Certification FAQs
IMPORTANT UPDATE
PMI is committed to the safety and well-being of our global community. Resulting from COVID-19, there have been significant changes to certification testing that may impact you. Please refer to our COVID-19 page for the most up to date information and guidance.

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General Certification
Do I have to be a CAPM, PMP, or a PMI member to apply for other PMI certifications?
No. No one certification serves as a prerequisite for another. You also do not have to be a PMI member to apply to become a certification holder.
How do I earn a PMI certification?
To obtain a PMI certification, you must first meet the eligibility requirements outlined on these web pages and detailed in the certification handbooks. Then, you must pass an exam.
What are the eligibility requirements?
The eligibility requirements for each certification are mentioned here, on these web pages, and detailed in each respective certification handbook. Please link to the appropriate certification handbook for complete guidelines.
How do I complete the application?
All certification applications are available online. Click the "Apply" button on these web pages. Please note that any missing information on the application will delay processing.
What supporting documentation should I send with my application?
When submitting an application, you do not need to send documentation. However, you will be required to send supporting documentation if your application is selected for a random audit. To find out more about PMI's audit process, refer to the certification handbooks and the audit FAQs.
Exam Guidance
Once I pass the exam or evaluations, what next?
You may refer to yourself as a certification holder. You will receive your digital badge through Credly, which can be shared on social media and verified by employers. Please refer to the "Use of Your PMI Certification" section of the handbooks for more details.
How do I schedule a certification exam appointment?
Once you are eligible, PMI will e-mail you examination scheduling instructions with your eligibility code, which you will need when scheduling your exam appointment at a testing center or online.
Where will the examination be given?
All PMI exams are offered at approved Pearson VUE Testing Centers worldwide. You can check for locations on Pearson VUE’s website. (NOTE: Please check Pearson VUE's Covid-19 page for information about exam availability in your area.)
You can also take your PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP or PMI-PBA exam in the comfort of your home or office while being monitored by an online proctor through Pearson VUE.
However, South Korea and Japan exam candidates can take the PMP online proctored exam with ATA. The ATA exam interface is set up with a choice of two languages--Japanese and Korean, and local native-speaking proctors will help you navigate the test-taking process. No need to schedule your exam during the week, you now have the option to test on select weekend days. Learn more about how to prepare for your PMP online proctored certification exam. All other online certification exams for South Korea and Japan will be offered with Pearson Vue.
Are the exams available in languages other than English?
The PMP, CAPM, and PMI-ACP exams are translated into multiple languages. Please consult the respective certification handbooks for details on specific languages available.
Other certification exams are not currently translated, but PMI will notify you when translations are available.
If I fail the exam, can I take it again?
If you fail the exam on your first attempt, you can re-take it two more times within your one-year eligibility period. Fees are associated with re-examination. Details for re-examination can be found in the certification handbook.
What happens if my eligibility expires and I have not taken the exam?
Your application is valid for one (1) year from the date of approval. If you allow your eligibility to lapse, you must re-apply.
CCR Program Requirements
What requirements do I need to fulfill to maintain an active certification status?
All PMI certifications require that you engage in continuous professional development in order to remain certified. The requirements for each certification can be found within the CCR Handbook.
Why has the PMI Talent Triangle been incorporated into the CCR program?
Extensive market research and feedback from certification holders and organizations identified a subset of skills that employers require for project practitioners to deliver improved results. These skills areas are represented in the PMI Talent Triangle. The CCR updates align professional development activities, specifically Education activities, with the PMI Talent Triangle to ensure certification holders are focused on the needs of the profession.
How are the three areas of focus for the PMI Talent Triangle defined?
The PMI Talent Triangle outlines three key areas that will help you succeed:
Ways of Working (previously Technical Project Management): Whether it’s predictive, agile, design thinking, or new practices still to be developed, it's clear that there is more than one way that work gets done today. That’s why we encourage professionals to master as many ways of working as they can - so they can apply the right technique at the right time, delivering winning results.
Power Skills (previously Leadership): These interpersonal skills include collaborative leadership, communication, an innovative mindset, for-purpose orientation, and empathy. Ensuring teams have these skills allows them to maintain influence with a variety of stakeholders - a critical component for making change.
Business Acumen (previously Strategic and Business Management): Professionals with business acumen understand the macro and micro influences in their organization and industry and have the function- or domain-specific knowledge - to make good decisions. Professionals at all levels need to be able to cultivate effective decision-making and understand how their projects align with the big picture of broader organizational strategy and global trends.
What are some examples of topics that align to each skill area within the PMI Talent Triangle?
Many topics can align to each area of the PMI Talent Triangle. Here are some examples to help you understand.
Are the skill areas of the PMI Talent Triangle aligned with activities that Give Back to the Profession?
No. They are not. You can still earn PDUs for activities that give back to the profession including creating new project management knowledge, volunteering, and working as a professional in project management. Volunteer activities should reflect your use of practitioner knowledge and skills (i.e., planning the project for a charity).
How can I maintain several credentials at once?
The CCR process enables certain PDUs to be shared across your certifications, simplifying the maintenance process. To learn more please refer to the “Maintaining Multiple Certifications” section of the CCR Handbook and/or watch this webinar.
All About PDUs
What are PDUs?
PDUs stand for Professional Development Units. PDUs are the measuring unit used to quantify your professional development as part of the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. 1 PDU = 1 hour of learning/activity.
Can I still earn Education PDUs the same way I used to?
Yes. You can earn your Education PDUs by attending classes offered by PMI Authorized Training Partners, Chapters or by your organizations or a university; attending a PMI congress, PMI Training and other events; or through self-directed learning.
Can I claim PDUs for a single Education activity in more than one skill area of the PMI Talent Triangle?
Yes. You can claim PDUs for a single Education activity under multiple skill areas, Ways of Working (formerly Technical Project Management), Power Skills (formerly Leadership), and Business Acumen (formerly Strategic and Business Management) of the PMI Talent Triangle. For example: if you read a book that contains content on agile/hybrid approaches and on negotiating with stakeholders, you could claim this Education activity in the skill areas of Ways of Working and Power Skills.
Can I transfer PDUs to my next cycle?
Yes. PDUs earned above the required total (e.g. 60 for PMP) in the last year of your 3-year certification cycle can be applied to your next cycle. PDUs earned during the first two years of your cycle cannot be applied to a future cycle. For more details, please refer to the CCR Handbook.
When is the earliest I can start earning PDUs after I earn a certification?
You can start earning and reporting PDU activities as soon as you earn a PMI certification. Activities you completed prior to earning your certification will not count as PDUs towards your newly acquired certification.
When reporting PDU activities, is any supporting documentation required?
You do not need supporting documentation to report PDUs and renew your credential. When reporting your PDUs through CCRS, you will be directed to include specific information about the activity in the PDU claim form.
NOTE: PMI recommends you maintain a personal folder for all PDU-related documentation and keep this documentation for at least 18 months after your CCR cycle has ended. If you are randomly selected for an audit, you will need to provide this documentation.
Online PDU Reporting (CCR) System
Do I need a special username or password to use CCRS?
No. You will use the same username and password that you use to access PMI.org. CCRS uses PMI single sign-on technology, which enables you to log in only once to gain access to all PMI systems and resources. Single sign-on saves time and prevents the need to remember a separate username and password to access CCRS.
Where do I find detailed instructions for using the CCR System?
CCRS features a comprehensive online user guide. You can find the user guide in the Handbooks and Guides section of CCRS.
Certification Suspension
Can I get an extension beyond the suspension expiration date?
PMI recognizes that hardships may arise. Certification holders who are military personnel called to active duty, incapacitated due to illness or out on maternity leave can request an extension.
I have retired from the project management profession. How do I end my certification?
To apply for retired status click contact us for support and service. PMI will provide the necessary requirements for certification retirement.
Can I complete PDUs during my suspension period and apply them to my recent CCR cycle?
If you complete required PDUs during the suspension period to meet your CCR, you will be able to renew your certification. However, if you can document the necessary PDUs from the original CCR cycle, you can use PDUs earned during your suspension period as activities toward the cycle in which these PDUs were actually earned.
Audit
Why does PMI conduct application audits?
PMI conducts application audits to confirm the experience and/or education documented on certification applications. The purpose of the audit is to enhance the credibility of the certification program and of the certification holders. For each certification, a specified percentage of applications are randomly selected for audit.
How many days do I have to complete the audit package?
Candidates have 90 days to complete and submit their audit paperwork. Candidates can log into their dashboard at PMI.org to view the number of days left to complete their audit package.
How do I submit my audit package to PMI?
Candidates can log into their myPMI dashboard and select ‘Access Audit Package’. From there, the candidate is directed to the application audit dashboard. Simply upload academic and professional education requirements. Additionally, users can send references electronically. Candidates cannot select the submit button until all documents are collected.
What if I notice I uploaded the wrong document for my academic or professional education for my audit package after I submit my audit package?
Please contact PMI.
Is the audit candidate alerted when a reference has responded?
No, candidates must check the audit package dashboard in myPMI to determine if a response was provided by the reference. Candidates cannot submit audit package to PMI until all references, academic, and professional education requirements are collected.
If a previous reference has not responded, can I send to a new reference?
Yes, you can update your reference at any time. Please be advised, there is a 90-day time box to complete the audit package.
Can candidates continue to access audit packages after submitted?
Candidates cannot access a submitted audit package. If they attempt to select ‘Access Audit Package’ after they submit, they will be routed to the landing page advising that the audit has been submitted.
How does PMI receive my audit to review?
Once all paperwork is collected by the candidate you must submit within the audit package dashboard.
Will PMI accept an e-mail signature?
Signatures are captured electronically.
How long does the audit process take?
The certification audit team processes audit materials within 5 to 7 business days of their submission. Once PMI reviews and approves audit materials, PMI will send an e-mail containing your payment instructions.
Are audit materials confidential?
Yes. Audit materials are strictly confidential and are not shared with any external organization unless required through legal action involving PMI.
How should an audit candidate verify programs and/or projects that they were the manager or supervisor for?
Candidates can have a colleague, peer, client or sponsor who has intimate knowledge of the project verify.
If the projects and/or programs listed were completed in a highly classified environment, or a company is very sensitive about proprietary information being seen by other employers or individuals outside the company, how should this be handled?
PMI is very sensitive to this situation, and encourages candidates to have the information verified in a way that is consistent with company practices and policies. Candidates may black out any proprietary information so as long as there are no changes or omissions to the original information provided to us. PMI may also provide a letter of intent to any managers or supervisors upon request.
If a course was completed at a PMI Authorized Training Partner can PMI contact them for my certificate?
No. Audit candidates must contact the PMI Authorized Training Partner directly for the necessary verification.
If an in-house course did not issue a certificate, what type of verification will PMI accept?
We will accept a letter of completion from the course administrator, HR department, or manager on company letterhead to verify that the course was completed.
Will PMI accept a receipt or course roster as educational verification?
No. This does not provide any information relating to completion of the course.
Will PMI accept a school transcript to meet the degree requirement?
Yes.
Will PMI contact a verifying manager or supervisor?
Not always. PMI does reserve the right to do so if there is a specific question related to verification.
What happens in the case of a failed audit?
The Certification Department will address further actions on a case-by-case basis.
Are photocopies of education certificates of completion sufficient or does PMI require the originals?
The entire audit process is now digitized. Candidates can upload audit documents in their audit package dashboard if selected for audit. If a document has multiple pages, please upload documents into one PDF.
What steps need to be taken when an audit candidate decides not to proceed with the audit?
If a candidate chooses not to complete the audit, it is considered a failed audit due to non-conformance. A candidate may reapply after one year. At that time, a new certification application must be submitted and payment must be submitted, and the application will be subject to a re-audit.
My reference did not get my email from DocuSign. What do I do?
Please check the reference’s email address for accuracy. Please be sure the reference checks their spam folders for Docusign.net.
Do certificates in a foreign language need to be translated?
Candidates are required to upload the original certificate and a letter outlining a general translation. If a document has multiple pages, please upload documents into one PDF. This can be uploaded to the Professional Education area provided in your audit package.
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