How to Get a PMP Project Management Certification: An Overview

The Project Management Professional certification (PMP)® is a globally recognized project management certification that tests a candidate’s ability to manage people, processes, and business priorities. According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), which administers the certification, over 1.7 million professionals worldwide are PMP-certified [1]. It applies to project managers in virtually any industry, including health, construction, information technology (IT), and business.

To earn this certification, you’ll first need to acquire 35 hours of project management education. You can meet this experience requirement while simultaneously earning a Google project management certificate from another industry leader by enrolling in the self-paced, online Google Project Management Professional Certificate program.

Discover more about PMP certification requirements, cost, and exam questions.

PMP project management certification requirements

You must validate your project management experience and education to take the certification exam. Three sets of training requirements are available to choose from:

First set:

• 35 hours of project management training, which means coursework that specifically addressed learning objectives in project management. This can be substituted with a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification. 

• High school diploma or associate degree.

• 60 months or five years minimum experience managing and leading projects within the last 8 years.

Second set:

• 35 hours of project management training, which means coursework that specifically addressed learning objectives in project management. This can be substituted with a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification. 

• Bachelor's degree or global equivalent.

• 36 months or three years of experience managing and leading projects in the past 8 years.

Third set:

• 35 hours of project management training, which means coursework that specifically addressed learning objectives in project management. This can be substituted with a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification. 

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

• 24 months or two years of experience managing and leading projects in the past 8 years.

Read more: What Is the CAPM Certification? Requirements and More

PMP certification cost

As of October 2024, 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 but 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.

How to get PMP certification

Below is 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 using the criteria specified above.

You’ll want to keep track of your projects and training, recording information like your specific role, responsibilities, and length of projects or training so that you have it at hand when you apply. This training requirement can be waived if you already have a CAPM certification or met by completing the Google Project Management Professional Certificate program, which provides you with an additional credential for your resume while you prepare for the PMP.

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 and determination. 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 for practice. Depending on how frequently you study, this can take several months. Consider taking practice exams and studying PMI resources to prepare.

Is the PMP exam hard?

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.

Read more: 11 Good Study Habits to Develop

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. Below are a few benefits you might encounter 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].

I'm new to project management—should I get the PMP certification?

The PMP certification is designed to build on and solidify the training an experienced project manager already has. If you’re just starting out as a project manager, you may want to gain more experience or look into another certification—like the CAPM—before getting a PMP. The Google Project Management: Professional Certificate is also designed for those just starting out, and will earn you an employer-recognized professional credential.

What’s on the PMP exam?

Here’s an overview of what’s on the PMP certification test as of October 2024.

• 180 questions total

• 230 minutes (3 hours 50 minutes) to complete

• Two 10-minute breaks

• A combination of multiple-choice, multiple responses, matching, hotspot, and limited fill-in-the-blank questions

The questions fall into three domains:

People: 42 percent of exam

Composing a little less than half of the exam, the people section includes questions on leading and building teams, managing conflict, supporting virtual teams, mentoring, and other related topics.

Process: 50 percent of exam

The process section tests your knowledge on the methodology of seeing a project through to completion. You might be asked about managing budgets and other resources, scheduling, handling changes in the project, and determining the best methodologies for the project.

Business environment: 8 percent of exam

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.

Roughly half of the content represents predictive project management approaches, while the other half represents Agile or hybrid approaches.

Read more: Agile Project Management: What It Is and When to Use It

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.

Read more: How to Ask Your Employer to Pay for Your Degree

Other project management certifications

You might be wondering which certification is best for project management. If the PMP doesn't seem like the right fit for you, you can consider several other project management certifications.

Agile certifications

Agile is an approach to project management that focuses on adaptability and speed through smaller-scale and streamlined delivery. It is an approach that has gained popularity in recent years. Popular Agile certifications include the AgilePM from APGM International and the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) certification from Scaled Agile.

Read more: 6 Popular Agile Certifications

Scrum certifications

Scrum is a project management framework that emphasizes adaptability and iteration, and is an Agile process. Becoming a Scrum Master means you’ll be helping projects fit the scrum approach to meet success. Popular scrum certifications include the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) from Scrum Alliance and the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) from Scrum.org.

Read more: 7 In-Demand Scrum Master Certifications

To gain foundational knowledge of both Agile and Scrum for your professional development goals, consider setting aside 11 hours to complete IBM's beginner-friendly online course, Introduction to Agile and Scrum. It's part of several IBM-led Professional Certificate programs, including the IBM Project Manager Professional Certificate, which can be used to fulfill your 35-hour training requirement to take the PMP certification exam:

Start preparing for the PMP certification exam today

Your PMP certification can help you excel in your project management career, giving you recognition and needed skills. You can earn credentials from an industry leader and fulfill your training prerequisite for the PMP at the same time by enrolling in Google's self-paced, beginner-friendly online certificate program, the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate.