflict resolution and budgeting can bolster the skills to make you a better project manager.

• Higher salaries: The PMI found that respondents to a recent survey who are PMP certification holders reported a 33 percent higher median salary than those without the certification [2]. PC Magazine reported that the PMP certification ranked third among IT certifications that were linked to the highest salaries in the IT sector [3].

• Job prospects: According to a report compiled by PMI and the Anderson Economic Group, employers will need 87.7 million individuals working in project management roles by 2027. The biggest growth is expected in the health care sector, though large gains are also projected in the construction, information services, and finance and insurance sectors [4].

Start preparing for the PMP certification exam on Coursera

Enroll in the Google Project Management Professional Certificate to earn a credential for your resume while working toward the minimum education requirement to take the PMP exam.