How to Apply for the PMP

Your journey to becoming certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP)^® begins with the application.

Don’t be daunted: It takes just three steps to complete the application. The central task is to detail your experience and training to show you’ve got what it takes to become a PMP.

Read on for an overview of the application process—and words of encouragement from project professionals like yourself who found the certification process worth the effort.

of PMO leaders feel certification is very relevant for mid-career project managers, according to PMI’s 2018 Pulse of the Profession^® report.

Elevate Your Career Today.

APPLY FOR THE PMP

Application Action

Step One: Confirm You’re Eligible

Have a four-year degree? You'll need:

36 months of experience leading projects AND 35 hours of project management training.

– OR –

Have a high school diploma or an associate's degree? You'll need:

60 months of experience leading projects AND 35 hours of project management training.

Step Two: Gather Your info

Document your experience and training by gathering information about:

Projects you’ve led

Where you've worked
Your role and responsibilities
Duration of projects

Training You’ve Completed

Institutions attended
Courses completed
Qualifying hours

Step Three: Dive into the App

You’ll need a pmi.org account to kick the process off.

Tips

Have all the info you’ve gathered from Step 2 handy so you can sail through the application.
Need a break? Don’t worry: You can save the application as you go.

Then What?

Your application will be reviewed and then you’ll need to pay an exam fee if you’re qualified to move forward.

Member Price: US$405
Non-Member Price: US$555

Once approved to take the exam, you can schedule your exam time at a testing site near you (or you can take it online). Learn more about preparing for the exam.

2021 PMP Exam Content Outlines

Download

Ready to Apply?

Additional information regarding the application requirements and role definition can be found in the PMP Handbook and PMP Exam Content Outline.

While our application isn’t long, it is important to take your time to include all required information and to complete the application accurately. You can always log back into the application to complete and submit it at a later date.

If you have questions during the application process, feel free to refer to the PMP Application Checklist or contact us. We will help guide you if something is confusing or unclear.

APPLY FOR THE PMP NOW

Firsthand Experience

Learn from the experience of applicants like you.

When I applied for the PMP I had met the requirements by far. My preparation was simple: I studied the PMBOK and also enrolled in an online prep course. It was a simple switch to a more standardized way of understanding and conducting projects.

Diogo Magalhaes, PMP, MBA

KITCHENER, ONTARIO

Identifying and having support for prerequisites that spanned multiple years was the most challenging part of the application. Availing of a boot camp just prior to the exam was a must, as practical application didn't conform exactly to PMBOK terminology or structure. Not having an eidetic memory, structured learning was a must.

George Hoff, PMP

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI