PMP Certification: Cost, Requirements, and How to Get Certified | Coursera

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With over a million certification holders worldwide, the PMP is widely recognized and has been linked to multiple benefits for project managers. Here's what you need to know to get started.
The PMP certification is a recognized credential for project managers in nearly any industry, including health, construction, IT, and business.
The PMP certification costs $675. If you are a Project Management Institute member, the PMP certification costs $425.
PMP certification requirements include 35 hours of Project Professional Training, which can be acquired a few ways, such as through an active CAPM certification or Google Project Management Professional Certificate, plus one of the following sets of credentials and experience: 1.) High school diploma/GED and five years of project management experience, 2.) Associate's degree or vocational trade school diploma and four years of experience, or 3.) Bachelor's degree or higher plus three years of experience.
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 PMP certification training, requirements, and how to get started in the following article. Afterward, prepare for PMP certification with Pearson's PMP Certification Specialization. Upon completing all modules, you will be fully prepared to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam.
The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is a globally recognized credential offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It demonstrates advanced project management skills, including leading teams, managing budgets, and delivering projects on time. It’s ideal for professionals with significant experience who want to validate their expertise and stand out in competitive job markets across a wide range of industries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As of July 2026, 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.
Read more: PMP Certification Salary Potential
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your PMP certification:
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.
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 you